Loomis Bream Rods

[kayakfish]

Ok guys,

I have searched previous posts but the loomis models are so confusing. Can people give the the best loomis breaming sticks and the uses they are most suited to? I.e. harbodies, soft plastics, flats, snags, racks etc. That would be fantastic. Looking only for their high end gear...

Thanks in advance,

KF

[kayakfish]

Basically looking for a quiver of high end loomis bream rods that will cover most situations nicely. If there are 2 or 3 that will do that then that would be even better!

[CHUNQX]

SR842-2 IMX - 2 piece rod rated at 2-4kg. Good to use with both SPs and small HBs. Very crisp feel due to the non-gloss (or matte) blank. Not a rod you can count on pulling big bruisers out of hostile territory though, but very good in open water or less hostile territory. They come in GLX version but I don't own one so I can only dream how good they given the IMX is my fav bream rod.

DSR820S short handle - Dropshot model, also rated at 2-4kg, but has a more guts at the butt end and a very soft tip. Ideal for soft plastics and obviously dropshotting.

DSR8200S - Also dropshot model but 1 power rating lower, 1-3kg. Probably closer to the SR842-2 in terms of strength but has the soft tip charateristics of the dropshot models.

DSR820S GLX - Only comes in the standard long handle which puts some people off. The tip is not as thin as I would have liked (like the SR842-2), but those 2 points are the only negatives (not that bad for negatives either). The GLX blank is quite something... sensitivity is downright amazing. Takes a bit of getting used to because a piece of floating weed touching the line feels like a fish bump. Has got the guts at the back end and sensitivity at the front end..

SJR720 IMX - More a hardbodies rod and a rod you'd use at oyster racks, nasty snags, again rated at 2-4kg but seems to be the strongest at the butt end than the others mentioned.

[kayakfish]

CHUNQX you are a legend sir.

Thanks very much - so where do you see the DSR820S GLX being best used? Also, the DSR8200S sounds like a real flats, skinny water rod - does that sound right?

[CHUNQX]

Personally between the DSR8200S and the SR842-2 IMX, I'd go the SR842-2 for a few reasons, its 2 piece and easy to store away, its very crisp because of the matte blank.

As for the DSR820S GLX, I use it more more other species where I need more guts like trevally, snapper... but I won't hesitate to use it for bream either with SPs or HBs. The RECOIL guides on them are an added bonus. They look like ten cent guides you get on a KMart kids rod but a major advantage is that you know you won't damage the guides when you travel or ping the rod against a railing (did that 2 weeks ago and broke the tip guide on my SR842-2). Amazing how a small thing like that can ruin a fishing day.

[panger]

If you fish from a yak I would recommend the SJR 6400, particularly if fishing tight to structure. The shorter length makes things easier if your right next to pylons, under wharves etc while battling fish, wind and current. You have less worry of hitting your rod tip on structure, its easier to get rod tip tangles out, you're less likely to spin your yak fighting fish and less chance of highsticking your rod landing a decent fish from the yak. I've got a GL3 version and it is my go to rod from a yak except for targeting wide open flats or rack fishing. Especially nice for hardbodies as the light moderate action stops hooks from pulling. The IMX or GLX versions would make it even better for softs. I believe this rod has a bit of a cult following in tassie.

[kayakfish]

Panger,
I think the 6400 is ultra fast - is that the rod you are talking about?

Its 5'4"

[wizard]

kf, i have access to all Loomis rods through their Pro Staff program and find chunqx comments to be spot on. I too would choose the 842 in front of most of the other sticks dependant on application. The 842 can handle cranking fish out of their holes quite easily too, its just a matter of dropping the tip and fighting into the butt a little more rather than tending to high stick. The 842's have a great following of guys who run light fluoro straight through as their modulus has good bite sensitivity and yet they are soft enough to absorb any lunges etc and not put too much pressure on your line. My choice is to use the 842's for cranking sx 40's. This seems to be in line with some high profile anglers who like softer rods whilst using hb's. Loomis pro staffer Steve Steer basically introduced breaming to Tas and his fave rod is the 6400. He uses it almost exclusively and his opinion is obviously highly regarded down there. I have a 6400 and its bloody great for under arming the docks. I used to have a 720 until two weeks ago and found it to be good as well, especially if you're looking for a powerful stick in a short package. I use the 8200 as an all rounder and the 820 glx for a hook em and drag em style rod. I have just taken delivery of 2 as i am fishing a comp in the Forster racks soon. Basically IMO Loomis have the best catalogue of rods in Oz in regards to picking a rod for your chosen application. Well done Chunqx, good advice.

[kayakfish]

Thanks Wizard, fantastic advice.

So you see the 720 as being interchangeable with the 820 GLX pretty much?

Also, where in Sydney has the best range of loomis rods? I was at Ottos the other day and they have only one pretty sad looking rack full of GL2s...

Anyone have some ideas?

[angling-addict]

panger..... you're dead on with the cult following mate Like Cam said, Steersy has had a lot to do with it I had a cast of one of his for the first time 2 years ago, and we nearly came to blows when he wanted it back I ordered one the next day There's no GLX model in the 6400, it only goes to IMX which I have 3 of atm, With a GL2 as a spare.

I don't see the 720 and 820 being interchangeable

Chunqx, Cam.... some top info there fellers, I don't know too much about the in's and outs of rods other than I know what I like the feel of etc, I'm ordering the DSR 820 as we speak, the crystal clear shallow waters on flats are the only place the shorter rods have let me down, they're capable, but a few extra metres casting would help sometimes, thanks.

Cheers

Addict

[wizard]

kf, definitely some misunderstanding here, the 720 and 820 are way different sticks ! Spin jig taper as opposed to drop shot taper and also 10 inches difference in length. Why don't you call E J Todds and ask for your nearest dealer. Ph 0295337700. Cam.

[drdonjuan9]

Oh no CHUNQX,
not the tip of the almightly sr842-2 IMX?

that was like your baby wasn't it mate?

NOT GOOD.

All of those rods mentioned has their place in the breaming world.

I have the SR842-2 in glx (very nice action for those small SPs)
I have the GLX dropshot also very nice for those mid-larger plastics and HB's
I landed and nice 60cm Jewie with this baby also.

Cheers,
Huey

[panger]

Kayakfish,
I'd rate my SJ6400 GL3 as moderate fast. Definitely not as fast as some of my other rods. This confuses me a little as your comment and Loomis sites rate the SJ6400 as ultra fast. Maybe Angling addict can shed some light on this with his IMX and GL2 models?

[CHUNQX]

Originally posted by drdonjuan9
Oh no CHUNQX,
not the tip of the almightly sr842-2 IMX?

that was like your baby wasn't it mate?

NOT GOOD.

Cheers,
Huey

Yup... my baby suffered a broken tip guide... Good thing it was only the guide. In an enthusiastic cast, I managed to whck the rod tip into the aluminium railing on a pontoon. I examined the blank for cracks, found none and thought "no harm done". Cast out the lure, retrieved it and it felt like pulling line through sandpaper and that's when I noticed the tip guide missing the ceramic (alconites) section...

Replaced it the next day because I couldn't stand the thought of not using it the coming weekend... Despite having both the GLX dropshot and non-GLX dropshot, whenever I go breaming, the SR842-2 gets the first call-up.

[CHUNQX]

I probably need to mention that I use very small lures, hardbodies no bigger than 40mm (SX-40s) are the largest down to the little yo zuri snap beans.
Soft plastics, the SR842-2 will feel a little soft when casting a 1/4 oz jighead, anything below is ok.