Lamiglass Pro-Staffers, A question for you?

[Hipster]

or anyone who can chime in.

Why do these great Rods not have a Hook keeper/lure holder?

In the past year I have went from devoted Shimano to G-Loomis(which are nice but to pricey to Lamiglass) I love the feel of the rod just wish they had a built in hook keeper.

Hipster

[Marc]

Mark,

Being manufactured in the northwest where most guys experience with rods were the 8 foot plus models for steelhead and salmon, many of the anglers up here don't use hookkeepers and view them as "unnecessary", and something to get in the way of your second hand on the rod while fighting a big fish. As you know, that isn't the case with us bass guys.

Lamiglas got the message, and they are now building all their bass rods with hookkeepers. Wait until you pick up one of their new top-of-the line rods that will still be priced below comparable brands. Extremely lightweight (even lighter than their titanium models) and small diameter.

Lamiglas has a new and expanded factory in the same location in Woodland, WA where they build these blanks themselves by experienced craftsmen. I fish their line of rods not only for their quality, but also because they have the best engineered tapers in my opinion, and a model for every style of fishing that I like.

And they now have hook keepers.

BTW, for the models you have without hookkeepers, order some Norman hook keepers from Bass Pro Shops or other stores. They are soft but durable slip on hookkeepers that I use on my casting and spinning rods.

ciao,
Marc Marcantonio
Lamiglas ProStaff

[Rich_Thiel]

NM. I know Im going to get drilled for this LOL

[Tobe]

My question is why do customers have to wait up to two months for a rod repair or replacment?
In my case it was clear there was a manufacture defect, it snaped in half during a hookset, why should i have to wait up to eight weeks to get what I payed for?

[Marc]

Did you mail it directly to Lamiglas, or take it to a dealer? Incidentally, most rods that are damaged from being stepped on, or scratched by rubbing against something, break on a hookset because loading the rod causes the scratch to break the rod.

ciao,
Marc

[TTCal]

Hey Marc,

Nice to know Lamiglass is stepping things up a bit. I've always admired their rods. Look forward to seeing the new stuff.

[Tobe]

To answer your questions Marc, I took the broken rod ( CC 705) back to Fishermans Wharehouse where I purchased it only three months ago.

And as far as stepping on or damaging the rod myself ( which I admit I have done before to other rods) this one was fine.

The rod snapped through the cork handle.

I've since found out that the model CC 705 does not have a one piece blank, it's made of two pieces joined inside the cork handel, what a terrible design.[/b]

Had I known this from the start I definitly would not had purchased the rod.

Can I pay the difference and get a rod that is a true one piece blank?

Don't get me wrong I'm not bashing Lamiglass however I do feel I'm geeting the short end of the stick here.

[Tobe]

[Ray Vanacore]

I probably will get some flax over this but,I have known this for several years, and that is why I dont purchase there rods ,I have 2 for who ever needs one in my boat if it breaks so be it no loss because I wont want a replacement and + I feel its false advertisement. Just my $.02.
Ray Vanacore

[Marc]

Tobe,

The reason I asked if you shipped it directly or not, is because all too often the delay is on the part of the store. Recognize that most stores only ship after gettting several broken rods, and they save on shipment that way and don't have to make a lot of transactions. In the store's defense, they do this as a service to their customers and because they stand behind the product they sell. They make nothing off the warranty repair, despite the labor and time it takes them to package and mail your warranty claim.

I checked on your rod for you, and spoke with Lamiglas's warranty department (Josh). Josh remembers your rod specifically because of the break in the handle, and he looked it up for me in his records to give me the shipping info.

Your broken rod (and yes, it certainly is considered a manufacturing defect) was received at Lamiglas on July 12. Josh shipped a brand new replacement rod back to Fisherman's Warehouse on the 14th. A total of two days; not two months.

Lamiglas does regret your rod coming apart, and as of receiving your rod, to date they have only had two do this. Please understand that Lamiglas is not happy with any doing this, but my point is that this is an unusual circumstance. FYI, there are only two rods in their many models that have a handle arrangement like this, and they are the CC 703 and the CC 705. All other Lamiglas rods have the blank completely through the handle as one piece units (except technically the Titanium series that had a titanium tube bonded to the blank).

