calling all SJ720 owners

Shauno · #1 03-05-2004, 06:09 AM

guys I'm thinking of buying one of these, if all you guys out there that own one could post me your thoughts of the rod, what grade do you own etc, what do you think it is good for, whats the action like, is yours standard or custom. any info would be great!!!!!.

cheers lads and lasses
Shauno

CHUNQX · #2 03-05-2004, 06:34 AM

I own.. I used to own 2 SJ720 and one was a IMX and the other GL2. The IMX one was factory built and the GL2 one was custom made. I didn't use it all that much because it was 1 piece and I fish landbased and so it was a bit inconvenient to carry around. I only used the GL2 a couple of times and it has a lot of power for the rating 2-4kg. I used it live bait fishing for bream using live crabs and no sinker or swivels. Just the line straight to the hook and it had no problems pulling fish out of snaggy area.

Since then I "swapped" the IMX one for an SR842 and I much prefer the soft tip action of the SR842 to the stiffer SJ720. I'd caution you that I hardly used the SJ720 enough to make that accurate a judgement but it would definitely make a good hardbody rod.

Traveller · #3 03-05-2004, 08:29 AM

Shaun,

How many time I kept telling you... you need to look at the BD Flats rod... kick ass over the SJ720...IMX... or the Flats TE compared to the SJ721 GLX.

#4 03-05-2004, 08:34 AM

I have an SJR720 GL2. It is a great rod IMO, and just about everyone who ahs used it agrees. A custom version would be even better.
It's a lil bit of a compromise as it's really a HB's rod, but still very capable with SP's. Great rod for those who can't afford two quality rods.

I've used an SJR720 IMX which is to date the best HB's rod i've picked up IMO. Again, a custom version would be even better!
Can't really use it for SP's IMO, but it is awesome for HB's.

HTH

Dave

Shauno · #5 03-05-2004, 08:47 AM

Glenn the comparison you make is useless, cause the rod you mention is much longer, mate if you wanna recommend a black diamond wouldn't a 6'6" reaper be similar, I'm imagining this is the most acurate comp to a SJ 720......

Traveller · #6 03-05-2004, 10:27 AM

As far as length is concern I agree with you Shaun... I was talking more about action..... You might want to look at the BD Spin Jig Rod if you don't like the Reaper 6'6", its also 6'6" and I think the action is very similar to the Loomis Spinjig blank, but Cindy can elaborate more.

chris_lemess · #7 03-05-2004, 10:52 AM

I think he was specifically asking for info about the SJ720, not a Black Diamond rod.

corey · #8 03-05-2004, 10:58 AM

Ive got a SJR720 GL2 and love it for Hb fishing and close in plastic stuff, quite stiff for regular plastic work but you can get away with it.
I take mine when im on foot and can only take one rod.

stupidumbream · #9 03-05-2004, 11:17 AM

once again, this is a sensitive issue i believe. comes down to personal preference. i've just got a IMX 6' SJ720 factory built but yet to use it! for me it feels good nice and solid, i think should be great for pulling fish from close and rough terrain. as for sp's or hb's sorry can't help ya out there yet, but my main use is for sp's. i'll let ya know?

Steve Brown · #10 05-05-2004, 02:36 AM

Gidday Shauno, I've got the IMX and have used it for well over a year now. It nearly casts as far as my 820 IMX dropshot, is very light and allows you to fish continually for 8hrs easily. I use this for hard bodies only but you can fish placy's quite well down to 1/32 jig heads. The shortness of the rods allows you to get into awkward areas such as warf pilons and snags using under hand or back hand flick casts.
I use a TPS 1-3 kg rod for soft placky's and find that the softness of the tip perfect for that sought of work. It's all personal opinion as you know. But you have to look at the recommended line weights of the loomis and the struddy that I use to see why that is my personal choice, TPS is a 1-3kg rod versus IMX a 4-8 lb rod.
As Kingpin my cousy bro said he uses his 720 GL2 for both jobs and he absolutely rates it....and catches plenty no probs.
On the other hand Travellers loves the BD flats rod but they are different in length, you can always compare that rod to the Dropshot for range of casting.
Good luck with your choice and remember that it's all about how it feels to you mate.
Cheers steve

