Loomis or St. Croix?

[joshm]

Let's say I have about 150 bucks to spend on a new rod. I have been looking at the Loomis gl3's and the St. Croix premier and Avid series, but I don't know which brand to go with. Both have good reputations, but a salesman told me that you wont notice good quality in a Loomis until you get into the GLX and IMX- is this true? I am just looking for some feedback from you guys that use (or don't) one or the other. Whether it's spinning or baitcasting shouldn't make a difference- just looking for the best quality for my money.
Thanks
joshm

[dockboy]

It's all personal choice. Get what you like. I own a couple Loomis rods and I like them. But I really think their best series are their specialty rods like the Drop Shot and Crankbait series. Their IMX and GLX are good but a lot more than many comparable rods from other builders. I like the St. Croix Avids. The GL3s are ok, but in reality this is where everybody now has Loomis beat. The St. Croixs are excellent rods, IMO they are better rods for the price. To get the best of Loomis, you have to spend more than 200. If you can find them at a local tackle store, check out the Powells. They are very nice rods for about the same price, check'em out here: http://www.basstackledepot.com/mm5/merc ... _Code=Rods.
When I get enough money, I'm thinking about going to the Powells for my finishing up my tournament selection. They are light, and very sensitive, definitely a good value for the price. There's a lot of rods out there for that price. But if you're stuck with just St. Croix or Loomis, I'd say go St. Croix.

[BigBossMan]

I have both Loomis and St. Croix rods and they are all nice for what I use them for. I have a couple of Powell rods that I think are awesome. But with it being so close to the debut of Dobyn's rods. I would wait until those rods are out before I make a decision on my next rod.

[MrSkeeter]

If you have limited funds, consider buying used rods. There's nothing wrong with a used IMX rod. Same warranty and same performance. Just check it out and make sure you have no broken guides and the cork is in good condition.

Concerning Loomis and St. Croix, they're both good rods. But personally, I'd prefer Loomis IMX rods. They feel better in my hands ... more balanced and quite sensitive. I've never owned St. Croix rods so I cannot say ... though I've played with them in the stores, I've always gravitated to Loomis rods.

[snapitoff2002]

Amen on the IMX... still a little expensive, but worth it. The Avid series is a great buy in your range, and better yet, some of the St. Croix Premiers are nice... you can get two nice rods for about 190 bucks...

[snapitoff2002]

Amen on the IMX... still a little expensive, but worth it. The Avid series is a great buy in your range, and better yet, some of the St. Croix Premiers are nice... you can get two nice rods for about 190 bucks...

[leachman90]

If you can get a IMX for $150.00 then find another $150.00 and buy 2.lol
That would be a great price considering I have not seen them for under $240.00 or so and I work part time selling them.

[jbsteels]

You have a PM.....

[Paul W]

Loomis still makes some nice rods, but I had several quality issues w/ them over the last 4 years and quit purchasing them. I think they WERE the best rod, but not anymore. There are too many cool rods out there right now, for alot less money!!! Powell and Kistler are 2 that I would look at way before any Loomis. Ok enough of that......on the flip side of things, St Croix makes some very nice rods. I never had a problem with the ones I've owned, and theyve always been pleasant to deal with. The Avid rods are excellent and cost about what youre looking to spend. So if youre dead set on Loomis vs. Croix, I'd vote Croix....


Paul W

[bassrippin365]

I own both of the rods in question .I prefer my ST.croix over my Imx.I feel like I'm better in tune with my avid than I am with Imx when i'm worming.Another thing to think about is the warranty policy on each.My avid broke after about five years of use due to operator error.Hinse never lay your pole underneath the cleat of your boat.I sent it in and they shipped me a new one,no questions asked.Now G-loomis on the otherhand has a $50.00 dollar no questions asked policy.But on the pro side of it they get you your rod back quickly.The $50.00 dollar policy is a policy that says if the rod breaks due to faulty craftsmanship,just send the rod back minus the fifty dollars.But if you send it back and they find evidence that it was broke by a cleat,truck door,etc then your out and the warranty is a void.Most everybody i know sends the fifty dollars.So i choose the st.croix avid because of the warranty and i don't feel the Imx is anymore sensitive than my avid.Not $70.00 dollars worth anyway.Another option is the shimano crucial I am really impressed with the sensitivity and the no questions asked over the counter warranty.This is just my opinion and if I offended any g-loomis die hards i apoligize in advance.For the spell checkers if i mispelled i apologize in advance to.

[Colebass]

looking for? maybe I can help.

I always have rods for sale.

[aNNieNsaLTIE]

hi,

i own loomis, powell, lamiglas, crucials, st croix, and a few custom wraps. you have 150 dollarsto spend, but what are you trying to buy?
a all purpose rod, a cranking stick, flipping stick? and what rods or set up do you already own?

i have many loomis and still buy them when i think it fits the tool i need but i also just purchased 2 powells back to back to. if i knew what you were looking for i would tell you what would work for me...and a GL3 843 is always in my boat paired w/ a castic sf and 30lb braid.i love that set up. those GL3 904 and 902 are nice.there are SSOOO many rods out there. i'd skip the web browsing, go down to your closet shop and try them ALL OUT. bring a reel with you tool or ask to borrow one. get the true feel of what you are purchasing. i usualy can NEVER leave my local shop in less than 2 hours.

good luck, saLTIE-

[joshm]

Thanks for all of the info on what and why you guys use different brands of rods. It has been very helpful. I do believe that I am leaning torwards the St. Croix now.
In regards to Saltie, I was trying mainly to get an impression of the brands and not get into to much detail about the specifics. I have been using pretty cheap rods that I like but cannot find them anymore. I have the old Berkley Select Series rods in both spinning and baitcasting. I used to purchase them at walley world for 50 bucks. I think that it was a good price for an IM7 rod, but that was a few years back. I am now looking to upgrade to better rods with more of a name behind them. I don't currently have a rod for a specific task, but am looking into a couple for dropshoting and jigging.
Two real reasons that St. Croixs sound good are the warranty and that my partner uses them and I have been able to try them out. You are right, Saltie when you say that I should go to a dealer and pick them up. I will only buy a rod that I can play with before I drop some money on it. And from what you guys have said, it sounds hard to pass up a warranty like they offer.
Again, thanks for all of the input. I have and will consider it all!
joshm