This past winter I upgraded my rod and decided, maybe wrongly, on a Loomis GL2 STR1265C (10.5').

Most of my fishing with this rod will be casting from the beach (salt) with salmon or steelhead set-ups, using an Abu C-4 5601 reel.

What has me questioning my purchase is: I think I read on a couple different posts now that the newer loomis rods are not as good as they use to be. Did I make the wrong decision? I had not discovered this site then, but did talk with both Ted's in Lynwood and John's in Everett bofore making the purchase.

Let me know what you think. I am also thinking about another L hand casting reel and would appreciate recommendations in (almost) all price ranges.

I think you did fine buying that rod, especially for beach fishing [bobber and herring being my favorite].

I'll second what Jerry said! Even if Loomis rods aren't what they used to be, they're still a damn sight better than most other rods are now!

You've already purchased your rod. Do you really want to know what we think? If so, ok, here's what I think.

I think for the price you paid for that Loomis GL2, you could have purchased an Allstar Elite 1265c. The Allstar Elite line of rods is on par with a new Loomis GL3. Not the end-all-be-all of a high end rod, but certainly better than the GL2.

But...

There's certainly nothing wrong with a GL2 1265 either. You don't need the sensitivity of a GL3 (and cost) for beach fishing...at least I don't think you do.

Allstar offers a lifetime warranty, where Loomis will rake you over the coals on a warranty issue. I've heard of quality control issues for both companies.

Personally, I would have pushed you towards Allstar, but oh well, woulda, coulda, shoulda.

I upgraded 3 of my rods to the Allstar IMX series. Quality sucks on those rods for the price..even if I only did pay half price. Not like the IMX of old. Even my older GL3's were of higher quality than my new IMX's.

Oh well.

The new loomis have a silver guide while the older ones have black guides. The problem with the new ones is that the guides tend to rust. The older ones have a black coating that protects the guide from corroding. One advantage to the newer models is that the entire blank is covered with epoxy which protects the rod much better than the older versions.

Hey - I appreciate the feedback as it will better prepare me for my next purchase! (now that I'm fully addicted)

Now - Is the new left handed Shimano baitcasting reels ($350) really worth saving up for, or should I look to Garcia for the Salt? What about Diawa Millionaire's CVZ series?

I may be rehasshing an old issue here, but I don't remember specific discussion about the saltwater series Calcutta (CTE401?) Is it worth the extra $$$?

Jerry Garcia -
Bobber/Herring is a blast and I am really looking forward to trying it with this new, longer, rod.

After reading the thread about PP, etc., I think I may give it a try with a that as my main line and then a mono leader! Can't Wait!

The Garica Ambassadeurs are true work horses! I'd recommend the C3 or C4 6500s.

do you guys use herring fillets or do you cut it at a angle when bobber fishing and perhaps could you point me to a few areas that you fish bobber/herring, im normally a freshwater fisher but however before the pt. defiance boat dock tore down the sidewalk that ran jus along the side of the building, we would go down there at night a hook some nice fish near the herring pen, but would hardly land them...

BERKLYBOY - I either use a cut plug herring, or a whole herring with a bend in it, so it get's that good rotation in the water under your bobber. I find Whole herring hold up better to repeated casting. I have not spent a lot of time doing this, but it is fun and plan to do more of it this year.

I am not familure with South Sound beach fishing locations, but you could drive up to Point Wilson @ Port Townsend, or Marrowstone Island, across the bay from PT. (good camping at both State parks) On Whidbey, Keystone and Possession Point @ the bait store are your best bets.

Good Luck - this should be a good year to learn.

Jeff, you can find me at Ft. Casey most every weekend during August and September. I used to fish Bush north of the old rail launch about a 1/2 mile or so, but parking and access became such a problem that I just fish Casey now.

Jerry-
I look forward to seeing you there this summer. I usually go out towards the point at Bush, but suspect I will get crowded out this year with the Pink Salmon run headed our way.

I fished Ft. Casey two or three times last year. Great fishing and a great view! I guess I better buy my State Parking Pass this year in order to ovoid the $5/trip fee! Is there a free lot with access to Casey?

No, you can park out on the road across from the ferry line and walk through the campground and along the beach to the point. It's a long walk sometimes.

Ok. I am familure with that spot. Last year I parked inside the campground near the beach. That was nice, but....

What month would you expect the summer run of steelhead to hit it's peak on the West side of Whidbey?

Also, keep your eye out on in July. Last year I caught 2 nice Sockeye on the West side of Whidbey! Yum!

You should be seeing some summerruns now. We had to fight to keep a July fishery[got 1/2 the month] during the North of Falcon process as the boat guys[charter] wanted expanded blackmouth opportunity in April and were seeking to trade the July fishery. Two years ago the July coho fishery was HOT, caught 10 [released 8] coho July 1st.

Jerry Garcia-
Thanks for the information and for putting up a fight for the July fishery!

I don't however, understand the Charter crowd's logic in wanting to trade 1/2 of a July Coho/Pink fishery, for Chinook in April. That doesn't make sense to me, but maybe I am missing something.

