Question about Loomis New Steelhead Series

[rgalanti21]

I'm looking into getting a Loomis 1165C, which is a 9'8" Medium-Heavy, Fast Action rod under their new steelhead series (not the classic steelhead), and I was wondering if any of you guys knew what graphite blanks these rods are built off of? The "classic steelhead" series all have either "IMX" or "GL3/2" beside their numberings, but the new steelhead series does not.

I plan on using this for Silvers and steelhead and the 9'8" drift rod is right what I am looking for.

Thanks!

[Button Nubbs]

gonna be honest, you would get alot better rod if you went with a custom builder.  not really the question you asked but just my  after building a few rods and comparing my sub par work to the factorys.

[rgalanti21]

I'm not well versed in the custom rod arena. I assume I would need to buy a blank and take it to a rod builder? Who would you recommend?

[wildmanoutdoors]

I like custom rods allot. But I buy complete cause if you need a warrenty, you have to rebuild the rod again. Sure Loomis will give you a new blank. But your rod builder is not going to warrenty his service....

They are not any of the GL3/2 IMX or GLX. The Steelhead series, is just that, Steelhead series graphite. Must be between GL3 and IMX looking at there pricing.

[Button Nubbs]

I'm not well versed in the custom rod arena. I assume I would need to buy a blank and take it to a rod builder? Who would you recommend?

typically you tell them what you want and pay accordingly. good suggestions in this thread: http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/604330/all/Custom_rod_builders.html

lots of custom builders offer warrantys... 

[wildmanoutdoors]

So your blank breaks in half. Its a custom built rod. You send it back to Loomis, they send you a new blank. A Rod builder is going to supply all materials and re wrap the rod for free?

[rgalanti21]

I like custom rods allot. But I buy complete cause if you need a warrenty, you have to rebuild the rod again. Sure Loomis will give you a new blank. But your rod builder is not going to warrenty his service....

They are not any of the GL3/2 IMX or GLX. The Steelhead series, is just that, Steelhead series graphite. Must be between GL3 and IMX looking at there pricing.

Thanks for your insight. I have heard that they use IMX in lower 3/4 and use GL3 in the tip to give it added durability, so it's basically a blend from what Ive heard, but wan't sure.

[rgalanti21]

I'm not well versed in the custom rod arena. I assume I would need to buy a blank and take it to a rod builder? Who would you recommend?

typically you tell them what you want and pay accordingly. good suggestions in this thread: http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/604330/all/Custom_rod_builders.html

lots of custom builders offer warrantys... 

Thanks for the link! I'll look into this for sure 

[Thefisherman83]

I like custom rods allot. But I buy complete cause if you need a warrenty, you have to rebuild the rod again. Sure Loomis will give you a new blank. But your rod builder is not going to warrenty his service....

They are not any of the GL3/2 IMX or GLX. The Steelhead series, is just that, Steelhead series graphite. Must be between GL3 and IMX looking at there pricing.

Thanks for your insight. I have heard that they use IMX in lower 3/4 and use GL3 in the tip to give it added durability, so it's basically a blend from what Ive heard, but wan't sure.

You have that backwards, they use the IMX top half for better action and casting and the GL3 lower for power.  I have that rod and it is a powerhouse, but the fast action allows you to get away with smaller lead if needed. 

[wildmanoutdoors]

I dont believe you can get any blanks in the Steelhead series anyway.

[Wingin it]

Rainshadow blanks are of good quality. Also, if you can find them North Fork blanks are Gary Loomis' new rods and are also very nice. The Fetha Styx Homewater series are built on them if you have the chance to check one out. Can't go wrong with Loomis though for an off the shelf stick.

[Thefisherman83]

I dont believe you can get any blanks in the Steelhead series anyway.

I dont believe you can get any Loomis blanks, Period.

[steeleywhopper]

I have that rod and its great to fish. It's light, super sensitive, and can handle big fish just fine. I use it for steelhead, silvers, and springers. You won't be disappointed if you make the purchase. My gl3 and certified pro's take back seat to this rod.

[87Ford]

I have four Rainshadows...nice blanks...love'em!

[ML_Hunter]

I don't recall what blank they used (was once told by a Loomis rep) but it was a blend there other rod blanks. G. Loomis made this line to stand out on its own and separate it from the GL's, GLX, and IMX series.

I have the STR1163C and LOVE IT!! When fishing for steelhead, coho, and pinks, its one of my go-to rods. I own several Lami Cert-pros, and a couple of GL2/GL3's. When going after the above mentioned fish, its deffently one of the rods I have with me. Because its a 9'8", I commonly use it as a float rod..but have also used it as a drifting rod, side drifting, and with spinners. The light action makes casting a dream even with light weight. I had even hooked up with a 27 lbs king when fishing for cohos one day and the rod handled that fish just fine without me ever worrying about breaking the rod.

I noticed that you were looking at the 8-17lbs rod...I would strongly recommend that you concider the 6-12, what you lose in muscle you gain in sensitivity! But it has plenty of backbone to handle the bigger fish, IMO. Then again if your MAIN use is for coho the 8-17 would be just fine, for a good blend of steelhead AND coho, then I would HIGHLY recommend the 6-12.

Either way, its an awesome rod and one of my favs!! 

Here is another good article about the rod by Terry Wiest, and he used the Steelhead series on Steelhead, Kings, and Chum.
http://www.steelheaduniversity.com/GLoomis_Steelhead_Series_part1.html

[ML_Hunter]

I don't recall what blank they used (was once told by a Loomis rep) but it was a blend there other rod blanks. G. Loomis made this line to stand out on its own and separate it from the GL's, GLX, and IMX series.

