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Lighter, mores sensitive, and still the power to move big
fish, a guide to G.Loomis' new Jig & Worm Series
| Date: |
12/23/04 |
| Tackle type: |
Rods |
| Manufacturer: |
G.Loomis |
| Reviewer: |
Zander |
Introduction:
G.Loomis is already well renowned for their lineup of premium offerings, and
over the course of the last year the company added a complete range of
application specific rods to their portfolio. With Christmas just two days away
it looks like G.Loomis might just have put the biggest present under the tree
for anglers this year. G.Loomis' new series of rods, the Jig & Worm Series, are
designed to be the lightest and most sensitive series of rods the company has
ever brought to market.
About the Jig & Worm Series:
“Over the past few years, anglers have had exceptional
fishing success with G.Loomis’ technique specific bass rods, such as those
designed to be used with spinnerbaits, crankbaits and drop shot rigs,” said Gary
Schaefer with the G.Loomis product development staff. “When the conditions find
bass seeking their comfort levels when jigs and worms, flipping, or casting
Carolina rigs or soft jerkbaits like Senkos are the ticket, the
extensive line-up we offer in the new Jig & Worm series can handle it all.” The
Jig & Worm series consists of 17 brand new rods,
and G.Loomis didn't have
to look far in their search for a material with the perfect balance of
sensitivity and backbone, as all of these new rods are constructed from
G.Loomis' exclusive lightweight GLX graphite. To further reduce weight G.Loomis
chose to use Recoil guides, very similar to the implementation on their premium
Stream Dance & Cross Current GLX Fly rods. These REC Recoil guides are extremely
tough and resilient, but also provide a noticeable reduction in overall rod
weight.
All of these new rods are designed with a unique fast taper that lowers the casting
trajectory. This faster taper helps anglers to more easily cast into tight spots
in and around structure, and provides more accuracy and lure control even on
windy days. The distinctive taper on these rods are critical for both accuracy
and fish fighting control. It is important to note that the rods will feel 1/2
power stiffer than traditional G.Loomis rods just because of the action.
The core of the new series are 7
Jig & Worm rods. All rods feature GLX graphite and ultra light recoil guides
The rods are all a moss green tint in color and the fine details in GLX graphite
are unmistakable. Like other G.Loomis application specific rods there are small
diagrams detailing the lure application on each rod blank. While some die hard
Loomis fans continue to object to these graphic depictions the fact remains that
when you have a rod locker full of rods these illustrations make it easier and
faster to draw the right outfit.
At the core of the new rod series are seven casting models designed primarily
for pitching/casting jigs and worms - three 6-foot-eight-inch rods for use with
10-, 14- and 20-pound test line; and four 7-foot-1-inch rods for longer casting
and deeper water use and in line weights up to 25-pound test.
|
Jig &
Worm Rods |
|
BCR802 — 6’8”
length - 10-14 pound test line - 1/8-3/8 ounce lures - extra-fast action -
medium power rating.
G.Loomis Description: Smaller worms and jigs,
grubs, spinnerbaits and topwater baits. An excellent 10-pound line rod for
lighter duty, clear water applications. Nice soft tip for casting smaller,
light baits, but has surprising power in butt-section for fishing jigs. |
|
BCR803 — 6’8”
length - 12- to16-pound test line - 3/16-5/8 ounce lures - extra-fast action
- medium-heavy power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
Balances perfectly with
14-pound line and 3/8-ounce jigs, 6” worms and medium-sized topwaters. Moves
big fish with surprising ease and still feels like a feather in your hand.