These two models are both in the Competitor Series and are 7 feet in length. FYI, Lamiglas has been building their rods and blanks themselves for the past 50 plus years in Washington State (and many of the blanks used by other rod companies). Recently they have introduced a couple of "value" lines of rods, like the Competitor Series which sells for $69 yet still is covered by Lamiglas' lifetime warranty, which they have to import to keep the price down. Lamiglas does not import any of their better lines, such as the Certified Pro Series, which also sell for more due to the superior materials and workmanship. Many imported 7 foot and longer rods of other companies also have the two piece blank in the handle which is how they make a rod longer than 6.5 feet.

Had you shipped your rod directly to Lamiglas, which is always your option, and included a note that you wanted to pay the difference and upgrade it to the similar model in the Certified Pro series, he would have done so. The good news is that he is still willing to do so! When you get your replacement rod, should you choose to do so, ship it back to Josh and include a check for only $55, and he will ship you back a brand new XC 705 (which not only has the through handle blank, but also the exposed blank so your finger rests directly on the blank). That is a great deal if you have the extra $55.

Again, Lamiglas takes pride in their product line, and their workmanship. If you want the best consistent quality and strength, then I suggest moving up to the Certified Pro or better series. If this is above your budget, the Competitor Series is a great value and provides good service at a great price, and still comes with the Lifetime Warranty, all for $69.

If I can be of any other help, please let me know.

One last little point for all the others...Lamiglas only has one "s" at the end just in case anyone cares.

ciao,

Marc Marcantonio
Lamiglas ProStaff

[Tobe]

You got a deal.

I'm glad you set the story straight about the shipping time, I was unaware that the retailer waited so long to bundle rods for shipping, had I known I would have shipped it myself.

As far as the certified pro rods, I have four of them now ( just bought my second 806) their the best damn rods!

So should I call Josh or what ?

Let me know and thank you Marc for looking out for me and also teaching me how to spell "Lamiglas".

[kb]

Tobe:

I have to say Marc went above and beyond on Lamiglas behalf and that service alone should prove to you the quality of both Lamiglas and their pro-staff, I am proud to be one of the Lamiglas pro staff members.

You should consider the additional 55 for the Certified pro rod if it fits in your budget. We have some awesome new products that will be introduced in Las Vegas this week and you will be seeing it at your local stores soon. Lamiglas is listening to each of us and is now building one of the most complete lines of bass rods on the market. Check out the topwater special rod, the senko rod and the drop shot II rod and the 764 is the most versatile rod you can have in your boat.

Kent Brown
Lamiglas Pro Staff

[Marc]

Tobe,

You don't need to call, just send back the rod and your check, but feel free if you would like to talk to Josh directly: 360-225-9436, press 0, and ask the operator for Josh Cooper.

KB is right on the money about the new rods, and the people at Lamiglas. They have stayed in business over 50 years in a very tough market by taking pride in the rods they build, and taking care of customers.

ciao,

Marc Marcantonio
Lamiglas ProStaff

[basstamer]

I personally have never used a Loomis rod or a Kistler Helium series(I have several "regular" Kistlers-also very nice rods)-regardless of how nice they are I couldnt afford to use them. Lamiglas is the BEST bargain you are going to get for the price! They are very high quality and I have never had a problem with any of the 20+ I have owned. They also sell for a decent price especially if you compare them to Loomis...they arent Bass Pro Shops rod prices but then again they are Bass Pro Shops Rods quality either (not that BPS rods are bad) BUT trust me-use a Lami and you'll be hooked. Hipster's remark about hook keepers has me kinda puzzled though-all my rods have them from the SR705 to the less expensive MBC series! Try them and you'll like them.

[basstamer]

I personally have never used a Loomis rod or a Kistler Helium series(I have several "regular" Kistlers-also very nice rods)-regardless of how nice they are I couldnt afford to use them. Lamiglas is the BEST bargain you are going to get for the price! They are very high quality and I have never had a problem with any of the 20+ I have owned. They also sell for a decent price especially if you compare them to Loomis...they arent Bass Pro Shops rod prices but then again they are Bass Pro Shops Rods quality either (not that BPS rods are bad) BUT trust me-use a Lami and you'll be hooked. Hipster's remark about hook keepers has me kinda puzzled though-all my rods have them from the SR705 to the less expensive MBC series! Try them and you'll like them.