G. Loomis Rod Question

Hello all, new to the forum. I am primarily a trout fisherman but that doesn't stop me from fishing for everything, hopefully I am still welcome. I am looking to replace my ultralight rod since I have worn grooves into the guides on my current rod (Ugly Stik Elite 4'6"). All I have ever had were cheap rods like Ugly Stik, Eagle Claw(glass), Etc... but I am now looking into getting a better rod and the G. Loomis Classic Trout & Panfish rods really stand out to me and seem to fit all my needs. I am looking at the 5' IMX model(SR6010 IMX), the action says moderate but without being able to try the rod myself I'm not sure if it will fit my needs. I hate my Ugly Stik Elite because it's too fast of an action and the #8 barbless hooks I like to use which are very thin gauge tend to get thrown too often. I have always prefered a softer action rod as long as they are not like a glass noodle rod. My favorite lures are small spoons 1/16-1/10oz and small plug lures like the Original Floating Rapala in 1/16oz, I never do any jigging and very rarely use live bait. I am also almost always fishing in moving water and my hooks are very thin gauge and pretty small so hook-set isn't really an issue. Sorry for the long post, esp for my first one but I like to give as many of the facts as I can when asking a question, thank you to everyone that takes the time to help out, I welcome any input.

Just to clarify, most of the trout I catch are not as nice as the one pictured below and fall into the 10-16" range, but occasionally I get one that's 18-22", it's a rare treat and a lot of fun on a light rig.

Got this guy last week on a 1/12oz Phoebe with a #8 barbless hook, he was ~20".
Attachment 356916

I've had a G Lmoomis since last winter and it sounds like what you're looking for. It's got a lot of flex and some backbone. I'll try to get the model # on it tonight. It's actually a little lite for my tastes for crappie fishing but it's perfect for bluegill.

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Originally Posted by R Shackelford

... the G. Loomis Classic Trout & Panfish rods really stand out to me and seem to fit all my needs. I am looking at the 5' IMX model(SR6010 IMX) ...

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I had that very same model. Nice rod but too soft for my tastes. I prefer the SR 661.

Also, check out the JDM rod sticky thread at the top of the Bream forum. Lots of good info in there on rods that many believe will put Loomis to shame. Alphahawk has posted lots about them and has a YouTube channel where he demos his voluminous collection. :)

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

I had that very same model. Nice rod but too soft for my tastes. I prefer the SR 661.

Also, check out the JDM rod sticky thread at the top of the Bream forum. Lots of good info in there on rods that many believe will put Loomis to shame. Alphahawk has posted lots about them and has a YouTube channel where he demos his voluminous collection. :)

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When you say too soft, are we talking like glass soft? or just softer than some? does the flex start at the middle like a true moderate or does it bend deeper? I'm not really all that picky when it comes to action so long as it's not too extreme in either direction, I don't want a broomstick and I don't want my rod doubled up on a 12" trout like you'd expect with a light glass rod. Anything over 5' is too long for my fishing conditions usually which is densely overgrown creeks.

to address you're first post: doesn't matter too much what you fish for, you or any other fisher person is always welcome here :welcome:fish

I use Grandt rods. I have them in ul's & lites. I love mine. Lil on the pricey side. But they are made in Illinois & have lifetime warranty. I have broken a few rod tips. I get new rod with no hassles.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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Originally Posted by R Shackelford

When you say too soft, are we talking like glass soft? or just softer than some?

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Softer than most. On Loomis rods, the last digit in the model number is the power rating. The rod you're considering has a 0 (zero) power rating. That's as low as Loomis goes. I prefer the 1 power rods: the 661 and the 781. I have an old 541 model that's really nice, too.

The 6010 is not a wet noodle. It was just too soft for my tastes. OTOH, it might be your dream rod.

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Originally Posted by R Shackelford

I have always prefered a softer action rod as long as they are not like a glass noodle rod. My favorite lures are small spoons 1/16-1/10oz and small plug lures like the Original Floating Rapala in 1/16oz, I never do any jigging and very rarely use live bait. I am also almost always fishing in moving water and my hooks are very thin gauge and pretty small so hook-set isn't really an issue.

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Check out some of these rods. Chris Stewart is the owner and is a member here.

https://www.finesse-fishing.com/fine...ning-rods.html

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

Check out some of these rods. Chris Stewart is the owner and is a member here.

https://www.finesse-fishing.com/fine...ning-rods.html

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I discovered that site about a year ago and strongly considered the Trout One and the Wise Stream rods before deciding on G. Loomis. Thank you for the suggestion, it really is a great site.

