Assassin Spin Zero or Loomis HMG Archipelago

[HennieB]

The XH and normal are just different cast weights as far as I know, use the one that suits the weight of sinker/lures you will be fishing..

Thanks, I was able to get my hands on the 10ft version. Mainly going to use it for baber fishing.

[Kwaaijanvis]

HMP gets my vote. I have both and prefer the handling of the HMP.
If you go the Jbraid route, opt for the 15lb, breaks at around 28lb.

Where can one buy the HMP braid?

[Visenvryheid]

Commercial marine, TJ's bait and tackle, CDS angling is the main agent I thing.. Contact Enigma on sealine..

[Albacore55]

So I have only heard good things about the Loomis Archipelago, but I have one concern with the rod, and that is to do with the thickness of the grip.


My father and I both experience that when casting really hard to get maximum distance, the rods will twist in our hands, because the grip is too thin to get a proper grip on the rods. What actually happened to my father's rod is the EVA grip came loose within two years of use.


Having seen that the Loomis has a very thin grip (compared to most other spinning rods), I am just a bit concerned that using the Loomis as a spinning rod will result in the same as with my father's rod... plus a twisting rod is just uncomfortable.


Does the Loomis have this kind of problem? If so, any other rod recommendations?

[brucec]

if you like the rod get the grip changed to suite you.

[Visenvryheid]

yup..the grip on any rod is glued on generally and once in a blue moon on any rod comes loose. Had to replace grip on one or two different rods, daiwa etc..just take to local rodbuilder and he can shape you a custom eva grip and replace and make a rod like new, or better..loomis HMG is lovely rod, been using mine for  year now, very happy..at the moment it has a rope tied around as an extra handle and a small multiplier tied on bottom below the reel seat LOL and I am using it upside down..but the rod is doing the business let me assure you. The fuji antitangle guide layout casts mono and multiplier like a dream!

But not used the spin zero to give you an objective opinion.

MY favourite rod for the light spinning, is my 9'6" exceller XXXH, the 10 and 11' have a different action, rebuilt new guides in anti tangle layout, new grip and butt lengthened to make it a 10'...that is still my gunstelling after all these years..such a dream to catch fish with that rod.. caught a 100kg of edibles on plug and spoon this summer already and its done that season in and out..light stuff though, 20lb braid rig.

[Torpedo Jack]

If the rod is rated for the lighter lure and is an accurate rating but the lure drops at your feet, then your line is too thick (and/or eyes and/or layout are k@k).. To say use a 20lb or 15lb or whatever is confusing as the line makers generally BS about their diameters and breaking strains.. I'd say what should work is hmp 25lb 8 strand but for lighter spoons you may want a thinner even 15 or 10lb that is actually 10lb or 15lb, with a braid casting leader stitched in..but then for a heavier spoon you will be on too light a line and when a decent fish picks you up and if you have structure around you are also stuffed. So depends on your fishing and the situation, a give and a take and balance..You will find the lures that you use most often and the rig and balance it all accordingly..sometimes you will have to throw a tiny spoon when the fish are fussy and feeding on sprats, sometimes the wind is up and you need to toss a heavier lure..You will find something that will be right in the middle and be able to do each heavier and lighter at a push, outside that range and you need another rig..When I go spinning I take two rigs, one 10' for 3-4 oz and .55 mono for the brutes and one 10' for the smaller game which I throw a 1.5oz most times on 25lb hmp 8strand but will throw from 1 to 2.5 oz with it conditions and match the hatch depending.If I was beach fishing the 10's would be 11's. For the estuaries I have a light tiger fishing setup for spinning for what is around, this doubles up as a chokka and sabiki rod and also a super light spinning rod for the boat. For the boat I have a 9' 1.5 oz rod for light spinning on 15/20lb braid and a 9'6" heavy setup on 50lb hmp braid. You can't expect one rig to do everything you want it to and do them all equally well..then I got bass rods, boat bottom sticks, tuna rods...eish..just getting into baitcasters, slippery slope..one rod aint going to cut it haha..The folks I fish fell down that slope along time ago..they have more rods than golf pros have clubs, more boats than ous have rods and each boat needs its tackle...slippery but rewarding slope.

I even have that master caster, got it on special for R500..Can find no difference with that blank and blanks on composite rods 3 times the price, and some of those rods share the same "braid-freindly" eyes as the master caster that are absolutely not kind to your braid and windknot if you look at them wrongly and are just not the eyes I'd have on by choice..but ja..I like that master caster as far as it's blank goes and it has pulled a REAL fish or 2 in its lifetime..but to have a rod builder to re-eye it for you to the spec you'd want, would cost you more than the loomis would off the bat, and the loomis is HMG and just really neat and cleanly styled, ready out the box.

Back to original question, I'd choose the loomis. Blanks aside, both are great I am sure, the layout and components on the loomis would generally cost you far more to have done in a similar rod. I have the 10' and have just fished it once for a little test drive..but I've thrown a lot of rods and own quite a few and that loomis is a beautiful rod and throws like a dream..Well styled, looks really good, not flashy either, throws beautifully. Can't give you feedback on pulling power but rod seems to have more mid backbone than my previous rod for the same task which has landed so much fish that I can't believe it looking back..and it throws nicer that the rod I am replacing, and I spent more on custom work on the previous rod than this one cost off the shelf, and the guides are still better so I'm sold so far unless in the future I pull it on a real fish and it breaks haha that is the real test, touch wood..

Vis!

Let me tell you - I have a psycho fishing friend on the South Coast. He is visbev#k!!! I cannot tell you how many rods he has broken. The only one has has not managed to snap is the L&F Archipelago STX. Pulled a 92.5cm GT at Vidal in December. Fight lasted about 20 minutes, and can be found on YT. Highly recommended rod!


If you do somehow manage to break yours (fishing, not in your car door!!!), please be sure to let me know. That way I can say I know someone who is "maller" than my buddy!


Regards,


Mike