I use multiple blanks depending on application as each one has its merits for specific functions - i.e. topwater, plastics, wading, etc. We've gone through just about all of them testing over the last 8+ months. Basically, I have narrowed it down to specific models from Phenix, MHX, Lamiglas, and St. Croix that I recommend depending on what features are most important to the angler.

Will be testing my own carbon fiber blanks soon, but as stated above, testing is a long process. One person's light is someone else's medium-light, their fast is somebody's moderate, etc.

I know what you mean....I got a mhx ml fast and it's more like a med x fast.

Looking G-loomis website. Don't see TFO??

TFO is Temple Fork Outfitters. I think Gary Loomis is with them now.

You aren't going too. G-loomis was bought by Shimano a while ago and Gary Loomis, through a round about way, started TFO. TFO is a completely separate line of rods with the backing of Gary.

Gary loomis has started edge rods. He was paid by tfo to put his name on their rods which are in no way shape or form g. Loomis rods. Imo the tfo rods should retail for about $30 judging blank quality, guides, reelseat, etc. you would be better off with any other rod in the $100 range.

Is G-loomis still the same quality rods they were before? They have a 1 time per rid over the counter return policy at LCT. After that you have to send a little money with the broke rod...

Gary Loomis' company is Northfork Composites. The blanks are high quality and the prices show how proud they are of them!

My .02. Not fancy or expensive but my favorite so far has been the Skeet Reese (Finesse/Worm Fluke) for trout. Bought them at Academy and Railside for $79.99, on sale. It has micro guides and is very sensitive. I've got them rigged with a curado or an h2o Mettle and 6/20 braid with 20lb. flouro leeder. Casts a mile. It's the most sensitive set up I have found so far. Just bought a Duce and like it too but have only caught about 20 fish on it so far. Too early to tell.

I have a custom one being made by Calcasieu Custom, right now, and am really looking forward to trying it.

By a long shot though, my largest increase in sensitivity has been the switch to braid.

On slow days, you appreciate a good light weight rod and reel set up.
You don't have the fatigue you would with a heavier set up.
If you are fishing live bait on the bottom, heavier set up's aren't an issue.
If you fish artificial and chunk lures a lot, lighter is the way to go.
I don't buy the already made up combo's, except for Shimano.
At one time they had some good combo's.
I'm too lazy to fish all day like I did in the past. Just fish a few hours and go home, no matter what or how many I caught.

Ray only uses one rod and he is pro staff

Billy Stix

He is affiliated with both TFO and Northfork, but yes, Northfork is his blank company. I believe his contract with Shimano states that he can't actually make rods…

The TFO seem like good rods for the money but the ones I have held appear to be geared towards bass applications.

Gary loomis owns northfork and is now building EDGE rods on northfork blanks. Have not yet seen an edge in person but they look to be very nice.

The kistler klx rods use his northfork blanks. Kistler is selling so many they can't build them fast enough.

It's a 7'6" ML I picked up for $50 or $60. To my understanding, Gary Loomis helped design these rods.

Next rod will be a KLX.

There are tons of rods out there now. I am like Micah in the R&R. Have been using MHX a lot and having great luck with them. I can get almost any blank out there. A lot of it depends on what someone wants to spend.



Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4 Beta

A Sarge Custom "Hassle"

Attachment 52105
Got this for a late fathers day gift... Feels good, need to get some fish on the end of it!

I do have only one rod!!!

Olivier Custom Rods, 7 1/2 medium action, long handle, purple and gold thread wrap, gold guides. Like a rocket launcher for a quarter ounce jig head and Matrix Shad!

great rod!! my last 7'2" model took a flight out of the boat down hwy 27:pissed:

Dat's Rite. Helium filled blanks. Makes them light.

I am the only one I know had good luck with him in the BL area.
I got exactly what I wanted. No problems, except once.
He forgot to put something on it, so he gave me a free one and let me keep the one he forked up.

i have been using castaway and all star rods for a while, because im clumsy and break em in my boat and i could take em back to academy.. but then i started breakin em on fish and one of them throwin a top water and it snapped on me, so i tried gettin a abu garcia i think its called a vengence.. its the 50 dollar one, the thing is pretty tough for a 50 dollar rod, and im tough on em .. caught some nice reds today and it handled them really well, might but a few more of em

The 1 I got from him is still kickin. I use it all the time. Wouldnt get another one tho

I am getting Jchief to hook me up on a new one for a birfday giff.

G. Loomis. Lifetime Warranty!

Most rods today have lifetime warranties. As far as I know, Shimona is the only one that has a "no fault" warranty.

I believe that if you have a rod with a "defect" in it, it will show up in the first few times you use it, most of the time.

I know of several Loomis sent back from user error. No questions asked. Pay shipping only.

Didn't know that.

Thanks.

G-loomis Has a one time over the counter swap. After that you have to send a little cash with the rod to get new one... That's what they Told me at LCT this week.

Any one use the klx ????
They look sweet.