Hey guys I'm very picky about my rods and am very knowledgable about blanks; materials, resin, action, etc... But my rod blanks are so expensive that I haven't started building my own yet; I've been sending them to Matt Davis (Otterods)...hopefully someday I can start building my own.

But for now I had some questions for you builders who are experienced with Lamiglas blanks. I mainly fish Loomis and like the fast action of their tapers, but their blanks are getting harder to find, and their pre-built rods have been having some factory defects lately that I just can't overlook. I just ordered a Lamiglas XC704J (IMS 843 blank) and I haven't fished it yet but really like the feel of it. It seems a little slower than Loomis but feels just as sensitive if not more (kind of surprised me).

Anyways what are your impressions of the XMG popping blanks? I'm thinking of doing a custom build on a LP844 blank for finesse bass fishing and light saltwater duty?

I was also curious about the IM700 popping blanks (specifically the IMP 844) and the IM 700 mag casting blanks (specifically the DTIMC 84M and the IMC845). I'm looking for a rod that has a strong butt section and crisp light tip for finesse fishing--sensitivity will be paramount. (the rod I bought is built on a IM 700 spinning blank-so I don't know what to expect from the popping and mag bass rods)

I heard the XMG bass rods were discontinued due to the tips breaking and that also worries me....

Thoughts? Help?

Thanks-
Sam



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/15/2010 11:16PM by Sam Moore.

Expect the IM 700 blank to be of very similar quality construction as Loomis IMX blanks. Action of the popping rod blanks are similar. The XMG blanks are a faster actioned, higher modulus, graphite scrim blank.
The IMS is a slower taper because it's a spinning blank built in a casting configuration.
The DTIMC 84 M is a blank designed by Rich Forhan if I remember right, I use it for the bigger deeper cranks, smaller swimbaits with trebles, and light structure spinnerbaits. I bet it would work well also with lipless cranks also, it's a bit faster actioned than the XC 724 Senko Special.
The XC 704 J I like for lighter jigs and plastics in the 1/4 - 3/8 oz range. Versatile in the light weights, I'm sure, for other things also. I use it for walleye too.

Hi Sam,

I have fished a variety of Lamiglas blanks over the last 30 years or so, and I can tell you without hesitation that I have never had a single issue with the the craftsmanship EVER!!!. I have an 844 and a 904 that are fantastic, and I use them for inshore here in california. I give them both two big thumbs up.

Tight lines,

John Hernandez
SoCal

Sam I believe the reason those blanks that were discontinued, was not because of faulty design, it was because the blanks were not selling. If they were selling it was to a vary select few, not enough to keep in production. I bet if you check their new catalog you will find something similar. If not call Josh at lamiglas

Good Wraps Bob

Spencer Phipps Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Expect the IM 700 blank to be of very similar
> quality construction as Loomis IMX blanks.
> The XC 704 J I like for lighter jigs and plastics
> in the 1/4 - 3/8 oz range. Versatile in the light
> weights, I'm sure, for other things also. I use it
> for walleye too.


Thanks for the info. I believe after feeling my blank I would compare it to Loomis IMX too, which surprises me b/c the Loomis IMX is touted to have graphite scrim (or paper whichever story you believe) and the Lamiglas feels lighter in hand and just as sensitive(kind of a head scratcher as to how a fiberglass scrim blank transmits as good or better than graphite scrim)...but it is about 10 degrees slower than a Loomis blended rod blank (like the mossyback, shakyhead, and bronzeback rods, which I've found to be the fastest Loomis rods). I boutght my XC 704J for the exact purposes you mentioned except replace walleye with smallmouth.

Are the IM 700 popping blanks as slow as the Loomis popping blanks? I've heard from others that the XMG popping blanks are very fast, for a popping blank, but haven't heard much about the IM 700 Popping blanks.

Thanks for the information on the other blanks. Do you own an XC 705?


Lamiglas told me that the XC 704J (IMS 843) is the fastest casting rod in the certified pro series...I wish I could still get the XMG built rods; although i don't like the looks of the graphite handle.

Thanks guys.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/2010 01:18AM by Sam Moore.

Loomis went to glass scrim on the IMX rods right after they reintroduced them, after they quit making the GL4 blanks. I've even heard, but not confirmed by the company, that the GLX blanks also now have glass scrim.
The IM 700 always was a glass scrim blank and I've fished both the IMX and IM700 in steelhead/salmon rods since the 80's, I love them both. My IM 700 heavy power salmon rod is still probably the lightest production rod in that power I've ever owned.
I fished a pre-production IM 700 bass rod from Lamiglas back in the early 90's, that was developed for the Bull Dog Jig people, it was a 6 ft 8 in., 12-25 lb, MH powered rod and is still one of my all time favorite bass rods in my rod collection. Light, versatile, very well balanced in the hand and on the water.

Sam,
the IM700 Popping models are traditional popping actions. The XMG popping are very fast, probably the fastest action blanks in Lamiglas' lineup.

Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

Is it just the bass line-up of XMG blanks that is being discontinued?

Rick

Sam,
I just got confirmation back from Dick Posey at Lamiglas that the "LP" & "LSJ" blanks are in the product line for 2011.

Regards,

Todd

Regards,
Todd Vivian
Mud Hole Custom Tackle

todd@mudhole.com

Thanks Todd for following up on that for me.

Sam Moore