having the best equipment doesnt compensate for not knowing or not fishing. I think loomis is an overrated rod anyway. I got a shakepeare intrepid spinning 8.6 for 45 bucks it feels better and outperforms my buddies gl2 that he is ashamed of saying the price. go with the lamiglas northwest special. I bought the same one for river fishing cause my other one it is a lot lighter rod. good for saltwater fishing, not those down stream runs but landed over 150 fish this fall on the lamiglas and its a good pole. griggs has something to do with it. Ben