Is there talk of allowing an area 9 hatchery chinook season like the straights? That would be very popular and a blast with a bobber and herring!

So - 10 Coho on July 1st! Do you think the aggressive biting Pinks (this was 2 years ago?) had a lot to do with that, because last summer I didn't see many Coho landed at Bush until after August 1.

Thanks again for representing us at the NOF process.

You aught to swing by Bush this summer for a day of fishing. It would save you 20 miles and a long walk!

Speaking of new Loomis rods, I saw this mentioned in another post a few months ago about a new 13'4" IMX float rod. Does anybody have any info if and when this rod will become available? I'm curious as to see how the action will compare to the 13 footer.

Check with Jigman as he seems to be a Loomis "try this rod and see if you like it" Here is a link to that discussion


http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=011183#000007

jerry or todd, say when the fish are off the beaches, maybe we could hook up and do some bobber/herring fishing? i wanna try this again, in the daylight, it was hard to do at night and especially hiding from the park police who spot light the pt. defiance at night..jus drop me a line whenever you got anytime to go, im free every weekend...

I'll let you know, but you'll have to come to Whidbey.

I find anything over 9.6 very hard to drift fish with. That is not to say I do not do it once and a while, it is just difficult for me.

BBoy & Jerry Garcia -
I will keep an eye out this summer for a post and come down and meet you at Keystone.

Long drive from Auburn BB, but you could camp at Casey or S. Whidbey State Park and get 2 full days of fishng in. (8 fish this year!)

Jerry- How much lead do you use when fishing herring and bobber? Have you found a bobber that can float more than 1 oz? I would like to start using a little more weight . Or maybe not? What's your opinion? anyone?

I will say this. The new ABU's aren't the workhorses of yesteryear. You really need to stay on your toes with them. Especially in the salt. Make sure you thoroughly clean, dry, and relube after every trip. I only use older 5001 and 6001c's. Easy upkeep and parts fail under alot of rougher use. I know I have a couple that are well over 20 years old and still going strong (I've owned since day one) and only had to lube/clean. No parts change.

I got rid of all my new ABU's. I had to put way too much work into them to keep them running. Especially in the salt. So, keep them clean.

I use 3 different outfits

1) 1 1/2 ozs. and a large styrofoam[sp] float
2) 1 oz. and a small styrofoam float
3) 3/4 or 1 oz. and a dink float

This is a message to all who might have some concerns about G.Loomis rod's . The reason we buy Loomis rod's is because they are the best, they are the best because; the Graphite we use is a Proprietory Blend that we have built for us. We use Fuji components because they are consistent and redily available We don't copy other rod companies. We certainely don't copy Rod Model Numbers, Blend of Graphite description or color. We would'nt be considered original otherwise. Shimano and G.Loomis will continue to lead, were others will follow.

sincerely, Mike Perusse

Reiter, from reading your post, do you work for Loomis? I was only curious because the way you posted, was as if you worked there (we do this and we do that). Loomis wasn't the original, but he did build his company off what he learned from other companies. Their rods are one of the best because the expanded and pushed their rod making to the edge of envelope.

I know the scientist who formulated the original graphite and mandral process for Lamiglas when one of the Loomis's (can't remember if he said it was the dad or son) worked there. Sounds like to this day he's still friends with them. They saw all the transition work it took to make a good rod with graphite mixing the proper factors to make a good rod. He told me all about problems of mixing graphite/glass and so on. But each rod company over the years has helped build the next one in one way or another. Most of the makers have either worked, or studied how the rods were built and refined/bettered them. Problem is, alot of companies have a tendancy to backwards slide on a buyout. I just hope loomis doesn't. I have a few of their rods and all are great. Hope shimano doesn't ruin them.

69- Yes he does work for Loomis, his name is Mike Perusse and he is the Loomis Rep. He just happened to post it under Reiterrats moniker...........

AH, ok. Was wondering. Thought Reiter worked somewhere else. LOL.

Should've known it was a rep from a response like that. I know enough reps from enough companies (not just fishing, but those I deal with through my job) and it's usually the same. Which is a good thing. You should have pride and be able to defend your product. Just thought it was odd that it was Reiter posting like he was Mr. Loomis himself.

I've been fishing Loomis rods exclusively for as long as I can remember and wouldn't fish anything else. They have a model for about any kind of fishing you can imagine and have always performed well. I field tested a number of the new float rods coming out including the 13'4'' model. It's a sweet rod though personally I don't care for the Skamania handle (long foregrip and short butt section). My fav is the 1474 (12'3" 8-15lbs line). They are all spinning rods and they're all IMX.

I did fish G. loomis rods (1025c, 1082s and 1084c ) till they went to crap. Now I fish my old G.loomis imx's and new Lamiglass, sage or rainshadow as it suits me. I've got the bucks to fish what I feel is the best rod and in most cases loomis isn't it...........

You can get a sweet custom rainshadow from
a great rod builder like TH or others out there for damn near half the price of a new loomis. They do build fine rods but they are just to proud of them when it comes to pricing.