Hi! New to these forums, looking forward to participating! Question: I'm looking at a custom built ML 7' 2-piece spin jig rod built on a G Loomis IM6 blank from the early 1990s. High quality reel seat, grade A cork and guides. Very reputable builder who sells on eBay. How would this rod compare in action and quality to a new St. Croix Premier spinning rod? I know IM6 is a lower-modulus grade of graphite than the SCII St. Croix uses, but not sure how important a comparison that really is? Price for both rods would be about the same.

Thanks!

Not sure what kind of warranty would be on a 20+ year old custom Loomis.  That alone would push me to the St Croix.

i myself would go with a St. Croix SCIII blank (  St. Croix 3S70MLF2 ) if your keeping cost down , but would preferably get a SCV 5S70MLF2-B

The older Loomis blanks prior to Gary parting ways with G-Loomis were great. They set the standards by which all other rods were compared dating back to the original IMX and GLX lines. I am not sure what Loomis blank you are looking at but I would pick one over a St Croix any day of the week.

On 9/9/2016 at 9:34 PM, kickerfish1 said:

The older Loomis blanks prior to Gary parting ways with G-Loomis were great. They set the standards by which all other rods were compared dating back to the original IMX and GLX lines. I am not sure what Loomis blank you are looking at but I would pick one over a St Croix any day of the week.

Would you pick a GL2 over the SCII??  Well now....really??  You don't necessarily love Loomis, you just hate St. Croix for some reason to make a choice like that!  The Premier is not without fault, but it's a very solid performer in it's price group.  Every single one I have is more sensitive than the one GL3 I own. 

2 hours ago, Jeff H said:

Would you pick a GL2 over the SCII??  Well now....really??  You don't necessarily love Loomis, you just hate St. Croix for some reason to make a choice like that!  The Premier is not without fault, but it's a very solid performer in it's price group.  Every single one I have is more sensitive than the one GL3 I own. 

I would not pick a GL2 or GL3 if that is what is being asked or implied by 1990s Loomis blank. I would probably be looking at other options...

The older brown gloomis IM6 blanks are surprisingly nice.   I have one in a 6ft spinning rod that is super nice to fish with. 

Even if it is a loomis, I'd rather have a premier than an Im6 blank and guides with 20 year old technology

I don't know much about the Kigan 3D guides used on the new Premier but from what I could gather they are good quality guides.  Anybody here have any specific info on them or familiar with their reputation?

you talking about this

New old stock G.Loomis blank. Up for bid is a custom built 7' medium spin jig fast action G.Loomis Im6 graphite model. It is rated for 6-12# line and 1/8-1/2oz. This rod has a fast action, with lots of back bone. I used an Aero reel seat, grade A cork, Alps guide set, and a metallic copper wrap. It doesn't have the original label, but Loomis guys will recognize their signature ferrule design and graphite.

On 9/12/2016 at 6:51 PM, Big Bait Fishing said:

you talking about this

New old stock G.Loomis blank. Up for bid is a custom built 7' medium spin jig fast action G.Loomis Im6 graphite model. It is rated for 6-12# line and 1/8-1/2oz. This rod has a fast action, with lots of back bone. I used an Aero reel seat, grade A cork, Alps guide set, and a metallic copper wrap. It doesn't have the original label, but Loomis guys will recognize their signature ferrule design and graphite.

Yup that's the one! I figured someone as obsessed with eBay as me would suss that one out. For now, the lack of a warranty scared me off and so I  got the St. Croix Premier 6'6" medium light. Came yesterday. For targeting smallies on Delaware River. I know some think that's a tad underpowered to fight big fish in current. But most of the fish I catch in the stretch I fish are 1-2 lbs so I wanted to go lighter. I have a medium powered Avid AVS68xf for when I'm feeling lucky and want to target bigger fish. (Crazy good Senko rod)

Still...some of your comments on the quality of those older Loomis blanks have me thinking...might be a future purchase. But if my wife sees one more rod tube mailer on the porch I am a dead man!

On ‎9‎/‎14‎/‎2016 at 7:01 AM, MontclairDave said:

Yup that's the one! I figured someone as obsessed with eBay as me would suss that one out. For now, the lack of a warranty scared me off and so I  got the St. Croix Premier 6'6" medium light. Came yesterday. For targeting smallies on Delaware River. I know some think that's a tad underpowered to fight big fish in current. But most of the fish I catch in the stretch I fish are 1-2 lbs so I wanted to go lighter. I have a medium powered Avid AVS68xf for when I'm feeling lucky and want to target bigger fish. (Crazy good Senko rod)

Still...some of your comments on the quality of those older Loomis blanks have me thinking...might be a future purchase. But if my wife sees one more rod tube mailer on the porch I am a dead man!

Great choice st Croix mlf are my favorite rods for smallie fishing. I have 3 now.

On 9/15/2016 at 8:39 PM, EvanT123 said:

Great choice st Croix mlf are my favorite rods for smallie fishing. I have 3 now.

Just used the St. Croix on the lovely Passaic River in Northern NJ; urban angling at its best! Caught a healthy 3 lb smallie on first cast by a bridge tower where the current breaks, and the rod (ML) worked like a charm!

It's good being single!  Only Harambe can judge me for my fishing habit!  

 

Seriously, I have a 15 year old 7' M Fast action Premier that still sees use for river smallies.  They've always been a good Rod for the pricepoint, and as much as I like the Loomis rods I've handled, that graphite and age would make me reluctant unless it was a Rod I wanted for something very specific.  

Lots of rod companies have used that ferrule and blank color, nothing special, Loomis made a 2 piece SJ blank in 6 1/2 ft. don't  remember a 7 footer. There was a 7 ft. Popping rod blank, no sticker would make me suspicious, could be a cheap IM6 Tiger eye blank, exact same color and ferrule.