Lost my favorite topwater rod recently due to a boat cleat incident. Very bummed as finding another has proven to be nearly impossible as they haven’t made them in a long time. Loomis topwater series fiber blend 864c. (The old maroon color rods)
Anyone familiar with this rod that can recommend a similar rod with close to the same action? Or better yet, anyone have one they are looking to get rid of? 
Primary use is Rio Rico’s and Vixens. Tried the imx pro topwater series but they are too stiff for my taste. Any recommendations welcome. TIA

 

I had two of fiber blend rods way back when, a crank bait and a spinnerbait. They were some of the first Loomis I bought but once I bought my first GLX rod, I sold them.  I never really cared for them but also at that time, I really didn't know any different.  I can't think of any rods that are as soft and spongy as these rods were. 

 

Oddly I thought the new IMX Pro topwater rods were pretty soft at the tip but that was just holding the rods in store. They seemed similar to the IMX Pro MBR series with the exception of the frog rods. They were pretty stiff.

 

The Valkyrie rods from Megabass come to mind. I have the 7'1'' H that I use for frogs, Magdrafts and topwater walking baits and the 7'4'' H+ for swimbaits and A-rigs.  These rods have a softer feel over all but are pretty heavy by today's standards. They are a carbon fiber/glass blend as well and they have adjustable butt handles, which is great on a kayak. They too, I think, have been discontinued. 

 

 

28 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I had two of fiber blend rods way back when, a crank bait and a spinnerbait. They were some of the first Loomis I bought but once I bought my first GLX rod, I sold them.  I never really cared for them but also at that time, I really didn't know any different.  I can't think of any rods that are as soft and spongy as these rods were. 

 

Oddly I thought the new IMX Pro topwater rods were pretty soft at the tip but that was just holding the rods in store. They seemed similar to the IMX Pro MBR series with the exception of the frog rods. They were pretty stiff.

 

The Valkyrie rods from Megabass come to mind. I have the 7'1'' H that I use for frogs, Magdrafts and topwater walking baits and the 7'4'' H+ for swimbaits and A-rigs.  These rods have a softer feel over all but are pretty heavy by today's standards. They are a carbon fiber/glass blend as well and they have adjustable butt handles, which is great on a kayak. They too, I think, have been discontinued. 

 

 

Thanks for the reply, I also have a spinnerbait and a few of the crankbait rods in the loomis fiber blend, I still fish the crankbait rods now and again but the spinnerbait rod was way too soft/spongy imo. The 864c TWS  had a soft tip but solid backbone about 1/3 of the way. Never felt underpowered yet soft enough at the tip for great accuracy and ease of working baits. 

May try the megabass flat side special as I hear people using that like it. But I haven’t held one yet.

again open to all/any recommendations for throwing 1/2-3/4 oz poppers and walking baits.