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I posted a message on this forum a few days ago requesting some input on choosing a Lamiglas rod. I got some good information from rod squad members. I have decided to start basic and go with a CC 703 for the casting rod. What I would like to know if there is a place to buy this rod that offers a good price and GREAT service. When I looked online I notices prices for the 703 ranging from 65 to 112. The average was around 90.
As far as the spinning rod I have decided to go with a G Loomis rod. The main reason for that is that I found a dealer that would take my old GL3 rods plus a Fenwick and Shimano rod that I have in trade. This would give me enough in trade to buy an IMX rod and have enough left over to buy some line to re-spool my reels.
What I did discover is that the certified pro rod is essentially the same rod as the IMX and that it costs about $100 less. I would have preferred to buy two certified pro rods instead of the models that I am thinking of buying. The deciding factor was the trade up program that Loomis has. Does Lamiglas offer a similar trade program? It would be nice if they did.
Loomis isn't in this program as far as I know, some shops may be though in the hopes of moving some new rods that the market and economy won't move for them. I went through the "more expensive rod must be better" deal as a younger man, it isn't always the case. There are very inexpensive ways to improve the performance and sensitivity of your existing rods if you don't mind doing it yourself.
No one knows as much as all of us.
The dealer that has the trade program and used rod program is American Legacy Fishing Company in Evansville, Indiana. "http://www.gloomis.us/"
Originally I bought the Loomis GL3 rods when the local Sportsman's Warehouse closed. I paid around 200 for both of them which is the only reason I bought them. I have been trying to find a rod to use for fishing on the bottom with jigs, tubes and hook line and sinker. I have only used spinning equipment because I was never really good with a bait casting reel. However my man child (son) has convinced me to give a bait casting reel a try. He mentioned something called "practice"? Anyhow neither GL3 rod was very good at telegraphing the bottom. hence the present hunt.
The CC703 seemed a cost effective way to try a lamiglas rod. I sent 6 St. Croix rods back to the company for repair or replacement. When I find out what they are going to do I will know how to proceed with my rod hunt.
This last weekend I went to the Madison Fishing Expo. The Lamiglas rep was the guy who suggested the 703. I also spent some time talking to a member of Rod Builders of America. I have purchased some rod building supplies but have not taken the leap to making my own rods. He said that I should come to his home and he would show me the basics and get me started at no charge. He said that I would have to join the guild first but I planned on doing that.
I do NOT want to spend 100's on a single rod. Seems silly to me. All I am looking for is quality equipment that will do the job I need it to w/o breaking the bank. The hunt is half the fun I must admit.
"I may have to grow older but I shall never never grow up!"
Yhetti
I forgot one thing: What can I do to improve equipment I already own? different line? Any info would be appreciated.
Yhetti
G Loomis makes good blanks, but they don't do the best job of making the overall rod as light as possible. It's usually pretty easy to drop 1/4 or a bit more of the overall weight of the guides on the rod without affecting anything. Reducing the weight of the guides near the tip rod is about the most important thing a person can do to get better performance.Sensitivity goes way up when the rod tip is lighter.
Overall weight of the rod/reel as a unit is also very important, if you can lose some weight here by going to a smaller reel and a superline, huge differences in performance and sensitivity can be had here.
I've used a few of the rod series you're mentioning from Lamiglas, very nice rods. Know a few tourney guys in the Pac NW bass and walleye circuit that use a lot of them.
No one knows as much as all of us.