May be the best all-around rod of the bunch. |
|
BCR804 — 6’8”
length - 14- to 20-pound test line - 5/16-3/4 ounce lures - fast action -
heavy power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
A powerful jig and large
worm rod for fishing in close around heavy cover. It has a magnum butt to
move fish to the boat in a hurry and still has enough tip to cast smaller
baits when necessary. It’s a 20-pound line rod for serious pitching. |
|
BCR852 — 7’1”
length - 10- to 14-pound test line - 1/8-3/8 ounce lures - extra-fast action
- medium power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
A nice, light tip with a
powerful butt-section makes this rod a perfect choice for fishing lighter
line and small jigs, especially in clear water when you need longer casts
and more leverage for a long range hookset. An awesome buzzbait rod. |
|
BCR853 — 7’1”
length - 12- to 16-pound line - 3/16-5/8 ounce lures - extra-fast action -
medium-heavy power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
A really well balanced
worm rod for deep-water applications. Designed more for open-water
situations where the cover isn’t too thick, but will surprise you when you
need to put the pressure on even a big bass. The extra fast taper makes
this an accurate caster and a good choice for medium sized baits. |
|
BCR854 — 7’1”
length - 14- to 20-pound line - 5/16-3/4 ounce lures - fast action - heavy
power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
A very effective
deep-water jig rod for fishing in relatively heavy cover. Has the power to
move a fish to the boat NOW, yet it’s light as a feather and you can fish
with it all day long… no sore muscles, no fatigue, no problem. |
|
BCR855 — 7’1”
length - 17- to 25-pound line - 1/4-1 ounce lures - fast action -
magnum-heavy power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
The ultimate heavy-cover
jig/worm rod. Peg a one-ounce worm sinker on your line and pitch it into
the nastiest stuff you can find. This is “top of the food chain” stuff. No
sissy’s allowed. Fish the hydrilla, the trees, the cypress knees, the buck
brush… it just doesn’t matter. Looking for a GREAT peacock bass rod? |
These aren't your ordinary stiff
flipping sticks. These flipping sticks are all one piece designs and emphasize
precision, sensitivity, and ultra light overall rod weight making it possible
for anglers to flip all day without fatigue
With more anglers
becoming confident using and finding success with soft plastic jerkbaits, the
G.Loomis Jig & Worm series address this technique with two rods. The heavy power
rated 7-foot-2-inch model is designed to fish in timber and thick vegetation,
while the 7-foot-5-inch model can cast lighter lures with its extra fast action.
|
Soft-Jerkbait Rods |
|
BCR893 — 7’5”
length - 12- to 16-pound line - 3/16-5/8 ounce lures - extra-fast action -
medium-heavy power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
Casting a soft jerkbait,
weighted only by the size of hook you use, requires a very responsive rod
tip. Setting the hook requires a powerful butt and mid-section for a
positive lock-up, especially when the bite comes just as the bait hits the
water on an extra-long cast. The advantage of this rod is an excellent
combination of both. |
|
BCR864 — 7’2”
length - 14- to 20-pound line - 5/16-3/4 ounce lures - fast action - heavy
power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
Not necessarily designed for larger baits, just
heavier cover, this jerkbait rod is the best choice when you fish in the
timber or thick vegetation. It has plenty of backbone to for handling heavy
weights, long leader rigs and big bass in deep water. Oh yea… it handles
larger baits too! |
For flipping, the G.Loomis
Jig & Worm series offers three one-piece rods in 7-foot-2-inch, 7-foot-5-inch
and 7-foot-11-inch lengths. Unlike many other classic flipping rods these
rods do not have
telescoping handles. While these long rods may be harder to transport than
collapsible sticks that is where the drawbacks end. These flipping sticks are
more sensitive, and the combination of GLX graphite and Recoil guides make it
easy for anglers to flip all day without the normal fatigue associated with the
technique.
|
Flipping
Rods |
|
BCFR864 —
7’2” length - 14- to 20-pound line - 1/4-3/4 ounce lures - fast action -
medium-heavy power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
For years, anglers have asked us for a lighter
flipping stick. One you can pitch or flip a smaller bait into lighter cover
and along rocky shorelines. One that doubles up nicely for a big topwaters
or small to medium swimbaits. Here you go! |
|
BCFR895 — 7’5”
length - 15- to 25-pound line - 1/4-1 ounce lures - fast action - heavy
power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
Imagine a rod so light you can flip all day long.