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Originally Posted by R Shackelford

Hello all, new to the forum. I am primarily a trout fisherman but that doesn't stop me from fishing for everything, hopefully I am still welcome. I am looking to replace my ultralight rod since I have worn grooves into the guides on my current rod (Ugly Stik Elite 4'6"). All I have ever had were cheap rods like Ugly Stik, Eagle Claw(glass), Etc... but I am now looking into getting a better rod and the G. Loomis Classic Trout & Panfish rods really stand out to me and seem to fit all my needs. I am looking at the 5' IMX model(SR6010 IMX), the action says moderate but without being able to try the rod myself I'm not sure if it will fit my needs. I hate my Ugly Stik Elite because it's too fast of an action and the #8 barbless hooks I like to use which are very thin gauge tend to get thrown too often. I have always prefered a softer action rod as long as they are not like a glass noodle rod. My favorite lures are small spoons 1/16-1/10oz and small plug lures like the Original Floating Rapala in 1/16oz, I never do any jigging and very rarely use live bait. I am also almost always fishing in moving water and my hooks are very thin gauge and pretty small so hook-set isn't really an issue. Sorry for the long post, esp for my first one but I like to give as many of the facts as I can when asking a question, thank you to everyone that takes the time to help out, I welcome any input.

Just to clarify, most of the trout I catch are not as nice as the one pictured below and fall into the 10-16" range, but occasionally I get one that's 18-22", it's a rare treat and a lot of fun on a light rig.

Got this guy last week on a 1/12oz Phoebe with a #8 barbless hook, he was ~20".
Attachment 356916

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I've owned Loomis.....Pheneix...Fenwick Elite Tech....and many others. Have used 3 different custom builders searching for the best UL rods money can buy. My search ended a little over 6 years ago when I went down the JDM road. For what the Loomis will cost you can get a far superior rod out of Japan. No one does it better than the Japanese. Chris over at Finesse Fishing can give you a lot of info and is great to deal with if he has the rod you're looking for. I have some very informative videos about the different types and action of JDM rods on youtube at TroutMagnetMan.

Regards

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Originally Posted by Alphahawk

I've owned Loomis.....Pheneix...Fenwick Elite Tech....and many others. Have used 3 different custom builders searching for the best UL rods money can buy. My search ended a little over 6 years ago when I went down the JDM road. For what the Loomis will cost you can get a far superior rod out of Japan. No one does it better than the Japanese. Chris over at Finesse Fishing can give you a lot of info and is great to deal with if he has the rod you're looking for. I have some very informative videos about the different types and action of JDM rods on youtube at TroutMagnetMan.

Regards

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Thank you very much for providing the informative videos, I do like that extra ultralight by angler's republic. I did look into and consider a few of the JDM rods however I like the security and ease of having a warranty right here in the states in case something were to go wrong, this is an expensive purchase for me and I prefer a little insurance.

First, welcome from Central Florida. We all share the passion even when the target species differs. I’m also prone to longer posts and they still like me.

As for your rods I’m no help. I tend to keep rod cost much lower than you’re considering, so I’ll defer to those who know their stuff. Hope you find what you’re after. I personally won’t buy what I haven’t held in my hand, been disappointed a few times too many.

The TSS Trout Slayer by Leland is longer than what your requirements are, which is a shame as it is a heck of a nice rod for the money. Worth a look see, but it sounds like you’re looking at a higher price bracket. As the old saying goes, “don’t let the price fool you”! The TS is a REALLY fun rod, decent quality, and pretty tough as well.
Bob

I am not opposed to spending less, this is just the only rod that fits all my requirements, 5' or less, good quality blank, and high quality Fuji ceramic guides. I would love the opportunity to try a bunch of higher end rods before purchasing but i'm in a black hole for tackle shops out here, nobody has anything.

Gotcha. The TSS ain’t it! Good luck with your research! Please let us know what you decide.
bob

I have never seen guides with grooves worn in them. That is a lot of use. My rods don't get that much milegae on them

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

I have never seen guides with grooves worn in them. That is a lot of use. My rods don't get that much milegae on them

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This is my Ugly Stik Elite I bought in June, I'd show the tip-top which was far worse however it was replaced a month ago with a spare I had.

Attachment 356990

That is a lot of wear

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

That is a lot of wear

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It's the water I fish, it's a freestone creek and every time it rains the water rises and stirs up silt which the line picks up. However this is also when the best fishing is, large trout bite best in high stained water so this is my favorite time to go. I am hoping with high quality guides I will get a rod that will last a while.

Did Maintenance for 8 years at a rug mill. We processed a lot of yarn. Yarn both synthetic and natural fiber has a lot of dirt in it and therefore extremely abrasive. They make industrial guides that stand up to years of high speed (60 mph) high tension abrasive fibers passing through them with minimal wear. Surely they make rod guides that can take the abuse. if not they need to

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Originally Posted by R Shackelford

... the only rod that fits all my requirements, 5' or less, good quality blank, and high quality Fuji ceramic guides.

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Have you considered St. Croix? Any of these would work for you.

