Real World Tests: So the first place I wanted to start with the new GLX series was a closer look at what the new cranking rods had to offer. I chose the GLX 783 CBR a 6’6” rod which is designed to excel at throwing medium sized crankbaits of all sizes and shapes as well as the occasional small jerkbait. In the lab the rod measured out at just under 4.2oz. which makes it among the lighter crankbait rods on the market which is capable of handling lures between 1/4 -5/8oz. On the WRACK the 783 CBR exhibited a very moderate taper, just what we would expect from a well implemented crankbait rod.

Fig 1 : This chart illustrates the deflection characteristics of the 783 CBR GLX cranking rod. The rod is very soft and the moderate taper is ideal for fishing lighter cranks with precision but if you want a rod primarily for mid to large cranks or deep divers you will want a heavier powered cranking rod

I’m addicted to the reaction bite and love fishing crankbaits of all types whenever the bite affords it. To fish the GLX 783 CBR I headed to some of my favorite cranking destinations including, Clear Lake and the California Delta, armed with a wide assortment of cranks. I paired the rod with the Shimano Chronarch E reels which match up well with the green blank and silver logos and threading. The reels were loaded up with both Berkley Big Game monofilament line and Power Pro braid. Time to crank it up!

Loaded up with a Shimano Chronarch our rig is ready to fish

Casting: While the GLX rod is very thin and rated up to 5/8oz. I actually found that I was able to cast slightly heavier lures with ease. While the rod is a little soft for fishing full sized jerkbaits the smaller ones can be tossed and retrieved with no issue. Casting with this rod is more about precision than power, but when it came time to cover more water with search lures the 783 CBR didn’t disappoint.

The rod casts mid sized cranks very accurately

Just load up and don’t be afraid to really sling this rod and it will reward you with surprisingly long distance casts. The guides on the GLX rods are lightweight titanium framed SiC’s helping balance out the rod and still make them fully super-line capable. This rod is a bit quieter to fish than rods loaded with recoils and whether you like cranking with mono or braid this rod can handle it.

This lightweight rod feels very balanced in hand with a Chronarch 50E

Retrieving: Unlike many crankbait rods the GLX 783 CBR both looks and feels very refined thanks to the very thin diameter blank. Unlike large glass based rods this rod feels more like a scalpel than a knife, precisely cutting through the water with each and every retrieve. Whether cranking cover or bouncing lipless cranks this rod gives you confidence that you will not miss strikes, and when you actually do get a strike you will definitely know it. With a fish on the line you will see the same thing we saw in the lab, a rod that loads up with a moderate taper, the parabolic action of the rod loads up from the backbone and though it may look like the rod is stressed from the tip to the mid-section it never feels that way.

The beauty of this rod is in the exceptional soft moderate taper which allows you to set with passion

There are many graphite crankbait rods that attempt to imitate glass, the GLX cranking rods do not. There is never a doubt that these are graphite based rods, but they manage to strike an excellent balance between delivering a soft moderate action necessary to effectively fish crankbaits and the sensitivity that anglers require from a premium rod, regardless of the application.

Under the sun you can see the GLX graphite under the gloss

Sensitivity: The tip on this rod dances tantalizingly as crankbaits create resistance in the water, and yet I was able to detect every bump with structure, both hard and soft. When it came to strikes they were unmistakable, and there is something so satisfying about being able to set into a rod aggressively, watching that taper arc in the opposite direction, and feel confident that you are applying proper pressure to pin fish and not just ripping the lure out of the fish’s mouth. This rod delivers exceptional response allowing you to do exactly that.

The titanium SIC guides are a perfect complement which help balance out the rod without sacrificing the ability to use any line type you wish

Ergonomics: The GLX 783 CBR weighs in at 4.15oz. and is on the lighter side when it comes to cranking rods and thanks to the excellent balance this rod feels great in hand during long periods of fishing. I really like the new proprietary reel seat that G.Loomis created for the GLX, not only does it look attractive but it feels natural in hand. Unlike Fuji ACS seats that require you to position your fingers in certain positions under the reel, the GLX’s seat allow you the freedom of placing your fingers as far up or close to the trigger as you like. While there is plenty of access (also more contact than with an ACS seat) to the blank the reel seat actually feels more comfortable to me than the minimalistic approach on the NRX which has no material on the sides.

The sculpted cork handle is comfortable to hold whether casting or palming during retrieves

I’ve never been a fan of soft-touch material on reel seats, but the implementation on the GLX is the best I’ve seen. The execution is stealthy, just a matte black, no flashy cosmetic colors or patterns here. In the lab I tried to remove some of the soft-touch material and was very surprised just how abrasion resistant this application was. Gone are the days when the soft touch can be scraped off or easily scratched with errant trebles, this execution may just hold up for the long haul.

Just in case you need a reminder a crankbait screen on the split grip indicates the application this rod is designed for

Ergonomics are not just about sheer weight and balance, the handle design plays an important role too. All the GLX rods feature a similar blending of traditional and composite cork in a sculpted grip, like what we first observed on the new GL2 rods. If you are casting with the handle your fingers grasp the sculpted handle easily, but what I really like is how the palm of your hand cradles the handle when palming reels. The butt of the rod is finished with a composite cork rear handle which is flat on both sides. While the rear handle on this rod is a bit short to easily tuck under your arm, the flat section does feel very comfortable pressed up against your forearm when retrieving or fighting fish. When it comes to design this rod may not look all that exciting but G.Loomis did right by their patrons, prioritizing function over form.

The flat sides on the butt are comfortable against your forearm

Next Section: A closer look at the design and the price