As I sat at the back of my Jeep putting on my waders, I couldn’t help but think: if you were to ask me about G. Loomis — the brand—I could take you down a rabbit hole four decades deep.
For me, G. Loomis has always stood as an icon for those who live a lifestyle on the water. Whether you’ve chased hatches along a stream for trout, ridden the high blue water swells in search of pelagic species, waded the shorelines of the Northeast, or felt the hunger to compete in the tournament bass world, G. Loomis has been a leader in rod development. The brand has always felt more like a high-roller’s club—and even though it truly fishes like one—its tiers of models at various price points give any angler the opportunity to play with one of the best tools in the game.
So I have to admit, I was extremely excited when I got the GCX Lite line of trout and panfish rods in my hands. Made up of 17 spinning rod models, ranging from ultralight to medium-light, these fast-action rods have everything you’d want in a modern-day light game rod at an affordable price point. From one-piece to two-piece models, this line gives you options. Whether you like to throw Rooster Tails all day or work micro-sized soft plastics for trout or crappie, GCX has a model for you.
Personally, I love throwing small jerkbaits at trout, and the GCX 840S—matched with a 2000 size reel and 8 lb braid tied straight to about twenty-four inches of 6 lb fluorocarbon leader—casts and works those small-lipped jerkbaits just perfectly. The GCX series is light, sensitive, versatile, and powerful enough to tame even a trophy trout.
So, as I finally got my waders on and stepped into the river that early September morning, I made my first cast. I watched my small jerkbait sail across the stream and land effortlessly in a pocket I was aiming for on the far bank. I closed the bail and let the line come tight. A couple twitches of the rod tip, and I felt my minnow imitation dig in and dart left and right—when the copper flash of a hungry brown came broadside. Fish on!
I’m not one to believe in superstition, but fish on the first cast rarely bodes well and usually curses your day. But on this particular day, that wasn’t the case. Hard work, persistence, and the right tools washed away the witchcraft often associated with first-cast fish.
Though I didn’t have the greatest day of fishing, I did have a good one—one that required many long, accurate casts and a rod with a fast-action taper that allowed me to get the most out of my lure’s cadence and achieve solid hooksets, even when fishing live bait. The GCX Lite has just the right amount of give to help keep fish pinned, even when using light lines or barbless hooks—something I can personally verify.
I spent the entire day soaking in the serenity and tranquility of fishing a small stream. I walked miles of shoreline and waded through many deep pools in search of fish, only to realize: without the right tools in hand, the day’s outcome might have been very different.
If you’re in the market for a new light rod, head down to your nearest G. Loomis dealer and check out the GCX Lite line. Elevate your game.
Written by G. Loomis Brand Affiliate Roy Leyva.