I am looking at a G.Loomis SJR843S in a GL3, or a St. Croix Avid AVS70MHF. Of the two, I am trying to determine which is a more sensitive rod, and thought some of you may have some experience with these and would share your thoughts. (I know some of you will say to save a few extra dollars and move up to an IMX or an LTB, which I understand will have better sensitivity, but that is not in the cards at this time.)

Thanks,

Esox

sensitivity is a subjective value...what's trash in my hands may be treasure in yours.

that said, would personally pick the avid over the gl3...the gl3 is a good rod but, in my hands, the avid is lighter and a tad more responsive.

ymmv.

I think my advice would be to pick the one that you feel slightly happier with at this moment. If you get the other one off of a recommendation, you will always have this itch bothering you about how different it might be with the rod you really liked.

Find a shop/s that carry the rod/s your interested in and take your reel with you. Mount the reel to the rod and feel the systems sensativity there in the shop. I really do not like trying to buy rods on-line unless I have found somewhere that I could actually hold the rod/s i'm interested in..

Just an old builders .02¢

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

It's great to hear other peoples thoughts on a certain product but Reel Mech. is telling you the way it is , listen.

Yeah test her out first, it will help you determine which rod to get. I know for me the avid with the power hump is a little awkward unless its matched with my STX. So take the reel you plan on using and see how it feels. Also give a look at the Shimano Crucial, they are in the same price range and very sensitive IMO

(I know some of you will say to save a few extra dollars and move up to an IMX or an LTB, which I understand will have better sensitivity, but that is not in the cards at this time.)

Thanks,

Esox

LOL... I'm one of those who is saying "save a few more bucks up", and get an LTB... you won't be sorry.... love the "blue rod".

I have not personally used either of these rods. However, I did just return from fishing my SJR843S IMX (I'm going to refrain from telling you to suck it up and go for the IMX) with some soft plastics and 30 lb fireline braid. I could feel every little tick whether it be the bottom, weeds, or a fish. Although I have never fished the GL3 blank, I imagin it would be similar. Also, I have heard some great things about the avid series rods, and if you go this route you will be saving a few bucks I believe. I would think that you can't lose with either. Not sure if this helps but thats my take on it.

I like the mexican mojo rods, and therefore I get no say.

As said, holding a rod before buying it is important. If you handled all the rods you are looking at, I guarantee you that one would just jump out as the winner. The Avid and GL3 are VERY close in sensitivity, so you have to go with ergonomics/feel. The Avid is a better value, due to equaling the performance of the GL3 for less money, but if the GL3 feels better....it will be worth the extra 50 or $60. I think if you are even considering a Gloomis, you should go with the IMX. You can find them on ebay pretty cheap. The IMX was my first 'high-end' rod, and I set the hook on every leaf and branch in the dam lake on my first trip out with it. The sensitivity blew me away....

that said, would personally pick the avid over the gl3...the gl3 is a good rod but, in my hands, the avid is lighter and a tad more responsive.

.

 I have a 7'MH Avid and it's probably the heaviest rod that I own, with the exception of my swimbait rod.  Even my glass cranking rod is lighter

I have that rod too, and it is heavy. Once balanced, its a beaut.  Fishes more like a heavy power rod. Its definitely the exception in the Avid line. My other three are very light.

I have that rod too, and it is heavy. Once balanced, its a beaut. Fishes more like a heavy power rod. Its definitely the exception in the Avid line. My other three are very light.

I love the rod....goes great with a bit heavier reel to offset the tip..I have found it to be a dandy spinnerbait rod

Basically found the same thing to be true.  Put a big old TD-X103HSDL Flipping reel on it, and was in love with it.

One trick to try.....  If you have access to BOTH rods in a store do this.  Put both rods in your hand and put the tip of BOTH rods on the vocal cords of a buddy and hold the rods at the reel seat or in front of the reel seat.  Have your buddy talk and see which rod you can feel his vocal vibrations the best.  Then switch hands and repeat.  THEN close your eyes and have your buddy swap the rods in your hands and try it. Make sure your buddy says the same phrase during each test as well

Thats really the closest you will get in deciphering sensitivity between rods without getting scientific.  

Mike