Anyone ever use the Loomis CBR845? It's the 7' 10-20, I have the opportunity to get one for a decent price, but I'd like to know if any one has used it. What I want to know is, how versatile is it for throwing cranks like rattle-traps, shad raps, and small swimbaits? My first choice would be the 843, but the 845 is the one I've got a deal on. Any comments appreciated. -Nate

Nate, this is actually my favorite rod on the rack, perfect for the Deep Lil N's, or even a smaller topwater, beatiful rod! Just make sure, if you are going to put a chronarch, or Calcutta on it, you get some sort of a spacer to put between the reel seat, and the foot of the reel.
Dane

Picked it up...Calcutta 200GT is going on it. Why do you recommend the spacer? It doesn't seem to rub and the height is fine for palming. Any pics of how you have the spacer set up? -Nate

take you combo, hold the rod, and then wiggle the reel lightly, it should have alot of play from left to right, which is amplified dramatically with a bait in the water! because the foot is stainless, you will noticw a slight bend like a rainbow in the foot of the reel, for some reason those feet, (chronarch, Chronarch SF, and Calcutta) all just do not fit in that new Fuji "E" (exposed) reel seat.
It truly is a great rod though, the 7 power is also awesome for the bigger Fat Free Shads, and the DD22's!
Dane

>for some reason those feet, (chronarch, Chronarch SF, and Calcutta) all just
>do not fit in that new Fuji "E" (exposed) reel seat.
>It truly is a great rod though, the 7 power is also awesome
>for the bigger Fat Free Shads, and the DD22's!
>Dane

My Calcuttas fit on the Fuji ECM reel seats just fine but I noticed Chronarchs/Chronarch SFs (with the riveted feet) all wobbled, and the wobbling was more noticeable when a fish was on. Shimano reels with integral reel feet (cast as part of the frame vs riveted) like the Curados fit solidly.

It seems Fuji changed the material (and the dimensions probably) for that style seat in newer production factory rods this year. If you compare a new Loomis with an older one you'll notice a slight difference in color/texture of the seat, and the reel foot hood looks like it can screw down further. The riveted feet fit much better now...

Yeah, I'm not sure about the regular ol' Calcuttas, but none of my TE's fit into any of my rods with that seat without a spacer.
it is pretty much the same "rivited" style of foot on any Calcutta, so I would think, unless they changed it, it would wobble as well.
Another thing is, if you do decide to slide a spacer in there if it does wobble, I have had several reels get stuck on rods, because sliding any sort of spacer will put upwards pressure on the threaded peice that twists over the foot.
D