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Enthusiast Review


An Enthusiast's look at the Loomis Bronzeback GLX rod
 

Date: 6/13/07
Tackle type: Rod
Manufacturer: G.Loomis
Reviewer: Cal






Total Score: 8.58
+ EDITORS CHOICE AWARD!

 

Introduction: Our first up close and personal look a this Bronzeback GLX stick was late in 2005 at the same time we were exposed to the DSR820SGLX that Zander reviewed in December of that year. I've long wanted to sample the G.Loomis Bronzeback series of rods and when they introduced a GLX model to this lineup, that was all this Enthusiast Tackle buff needed to pull the trigger. Question was could this new Bronzeback GLX rod really deliver that rare combination of a sensitive, light action tip, with that strong, unrelenting backbone needed to subdue the hard charging smallies and similarly hard fighting spotted bass? Sit back as we take you on our journey with the SMR822-SP-GLX from G.Loomis.


G.Loomis SMR822S-SP-GLX Specifications

Material G.Loomis GLX Graphite
Length 6' 10"
Length from Back of Reel Seat to Base 8 inches
Line Wt. 6 - 12lb Test
Lure Wt. 1/8 - 3/8 ounce
Pieces One
Guides 6 + Tip (REC ReCoil)
Power Rating Medium
Taper Fast
Rod Weight 3.7 ounces
Manufacturing Country USA
MSRP $355

 

Impressions: Leveraging the success of their popular BCR GLX series bass rods, this Bronzeback GLX stick features the lightweight titanium nitride guides by ReCoil. These guides are coveted not for their appearance, but for their apparent lighter weight. The remainder of the rod features Loomis's conventional if not conservative look and componentry including a full cork fore and rear grip and Fuji reel seat.

 

Presenting the G.Loomis Bronzeback GLX (SMR822S-SP-GLX)


Lab Tests: We strapped our SMR822S-SP-GLX up in our RoD WRACK and compared it against our previously reviewed Drop Shot GLX to see how the two sticks compare to one another.

 

Lab Results for G.Loomis SMR822S-SP-GLX

Model
Avg RoD (2-32 oz)
Rated Action
Spine
Measured Weight
Balance Point
SMR822-SP-GLX
2.75
Medium
Bottom
3.7 ounces
7.5"
DSR820S GLX
3.02
Light
Bottom
3.9 ounces
8"
 
Rate of Deflection (RoD): As you might recall, the DropShot GLX (DSR820S GLX) sports an extra-fast taper, where as this Bronzeback GLX stick is a fast tapered rod. The actual deflection curve for these two rods is similar, but the SMR822S-SP-GLX is just slightly more powerful overall lending credence to its 2 power rating versus the DSR820S's 0 power rating. The charted difference is not as substantial as one might expect due to the DSR's extra-fast taper.
 

Fig. 1 : This RoD Deflection Chart shows the deflection characteristics of our SMR822S-SP-GLX compared against our previously reviewed Dropshot GLX (DSR820S GLX).


Spine, Weight, and Balance Point: The spine of our SMR822-SP-GLX came out on bottom with a very nice weight of 3.7 ounces and balance point of 7.5" above the centerline of the reel seat. Indeed this stick feels very light, crisp, and well balanced in hand.

 

Rigged and ready for action
 

The taper of the Bronzeback GLX is definitely slower than that of the Dropshot GLX rod.


Real World Test: I paired this rod with both my Shimano Stella 2000 and my Daiwa Exist Steez 2506. Each of these two reels have a very different feel attributable primarily to their respective weights, yet each compliment the rod very well. This speaks to the rod's overall good balance before even mounting a reel in its reel seat.


Line flows off the spool and cleanly through the guides of our SMR822S-SP-GLX
 

Complete Field Test Set-Up for G.Loomis SMR822S-SP-GLX

Reel(s)
Shimano Stella 2000
Daiwa Exist Steez 2506
Line
12lb Yozuri Hybrid Soft (70yds)
10lb Sunline Shooter FC (70yds)


Casting: The ReCoil guides may not be the prettiest guides to look at but in the application of this rod, they seem to function just fine. While I did not make any big "heave it as far as I can" casts, I was able to pick, choose, and hit my targets. This was especially true using this stick in and around the docks of Clear Lake, California.
 

Cal walking the shoreline of a local lake with the Bronzeback GLX
 

The SMR822S-SP-GLX features 6 recoil guides plus a standard tip top

 

The guides handled both copolymer (Yozuri Ultra Soft) and fluorocarbon (Sunline Shooter) lines well although there was a noticeable noise factor associated with casting the stiffer fluorocarbon lines. I didn't even try using any superlines on this rod as past experience with these types of guides has taught me that is a combination I just do not enjoy.

 

Feeling the bite...
 

... a quick, wrist snapping hookset.

Next Section: Sensitivity and Spotted Bass

 

   

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