Question for the Loomis guys

[FrnkNsteen]

I have never really taken the plunge into Loomis rods. They always feel a little tip heavy to me in the store so I couldn't spend the money,.... other than a couple deals I got on a cheaper GL2 years ago and more recently a e6x my wife liked.

 

I keep hearing you need to step up to the IMX Pro stage or above to appreciate them, but at $350 - $380, I have never felt like taking the chance with how they feel in the store.

 

Well,.... I stopped by the local shop Friday and they had 30% off all in stock Loomis and had the IMX Pros initially marked at $325, which means I could take a chance on one for $227. I looked through what they had left and most were crankbait, paddletail or spinnerbait rods. I ended up choosing between a 852c and 854c JWR figuring if I want to check out their sensitivity and how they fish, I'd want a botton contact rod.

 

My question is that with range listed on the rod of 5/16 - 3/4 I expected MH power. But when I registered it and looked at the specs on the website, it said Heavy power/Fast action.

 

3/4oz doesn't sound like a heavy power rod to me. How do you guys use a 854c? and what would you compare it to,.... on say a Dobyns line,... Maybe a 734c or 735c?

 

5/16 - 3/4oz puts me at a 3/8 jig or weight plus plastic to hit the midpoint of the range. Not what I would consider a Heavy.

 

Curious.....

[Pogues2300]

Wish I could help with your specific question but for what it’s worth I own two imx pro crankbait rods and love them…also own two nrx and a glx spinning rod and love them all. Never noticed them being tip heavy but I guess it’s not a thing I focus on. Hopefully someone here can help you out. 873 crr is my favorite rod I’ve ever owned for a jig but I have seen some that really like the 854 you mentioned.

[Nelson Delaney]

Power ratings are all over with almost all manufacturers.  Loomis is notoriously light.   A M st croix is usually on par with MH Loomis. When shopping for rods focus on weight rather than H MH etc. 

[WRB]

Loomis higher end rods have a very different “action” bending % vs power rating. Generally JWR rods are fast using the upper 1/4th of the rod length flex and power rating average or similar to Dobyns. 2 = ML, 3= M and 4 = MH, 5 = H.

Tom

[rangerjockey]

A 4 power Loomis is a heavy. and I find their power rating to be accurate. The JWR is a jig and worm rod.

I have the 854 in the NRX, I use it for 3/8-5/8 jigs and 1/4-5/16 plastics.

I haven't fished a 4 power Dobyns in years but I don't think they are as tight as a 4 power loomis with the exception of the XP 744 jig special . That thing is strong and faster than lighting . I personally didn't care for it.

You got a good deal.

[FrnkNsteen]

Thanks guys. Figured with the listed weight I would fish it with jigs and worms like a MH and stay in the 3/8 - 1/2oz range with it. 

 

I have a lot of Dobyns and they call their "4" power rods a "Heavy" as well, so not a big deal.

 

9 hours ago, WRB said:

Loomis higher end rods have a very different “action” bending % vs power rating. Generally JWR rods are fast using the upper 1/4th of the rod length flex and power rating average or similar to Dobyns. 2 = ML, 3= M and 4 = MH, 5 = H.

Tom

Thanks Tom... The comparison to Dobyns helped as I have multiple Dobyns 3,  4, and 5 rods.

[Hulkster]

Congrats I think you will like the IMX Pro rods. 

 

I own two (one spinning and one baitcasting) and they are both amazing. 

 

Expensive but worth every penny. 

[thunderblack]

I won't be much help to you on those models. I have always scratched my head on the Loomis spinning rod lure weights. Seems like they are all around 3/8 oz. and some seem to handle more and some do not. Just a very small weight window for all the different models. 

[Siebert Outdoors]

I've got 2 of the 854's in the GLX.  Its one of my favorite rods.   3/4 oz jigging imo is a tad on the heavy side for that rod but it does work.  That rod for me really is my do all rod for the most part.  1/4-3/8 T rigs,  1/4-1/2 jigs (not heavy duty like weeds or brush). Many other things.

 

  All in all its a great rod. 

[Hytekrednek]

I got an imx pro spinnerbait rod this past spring. I usually prefer carbon fiber type handles,, but this cork handled rod is awesome for spinnerbaits!  Soft tip with a strong spine. Very sensitive. Overall just a pleasure to use. I like it over my Kistler Helium for sure.

[JohnFromLisbon]

I have the 854 JWR in GLX and I've tried the IMX one, too. They definitely feel like a MH plus. I can fish a half ounce football jig with a Flappin' Hog as a trailer (which I'm pretty sure pushes it close to the 3/4oz mark) and the rod never feels overwhelmed. The GLX feels slightly faster than the IMX-PRO but I think that's down to the material itself. Their IMX-PRO line, if you can go for it, is absolutely worth it (I have an 852S JWR and an 844 MBR). 

[Reel]

I have, over the years,  accumulated 9 or 10 rods from different G. Loomis series.  I've got some NRX, EX6, GCX, GLX and IMX.  For me, each serie is very different and feels different.  It's very difficult to compare one to the other even with the same rating.  However, when you find one rod that fits a particular need, it's the perfect rod.  

A comment: It's very difficult to judge a rod in a store without the reel, line and lure.  

[waymont]

I have a bunch of older IMX and IMX-Pro rods. I have the 852c JWR rod, actually two of them.

I love these rods. I use them for  1/4 Bitsy Flip jigs, 3/16 to 1/4oz t rigs, flukes, 1/4oz Mini Max chatterbaits, small spinnerbaits, lighter belly weighted under spins. What a killer rod! I also have the GLX version that has a slightly lighter tip but the same backbone. Both are really fun to fish. The GLX is like a feather, but both are not tip heavy at all with a new Zillion or Metanium. The 854 JWR has a fast tip instead of the extra fast tip the that the 852 and 853 have. 

The 854 is a killer jig and t rig rod. You will dig these rods.