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GLoomis GLX
(DSR820S) Specifications |
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Material |
GLX Graphite |
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Length |
6' 10" |
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Rod Weight |
3.8oz |
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Line Weight |
4-8lb |
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Lure Weight |
1/8-3/8oz |
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Guides |
7 Recoil plus the tip |
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Action |
Extra
Fast |
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Power |
Mag-Light |
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Color |
Brown Moss |
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MSRP |
$355.00 |
Impressions:
Its nearly 2006
and the start of the show season is beginning just a week from now. One of the
new rods that G.Loomis is sure to showcase is their new GLX drop shot rod.
That’s a right, an official GLX version of their already popular DSR820S Drop
Shot rod. The new GLX version has the same dimensions as the original with a
length of 6’10” and also has the same #2 power rating. While the original
sported a color dubbed “Spanish Green,” the GLX DSR is a much darker
brownish-green finish.
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 |
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The newest
member of the G.Loomis family, the GLX version of the DSR820S |
Feature-wise the
two rod’s grips are near identical, but the original DSR’s blank is finished
with a heavy coat of gloss while the GLX is uncoated and matte in appearance,
similar to a traditional G.Loomis Mag Bass GLX rods. The last thing we noticed
was the difference in guides. The original makes use of all Fuji components
while the GLX version employs Recoil guides in an effort to reduce every last
iota of superfluous weight. (4.1oz (original) versus 3.8oz) All in all I found
the rod clean, handsome, and utilitarian in appearance, much more in keeping
with the traditional motif of the G.Loomis rods of days past.
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Complete Test Rig for GLoomis GLX
(DSR820S) |
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Rod |
GLoomis GLX DSR820S |
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Reel(s) |
Shimano 2500MgFA |
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Line |
4lb P-Line Fluorocarbon
6lb P-Line Fluorocarbon |
Real World
Test: For this test we fished clear water reservoirs drop shotting in winter
at depths between 20-60 feet. We also decided to see just how versatile a stick
the new DSR GLX was by fishing modified drop shot rigs by pitching the rigs in
the murkier shallower waters of the California Delta. To maintain a low overall
outfit weight we paired the rod up with the 2500 Stradic Mg. We also wanted to
be able to really get a feel for how well rod handled light lines so we ordered
an identical spare spool and proceeded to put 4 and 6lb P-Line Fluorocarbon on
our test spools. With the rod, reel, and a full spool of 6lb line the entire rig
weighed in at 12.9oz, which is lighter than a Calcutta 300 TE alone.
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 |
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We paired
our rod with the magnesium based Stradic 2500MgFA |
Casting:
There was a time when I seldom drop shotted. I knew the technique
worked but I seemed to only land small fish, and thought my time was better
spent pitching and flipping Texas rigged plastics. All that changed when I began
fishing larger plastics and started having success fishing a drop shot not only
in deep clear water but pitching the rig right up against structure or the
shore. Since then I have been obsessed with the technique, as it has
successfully produced big fish for me even when other techniques have failed.
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A supplied
elastic band holds drop shot weights in place |
The methods in
which anglers are now fishing this technique have also evolved as the popularity
of the practice has grown. No longer is fishing a drop shot simply lowering a
line vertically in clear water the minute the fish finder lights up. It is
possible with the GLX DSR to cast and pitch drop shot rigs with ¼ to ½ oz
weights a very good distance. This allows you to park your rig parallel to
structure or bring it back along a rocky shoreline. We found the tip agile
enough to get drop shot rigs right in between downed trees or even skipped under
docks. When pitching with this rig it was easier to use the 6lb line over the
4lb, as it is easier to control distance, and you don’t have to be concerned as
much about line damage as a result from contact with structure. The advantage of
the rod’s responsive tip is the ability to also use this rod for accurately
throwing light plastics. I also found this rod exceptional for casting darter
heads and jig & worm setups.
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The new rod
makes use of Recoil guides for reduced weight and increased sensitivity |
Retrieve:
It seems like anglers these
days will use just about any size hook on a drop shot rig, but I still prefer
small mosquito hooks for even my heaviest “Bubba Shot” rigs. Using small hooks
like these requires a nimble rod that is capable of moving fish up to the boat
without ripping the tiny hook right out of the fish’s mouth. During our tests we
found that fishing 50 plus feet of water tested the attributes of this rod. With
4lb line once I hooked into a 3lb fish it felt like a lunker. On that particular
fish I thought I actually had something much bigger on the line as the fish
absolutely mashed my Roboworm. As I carefully lifted the rod and began my
retrieve the fish dove for cover and took both the drag on the Stradic as well
as seriously bent the front of the rod downwards. Here’s where it got
interesting. Rather than arcing like a traditional rod the GLX graphite is
stiffer up through the middle of the rod so the tip can travel with the fish
while you still have a solid enough stick to move a lunker away from structure,
this helps keep lighter lines from snapping if the fish makes a hard run. The
characteristics of this rod actually help preserve your line during the fight,
just make sure not to overload the tip and high stick.
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Stressing
the Recoils |
Next Section:
Sensitivity, Power, Ergonomics, and Ratings
