idiot1

Currently, I have 3 St. Croix (2 Premiers and 1 Avid) and 1 Loomis (IMX), and there are things I like about both. In my experience, my St. Croix rods seem to have higher quality control standards, while my Loomis is more sensitive and lighter weight. I see quality differences in the shop I work at, where I have seen countless Loomis rods with cockeyed eyes, stray epoxy, etc. Nothing too major, but little things that shouldn't have happened. Of course, I can't even compare my Avid to my IMX in terms of being a comparable rod, just because the graphite in the IMX is far superior. If my Loomis retails for $215 while my Avid goes for $170, I'd hope there's a difference. Of course, if you compared two rods that are in the same price range and have comparable powers and actions, I'm sure that it would come down to nitpicking and personal preference. Edit: The one price range that I will give Loomis a definite edge is the GL2. While I do own 2 Premiers, the GL2 is the better rod, but also carries the heftier price tag.

A guy I work with has two. He loves them to death. I've never actually fished one, but everything about them just seems really nice. If I were to get a baitcaster, I would consider the Energy PT, along with a Shimano or two.

That was a pretty good read. I'll have to try some Stren or Trilene on my one rod and InvisX on the other, and try to fish them side by side. That article definitely makes me wonder if the InvisX is worth the extra money.

Oooo! A Viento would look sweet on a Legend Tourney. ;D Also happens to be a pretty nice reel. I also do prefer the normal grips instead of the split grips. The split grips do look cool, but looking cool isn't cool if you don't like how it feels or performs. I was actually kind of surprised that St. Croix will be doing the split grips now.

Nice rods and I'd say you got a good deal! Of course, the new Legend Tournaments will be out soon. They've got a redesigned handle with exposed blank. Much like the handle on the Carrot Stix actually, but with cork instead of foam. (I believe it is foam on the Carrot Stix. I haven't actually had one in my hand though.)

I use the double palomar mainly. Good knot, and nice and easy to tie.

I can't complain about it. I work at a smaller shop, and the policies that St. Croix and G. Loomis have in place help us to compete with the big guys. If they didn't have those policies, we sure wouldn't be as eager to sell one, and might even stop carrying them completely. On that note, the place I work has completely dropped Berkley products except Trilene, due to the fact that we simply cannot compete with Walmart and other places. Ironically, the same people who complained about our prices on Berkley products and threatened to stop shopping at our store, are now the same ones complaining that we don't have it.

That's a very nice rod and you should be quite happy with it, especially for what you paid for it! ;)Last week I took home an SJR722 in IMX, which is pretty much the same rod, but 6'. ;D While it is the most sensitive and lightest rod I have, I could nitpick about the fit and finish and the quality control compared to my Avid. I won't though, because for the price I paid, I really have no right at all to complain. 8-)

Like has been said before, its not worth it to skimp on line. You don't need to buy the most expensive stuff on the planet, but buying the cheapest doesn't make any sense either. I happen to like Seaguar InvisX, but it is pricey. Trilene is usually ok and decently cheap.

Spinning or casting? Either way, I'd go for an Avid (on sale for around $100 all over the place, if you can still find one).

I've been using Seagaur InvisX this year, and I'll never go back to Trilene. I used to use nothing but Trilene Sensation until last year, where it seemed like every spool I got was bad.

In my opinion, the way St. Croix and Loomis stack up against each other looks something like this: Triumph/Premier* < GL2 < GL3/Avid** < Legend Tourney? < IMX < Legend Ultra < GLX * IMO, the Triumph and Premier are ok for someone starting out or someone who only fishes occasionally, with the Premier being the slightly better choice. ** I view the GL3 and Avid as on a pretty even playing field, but the Avid gives you more for the money and I do prefer the feel of them. I wasn't really sure where to put the Legend Tourney, as it isn't popular at all where I work. The only time we get them in is when someone wants to special order one, whereas we try to keep the other ones in stock.

I would try to find an Avid on sale, or try to become best friends with the guy who owns/runs your local G. Loomis or St. Croix dealer. My favorite rod right now is a toss up between my Avid and my IMX. There are things that I like about each, and each serves a slightly different purpose. A GL2 would be a good option too, but I'm not the biggest fan of the GL2 series. Even at the GL3 level, I'd probably still take an Avid. 8-)

Avid.

For the price they aren't bad. You're probably not going to find much better at that price point unless something goes on sale. They are supposed to be the same as the Premiers, but they have a slightly different feel to them. I'd have to say that the Premiers are slightly stiffer than their Triumph counterparts, or at least it feels that way.

From my experience out of those particular poles, I've only ever fished with the St. Croix Premier (I did just purchase a 6' IMX yesterday, though). I've had my PS60MF since late August 2001. It was my first St. Croix (very first graphite pole for that matter) and now I have 2 Premiers (that 6' for bass, and a PS5ULM for trout fishing), an Avid AS66MF2 (a 2 piece is a much easier fit in the back of a Jeep while off-road), and as of yesterday, my 6' IMX. As of right now, my Avid is my favorite pole by far, but I'd imagine that the IMX will take that spot very soon. While I haven't fished all of the poles you were looking at, I do happen to work at a small fishing and tackle store, so I get to have my hands on plenty of rods on any given day. As for the poles you were looking at: The Premier is a nice pole, but there is better out there. If you're looking in the IMX price range, I wouldn't bother looking at the Premier. You can't really go wrong with the Shimano Crucial, and of course the IMX series is great. By the way, I wouldn't worry too much about your Shimano being made by a Japanese company, instead of a Loomis made here in the USA. The money paid for the Loomis would eventually have made its way up to Shimano's money stockpile anyway.