IMX Pro Crankbait
Casting-only crankbait series spanning squarebills to deep-divers in bass and open-water applications
The IMX-Pro Crankbait is G. Loomis's dedicated casting rod series for running crankbaits, and it is one of the more focused single-technique lineups in the US freshwater market. Target angler: bass fishers who understand that diving crankbaits, squarebills, shallow runners, and deep divers each demand distinct rod actions to maximize distance, strike-to-hookset conversion, and lure depth. The "fishbone" in crankbait fishing is over-powering the rod on the hookset, this series is calibrated to prevent it. IMX-Pro blanks reduce weight versus comparable E6X models by up to 18% using high-modulus graphite with less material mass.
The crankbait-specific design emphasizes moderate-fast actions throughout, a deliberate choice to load the blank during long casts and to absorb shock when fish hit moving hardware at distance, reducing treble hook pullouts. Fuji K-Frame tangle-free guides, subtly tapered rear grip giving split-grip feel with full-grip comfort. No spinning models; all casting. Pricing ~$350-400, positioning this above commodity crankbait sticks. Ten models all cast, ranging 6'6" to 8'0" in ML through XH power and MF to F action. The 6'6" and 7'0" models (783C, 841C, 843C, 845C, 847C) cover standard crankbait distances and lure sizes from 1/4oz to 1-3/8oz.
A 7'1" 855C CBR with fast (not MF) action is an outlier, positioned for harder hooksets on aggressive reaction strikes. The 7'6" models (903C, 906C) extend casting range for open-water fish. The 8'0" 968C and 969C (H and XH) are offshore-style deep-crankbait rods for large lipped divers, deep-diving plugs up to 3.5oz, a different application from the core bass crankbait models.
Shaded band: the spread of the lineup's 10 models, as percentile rank among same-type rods. Solid line = series median · dashed ring = catalog median.
- Models
- 10 casting
- Length
- 6'6"–8' 2.00–2.40 m
- Power
- ML–XH 5 classes
- Action
- F–MF
- Line
- 6–25 lb
- Lure
- 1/4–3 1/2 oz 7–99 g
- List price
- $360–$400
- Released
- 2019
Rods in this series
10 models| Save | Model | Length | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMX-PRO 783C CBR | 6'6" | M | Buy from G. Loomis | |
| IMX-PRO 841C CBR | 7' | ML | Buy from G. Loomis | |
| IMX-PRO 843C CBR | 7' | M | Buy from G. Loomis | |
| IMX-PRO 845C CBR | 7' | MH | Buy from G. Loomis | |
| IMX-PRO 847C CBR | 7' | H | Buy from G. Loomis | |
| IMX-PRO 855C CBR | 7'1" | MH | Buy from G. Loomis | |
| IMX-PRO 903C CBR | 7'6" | M | Buy from G. Loomis | |
| IMX-PRO 906C CBR | 7'6" | MH | Buy from G. Loomis | |
| IMX-PRO 968C CBR | 8' | H | Buy from G. Loomis | |
| IMX-PRO 969C CBR | 8' | XH | Buy from G. Loomis |
Model notes
4 of 10 modelsShortest model; M/MF at 6'6" suits compact pitching of squarebills into tight cover, docks, laydowns, chunk rock. The shorter length sacrifices casting distance for accuracy, useful for close-quarters crankbait work in heavy structure.
The only Fast (not Moderate-Fast) action model in the series, a notable departure. F action with MH power provides a quicker tip response, positioning this for reaction-bite scenarios like burning a crankbait through a school of suspended fish where an aggressive hookset is warranted.
8' H-power positions this for deep-diving crankbaits fished on large reservoirs or open flats, longer rod loads more deeply on long casts, helping the lure reach maximum running depth quicker. 2.5oz lure ceiling accommodates large-billed deep divers.
Heaviest model; XH with 3.5oz ceiling suggests large-billed crankbaits or magnum-sized swimbaits fished on heavier line. Practical applications extend toward musky crankbaits or large striper lures where the bass crankbait concept applies to bigger presentations.