Hulkster

mainly because i wanted a longer 1 piece UL rod, most of the classic ones that are longer are 2 piece rods, the one piece rods in that lineup tend to be on the shorter side. I actually regret not getting the 7'6 one piece TSR rod lol. i may upgrade one day, although i do like the 6'7 TSR rod that i have.

Actually you will probably find that the St. Croix UL rods run a little softer than the Loomis ones. The Avid UL's for example, are more 'noodly' than comparable loomis UL, but neither are stiff. the TSR rods are a true fast action UL, with a very light tip, but the classic IMX blanks are great. the TSR rods are composite (blend of different graphites) so you wont find what they are made of like IMX, GL3 etc. just some food for thought. I used to own the IMX SR841-2 which was an amazing UL rod, i sold it because I wanted a one peice UL rod, and replaced it with the TSR rod.

check out the newer Loomis Trout series rods (TSR) if you love UL fishing.. i have the 791 and it is awesome. its 6'7 though. it balances perfectly with a 1000 size shimano spinning reel. consider a slightly longer UL rod if you want, the longer rods cast better and they offer more shock absorption when fighting fish. I think there is a short model available in the TSR series, but most of them are longer for the reasons i mentioned, they even make a 7'6 one.

Getting back to the discussion, i have yet to handle a 2018 EX6 that was heavy or unbalance but some of the 2015 models were. but then again, i haven't handled all of them, and Ive only fished with a 2018 JWR 892S. my 2015 E6X was one of the ones out of the first batch that was well liked by most, the MBR taper in the 7'6 length is really awesome. but by the same regard, i had the MBR in the 7 foot model and didn't like it nearly as much as the longer version of the same rod. Go figure. The first generation E6X's were inconsistent if you ask me. some models fished great, others not so much. I think Loomis realized this and corrected a lot of the issues for the second generation.

Have you handled the 2018 models? they are a lot better than the first generation E6Xs. doubt there are any $100 rods that are better than those. esp. with full cork, hook keepers and made in the USA.

the thing that i notice most about fishing loomis rods vs others that i fish is that the tapers on the loomis rods (esp. the MBR tapers for all purpose stuff) are awesome. no other company has tapers as good as Loomis does IMO. the other thing i like about all the E6X rods is the cork handles and hook keepers. no EVA foam to be found, which is a big bonus IMO.

yes I have the SJR700 Mag Light Extra fast GL3. its a gem of a rod with a 1000 size shimano and 6 pound Sufix Siege.

the 2018 model E6X rods are a lot better than the 2015 models. the 2015 models were hit and miss depending on the model. Some were good, some not good (generally the heavier models from what i have read) the 2018 models are lighter more sensitive and crisper. I have 2015 MBR903 and a 2018 JWR892S. I like them both, great rods, great tapers.

i like 12 pound mono for lipless crankbaits. I use Sufix Siege. I like the bit of stretch that mono gives. and it casts very well.

trying to type twelve and fourteen pound test not sure why it is censoring.

i use Sufix Siege mono in *** pound test for my all purpose rig. stuff is strong and casts well.

it should play Jaws music as you are reeling in.

not sure of your budget but G. Loomis still makes the Escape series travel rods that are 3 pieces and come with a PVC rod tube and rod bag. i have two of the spinning models and they are excellent. pricey but worth it. they make a full line of baitcasting versions as well

when i started hardcore fishing i bought a chronarch 100A back in 1998 and it was 7.9 oz and people were raving about how light it was. I still do not think 7.9 oz is a heavy reel, you are going to put it on a 7 or 7.5 foot rod. it needs to balance correctly. too light and it wont. 7.9 oz sounds perfect to be honest.

never fished the other brand but the 2018 model E6X's are very good, i have a 7'5 spinning model. The first generation E6X (released 2015) were hit and miss depending on the particular model. Some were great, others not. I have the first generation MBR903C 7'6 Casting rod and I really like it, but its probably because of the MBR taper. Others have had other versions of their casting rods and not liked them.

Up here in Canada, Bob Izumi was sponsored by Shimano for over 20 years then switched to Abu Garcia. its all about the money.

i use the E6X MBR903C which is a 7'6 MH baitcasting rod and I love it for 1/2 oz. spinnerbaits. .

When i do it i do method B, usually snug everything up together.

one thing that is worth noting is that the current generation IMX Pro rods are available in the MBR 903 and SJR902 tapers (ie 7'6 rods) that I do not believe the GLX's are. if you like the extra length the IMX Pros have that option. The GLX MBR and SJR rods top out at 7 feet. Once i started using the 7'6 rods i fell in love.

i havent fished with the GLX but i know it has a custom reel seat that a lot of folks do not like the IMX Pro and E6X rods use a Fuji reel seat which is much better. Cant understand why Loomis insists on doing this all the time. Remember what happened with the first generation of custom reel seats on the NRXs? a disaster.

i have the plano rod tube that Scott mentioned, i store my 7'6 baitcasting rod and 7'5 spinning rod in it, although i have never flown with it. it does a good job protecting the rods, i place each rod in a rod bag and then bundle them together with a pipe cleaner and then place it inside.

the last time this was done demons awoke in the woods and they made the Evil Dead series. You don't want to awaken them again.

I use Sufix Siege 12 pound most of the time. love it

i will gladly amputate my left arm for a G. Loomis IMX Pro MBR903C and SJR902S if that helps.

i have two E6X rods, the MBR 903 7'6 MH casting rod and the JWR 892S, a 7'5 M power spinning jig and worm rod that i actually use for all lighter spinning presentations. both are great rods and i can do almost everything with two rods like this. they are very versatile.