Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:51 pm Post subject: Rod Advice - Loomis vs Sage
I'm looking to pick up a quality fast action 9wt - mostly for stripers and blues...I'm currently considering Sage (Xi2 & VT2) and Loomis (GLX & CC). Anyone have an opinion Sage vs Loomis? High end vs Mid-line?
Thanks!
Mark
Wow... Choosing between the Xi2 and GLX would be a tough call... Both are killer rods... Price wise you might want to look at the Loomis sticks over at LL Bean... they have the GLX and Crosscurrent GLX 9ft 9wts on sale!
Joined: Jan 21, 2005 Posts: 123 Location: Kodiak, Alaska in winter, bristol bay alaska in summer
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:27 pm Post subject:
To me when comparing rods of mid or high end from reputable companies(exept for st. croix but that's a rant for another day!) such as sage or loomis it's all about testing them out because most all quality rods from companies like sage, loomis, orvis, scott etc.. are good rods.
Most of my rods are Sage but I also have loomis and others. As far as the rods I prefer sage because I think they are the best when it comes to costomer service and I think they make the best components (reel seats, grips and other small stuff) However Blank wise all of them are good and the differences are minor so test casting is a good idea.
I own a VT2 spey rod and really like it. Haven't tried the single hand version.
I also have casted an Xi2 and it is a really nice rod. However If your willing to spend a bit more to me the greatest fast action saltwater cannon ever made is the Sage TCR of which I own a few. It's super fast action and isn't the best for beginners but if your an experienced caster who likes a fast action and who fished the salt or anywhere else where 80 foot cast are required this is your rod. The downside is because it is so fast it's not the best for short casts because it's optimul loading point is with much more line out than other rods.
The GLX i have not used in the salt but IMO it's one of the best big water nymphing rods ever. I would say more people use a GLX when drifting egg patters on big rivers in the northwest for steelhead or rainbows.
One other Rod company I would look into is Winston, there Boron series is very sweet.
So those are my opinions. Bottom line is i like sage the most but the differences are minor between companies. All make good stuff with advanced technolgy. I would get a reel and load it with some older line your not concerned about and go to a shop and cast them in the parking lot.
I have a Sage VT2 9'6" 6 wt. and a 9' 10 wt. G. Loomis Cross Current and love them both. However, I don't think that there are really very many "bad" rods around. You might also want to consider the Sage Z-Axis. Your best bet is to go and cast each of the rods, to find out which you like best.
Funny you mention Winston... bout a month ago I tryed out the BIIMX and was blown away... it was a 9ft 9wt and I was extremely impressed. It handled 80ft+ dead on accurate and...best of all it was on the money in close too!
Joined: Jan 21, 2005 Posts: 123 Location: Kodiak, Alaska in winter, bristol bay alaska in summer
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject:
Boz,
I do not own one because i'm pretty set on single hand fast action rods but like you I was amazed by the BIIMX and along with the TCR it was the best rod I have casted in terms of ease for Maximum distance.
When I was running my charter boat I was on the Loomis pro-staff...We provided Loomis IMX fly rods 10wt mega, to 17wt prototypes. Many of my customers brought their own Sage rods on board. I have had alot of experience with both. Pick 'em! You can't lose with either one. Gene
And here I was trying to chose between apples and oranges, and now I'm discovering that there's pears in the bowl as well . I've casted the Xi2 and the VT2 (10WTS) ... the Xi2 felt weightier in the butt and the VT2 in the tip. I have a Loomis CC 8wt, which I like... Does anyone know if the blank is the same for the GLX as the CC and if it also has a different feel as the Xi2 and VT2 do, or is the difference in the components? Now I just need to find a fly shop that carries all three companies for a side-by-each comparison.
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. I've casted the Xi2 and the VT2 (10WTS) ... the Xi2 felt weightier in the butt and the VT2 in the tip. I have a Loomis CC 8wt, which I like... Does anyone know if the blank is the same for the GLX as the CC and if it also has a different feel as the Xi2 and VT2 do, or is the difference in the components? Now I just need to find a fly shop that carries all three companies for a side-by-each comparison.