One-piece construction eliminates even more weight and the titanium Recoil
guides… well, you get the picture. If not, try one out and decide for
yourself it this isn’t the lightest, most responsive, most sensitive
flipping stick you’ve ever fished. |
|
BCFR955 —
7’11” length - 15- to 25-pound line - 1/4-1 ounce lures - fast action heavy
power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
If you’ve ever been a spot where you could only wish
you had just a little longer rod, the answer is in this powerfully
lightweight, “almost” 8-foot flipping stick. If you want to know why we
stopped short, you’ve missed the point. It’s a powerful, unbelievably light
one-piece surgical instrument. It could change the way you fish. |
Each rod is designed specifically
for a particular technique. A good example of this is the extra long grip found
on the Carolina rig rods which provide extra leverage for casting
For throwing Carolina rigs — long leaders and heavy weights
with a plastic worm or lizard — the G.Loomis Jig & Worm series includes two
7-foot-3-inch rods, both with long rear grips for two-handed casting control.
“The added length increases casting distance and provides sweeping hook-setting
power,” Schaefer notes.
|
Carolina
Rig Rods |
|
BCR874 —
7’3” length - 14- to 20-pound line - 5/16-3/4 ounce lures
- fast action - heavy power rating
G.Loomis
Description: This
is the epitome of Carolina Rig rods. It has a longer rear grip for
two-handed casting control that is really nice when you start using leaders
over 3-feet long. A fast action and the extra length dramatically increase
your casting range and hook-setting power. Designed for mid-sized baits and
weights. |
|
BCR875 —
7’3” length - 17- to 25-pound line - 3/8-1 ounce lures - fast action -
magnum-heavy power rating
G.Loomis
Description: The
magnum Carolina Rig rod. A slightly longer rear grip for two-handed casting
control and the overall rod length provides much more positive hooksets.
This is the magnum version to get fish out of the thick stuff. |
Spinning reel fans were not left out in the cold,
as G.Loomis
introduces two
6-foot-8-inch models intended for lighter lines, clear water and smaller baits,
and a 6-foot-10-inch rod for deep-water light line/small bait fishing.
|
Spinning
Rods |
|
BSR802 —
6’8” length - 6- to 10-pound line - 1/8-1/4 ounce lures - extra-fast action
- medium power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
When you need to fish
lighter line or smaller, lighter baits in really clear water, a spinning rod
is a great option. Not just any spinning rod. One with a truly extra-fast
taper for accurate, pinpoint casts and enough beef to move a fish away from
trouble in spite of the whisper-thin line. Say “hello” to your new friend. |
|
BSR803 —
6’8” length - 8-12 pound line - 1/8-5/16 ounce lures - extra-fast action -
medium-heavy power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
Small worm/jighead combos,
5” grubs, small topwaters, little jigs, gin-clear water, just enough wind to
make casting tough and finicky bass. A tough proposition? You bet! Here’s
our answer: an ultra-sensitive spinning rod designed especially for finesse
fishing. |
|
BSR852 — 6’10”
length - 6-12 pound line - 1/8-3/8 ounce lures - extra-fast action - medium
power rating
G.Loomis
Description:
The perfect solution for
deep-water fishing where small baits and light line are a must to be
successful. The extra-fast tip allows you to cast un-weighted worms and
soft jerkbaits a long ways with enough power to drive the hook home and pull
the fish away from trouble. Finesse could be an understatement! |
Conclusion: G.Loomis' new
Jig & Worm Series of rods are designed to really delve into the specific
techniques that anglers use their rods for. These lighter, more sensitive,
faster taper rods were all designed taking into account years of feedback from
consumers and pro-staffers. G.Loomis' believes that matched with the right
application these rods will "surpass the angler's wildest expectations." These
rods won't be cheap, but then again they are intended for the most demanding
anglers, those that know exactly what they plan to use these rods for. Kudos to
G.Loomis for sticking to their guns and building these premium rods with GLX
graphite, which has proven time and time again to bear remarkable attributes.
While the rod descriptions in this robust lineup made everyone on our staff foam
at the mouth, we will reserve our final judgment for our first set of Jig & Worm
rod reviews. But one thing is for certain, G.Loomis knows how to build a mean
rod, and if this new series is anything like some of their traditional rods then
anglers are in for a real treat.
Looking for a Loomis rod?
Check out the G.Loomis Superstore at
Monster Tackle
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