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G. Loomis holds an esteemed reputation amongst saltwater fly anglers thanks to big names like Gary Loomis and Steve Rajeff pushing boundaries with innovative rod designs. Saying the sport wouldn’t be where it is today without G. Loomis isn’t hyperbole. Unfortunately, for budget-conscious anglers, high-performance G. Loomis fly rods have always come at the expense of the angler's wallet. After we got our hands on the new mid-priced IMX-Pro V2 8wt, we were excited to give it a spin. After all, it has the Loomis name behind it, and at $595, the price tag is pretty reasonable in today's hyper-inflated market. If you have ever drooled over the Loomis section at the fly shop but walked away in tears after glancing at price tags, read on to see if the IMX-Pro V2 8wt is the mid-priced saltwater Loomis you’ve been waiting for!

Outfit

G.Loomis IMX-Pro V2 9’ 8wt Fly Rod 

Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bonefish Fly Line

Fit & Finish

Fresh out of the tube, we were impressed with the IMX-Pro V2’s build quality; it’s a pretty sweet-looking rod that’s unquestionably a Loomis. Like other recent Loomis rods, the IMX’s ‘full wells’ grip’s lower section is much slimmer than the top portion, and the cork’s quality seems at least on par with its more esteemed elder sibling, the NRX+.

With a lighter price tag comes heftier components. Don’t expect the most premium space-aged titanium bells and whistles. But, like an old, reliable truck, everything works and is built to take the abuse that saltwater flyfishing can dish out. The double-uplocking reel seat doesn’t feel cheap. There are no Cerecol or Recoil guides here, but the standard Fuji stripping and snake guides are fine. The salt-appropriate blue blank with green trimmings rounds out a ruggedly handsome aesthetic.

Distance

The IMX-Pro V2 definitely has the butt-end power to lay Thor’s hammer down. If you have the skills, you won’t have many issues casting as far as needed.

Accuracy

  • 40-feet: While the IMX-Pro V2’s looks got us jazzed up to cast, the good times and positive vibes were short-lived. ‘Underwhelming’ could be the most positive adjective describing the rod's in-close performance. The IMX 8wt provides ZERO feedback to present smaller flies accurately at shorter distances with a lighter line. A real clunker here, but it could only get better, right?!
  • 60-feet: Like with most fast-action rods, we expected better performance from the IMX-Pro V2 with a little more line out. Once again, our expectations failed to materialize! We couldn’t find the rhythm needed to hit average-distant targets that we generally wouldn’t have much issue pinning. 
  • 80-feet: Decent enough at the furthest targets we’d ever encounter on the flats.

Flex & Feel

Using the IMX PRO V2 to walk the plank after you frustratingly blow shots at tailing bones might be the rod's greatest strength, thanks to its stiff-as-a-board taper. At a time when most rod makers are building lighter eight-weights that offer casters better feel and feedback, this rod feels more like an antiquated, heavy, fast-action rod from a decade ago.

The IMX PRO V2 is borderline uncastable when paired with our favorite flats line, Scientific Angler’s Amplitude Bonefish. The rod undoubtedly needs a heavier line like SA’s Grand Slam or RIO’s Flats Pro. However, the extra grains that help load the rod can also lead to spooked fish in technical situations often seen on the flats.

Conclusion

In some ways, the IMX PRO V2  feels like a nine-foot version of G. Loomis’ Pro 4x ShortStix, which was scrapped after only a few short years on the market but still has a cult following among northeastern fly anglers. While the IMX PRO V2 isn’t quite as limited, we still think its best use is chucking and ducking an Outbound Short or Titan Taper in the New England surf, off jetties, and making quick shots to blitzing Albies. Another major plus is its burly, made-in-the-USA construction that won’t fail you when it matters most.

Still, this is not an all-around rod. It’s a specialized tool for those looking for line speed in very specific situations. While it’s obviously not our favorite rod, there are likely anglers and situations for which this combination will make sense.

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Pros

  • Easier-on-the-wallet pricetag 
  • Build Quality and attractive looks
  • The power needed for specialized fishing situations

Cons

  • HEAVY!
  • Too fast for most lines, anglers, etc.
  • Poor choice for flats fishing