Hi all,

 

First and foremost, I hope everyone is staying safe and secure during these crazy times!

 

Anyways, I’m writing to you because I am having a difficult time deciding which rod to choose between the St. Croix Avid Spinning 7’ Medium Fast and G. Loomis E6X 842S SJR.

 

The rods are both exactly the same price and have similar components and warranties. They’re also both made in the USA. They are definitely direct competitors with each other in the marketplace.

 

The backstory is, I ordered a Daiwa Tatula Spinning Rod 7' Medium – not the Elite – the one with the cork handle, but my order never got delivered due to being out of stock because of the coronavirus. It’s been six months since I’ve ordered it, so American Legacy has offered to make things right and said I could choose a rod up to $200.

 

That’s why now I’m contemplating the G. Loomis E6X and St. Croix Avid. Two very good rods for the money. For reference, I own a St. Croix Avid Casting 7’ MHF, AvidX 6’ 6” MF Casting, and an Avid 6’ 9” MLXF Spinning. I also own G. Loomis GLX 842C, GLX 843C, and a GLX 844C.

 

Now, I know that you can’t compare a GLX to an Avid because they are completely different price points. The GLX has far superior sensitivity and balance over the Avid, of course. Out of my Avid lines, I’ve been really impressed with the sensitivity and balance of the AvidX 6’ 6” MF casting rod, and also enjoy fishing my Avid 6’ 9” MLXF spinning rod. However, the Avid 7’ MHF casting rod is somewhat of a broomstick, bulky, feels dead for sensitivity, and is slightly tip heavy. It works well as a moving bait rod though for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and swim jigs though, but I hardly ever use those techniques as a recreational fisherman.

 

I have not had any experience with E6X rods other than for handling a few at a Bass Pro Shops. I really want your guys’ opinion on making the right decision as these rods are really neck to neck, in my opinion. If you had to choose one between a St. Croix Avid Spinning 7’ Medium Fast versus the G. Loomis E6X 842S SJR which one would you go for and why?

 

Best regards,

The Pond King

I have a couple of the Avid spinning rods and have enjoyed each one.  I have picked up the EX6 and really didn't care for it.  It's seemed missed placed compared to other G. Loomis rods.  I can't say for sure what it was about the rod I didn't like.  It's just that it didn't feel like a Loomis.  

 

So my pick would definitely be the Avid. 

I would go for the E6X although both are great. , as long as its  2018 generation (the first generation E6 were not that great in some models, the second generation are way better). The taper on the SJR842 Loomis is one that I think alot of others try to emulate. I would get it based on the taper alone. 

 

I have the 2018 JWR 892S E6X and its amazing, i can't see why the SJR842 would be any less. 

I've not owned an E6x, but have fished a few E6X casting rods. I do own some GLX and NRX rods, as well as some Avids and Avid X's.

 

With that said, I'd definitely choose the Avid over the E6X. I really like G Loomis rods but their are many better choices out there in that E6X price range IMO.

The E6X series in not comparable. Avid is on par with G.Loomis IMX series.

3 hours ago, TBAG said:

I've not owned an E6x, but have fished a few E6X casting rods. I do own some GLX and NRX rods, as well as some Avids and Avid X's.

 

With that said, I'd definitely choose the Avid over the E6X. I really like G Loomis rods but their are many better choices out there in that E6X price range IMO.

 

If you say that there are better choices in that price range, what other 7' Medium Fast rods do you recommend in the $200 or so price range?

1 hour ago, The Pond King said:

 

If you say that there are better choices in that price range, what other 7' Medium Fast rods do you recommend in the $200 or so price range?

 

Dobyns Champion XP

Dobyns Sierra

St. Croix Avid

Shimano Zodias

 

Some of those are a bit over $200 and some are under. If you do some shopping around all could be had for $200 or less.

Personally my initial impressions with the E6X is that it would be more on par with the St. Croix Mojo Bass than the Avid lineup. It seemed a little expensive, maybe it's just the fact that it's made in the US factoring into the cost or whatever. Where GLoomis really shines is their more expensive rods.

15 hours ago, FishTank said:

I have a couple of the Avid spinning rods and have enjoyed each one.  I have picked up the EX6 and really didn't care for it.  It's seemed missed placed compared to other G. Loomis rods.  I can't say for sure what it was about the rod I didn't like.  It's just that it didn't feel like a Loomis.  

 

So my pick would definitely be the Avid. 

 

I'm 100% with @FishTank on this one.  Others may/will disagree with me but in the $ 200.00 price range I think for the money the AVID series rods are the best bang for the buck when you look at built quality, sensitivity, length/action options, CS, and warranty this series of rods has it all.

I fish Avid rods and am 100% completely satisfied with my experience with them. I can only vouch for the spinning rods. I’m using 5’9” to 7’ Med. Lt. and Med. rod versions. You already fish with Avids you like. Sort of answered part of your question. You sort of know what to expect. 
 

I would sort of be reluctant to buy anything I didn’t touch or feel first. Unless I am already fishing a few rods that were that series and you can pretty much know what to expect. 

After doing lots of research and digging through many old forum posts, I decided to do something completely radical, and decided to get the Avid 6' 8" MXF Casting rod. I realized that I have a need for a 6' 8" MXF Casting rod because I don't currently have one in my line up. Thanks for steering me away from the E6X guys. I was sooo close to getting the E6X.