CB Rod
Wars Part 18: G.Loomis goes with graphite for more sensitivity while cranking
Date:
3/17/10
Tackle type:
Rod
Manufacturer:
G.Loomis
Reviewer:
Zander
Total Score: 7.66 - GOOD
Introduction:
What rod war would be complete without a stick from G.Loomis? Representing the
old guard G.Loomis has a large selection of crankbait rods, and perhaps none are
as popular as the 7 foot CBR845C. We take a look at this popular rod along with
the GLX version in the last article in our crankbait rod war series before the
final wrap up.
G.Loomis
CBR845C Crankbait
Rod Specifications
Material
Graphite
Length
7'0"
Line Wt.
10 - 20lb
Lure Wt.
3/8
- 1oz.
Pieces
1
Guides
10 Guides + Tip Top
Fuji
Alconite
Power Rating
Med-Heavy
Taper
Mod-Fast
Rod Weight
4.3 oz
Origin
USA
MSRP
$245.00
No Crankbait Rod War would be
complete without rods from G.Loomis
Impressions:
Even as the “Search for One” begins we still have some unfinished business from
last year with the cranking rods from G.Loomis. We procured two G.Loomis rods
for the CB Rod Wars, the first being the popular CBR845C which is the seven foot
rod in the “crankbait” series and the CBR855CGLX which is a 7’1” rod and makes
use of recoil guides for weight reduction. Both rods are nearly identical in
specification when it comes to length, action and power with the biggest
difference being the core blank material.
We
start with the CBR845C from the Crankbait Series
The GLX rod is just an inch
longer and does feature nicer detailing including an ergonomic composite cork
butt versus the traditional plastic cap found on the 845C. The 845C features a
cinnamon colored blank that separates the series from other Loomis rods and the
entire blank is covered with a thin layer of gloss. The GLX rod on the other
hand is a deep olive/brown color and the blank is matte in appearance.
We also procures on of the
G.Loomis GLX rods with the almost exact same specifications
I have always preferred
G.Loomis rods where the graphite type is clearly disclosed versus the different
series rods where anglers are left to guess exactly what blend of graphite is
employed in the rod’s construction. When it comes to sensitivity GLX is the
still the benchmark which most other blanks are measured against and I was eager
to see just how different the GLX rod behaved versus the more modestly priced
845C Cranking Series stick.
The Lab Tests: We
first RoD WRACKed the two Loomis rods and found that they tested very
consistently with one another and the medium cranking rod average. The weight
and balance point of both rods fell somewhere in the middle and though constructed
out of graphite these rods exhibit plenty of backbone to better handle deep
diving cranks.