Freshwater-Trout Series
- St. Croix Rod

Freshwater-Panfish Series
- St. Croix Rod

Freshwater-Avid Family
- St. Croix Rod

I would pick an Avid over the Loomis 6010.

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

Have you considered St. Croix? Any of these would work for you.

Freshwater-Trout Series
- St. Croix Rod

Freshwater-Panfish Series
- St. Croix Rod

Freshwater-Avid Family
- St. Croix Rod

I would pick an Avid over the Loomis 6010.

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I did not realize that the Avid came with Alconite guides, you just gave me a lot to think about. The other models by them I had looked at had stainless rings in their guides and it immediately turned me off the whole idea.

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Originally Posted by R Shackelford

I did not realize that the Avid came with Alconite guides, you just gave me a lot to think about. The other models by them I had looked at had stainless rings in their guides and it immediately turned me off the whole idea.

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Avids are sweet and cheaper than the Loomis.

Major Craft JDM rods- come with the toughest guides, you will find.

Shakelford .... correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears that you are using braid. That, coupled with the steel/chrome guides on a glass rod, isn't going to take too much use to start grooves in the guides/tip. And if those grooves get an edge or burr ... your line is going to get shredded, eventually. And if your luck is anything like mine, it'll break on the best fish of the day or year or lifetime. :Doh:

Best "creek rod" I've used is a 5'6" ESP UL rod (ESP™ High-Performance Ultra Light Rods – Norsemen Outdoors ) but you'd be hard pressed to find a store that sells them, where you could hold one in-hand.

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

Shakelford .... correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears that you are using braid. That, coupled with the steel/chrome guides on a glass rod, isn't going to take too much use to start grooves in the guides/tip. And if those grooves get an edge or burr ... your line is going to get shredded, eventually. And if your luck is anything like mine, it'll break on the best fish of the day or year or lifetime. :Doh:

Best "creek rod" I've used is a 5'6" ESP UL rod (ESP™ High-Performance Ultra Light Rods – Norsemen Outdoors ) but you'd be hard pressed to find a store that sells them, where you could hold one in-hand.

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That is braid and only the tip on the rod is glass, the rest of the blank is carbon and yes i'm aware of what will happen to my line if it continues, I had it happen with another rod, didn't ever break but my casting suffered terribly. I am retiring the pictured rod asap in favor of a better quality rod.

The IMX is a good series of rods, I have a handful of them in my boat, I would also look into St Croix if I were you

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Originally Posted by Super D

The IMX is a good series of rods, I have a handful of them in my boat, I would also look into St Croix if I were you

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I am also considering the St. Croix Avid rod but am on the fence about it, I hear Croix rods run a little stiff for their rating, between that and the Avid being a fast action rod i'm worried about ending up with something stiffer than I'm after. I will prolly take a drive out to Cabela's this week and check out some of their rods, they don't sell the Avid at my local one but I can at least check out their other stuff and see what I think. Thanks for the suggestion.

if your determined not to go the jdm route. st croix would be my pick. ive owed the avids, panfish, and eyecons. the icons are my favorite and come in a variety of lengths and actions. the avids are gonna be the most expensive prob. in the $200.00 range. they have come out with an elite panfish rod now that i have not had my hands on but i would suspect its a great rod but its in the 350.00 range. in my opinion though none of these will out perform a jdm.

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Originally Posted by R Shackelford

... I hear Croix rods run a little stiff for their rating ...

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That's not been my experience. It really depends on the model. I loved the Avid 6' UL, but the 6.5' and 7' were way too soft for me. Don't let the "fast" action scare you off. They say that about all the Avid UL rods.

Look, if you want a soft, high-quality, 5' UL rod, the Loomis 6010 fits the bill. (It's the only American-made rod that fits the bill, IMO.) I don't believe I've ever handled the 5' Avid, so I can't compare it to the Loomis.

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

That's not been my experience. It really depends on the model. I loved the Avid 6' UL, but the 6.5' and 7' were way too soft for me. Don't let the "fast" action scare you off. They say that about all the Avid UL rods.

Look, if you want a soft, high-quality, 5' UL rod, the Loomis 6010 fits the bill. (It's the only American-made rod that fits the bill, IMO.) I don't believe I've ever handled the 5' Avid, so I can't compare it to the Loomis.

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Thank you, you have been an immense help, I have been trying to find a local place that offers either of the mentioned models with no success so I'll likely just have to pick one and order. I am going to go with the Loomis, it's not like I couldn't return it if it was completely the wrong feel but I doubt it'll be necessary. I would rather a rod be a little too soft than too stiff so this seems like the safest bet. So long as it's not as soft as some of the glass rods I've tried I'm sure I'll be satisfied, some of those left the tip springing like a dog's tail after every cast till after the lure had hit the water lol

By the way, the heavier than common rating I read about seems to relate to their heavier rods, very hard to find much info on their ultralight rods.

I think you will like the Loomis. Good luck! :)