Lamiglas or G Loomis?

Cracks forming in the finish above the guide foot is very very common and is hard to avoid entirely.  It's a function of the rod being so much more flexible than the guide feet, that something has to give.  The issue can be minimized but I don't think any production factory will take the time and effort to do what it takes to minimize it. 

Blems in the finish of the blank, on the other hand, is a legit defect.

EK

Erik my GL3s only have the high gloss coat at the butt and over the wraps and I really like the way it looks any disadvantages to it?

I bought online had a defect in the finish

I have a rod that the top coat has cracked by the guide feet on top of the wraps after a couple of good fish and the blank has discolored in a 6" section doesn't effect performace just the bling, I have another that has a chip like Scott's and peelled a little before I put a dab of epoxy on it.

You are correct that the peeling of the finish does not affect the rod performance and neither does cracking of the epoxy at the guide feet. EK's website has a nice explanation of the guide feet issue. Some of the G Loomis series come with a matte finish instead of a high gloss finish. There is no disadvantage to a matte finish that I know of, it is purely cosmetic. I believe the thinking is that when fishing for spooky fish like trout in highly pressured small streams, the matte finish is more stealthy. All of my trout rods are G Loomis and I have caught a lot of trout with them, however, I think stealth had little to do with it.  The production rods are a little over-priced, IMO which is why building your own rods is a good option.

Scott

Matte finish rod blanks are becoming more and more common... I believe it is simply because they are less expensive to manufacture.  Dings and nicks don't show as easily on matte blanks as they do on glossy blanks.
EK

Some of the G Loomis series come with a matte finish instead of a high gloss finish. There is no disadvantage to a matte finish that I know of, it is purely cosmetic

A Loomis rep top me they did it to lighten up the rods. Is it really a matte finish looks like bare blank to me. Have you noticed any differences in Loomis since Shimano bought them?  I had 2 930s and a buddy broke one which they replaced for free I didn't have to pay the $50 but it just didn't have the same feel.

Some of the G Loomis series come with a matte finish instead of a high gloss finish. There is no disadvantage to a matte finish that I know of, it is purely cosmetic

A Loomis rep top me they did it to lighten up the rods. Is it really a matte finish looks like bare blank to me. Have you noticed any differences in Loomis since Shimano bought them?  I had 2 930s and a buddy broke one which they replaced for free I didn't have to pay the $50 but it just didn't have the same feel.

I personally have not noticed any differences in the Loomis rods since Shimano purchased them. I was hoping Loomis would incorporate some of Shimano's advanced carbon fiber technology, but they haven't yet. All rods and blanks are unique particularly with long, narrow rods like the 930. Spine and tip flex probably contribute to the different "feel". When I purchase blanks from a store, I am always surprised how different they feel even though they are the same model.

Scott

yeah, I'm just messing with you, we haven't had an excuse to spar for a while, 

I know, what the hell... are we getting to be more civil?.... NAAAAHHHHH! 

hmm... I think you should get which ever one has better matching hats, 

Z

Well after lots of deliberation and research I finally got a new rod and reel. I looked through all the Lamiglas and Loomis racks @ the local shop, played w/ the flex, weight, and all that good stuff. Probably went through every salmon rod they had. Finally found one that felt da best. A Loomis HSR 1021c GL2 (you were right Pole²)... and it happened to be $30 off too! I paired it up w/ a Shimano Cardiff 400a. I read a lot of great reviews on it and the person at the shop heartily recommended it also. Hope to get some springer action on it next weekend. Thanks again everyone for the advice!

Z

Good Choice I luv the HSRs

Sweet combo. I have a HSR 1025C which I use for salmon trolling and rock fish and love it. I use a Penn 975 with 20# mono.

Scott

I have had two bad experiances with a lamiglas 1300 T mag taper. I use a shimano 201TE with 12 lb mono trolling wiggle warts both blew up on me. So I no longer use them. When I do relpace it if the salmon ever return to the Sac via the delta I replace with one of the HSR's. I have many Loomis rod and have not broke one yet even when getting hung up with braided line.

Z - congrats on the new rig - hope it brings many fish!

Reelfish - I was thinking about that G1300 for a steelhead plug rod. Your story is the second negative report I've now heard about that rod. Did they both snap?  I liked that it was 2-piece as I'm always banging the 1-piecers around, realizing some loss of strength. 

Mike (mickfish) also reported he didn't care for that rod.  Mike, what were your issues? 

I have a couple of other G1000s and Cert Pros that I like. Sounds like the 1300 might not be a good choice.

Any other experience with this rod?

Thanks all - Bird
 

Too wimpy in the butt to turn a strong fish. But wow RF you had two blow, did they snap or just sliver. You must have been putting on some serious pressure on them Sac Salmon?

Bird

I liked the rod for casting and trolling for striper. paired up with that reel it casted great.
for steelhead it probably would be OK. You would think.

Mickfish

O.K. the first rod was my fault I highsticked a good size salmon and it broke the tip section about 2 feet from the tip. What a noise, very loud. The second rod broke in the same area as the first and the fish was putting the pressure on me but I learn my lesson from the first time and was aware of what could happen. That fish was in the 35 to 40 pound range. Huge, the biggest I have ever hooked. The head shake was something else. Ended up I lost both of those fish.
But have successfully caught 3 others in the river with that model rod. Heres a 29 pounder a few years back.

Thanks for the info RF and Mike, much appreciated. Will have to give that one some more thought.