Spinning Rod - Help...LEVANTE vs GCX

[lunkerboss923]

I'm really looking for a do everything ALL PURPOSE SPINNING ROD. I throw tubes, flick shakes, wacky rigs, Ned Rigs, 3" Spark Shad on a jighead, shakyhead (Zoom Trick worms normal size and smaller finesse), Neko Rigs, Flukes, and floating worms.

 

The Levante Shakyhead was going to be my All Purpose Rod for all that, however with it being Medium Light, could it handle tubes? 

 

I fish from a kayak and bank. I have no use for a rod taller than 7'. Not interested in a 7'4" Enforcer. 

 

Behind a shakyhead...tubes, and wacky worms are my favorite, followed closely by a 3" Spark Shad. 

 

The GCX seems to be able to handle light stuff as well as heavier stuff in the 852S JWR model. The 853S JWR doesn't sound bad either. 

 

Would I be better off going for a IMX-PRO JWR? 

 

I like the idea of having one spinning rod that can do it all. I was a Dobyns guy, but the guides kept breaking and I fish competitively. I didnt like the hassle of shipping tubes back and forth. None of the freight companies are very reliable to begin with. I've read horror stories about Megabass and G Loomis warranties, but it's time for a change. 

 

I have $315 credit at a big box store. Help me spend it. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

The Levante Shakeyhead is awesome, but then I got an Alpha Angler Wrench which is just next level, not as pretty, but technologically and fishing wise, a superior rod.   

 

[optimator]

I've never owned a MB rod but I have a IMX-PRO 853c. It's a fantastic rod. I have a 853s E6X as well. It's a decent rod but nowhere near the IMX. IIRC the GCX is the replacement for the E6X. 

[lunkerboss923]

1 hour ago, optimator said:

I've never owned a MB rod but I have a IMX-PRO 853c. It's a fantastic rod. I have a 853s E6X as well. It's a decent rod but nowhere near the IMX. IIRC the GCX is the replacement for the E6X. 

Yes, but which one can throw all these lures effectively? 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The GCX's like other loomis rods are light in power.  I had both the 852 and 853 in my hand the other day and the 852 would be way under gunned IMO for what you want to do, with the 853 being bare minimum in power.  The MB rods are surprisingly stout, in the Orochi line anyway. havent seen the newer levantes, no ones carries them around here.  I would say the Whipsnake is about even power wise with the 853.  Just from handling the GCX I'm not really impressed for the price point FWIW.  I would 100% go with a MB.

[rangerjockey]

Of those 2 choices I would go with the MB but I would go with the whipsnake.

As much as I like G Loomis I think they really get good from GLX on up.

Otherwise there are better choices.

[thunderblack]

Why isn't an expride M F or St. Croix tourney on the list? Out of the two you mentioned I would go with Imx pro in probably an 852S model. New SC avid is coming out too in fill cork at Icast.

 

 

[Hulkster]

if you step up to the IMX Pro I think you will be very happy. its a huge step up from the E6X/GCX. 

I havent fish with the MB rod but I know the IMX Pro's are amazing. 

 

I own the casting IMX Pro, the MBR 903C

[optimator]

9 hours ago, lunkerboss923 said:

Yes, but which one can throw all these lures effectively? 

How light a bait are you planning on throwing? What size Ned baits?

[Hulkster]

If you are looking at an all purpose spinning rod, the IMX Pro SJR842 or the JW rod JWR 892S would both be amazing and probably a step up above the MB. but I think its an extra $100??

 

I have the JWR 892S in 2018 model E6X and its awesome, the IMX pro would be a level up from this.

[Darth-Baiter]

i played with the Levante.  it felt too soft for me to be all purpose.  

 

i would bump it to the Orrichi Whipsnake.  it felt faster to me.  but this is just me standing around bored in a showroom.  

[padon]

i have a whipsnake and a shakeyhead both in the orrochi line though. to me the whipsnake is too light for an all around rod. if you step up to the imx in an 853 you would have a more direct comparrison. i also have 2 expride b models in 7ft medium that i prefer to both of them. i wouldnt buy a gcx in any model although they say loomis on them they are not real loomis quality.