There’s a question every saltwater fly angler has asked when deep in the struggle to find success on the water: Is the problem simply that I need better gear?
That’s the context into which G. Loomis has reintroduced the fully redesigned Asquith Saltwater series—an ultra-premium lineup that sits at the very top of the saltwater fly rod market, with MSRP ranging from $1,635 to $1,750 depending on the model.
For most Northeast anglers chasing stripers, bluefish, and false albacore, a rod at this price point probably doesn’t make a ton of sense. But for anglers with the means (and the travel plans) to chase tarpon, permit, giant trevally, billfish, and other aspirational species, the new Asquith just might.
What’s New with the Redesigned Asquith
According to G. Loomis, the redesigned Asquith is a ground-up performance build centered on Spiral X Core, an advanced evolution of Shimano’s proprietary carbon tape construction. The blanks are rolled in Kumamoto, Japan using Toray Nanoalloy technology, then hand-assembled in Woodland, Washington—a global engineering-and-craftsmanship collaboration intended to deliver exceptional strength and stability while maintaining a feather-light swing weight. The high-tech blank is built for bending, torsional, and compressional rigidity in all directions—aimed at faster recovery and more efficient energy transfer. Premium Fuji titanium SiC stripper guides and PVD recoil snake guides allow for smooth line flow and durability in harsh salt environments. And the redesigned reel seat features “a curved fixed-hood architecture with improved knurling” for more secure, intuitive reel engagement.
Who the Asquith is Built for
My honest take is that for most Northeast saltwater fly anglers, the Asquith is not built for you. When chucking streamers in rough, open water at blitzing stripers, blues, and albies, finesse and precision rarely make the difference between catching and fishing. There are plenty of excellent saltwater-capable fly rods at a fraction of this cost that can handle the Northeast grand slam species without inducing heart palpitations every time a wave pounds the hull or a bluefish goes ballistic on a short leash next to the boat. The G. Loomis’ IMX-PRO-V2S, for example, is a versatile, powerful saltwater rod that feels like a bargain at $595 – $645.
That doesn’t mean the Asquith wouldn’t perform here. And while I haven’t fished one myself, I imagine that if you’re a super-skilled fly angler with a taste for the finer things, you would find immeasurable joy in fishing the Asquith in any situation. But its real value is unlocked in scenarios where precision, distance control, and wind stability can make or break a day. If you’re already spending thousands of dollars to put yourself in a position where one or two perfect shots at the fish of your dreams may be all you get, spending a bit more on your fly rod could absolutely be worth it.
The saltwater lineup includes 8- through 12-weights in 9-foot, four-piece configurations—a clear signal that these rods are aimed at aspirational fisheries and powerful species.
Asquith Saltwater models and MSRP
| Model | Line | Length | Pieces | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASQ 890-4 | 8 | 9’0” | 4 | $1,635 |
| ASQ 990-4 | 9 | 9’0” | 4 | $1,635 |
| ASQ 1090-4 | 10 | 9’0” | 4 | $1,750 |
| ASQ 1190-4 | 11 | 9’0” | 4 | $1,750 |
| ASQ 1290-4 | 12 | 9’0” | 4 | $1,750 |
Kevin Blinkoff is the Managing Director and Editor In Chief of On The Water. He’s spent more than 20 years covering striped bass, fisheries science, and the management decisions that shape saltwater fishing in the Northeast. When he’s not editing or corralling the unruly OTW team, he’s usually chasing stripers from a kayak somewhere along the coast.