G. Loomis IMX-Pro V2 Saltwater Fly Rod | In Depth Review

[@larryh9525]

This review is why Ben's reviews are valuable, as he likely stopped someone from making a mistake. I own an IMX Pro 6wt (v1) which I like very much; however, it's not for everyday fishing for 12" - 14" trout. (I originally bought the rod to fish for larger freshwater species.) Last fall I had a chance to fish for large breeder rainbows that were hold-up in a mountain pool that escaped (or were set free) from a local hatchery. These fish were in the 6lb+ range. With those fish, I found the 6wt performed like a light-duty 8wt and was an absolute blast. My hunch is that this rod should be overlined and fished like a 9 or 10wt, and in that scenario, I'll bet someone might be very happy with it.

[@Tridentflyfishing]

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[@gregbelcamino7239]

Great to see a review that's not so glowing it could have been written by the manufacturer. I'll also say this about Trident: I traded in a bunch of rods with them, and had something very specific in mind as a way to spend my credit on a new rod. Whoever it was at Trident who spoke to me talked me into something less expensive, after a fairly long conversation about the kinds of fishing I wanted the new rod for, and the rod I wound up with exceeded all my expectations. That's great service.

[@stripstrikeflyfishing7746]

I bought the V2S in a 8wt, and personally I love it. The reel seat is pretty much the same as the NRX+ just without the logo. The quality of the rod is excellent. I have NRX+s from 7wt to 10wt . The casting feel is a little bit different from the NRX+S, but feels a lot like my original NRX. Lots of backbone but still sensitive enough in the tip. As for the guides, the new Fuji K Guides are a welcome addition, I would love to see GLoomis add them to all of their high end rods in the future. I have casted multiple lines on it and it performed reasonably well with all of them, including Rio’s 8wt Elite Bonefish. This isn’t necessarily a distance rod, but I am getting out to 70’ to 80’ accurately without any issues. My favorite line that I paired with this rod is Rio’s 7wt Warm Water Predator, just slightly heavier than a standard 8wt Redfish line. This is my go to Texas coast rod and will be adding a 7wt, 10wt and a 11wt to my collection. Ben definitely does give great reviews on all of the products, but try casting them and review them for yourself as well.

[@Blipp619]

I've watched every rod review Ben has ever given. Seems evident Loomis tapers and materials don't appeal to his stroke. I've found personally growing up in South Florida Alot of trout guys can't quite wrap their heads around Loomis rods. It's the Striper guys and the flats guys who have been burned by close "technical" rods that have come to enjoy the "V8 power" and easy access to said power of G.Loomis rods in general. This feels like a 2023 review of a 2009 model CrossCurrent GLX.

[@larryh9525]

@@Blipp619 I think you're correct. Being a trout guy there's almost something foreign about saltwater rods because, for the most part, they lack feel. I have an IMX Pro 6wt (v1) and it is very accurate, but unless I tie into a whale (which is rare in freshwater) I don't get to enjoy the rod much. Not sure if you saw the Hardy Zane rods Trident was blowing out last fall, but that was a deal! Back to Ben's review, remember his favorite 8wt is the Atlas that he helped to design. What's interesting is that rod appears to be very close (almost a copy) to the Douglas Sky G 8wt but at half the price. I have the Douglas and the swing weight on that rod is less than my IMX Pro.

[@Blipp619]

@@larryh9525 Agreed, I also own a Sky in 7WT - good analog for this conversation. Back to the Loomis rods. If someone is a traveling angler say from the PNW, the last rod I'd advise them on is a "old style" Loomis, it must feel like swinging a battle axe from the middle ages. The first rod I started casting on was a 9WT so my Sky 7 almost has the feeling to me that it could crumble under the load of a long line. Funny how that works especially seeing as I caught a 60lb Bullshark in an ocean access creek with the damn thing. Anyway, I think most guys used to permit or tarpon fishing would swing an IMX even in the heavier weights and find it just fine as long as it lifted fish well.

[@Blipp619]

@@larryh9525 Also, I'm waiting for the Zane Pro's to come down as the Hardy Marksman Z is launching in late September - early October.....love me some Hardy.

[@stripstrikeflyfishing7746]

@@Blipp619 , I just sold a 8wt and a 10wt Zane Pro, great rods! I still have a 7wt and a 9wt that my wife has started to use and she loves them.

[@Blipp619]

@Tailwaterflyshop RAVED about this rod for the money. To each their own but the only other rod i remember Ben not even giving a Poseiden score to was the non-Pro version Hardy Zane - and that was like a 2 minute video. Everything I've heard from people in the industry that i trust is that this rod casts alot like the CrosscurrentGLX, albeit lighter. Also, other reviewers on KZbin have stated that this rod casts pretty well at ALL distances. What gives Ben?

[@Dream-season]

@blipp619 I have this exact rod, it’s lined with SA bass bug in 7wt and it cast’s phenomenally at all distances … feels much more like an all water 8wt than a broom-sticky pure salt rod … this review is actually a head scratcher

[@Blipp619]

@@Dream-season I bought a 6 like a month after this review dropped. It's absolutely a Crosscurrent revamp - Absolute hammer, couldn't possibly be happier for the money.

[@Blipp619]

No full review Ben? "It's really stiff" the end? No score at distances or total score? I mean, at the price this rod sells at if it throws 110ft missles maybe its valuable for situational fishing?

[@FlyingFox007]

When I see a bunch of wood filler and a composite ring at the back of the fore grip, I can't say that says much for the cork.

[@ibookje]

How about overloading the rod? Use #9 line That's how basically the industry fooled us the past 20 years. #7 rods selling us as being a #5 rod