Well I went to Cabela's Friday night and bought my 1st G Loomis rod, the SJR782 6'6" fast action medium power (thanks to all you guys talking so much about high-end rods   ).  I'll be using this rod primarily for smallies and trout, also LMB if I'm throwing a lighter bait in fairly open water.  Cabela's had a deal 50 bucks off any purchase over 200 or 250, can't remember, for Cabela's cardholders, so it was a nice little discount.

Anyway, I was too excited not to head out right afterwards to my favorite trout stream for some night fishing to test out the new rod, and although it was freakin' freezing, I was able to manage one trout in an hour and a half.  Went out Saturday during the day and caught a crapload of browns  ;D

Anyway, my point is, the rod is awesome  8-)  This is by far my best (and most expensive) rod that I own, second best being a St. Croix Premier.  I know that there are better rods out there than the IMX, but at this point, I'm unbelievably impressed with the IMX.  It's really really light, and the sensitivity is amazing.  It is much much easier to detect strikes and differentiate between rocks and bites, and when I was fighting the fish, it seemed like I could actually visualize what the fish was doing underwater.  It was pretty awesome  ;D I am a big braid user because of the sensitivity, but with the right rod, braid really isn't necessary (unless you use it for a specific application like flipping in the weeds).  I see myself slowly getting away from braid in the future except for certain things.

It's gonna be really tough for me to use my older rods now because I'll tell you what, fishing is just plain and simple more pleasurable with this rod.  Friday night I might have lasted 30 mins out there with my old rod, but casting, working the bait, and especially fighting the fish is just even more fun and exciting so I stuck it out for an hour and a half and finally caught that one fish right at the end.  

Can't wait to get back out there!

I know that there are better rods out there than the IMX...

Nope, not really. Maybe the same model in the GLX for a couple of applications, but even experienced fishermen (Raul for example) can't tell the difference, it's VERY subtle.

Congratulations!

i got that exact rod at the end of season last year. it is a great rod, ive only gotten a couple fish on it but it is awesome. you made a good choice. good luck!

aaron

Good choice... the sjr782 was my first loomis and its perfect for finesse fishing for lmb w/ light cover and great for skipping under docks.  Since then the baitmonkey has gotten me to buy more loomis', unfortunately the monkey is the type that likes the glx's  ;D

UH OH! You've done it now! It's kind of like drugs, the first one is a great deal you couldn't pass up. Now you MUST HAVE MORE!! LOL

I used to have several GLX rods and now I am down to only two. I am convinced that $ for $ you can't beat an IMX Loomis rod. They are fishing machines. Congratulations! But if you are like most of us, you better start saving up, the bait monkey has your # now. LOL

Ronnie

I have the same rod and it's been great. Real sensitive and has good power...I know you'll enjoy fishing with it.

Congrats on the purchase.  

I have to agree with what has already been said-the IMX series is the best value high end rod out there. Is the GLX series more sensitive and lighter weight? Sure. But, IMO, they do not justify the additional 45% to 50% higher retail price.

FD

I just traded an IMX SJR 843 for that 782 and first time out I caught 6 bass on it using a tube with 1/8 oz insert.  It it a great rod for that application.  I am goint to use it Wed. and also a new Avid I found on closeout at BPS today for $111.

Thanks for the congrats guys, and you're right.  It's gonna be really tough to save money when this addiction keeps growing  :

You can kinda transpose your experience to higher end tackle in general.  Fishing is a pleasure with good equipment....especially the "good stuff".  It's all about the journey sometimes.....