flechero

Same here... 9/1 is always a day I look forward to!

I agree with John... none of this ever sounded right. Not to re-hash this because I vaguely remember it was a long thread but did you ever make a call to someone "above" the person initially that denied the claim and explain the fact that you inspected it with a loop and the hit mark wasn't there? I guess it could have happened in transit to them also. I'd invest a few minutes into a call or two to recoup the rod. Maybe he was probably trying to make it good for you. You might have refused the new replacement.

That has more to do with your line and drag setting than the rod. Even a med rod has good backbone in the butt section... just point the rod towards the fish a little more than normal and use the heavy part to apply pressure. I see what you are asking and the MXF will allow you more leverage in that case.

Had a second trip out with him Sunday... it was just as special as the first! He likes to go "fast" (just on plane) but he's not sure about cornering. ;D We'll get after some bluegill pretty soon.

We didn't fish that morning... I just introduced him to his home water. What a cool day for both of us!

No, actually- that $50 you used to pay for the Xpediter doesn't equal profit on a replacement rod... at the very least, it cost them that to make the replacement. I honestly think they lose a little money on that deal, because even at their discount, shipping eats up a good part of that $50. And remember... if they were profiting off the Xpediter- they wouldn't discontinue it. That would be like throwing money away.

SJB1226, I love how you assume they make a killing off these rods... just this thread alone shows me how many people bought for a replacement policy... which would not get changed if it was profitable.

Jay, I think you missed what I meant... or I just don't communicate as well as I used to! My point was that many of us fished Loomis before the Xpediter program and just had a legit warranty. I realize that many people bought for the replacement program. The original warranty (defects and workmanship) is still there plus a one time "oops" replacement for a fee. That's still better than many others out there. I know you fish hard... no quams with that, I also do but I'm a little more careful with the rods not in my hand I guess. Part of that is knowing first hand what it takes to build them, and part is growing up w/o replacement policies. If I smack a tip with a bait, and it later breaks at that spot- it was a result of fishing hard (or sometimes carelessness) not a defective rod... in those cases, I don't have any heartburn if I have to buy another rod. I don't expect a company to buy a my replacement if I break a properly built rod. In answer to Steezy's post Again, I wasn't clear. I'll use the Xpediter if it's available. But I did not buy loomis because of it and wouldn't avoid loomis now if they had the correct rod for one of my applications, knowing the new warranty/replacement policies.

I don't disagree that it sucks by comparison to Loomis of past, but it's no worse than the other high end rods of today. (as steezy points out) I also think anyone that bought on warranty, bought the wrong rod. The Loomis prices didn't go up when Xpediter came out... and it's not going down with the new changes. Everyone thought they were a great rod and fairly priced before the warranty got so good so why is it suddenly seem like the warranty was the only selling point? Sure the package has changed a little, but my guess is they had to protect from had a number of habitual "breakers" who took serious advantage of the program. So those who haven't had multiple failures or accidents aren't really affected and those who have used it over and over on the same rod have been cut off from upgrading every year and purposely breaking rods. just $.02 from a broke guy

Prepare your flame throwers... A warranty is supposed to cover defect in manufacturing, materials and workmanship. Not car doors, rod lockers, drunks and missed steps! Remember the threads on how many rods have you ever broken? Most of this very forum said none or one and with all the years of fishing, that says something. Doesn't anyone take responsibility for their own actions anymore???? When you were in your last traffic accident, did you take the truck back to ford or chevy for warranty body work? I doubt it. If that $500 rod is that good, just take care of it. A few of you need some cheese and crackers with all of that whine....

The biggest problem with technique/situation specific rods is that rarely do 2 guys prefer the same thing... so my list would differ from yours. Instead, try this- Take the rods you have and list (length, power action) on paper and what you like them for and then list out what you do or don't like about them for the other techniques you want a rod for. Then you can tailor the characteristics of each scenario to best fit your actual preferences in a rod purchase.

Sorry about the injury- listen to them, and get all the treatment you need. Nothing worse than lingering injuries... trust me. SOP on a worker's comp claim is the drug test... in most cases you aren't even allowed back to work until results comes back (clean).

Same here. As for knots on a spook... if I want a wider walk or am working it slow I use a loop knot and for a tight or fast walk I use a palomar

Start here: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1242835952/0#0 search "lathe" in tacklemaking under posts by flechero, and check one post per thread and all posts. That will give you a bunch of threads containing the tools and how to get started.

Just curious, what is good publicity for a drug cartel? ;D I'm not sure that the cartels will adhere to an underwater border so the warnings to stay on the US side might should be changed to stay a good ways from the border on the US side.

waiting until you can afford the perfect wedding and honeymoon is like waiting until you are financially set before having kids... ;D you'll never think you are there. You could have had a 6 month honeymoon and the best wedding ever thrown for what you have already spent on kids. I'd be more afraid that she would read this and decide she was worth more and deserves better than being "settled for." From what you wrote, she is. It's time to accept your age, the choices you made and the live you have. Infatuation and lust are feelings... love is a choice. For your kid's sake, I hope you decide to commit to them and their mother.

The GLX is a lighter blank and faster action so what you probably felt was a lighter, more delicate tip making the rod feel heavier (in power) in the mid to lower sections. The lighter rod usually feels a hair more powerful as well.

ditto to Raul's post... were you confusing it with the new curado?

You'll never look at a factory rod the same way again... Congrats! (nice work, Eddie!)

but how many months have you not had to pay out for repairs? I'm in the same boat, once in a while it's a tough month but the other 10 or 11 months a year I'm paying for nothing but fuel and a few oils changes.

Good stuff so far... I find a fast action 7wt. in my hands most often but my home lakes offers little in the way of grass. I do fish in the timber though. (I have to change leaders often just like retying with regular fishing) You should go to a full line fly shop like an Orvis or something and cast some rods... they all let you go outside and do some casting. (bass pro will if they have extra people working) It's a great way to try a couple and see which weights and actions feel best to you. Also most guys can help a beginner get the hang of it. And don't worry about not buying... most of the guys in our orvis try to get people to go cast just so they can also get out for a few minutes and cast with you. ...lol

Just one example would be the economy All Stars... for the equivalent of one hour's pay I can buy a good utility or loaner rod. I'd spend the same on material alone to build it. (and at least 8 hours to build my version of a utility rod) Time isn't something I have much of right now so it's a better value to me to buy that utility rod.

trimming the tip actually slows the action but increases the lure wt. range. Rod power would not change. If only 1" you will not see much difference.

here is a quick link to show you the actual difference. http://www.allstarrods.com/sub_actiontaper.html For your stated purpose, it's a personal preference... but if you use braid at all I would not use x-fast. braid and close quarters hooksets are very rough on equipment and joints.

Wasn't sure if you wanted commentary from the older generation of members or commentary on the older generation of All Star rods... since I qualify on both fronts, I'll respond. Older guy comment- I think All Star is still one of the best values in rods today... even the cheaper ones fish like much more expensive rods. If you meant the older generation of rods... yep they were even better. There was a time when All Star was considered the premium rod. Up until a recent burglary > :'( I still had several of the original WR2's. Darn thieves.