G Loomis.

[hoggs222]

So I got my new loomis after breaking my old one & paying the $50 to get a new one through the warranty. I used it 1 time, I snagged some weeds while trolling, the line snapped as well as the top foot of my new rod! Would you pay another $50 for a new one or complain? I traded it in at Kapras.

[mamohr686]

From what I understood when GLoomis changed their warranty policy that you only had to pay the $50 to expedite a broken warranty not covered under normal usage and to avoid waiting for 6 weeks. I sent back a GLX recently that was broke off on a fish. Scheels sent it in for me and it was no charge, but the wait can be annoying.

[Guest]

Ive got one that just broke about 15 inches from the end and e-mailed G-Loomis and asked what the fastest way to warranty was,and they never answered,so I e-mailed again and still no answer.I solved the problem by buying a new St.Croix.They want you to pay for a bad rod and wont give you the time of day.Done with them.

[blacksheep]

hey lee, good luck with the croix just had a buddy switch over to loomy cuz the run around croix gave him when his rod broke while fishing oh yeah and they never replaced it.

[Northlander]

Unfortunately both of these companys are becoming harder and harder to deal with. Thats why I started getting my rods custom made by Midwest Rod and Reel. I get St. Croix blanks done the way I want and they stand behind their work 100%.

Im a St.Croix guy from way back and love their rods I just wish we didnt have the hassle when we do have problems with them.

[Guest]

Northlander-I own 1 Midwest rod from Bill and Al and the rod is as good as any.G-Loomis just answered my e-mail and told me to give them 50.00 and they will replace it,so because of the price of the rod,I guess they get the last 50 from me,Bill and Al will get the rest from here on out.

[bhs91]

Who's Bill and Al and where Could I pick up one of their rods and for how much?

Thanks,

BHS91

[Guest]

Bill and Al are the owners of Midwest Rod and Reel and they are in the Metro.They build custom rods to thier specs and do a very nice job.Customer service is the best and thier quality is second to none.They are also very good guys and know thier stuff.They are sponsors of this web site and if you look under Fishing Equipment you will see thier add with phone numbers.You would need to call them as they build the rods at thier house.The prices vary from rod to rod,but if you match quality of the rod to the competition,they are price reasonable.

[ChuckN]

I have some Midwest ice fishing rods, and I tell ya they are the best I have ever owned.

Midwest Rod and Reel are also sponsors of Fishing Minnesota. You can see more information at their HSOforum.

http://www.midwestrodandreel.com/

[nthomps66]

I disagree on the St Croix complaint. I broke a 7' MH backing the boat into the garage this summer (left it in a rod holder and the tip caught). A local shop sent it in for me and I had a new one in a couple weeks. I only had to pay them for shipping. I was suprised since the rod snapped two inches above the handle. No way that happens through "normal" use.

[Big G]

I've had my fair share of croix problems. Got one loomis for jigging that I love.

I won't spend the money on either rod anymore. It just isn't worth the hassle with their claimed warrenties.

I do like Shimano's warrenty policy. Over the counter, no questions asked. Their clarus rods are awesome and cheap!!!

Even through Bass Pro Shop rods have a very limited warrenty, I have yet to have any fail, except for my own abuse. I have several and love them. Dollar for dollar, they are the best rod made out there.........

[augernaut]

One thing to consider is that the quality of G Loomis blanks has really gone down since they were purchased several years ago. I live in N. Wisconsin near the St. Croix factory, and have seen how good their customer service is. If you have a legitimately defective rod, and not just one that you decided to drive your truck over, it will be replaced quickly, with no questions asked. Don't expect anyone to bail you out if you abuse equipment and expect it to be replaced.

If I were to ever buy another factory rod, it would be a St. Croix, no doubt about it.

Others here have touched on the value of custom rods - I'm a custom rod builder, and can vouch for the quality you can get - it will amaze you how much better of a rod you can get from a (good) custom builder. I've heard good things about Midwest Rod - and there are other truly "custom" rodbuilders out there that offer endless variety and choices on blanks, handle configurations, threads, decorative wraps, inscriptions,etc. Better yet - check out building your own - it's quite easy to build a simple rod by yourself with minimal equipment, and the results will surprise you. Love the St. Croix SCIII blank but not the handle? Fine, buy the blank, build the rod with better guides than the factory rod, custom make a handle that fits YOUR hand, and do it all for the same or cheaper than buying a factory rod. Next time you are in a store with alot of rods, pick up a few, look at the epoxy coating on the guide wraps, inspect the fit and finish at the reelseat and grips, etc. You will find glaring defects on even the highest end rods in a store. You can do better yourself - I'lll guarantee it!! Catching the first fish on the first rod you built for yourself - now that is awesome....

[blacksheep]

Quote:

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Next time you are in a store with alot of rods, pick up a few, look at the epoxy coating on the guide wraps, inspect the fit and finish at the reelseat and grips, etc. You will find glaring defects on even the highest end rods in a store.

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i couldn't agree more, when i pick out a rod i will shuffle through many of the same model to find the "one", not only for finish but most importantly for arch transitions and spine, they are all different.

i have heard loomis quality has lessened slightly but only on the blanks that are not hand spun anymore - the blanks that are mass produced by shimano. the glx, imx series are still of very high quality.

just out of curiosity, can i expedite a midwest rod for $50 no questions asked?. what kind of rod failure/ damage policy do they have?.

[priorbass]

BLACKSHEEP...CHECK OUT THE WEB-SITE ALL THE INFO YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS THERE...ANY OF YOU NEED A QUALITY ROD GIVE US A CALL...WE LOVE TO BUILD YOU ONE THE WAY YOU WANT YOUR RODS DONE...