Loomis Launches New Pro4X Rod Series

October 10, 2011 By: Kirk Deeter

Taking advantage of all the research and development put into their NRX rod series (considered by many, including gear editor Kirk Deeter, to be 2011’s “game changer” rod line), G.Loomis is introducing a new 11 model series called the Pro4X. The Pro4X is designed for both ‘new-to-the-sport’ and intermediate anglers. The series includes rods for trout, salmon/steelhead and saltwater fishing, ranging from a short, delicate, 8-foot 3-weight for small flies in small water, a powerful, 9-foot 8-weight to handle winds on the flats, and a 10-foot 7-weight for steelhead rivers where longer casts and easier mending are needed.

“We took a page from our NRX blank technology to develop a new series of fly rods that anglers of all casting skill levels will really enjoy fishing,” says Steve Rajeff, global chief rod design specialist for G.Loomis. “Expert anglers will wonder how we packed this much performance into such an affordable rod, and they’ll quickly notice the incredibly sound actions, all very forgiving and delightful to cast.”

The Pro4X rods use a taper design—which, along with reducing as much possible weight in the upper half of blank, also recovers quickly and provides precision casting. Each model in the series is a 4-piece rod, and comes in a protective sock and travel case.

The two 8-foot fly rods include the Pro4X 963-4FR, a 3-weight for when conditions call for small flies, light lines, and a stealthy approach, and the Pro4X 944-4FR, ready for short, accurate casts for larger trout and panfish.

9-foot rods start with the Pro4X 1084-4FR, a soft tip 4-weight for fishing small dry flies and nymphs on bigger streams and lakes. The all-around 5-weight Pro4X 1085-4FR is for rivers, streams and still-waters and when the situation calls for sinking-tip and full-sink fly lines, while the Pro4X 1086-4FR is a bit more powerful for streamers, larger dries and nymphs, and for windy conditions.

Pro4X saltwater rods include the 8-weight 1088-4FR providing distance, accuracy, and fish-fighting power, the 9-weight Pro4X 1089-4FR to extend casting range with its powerful butt-section to launch large flies and handle larger fish, and the Pro-4X 10810-4FR, the big fish fly rod with the power needed for permit, tarpon, and snook.

Salmon and steelhead anglers are the focus with three 10-foot Pro4X fly rods. A big water, big trout 6-weight, the Pro4X 1206-4FR can also be the choice for use from float tubes, pontoons, canoes, and kayaks. For long casts in smaller to mid-size steelhead rivers, there’s the 7-weight Pro4X 1207-4FR, and for big water, big steelhead and big kings, G.Loomis offers the 8-weight Pro4X 1208-4FR.

All of the new Pro4X fly rods are backed by the new G.Loomis “Wild Card” program, a popular option first offered on the NRX rods to provide anglers with a one-time-only free replacement should they accidentally break it—no questions asked. In addition, like all other G.Loomis rods, they feature a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner. As with all G.Loomis rods, the Pro4X series is manufactured in the USA. Models in the Pro4X Series have a MSRP between $335 and $365.

For more information on the new fly rods, visit gloomis.com, call 1-800-GLoomis, or stop by your nearest G.Loomis tackle dealer.  More mentions of G.Loomis on MidCurrent.