ICAST 2015 Coverage - G.Loomis E6X Inshore and Steelhead rods

ICAST 2015 Coverage

G.Loomis Expands the E6X Line into the Inshore

Date:	7/19/15
Location:	Orlando, FL
Admission:	Buyers & Press Only
Manufacturer:	G.Loomis
Reviewer:	Zander

Introduction: G.Loomis is on a roll, and the E6X rod series has become one of the company's most successful launches over the last few years. The E6X line brought the G.Loomis rods down to the $189 dollar price point, introducing the premium brand to a new crop of mainstream anglers. This ICAST G.Loomis builds off this foundation and expands their E6X offerings into the river and salt.

The E6X Series has been a big hit with anglers and expands into a new steelhead specific series

The E6X Line Expands: The original E6X rods were focused primarily on bass fishing but since the initial success of the series the brand has expanded the E6X line into some of their most popular catered to applications including steelhead fishing.

Scott Kinney, Senior Brand Manager at G.Loomis, shows us the new E6X Inshore rods

G.Loomis is introducing 19 new E6X steelhead rods with specific lengths and tapers to address techniques including drift fishing, float fishing, and even tossing a hot shot. These rods were all designed with balance in mind, with the appropriately sized reel attached, which is important to precisely control drifts and detect the lightest bites. The new E6X Steelhead rods are shipping now and will retail for $199 to $239 dollars depending on size and configuration.

The new E6X inshore rods make use of lighter blue highlights to set themselves apart

G.Loomis also expands the E6X line beyond freshwater with new inshore rods that feature the same multi-taper blank technology to build magnum-moderate tapered rods that can address the heavier live bait applications common when inshore fishing for larger species. The new E6X Inshore rods are also available with moderate-fast tapers which are designed to excel with smaller live bait and popping cork techniques, while extra fast tapers can address both artificial and live bait presentations equally well. There are a total of 16 rods in the new E6X Inshore lineup and they are shipping now for $179-$209 dollars depending on model.

Looking for a G.Loomis rod to handle deeper diving crankbaits? The new CBR 958C DD (Heavy) and 959C DD (Ex-Heavy) have you covered

Crank it up!: Though the E6X expansion was the top story for G.Loomis at ICAST the brand is also introducing two new crankbait rods made specifically for fishing the extra deep diving crankbaits that are all the rage this season. These 7'11" rods feature extra long 13.5" handles for increased leverage and heavy or extra-heavy powered blanks that enable extended casting distance with oversized cranks. These two new rods are also just becoming available now for $315-$330 dollars each.

Bruce Holt and Scott Kinney show us the award winning E6X lineup

Since becoming part of the Shimano group of brands G.Loomis has been infused with even greater resources to develop and build and the E6X looks like a home run, effectively winning over many anglers that have always wanted a G.Loomis rod but hesitated until now due to price. Though affordable the E6X rods are anything but "value rods," and in many ways, that we have already personally experienced, are actually better rods than some of the brand's own more expensive offerings. I've said it before, and as we are nearing the final phases of our E6X tests the E6X rods have clearly outperformed some of the GL2 rods. How often do you get more rod for less money? The buyers and media are liking what they are seeing from the E6X line, and voted it the Best of Show in the Freshwater Rod category this year.