The lineup of Gary Loomis rods from Temple Fork Outfitters just got more impressive, with TFO's introduction of the new Gary's Tactical
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TFO President Rick Pope, left, discusses the new Tactical Series rods with Temple Fork sales rep Kent Edmonds |
Series.
The rods were introduced last week at ICAST, or the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, and should start showing up in retail stores sometime in November.
The rods look great, with a matt finish on the shafts and more refined reel seats that minimize the weight. More important is the higher modulus of the graphite being used. The actual modulus is a bit of a mystery, because TFO President Rick Pope doesn't want to relive the old modulus wars of the 1980s and 1990s, when modulus became a buzz word that let some companies forget that modulus was meaningless if you didn't have a good designer.
In fact, Gary's Tactical Series incorporates a dual-modulus layup, meaning differing grades of graphite are utilized to maximize each rod's performance. So rather than worrying about labels that tell you almost nothing, you want to actually pick up a rod and let your own hand be the judge.
Meanwhile, Temple Fork has focused on reducing weight, which is why the company opted for more elegant reel seats that have the added bonus of looking truly cool. The company also devoted a lot of attention to the guides, trying to come up with the perfect combination of durability and performance. The solution was a super-hard chrome anodized insert in a chrome anodized housing of stainless steel. And because the insert edges overlap the housing's edge, there is no danger of the inserts ever popping out. And before you ask, yes, these guides handle braided lines just fine.
Gary's Tactical Series features 19 bass models. These one-piece rods will retail for $149.95, and these rods are saltwater safe, so don't be surprised when they start showing up on the coast as well:
Casting Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action
6'9" ...... Med ...... 6-12 ......... 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast
7'3" ...... Med ...... 6-12 ......... 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast
7'3" .... Med Hvy ... 8-17 ......... 3/8 - 1 ....... Fast
7'3" ...... Hvy ...... 10-25 ........ 1/2 - 1 1/2 .. Fast
Spinning Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action
6'9" ....... Med ...... 6-12 ....... 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast
7'3" ....... Med ...... 6-12 ....... 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast
7'3" ....... Med ...... 8-17 ....... 3/8 - 1 ........ Fast
Pitch & Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action
Crank Bait 7' ......... Med ...... 6-12 ........ 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast
(casting) 7'9" ....... Med ...... 6-12 ........ 1/4 - 3/4 ..... Fast
7'9" ...... X-Hvy .... 12-30 ........ 1/2 - 2 ....... Fast
Drop shot Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action
(casting) 6'9" ..... Med Light .... 4-10 ..... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast
7'3" ...... Med Light .... 4-10 ..... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast
Drop shot Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action
(spinning) 6'3" ....... Light ....... 4-8 ...... 1/16 - 1/4 ..... Fast
6'9" ....... Light ....... 4-8 ...... 1/16 - 1/4 ..... Fast
6'9" ....... Med Light .. 4-10 ..... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast
7'3" ....... Light ....... 4-8 ...... 1/16 - 1/4 ..... Fast
7'3" ....... Med Light .. 4-10 ..... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast
Shaky head Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action
(spinning) 6'10" .... Med Light .. 4-10 ...... 1/8 - 1/2 ..... Fast
Swim bait Length Power Line Wt. Lure Wt. Action
(casting) 7'11" ....... Hvy ...... 12-25 ........ 1 - 4 ..... Med fast
