GLX 855 JWR Info

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Drakestar
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GLX 855 JWR Info

Post by Drakestar » Fri Jan 17, 2020 2:42 pm

I might be able to get a deal on a GLX 855 JWR, but I'm a bit unsure about the action and sensitivity I should expect. Would appreciate some reference points and answers to any of the questions below.

My confusion stems from the lure vs line rating: 1/4-1oz (seems light for a 5 power rod) but 17-25lbs (seems about right). How powerful and sensitive is the rod if I expect to throw:
  • 3/4oz football heads/3/4oz structure jigs
    3/4oz chatterbaits (jigged)
    1/2-3/4oz biffleheads?
How does it do on lighter fare like 1/2oz jigs, does it feel too broomsticky? How does it compare to a Braillist or FMJ?

Thanks for your insight!

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Obz
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Re: GLX 855 JWR Info

Post by Obz » Tue Jan 21, 2020 11:12 pm

Also curious about this rod, I'll be following.

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Re: GLX 855 JWR Info

Post by Drakestar » Thu Jan 23, 2020 2:21 pm

I pulled the trigger and bought it today, $270 for a brand new GLX (from an authorized retailer!) was too good to pass up. Will post some thoughts once I've had time to fish it. Might be a while, though; in my mind winter + heavy jigs don't necessarily go together.

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Re: GLX 855 JWR Info

Post by Drakestar » Fri Jan 24, 2020 3:44 pm

Well, as a super initial update: I took the rod with me today and my first reaction was "Okay, now I know what a broomstick with GLX sensitivity feels like". The rod definitely feels like a Heavy when you use it: quite stiff with lots of backbone. Didn't really test it yet, I only jigged a 3/4 chatterbait through holdover waterweed (50lbs braid to 20lbs leader). The vegetation made things rather mushy, but the tip picked up the chatterbait vibration very well.

Based on that 1 hour of use (in a not-so-perfect environment) I expect this to be a good 3/4-1oz football head and structure jig rod. The rod is rated for 1/4 - 1 oz lures, but it felt like it might be too heavy for 1/2oz jigs already. Will try some pivoting jigheads on it once the water is warm enough, as well.
Last edited by Drakestar on Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Obz
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Re: GLX 855 JWR Info

Post by Obz » Sat Jan 25, 2020 3:48 pm

Thanks for the follow up man. Sounds like you got a great deal!

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Re: GLX 855 JWR Info

Post by KP Duty » Sun Jan 26, 2020 4:46 am

Yeah, the 5 power glx is definitely a broomstick. Being a 7'1" versus a 7-4 or 7-6 should aid in casting and working jigs. You also dont need an 8ft rod to flip or punch, so it should do well in those areas as well.

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Re: GLX 855 JWR Info

Post by Drakestar » Mon Feb 10, 2020 9:11 pm

Still haven't done any heavy jigging yet (too cold), but this rod throws an A-rig well! :)

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Re: GLX 855 JWR Info

Post by johnnybassboat » Tue Feb 11, 2020 5:35 pm

Throw hollow body frogs in heavy weeds with mine, so yeah it is pretty stout.

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Re: GLX 855 JWR Info

Post by Drakestar » Sun Mar 15, 2020 9:28 pm

This rod has turned out to be a great bank fishing rod for spring. The reservoir is rising and creating flooded areas; the fish are up shallow in the submerged grass, tules and flooded trees. So I take a 843 for t-rigs and swim jigs, and this 855 for everything else. This rod is stout enough to punch a 3/4 oz structure jig through the grass and old brush (and pull out of tules), it’s heavy enough to work submerged trees, and it’s sensitive enough to detect the bites. The frog bite is starting to open up here and I don’t need to take a special rod anymore because this one throws frogs well, as well. The shorter length is an advantage because I’m often in waders and hip deep in water, and a 7’1” rod makes it a bit easier to walk the frog in those circumstances.

Really happy with it. In summer I’ll probably fall back to my dedicated pitching and frog rods, but at this time of year the versatility from this stick is perfect. Only change I’ll make is upgrade the line to 65lbs. I originally had this pegged as a 50lbs “utility” rod, but I keep ending up in heavy branches and fresh tules. 65lbs is the right line strength for this rod.
Last edited by Drakestar on Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:03 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: GLX 855 JWR Info

Post by Drakestar » Sun Mar 15, 2020 11:03 pm

One negative I’ve found is that this rod is tip-heavy. Needs a 7oz reel at least to balance out.

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Re: GLX 855 JWR Info

Post by godshippy » Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:51 am

Could you post a picture of the balance point? I'm really interested in this rod for fishing the CA Delta, but balance is a huge factor for me.

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Re: GLX 855 JWR Info

Post by Drakestar » Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:07 pm

Heh, this the 3rd balancing photo I’ve posted in a week or so. First one with a 6.2oz Patriarch (I got a lot of those), 2nd photo with an old Okuma Calera at 7.7oz. That moves the needle a bit towards the reel, but still not close.
BEA7D932-7E1D-4361-A021-A051029DB2B4.jpeg
BEA7D932-7E1D-4361-A021-A051029DB2B4.jpeg (88.29 KiB) Viewed 6767 times
2C66FB0B-5C9C-43A0-AC5D-6C3829E0B96E.jpeg
2C66FB0B-5C9C-43A0-AC5D-6C3829E0B96E.jpeg (97.95 KiB) Viewed 6767 times
I should add that the rod doesn’t feel super uncomfortable to fish with that light reel (rod itself is light, as well) - particularly when frogging (duh!) But it does tip down.

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Re: GLX 855 JWR Info

Post by godshippy » Tue Mar 17, 2020 9:14 am

Thank you very much sir! It does appear to be more tip heavy than I'm comfortable with--a big reason why the Powell rods were sold off so quickly back in the day. Looks like this might not be the answer for me then.

Thanks again!

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