G.loomis bails on builders.....

[66KingFisher]

I don't know if any of you knew about this or not, but G.loomis announced recently that by the end of 2009 they would no longer sell blanks to custom rod builders. I haven't wrapped a rod in many years, but with the price of rods today, i'd been giving more thought to building my own using a namebrand quality blank such as G.loomis....guess if I want one I better get it soon huh?

Any of you guys do any rod building?.....I can't help but think something like this would be a shot in the foot for them.....maybe custom rods are just too much of a nitch market for them to care....what do ya'll think?

[Bender]

I guess they weren't making enough money from them. I have one custom rod made on a GLX blank so I hope the warranty would still be honored if it broke.

[BigBassin144]

My dad builds rods, and I kinda help (working on getting better). anyways, I still can't afford a G.Loomis blank, but if you're looking for a good blank at an even better price, check out RainShadow blanks at www.jannsnetcraft.com.

My dad has a spinning rod, which is quite light and sensitive for such in inexpensive blank, and my crankin' stick is also built on a rainshadow blank.

BB

[66KingFisher]

Yeah, I've been seeing that "Rainshadow" name pop up on rod building sites......sounds like they are a decent inexpensive blank....i'd like to get my hands on one to see what they are like.

[aikenyounggun]

yeah i know a guy who build really nice rods.... he said he aint ever buyin a g-loomis after they pulled that little stunt

[sac]

Their blanks were still too pricey for me, so I don't think I'll miss them.lol There are just as good blanks without a name on them that will do the job for a fraction of the price. Plus, they still sell G-Loomis stickers........lol