Tywithay

I'd look for a used old model GLX. I wasn't too impressed with the new IMX or the GL3 rods, I have $160 rods that outperform them by quite a margin.

Metanium, Core 50, or Exsence DC; depending on application.

There's new Ballistic and Procyon reels out that are superior to the older model.

2500 shimano ci4+

Neither the Sol II or the Tatula have dual braking.

Only accepting PayPal is the only thing to look for. That means they're legit. I've used them a few times. Best prices out there.

Overtons is the same as Gander Mountain. Order with confidence.

Bearings mean very little. The old Calcutta B had 3 or 4 bearings and lasted forever. If you take a cheap reel and put 12 cheap bearings in it, it's still junk. Quality of craftsmanship, materials, and components, is far more important.

Sniper (US and JDM) Shooter Tatsu Toray Polyamide Plus Defier and Defier Armilo Rarely use anything else. Sniper is far and away the best value of the bunch.

Do you own any custom rods? I can assure you that a custom made from a K2, NFC HM, or SC5 blank that is built to your own specifications will give you a much better experience than any rod off the shelf, even the NRX. And that's coming from someone that has owned probably a half dozen NRX rods.

Totally agree. They're not in the same class, as far as build quality. The performance far exceeds most rods in that price range, and several that cost much more. Same goes for the Orochi XX at $300. I'll pick up my XX rods 9/10 times before I use my GLX, because they just feel better. I'm really interested to see what these Edge EFX rods do to change the game. They have a "real" Made in the USA Loomis IM blank for $200....has to be a scary thought for all the other manufacturers out there, if he can get across to the mainstream with the funky handles.

I like to think Invizx is for people that want to use fluorocarbon, but don't like fluorocarbon. It may or may not have the "invisibility," if that's a thing, and it has the fluorocarbon price; otherwise, it stretches as much as mono and offers far worse knot strength than most quality mono. If you want lines that offer more of the benefits (abrasion resistance, sensitivity, etc.) I would like at getting a spool of Sniper, Tatsu, or Shooter. All have a little different qualities, but do the "fluorocarbon" things better than Invizx.

I think Bose would be a closer representation. Bose makes a very fine piece of audio equipment, but it's just way overpriced. Loomis isn't much different. They make a pretty good rod, especially the NRX. You'd be hard pressed to find a more sensitive rod than the NRX, though a few are right on its heels for less money. If you want the best, you gotta pay. The problem is more with the lower tier rods from the IMX down. They all offer subpar components and don't offer nearly as much performance as rods that cost a lot less, then expect you to pay just because it says Loomis on the side. I don't agree with that at all. When I can get an Avid, LTB, or KLX, made in the USA, with Fuji alconite guides, for $50-$150 less than an IMX with similar (or even better) performance; it's easy to see where I'll put my money. The Legend Elite/Extreme are every bit of the rod the GLX is and costs $100 less, with the same components. I just don't see how they justify the cost anymore when others are doing it better and cheaper.

There are other companies made in the USA that offer a superior product at a lower price point. Loomis, you're primarily paying a premium for the name. They started the whole thing wwhen Gary introduced the IMX and GLX. That was light years ahead of the competition. Today, technology has caught up to the Loomis brand and those techniques are the industry standard. Loomis is no longer at the forefront, but rather the middle of the pack.

Zbone, Edge (the original price, it went up, but will be reduced again at the end of this year), Megabass X4 is pretty close.

Not hating, just saying the truth. I've owned a Loomis from almost every line and none of them have been worth retail cost. The GLX and NRX are great rods if you can score a deal on a rep sample. Otherwise, it's easy to find rods from other manufacturers that are better for the same or less money. Loomis built a following based on the name and reputation, but they've gotten passed in recent years.

Not the new model IMX. I bought one for a hair over $200, and even at that price it was a big rip off. You can do a whole lot better for half as much money. I would say the GLX is where Loomis starts to shine. The NRX is the only rod that truly blew my mind out of the bunch.

They already do, they just charge $250 for it.

I'd say there's a 99% chance the brake drum is dry. Take a couple drops of oil on the end of a qtip and coat the brake drum, it'll be good as new.

The Elite only costs about $260 if you buy it straight from Japan. The added cost is for the American warranty and shipping costs.

SV spools have a stronger braking profile, which makes them much easier to cast. They require little, to no, thumbing. The SV is also lighter and will pitch easier and cast lighter baits more efficiently. You give up distance for the ease of use. The 1016 is just a great all-around spool. It's slightly more wild than the SV, but hardly uncontrollable. If you're casting 1/2oz or up, it's the better choice, in my opinion. It's also the better choice if you want more distance. Either spool is an upgrade over the stock spool, though you're not going to see huge improvements. You'll be able to see the effects of the SV more so than the 1016, but that's because the 1016 is just a better version of the spool that's already in it.

Antares 100HG, Stella 2500FE

They're actually cheaper in Japan than they are here, for the same reel. That's mostly because with the American release of JDM reels, you're getting a warranty as well. Shimano USA will not work on an Antares purchased from Japan, but they'll work on an Antares that is purchased in the US; even though it's the same exact reel. A lot of the Japanese releases appear to be the same reels as the USDM counterparts on other releases, but usually have a couple little extras to make them slightly better. Like the Scorpion vs Curado in years past. The Scorpion always had better bearings, titanium coated levelwind, and seemingly slightly better build quality. The new reels coming over are the exact same models as the Japanese version, which is nice. It sucked getting the watered down version for years.

I use one on both of my Antares, never has caused a problem. The balance thing is false.

One of my favorite rods. The DX rods balance a bit better, but there's no question that the St Croix is more sensitive and has much better build quality.