I have the STR1163C and LOVE IT!! When fishing for steelhead, coho, and pinks, its one of my go-to rods. I own several Lami Cert-pros, and a couple of GL2/GL3's. When going after the above mentioned fish, its deffently one of the rods I have with me. Because its a 9'8", I commonly use it as a float rod..but have also used it as a drifting rod, side drifting, and with spinners. The light action makes casting a dream even with light weight. I had even hooked up with a 27 lbs king when fishing for cohos one day and the rod handled that fish just fine without me ever worrying about breaking the rod.

I noticed that you were looking at the 8-17lbs rod...I would strongly recommend that you concider the 6-12, what you lose in muscle you gain in sensitivity! But it has plenty of backbone to handle the bigger fish, IMO. Then again if your MAIN use is for coho the 8-17 would be just fine, for a good blend of steelhead AND coho, then I would HIGHLY recommend the 6-12.

Either way, its an awesome rod and one of my favs!! 

Here is another good article about the rod by Terry Wiest, and he used the Steelhead series on Steelhead, Kings, and Chum.
http://www.steelheaduniversity.com/GLoomis_Steelhead_Series_part1.html

I should also mention that I have now owned this rod for about 18 months now...have hooked Tons of pinks, a good number of Coho's, 3 kings and 20+ steelies with this rod. I have every con finance with it. I am actually thinking of getting another one...maybe the 1044S? Thinking of a shorter spinning rod for side drifting out of a boat.

[rgalanti21]

TheFisherman83: Thanks for correcting me on the material used, your description makes far more sense as I had it backwards.

ML_Hunter: Thanks for recommending the 1163C, I definitely need to think this over because that article you referenced was pretty convincing! If the 6-12 can handle the 27 lb king you hooked, then it should handle any silver, and thus be light enough for those subtle steelhead bites.

I just don't want to be "undergunned", but from the sounds of it the 6-12 has the best combination of sensitivity and power.

Thanks guys and I welcome any other comments/suggestions!

Tight lines 

[wildmanoutdoors]

This pic defines. "UNDERGUNNED". While it may have worked, it was definately too light of rod for this Chum!

[rgalanti21]

This pic defines. "UNDERGUNNED". While it may have worked, it was definately too light of rod for this Chum!

I noticed that picture when I read the article...

[ML_Hunter]

Understand that I never intended to hook a king on my rod, Just so happened that I hooked a late fat king which was on the darker side (as wildguy mentioned, it work but was too light). I had a long gravel bar and was able to let the fish play out. I knew I was not going to break my rod, and never felt underguned while fighting the fish, but if I had my girlfriend using the rod, fighting the same fish  I would be worried .

Terry Wiest in the article I think was really trying to make the rod fail...or push the rod to the point just prior to failure. I would be a bit nervous if my rod was bending like his on that chum.

I use mine as a float rod for coho, and that is the biggest fish I target with this rod. Its the longest rod I own, trust that it'll handle the fish (including the larger Humptulips and OP coho's)...so i figured why not!  Its not a King or Chum rod, the 8-17 would be much preferred for the bigger fish.

[Bone_Collector]

One thing to remember with the Loomis warranty is its not free! If you break the rod its still going to cost you to have it fixed! I have had them quote me over $100 to fix a broken tip section! But I guess thats what happens when a small company gets bought out by the corparations!

Now on a side note I have been switching over my work rods from loomis to rainshadow and I am kicking my self for not doing it YEARS ago! I love the rods and they are tough as nails!

B_C

[wildmanoutdoors]

I had been using Loomis all along. Then Rain Shadow came out and I had TH custom rods tie up a few for me. We had allot of failures with those in the early years. My guess is Batson has it down now. But it left a bad taste in my mouth and if I cant trust it, Im not using it.
There service was outstanding and always replaced everything.

I then went back to Loomis and never had an issue. That is until I got a sponcership from St Croix. Got a big batch o rods and they were as bad at failing as the RS's.

Back to Loomis and never looked back...They might be owned by Shimano, but they just dont fail!

[Thefisherman83]

One thing to remember with the Loomis warranty is its not free! If you break the rod its still going to cost you to have it fixed! I have had them quote me over $100 to fix a broken tip section! But I guess thats what happens when a small company gets bought out by the corparations!

Now on a side note I have been switching over my work rods from loomis to rainshadow and I am kicking my self for not doing it YEARS ago! I love the rods and they are tough as nails!

B_C

I'm sure Shimano didnt do us any favors, but the replacement fees have risen so much because people abused the warranty.  You shouldnt get a free rod if you slam yours in your car door!  Gary Loomis' new company has the same $100 replacement fees for the same reasons. 

[boneaddict]

more commenting on wildmans chum photo than Loomis.  I am a Sage man myself.

I ahve seen those striped buggers break more rods than any other fish.   

[TheHunt]

Some chums are real fighting fish.  It seems as if the Nisqually Chums fight more then the Puyallup as a generalization. 

[Bone_Collector]

I understand about people abusing the loomis warranty it used to be that if it was because of a factory defect they would take care of the problem for $20 not the minimum $100 fee! But when a brand new rod explodes into 5 pieces when a 6 pound spring Chinook takes a glob of eggos while back trolling some thing should be done!

On top of that ever since shimano bought out loomis they have eliminated their in house guide program. They are part of a big corporation now and it shows. Its left a bad taste in my mouth and to be honest with you I am not real impressed with their product any more!

B_C