CHUNQX · #11 05-05-2004, 03:18 AM

The thing stopping me from getting a BD rod is that if not for this site, I would not have heard of it. If you talk to custom rod builders, you'd get so many other recommendations, even fisho mags have them and I have heard the samurais are good, almost comparable to Loomis, Pacific Comps, so many other blanks that they would rate against the Loomis and the BD followers, they'll tell you that its heaps better than the Loomis.

Seems the measuring stick is the Loomis, everyone compares it to Loomis. Loomis is known worldwide as a good rod so knowing that and not having that much spare cash to be able to buy 2 Loomises and 2 BDs to compare, I'll choose the Loomis simply because its reputation worldwide. I anticipate getting a lot of stick from BD followers after this post, but, hey, its only my opinion and I suspect quite a few of us with limited resources would feel the same way.

The advice to go with what feels good in your hands is right: Loomis feels good in mine but then again so did the Stella Spin rod and you'd catch fish with both rods. I'll narrow it down to the fact that I have a well known top class rod in my hand and it gives me the satisfaction knowing that. Whether it improves the performance, most of us don't fish 4 days a week so really, its not the performance so much but just the fact that I'm spending some of the money I get from working in a seriously underpaid job on something nice not necessary but nice.

For some people, its cars say. They spend a large percentage on what they get to pay off a Nissan Skyline with all the whizbang stuff. Will they get to use the high power engine here? Speed limit is 100kmh and most of the time they'll spend that time caught in peak hour traffic. For what they do, they can go for a Honda Integra at a much lesser price without all that power but they'll do the same average speed. If you ask them it comes down to just getting some satisfaction from the fact that they have to work their butts off but there's the reward at the end of the day. Same thing with me and Loomis rods.

#12 05-05-2004, 03:36 AM

Let me say Loomis rods are excellent. I'm sure BD rods are as well.

I have the 720IMX factory made version. I only use it for throwing HBs around as it is a tad stiffer at the tip. However, i have thrown placcies around with it and it does the job quite well. I now have a Struddie for that.

As Brownie has said if it suits your style of fishing and its within your budget then buy it. I have to say from my own personal experience if you can't quite afford it now, then wait and save till you've got the cash. It will certainly work out cheaper in the long run.

Good luck!

Steve Brown · #13 05-05-2004, 05:19 AM

Gidday Dave, how's things bro? Nice choice of rods there cousy, are they still matched to the tica's? Let me know when you are heading out next mate.
CHUNQX gloomis' are nice rods for sure, Cindy and partner used to make the loomis' for the Aust market. They now produce their own rods using a rainshadow blank, and alot of WA anglers use them. I've felt them and had a cast, and they feel like a nice stick. Speak to Bear on this site as he has a lot of experience with them. I would also speak to anybody who is not sponsered by BD to see if you get a unbiased opinion from them. To the sponsered boys please don't take the last comment to heart.
Cheers Steve

Bear · #14 05-05-2004, 06:07 AM

Chunqx,
As Steve had said, Steve Ross was the designer and maker of the Loomis rods b4 they went off-shore. They are a new company and have come a long way in such a short time and I think that speaks a lot for the quality of their gear.

As far as world wide, well, not all companies can afford to be that way and is really doesn't mean they are not as good that's for sure. Initial market share and reputation can take a company a long way, dealing with the CAD industry I've seen lots of companies go through similar things.

All I say is give them a go and support an Australian company.

CHUNQX · #15 05-05-2004, 07:06 PM

That last point is a good one. I'm all for supporting Australian made and produced stuff. Why send our money overseas.... Goodness knows we need the jobs here. I have little doubt about the workmanship of the BD crew here and I know they'll be top stuff. Just can't quite afford it yet to try out.