Hi,

I am currently comtemplating on whether to get Gloomis or Rainshadow blank to build a spinning (light) and casting (med-light) rod.

I have used a couple of Gloomis blanks before but not on Rainshadow. Would appreciate all opinions and advice on this issue.

I like the lightweight and sensitivity of Gloomis rods but price wise is on the high side.

Can any Rainshadow users share your opinion on their rods if possible some comparision will definitely be great.

Thank you all.

Hi Tom,
I am a BIG loomis fan. However, the Batson Rainshadow blanks I have used and wrapped
have impressed me a lot! I have a Loomis GL3 1025C and a rod I built with Rainshadow
HS1025 and the only difference between the two that I can tell is the Batson seams to dampen a bit slower. I would say the Batson products stack up pretty darn well against
the much higher priced G. Lommis rods I have used and the Batson staff are second to none in customer service! You cant go wrong with a rainshaodow blank. I am looking forward to
trying one of the RX-8+ blanks one of these days!
Forgot to mention I bought 3 HS1025 blanks!

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/08/2006 01:54AM by Raymond_Adams.

Narrowing the field would help with specifics, what critter are we going after?

Tom,
I have used many Loomis and Rainshadow blanks and find that the Rainshadow RX7 is roughly equivalent to the Loomis GL3 and the Rainshadow RX8 roughly equivalent to the Loomis IMX. Many of the designs are also very simular but you will find the equivalent Rainshadow to be much less expensive and I think that you also will find the Rainshadow blanks to be much straighter.

I'm afraid I haven't built on many of the spinning/casting blanks from either but I have built a lot of fly rods from these two manufacturers so I don't know if the same relationships apply. Loomis GL3 series fly rods compare very nicely with the Rainshadow RX7 series other than what was said before in that the GL3 might have been a touch faster (and I do mean only a touch) and dampened a touch more quickly as well. BTW, these were very subjective opinions with no hard data to support this. I did an experiment a while back and built several 8'6" 5 wt rods and let several experienced fly casters try them out without knowledge as to what blank they were using and many had a difficult time discerning any difference at all between those two particular series. I should post the results sometime as that in itself was interesting. Not sure if any of this will be of any use to you.

I'm currently using a Rainshadow IST993 (6-10 lb line) as my steelhead rod. Finished it in early December. It is light, sensitive.....a very great blank.

Two thumbs up for ALL the Rainshadow products I've used.

Keith

It has pretty much been said. I would highly recommend Rainshadow over G.Loomis. The price is right and they make a great product not to mention awesome customer service.

David Banaka