In this review of the G Loomis EX6, I will do my best to help you determine if it is worth spending the extra money to own a higher-quality rod like this.
Legendary rod maker Gary Loomis started the G Loomis brand. The company has been producing world-class rods for decades. While Gary is no longer the company owner (sold to Shimano in 1997), the high-quality design and manufacturing continue to this day in Woodland, WA.
Traditionally, most of these rods were handmade and only purchased by those who could afford the premium prices of a very high-end rod.
In 2015, the G Loomis E6X rod was introduced to the market, and for the first time, these great rods became affordable for mainstream anglers.
With that said, the G Loomis E6X rod is still not cheap, starting at around $179, but it is one heck of a quality rod that any serious fisherman would love to own, and it is less than half the price of their flagship series of rods, the G Loomis NRX.
For those of you who have a mid-range budget and are looking to step up to what I would call a medium-price rod, you can not go wrong with the G Loomis E6X rod.
Features
These G Loomis E6X rods are packed with technology that will surely make for an incredible fishing experience. In fact, the name E6X is a play on the 6th element in the periodic table – carbon and the “X” that we see in other G Loomis rods, which stands for technology.
These rods come in both the standard E6X version that is designed for both fresh and saltwater, which is easily identifiable by the bright lime green graphics as well as the Inshore Saltwater series that has more subdued ocean blue graphics.
Carbon fiber rod blank
The rod blank uses a multi-taper technology that incorporates low resin with a high strain rate carbon fiber that is both lightweight and very strong at the same time.
A single mandrel with multiple tapers is used on E6X rods to create uniform wall thickness and minimize weak points in the blank, resulting in precise action and amazing sensitivity.
Full cork handle
The Inshore Saltwater series rods feature a full cork handle in 5 variations, providing the proper balance and the needed strength and durability for your inshore fishing action.
The butt is composed of a composite cork that is of a slightly higher density that is comfortable when placed against the midsection when fighting a larger fish. If you prefer a split handle design as you like the balance better, then you can go with the standard E6X model – look for the bright green graphics.
5 Handle Choices
Fuji components
The E6X incorporates the ever-popular Fuji ECS reel seat and the extremely lightweight yet durable Fuji Aluminum Oxide guides, providing very low friction for your braided line.
Features at a Glance
- Carbon fiber rod blank
- Multi-taper technology
- Fuji aluminum oxide guides
- Fuji reel seat
- Premium cork handle
The new E6X Inshore Saltwater series was engineered to focus on the proper rod balance needed for inshore bait and lure techniques.
“Proper balance lets anglers concentrate on what is happening on the end of the line, rather than the tip of the rod,” said G. Loomis’ Bruce Holt.
“With Multi-Taper Technology and our E6X blank construction, we can provide light, sensitive, yet powerful rods for all types of inshore saltwater techniques, letting anglers focus on the feeling the bite instead of dealing with the fatigue that goes with fishing a poorly balanced rod. It’s all about providing the traits anglers can expect from G. Loomis – and at a very comfortable price.”
A few of my favorite rods in the inshore saltwater series include:
- 7′ 6″ Extra Fast Action, which is awesome when you need the extra distance when fishing the flats for bonefish or your favorite oyster bed for reds.
- 7″ 8″ Moderate Fast Action is excellent for drifting live shrimp or casting your favorite soft plastics on the inshore waters.
- 7″ Magnum Medium Action: if you need something with a bit more backbone, then you will want to check out the E6X Magnum, a Moderate action 7′ rod that is designed for your larger species such as Tarpon, Cobia, smaller Tuna, and Grouper as well as smaller sharks when you will be fishing a cut bait.
One of the things I respect about G Loomis rods is that they keep the jobs here in America by handcrafting these beautiful rods in Woodland, Washington. G Loomis backs these quality rods with a limited lifetime warranty and what they call Xpeditor service.
Personally, I never had to return a rod, but my understanding from speaking to others is that you’re not waiting for weeks to get back out on the water.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Well balanced
- Lifetime warranty
- Legendary Quality
- Made in the USA
Cons
Honestly, it is hard to find anything negative about this quality rod. I guess the price point might be a bit high for some people. However, you are getting an amazing piece of fishing equipment.
Alternatives
If you find spending a few hundred dollars too much for your wallet, I recommend you check out the Star Stellar Lite series of rods, which start at around $100, carry a lifetime warranty, and are also made here in the USA.
Another great rod, which you can always find on my kayak, is the St. Croix Mojo Inshore, which is slightly more expensive than the Star rods but about 2/3 the cost of the G Loomis EX6.
If you want to go the other direction, you can always check out the G Loomis NRX series of rods for about twice the money.
In Conclusion
Overall, for the money, the G Loomis E6X Inshore Saltwater is an excellent, well-balanced, well-manufactured quality fishing equipment made right here in the United States.
If you’re looking to invest in a quality rod without breaking, I highly recommend the G Loomis E6X Inshore Saltwater fishing rod. It’s also nice to know that if something were to happen to your rod, it would be backed by a lifetime warranty from a manufacturer that has been around for several decades.
If it’s the lightweight and sensitivity you seek, quit your research and buy this excellent rod; you can’t go wrong.
This impressive G Loomis E6X Inshore Saltwater rod will hook even the most discerning fishermen in search of high-end performance while helping to keep a tight line on their budget.
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