CONTENTS:
JMC FURIOUS LEGACY – Predator Fly Rods Review
This autumn 2025, the French company JMC is treating us with a wide range of new and diverse products! In the coming articles, we will successively present the BOOSTER II series dedicated to stillwater fishing, the KULT rods for “trout in moving water” approaches, and starting today, the FURIOUS LEGACY series for predator fishing.
1. Measurement Analysis
1.1. Power
The Common Cents System protocol made it possible to characterise the power and action of these five rods.
In terms of power, 65, 73, 84, 98 and 113 cents were required to deflect these five rods by one third of their respective lengths. The stated line weights are all underestimated, and the conversions obtained via ERN indicate that: the 8'8" #6 and 9'2" #7 are in reality #8/9 rods (ERN values of 9.05 and 9.16 respectively), the 9' #8 is a #9/10 (ERN 10.16), the 9' #9 is a #10/11 (ERN 11.18), and finally the 9' #10 is a #11/12 (ERN 12.22).
1.2. Action
In terms of action, all five rods are similar: with an AA of 65°, they fall into the moderate-fast category (AA between 63° and 66°).
1.3. Build
The build incorporates all the elements expected from modern predator fly rods, namely a full wells handle (made of EVA foam in this case) of standard dimensions, combined with a fighting butt, two stripping guides with SIC inserts, etc.
The finishes are not to be outdone, with the presence of alignment dots on the sections and a hook keeper.
1.4. Fishing Comfort
These JMC FURIOUS LEGACY rods perform excellently in terms of fishing comfort considering their price. As a comparison, the 9' #8 achieves the same PTE as the former JMC Punisher 9' #8/9 (which features the same length/power combination), even though the latter was priced at over €400!
It is recommended to use an unloaded reel weighing approximately 120–130 g for the 8'8", 160–170 g for the 9' #8, 170–180 g for the 9'2" #7 and 9' #9, and around 200 g for the 9' #10.
2. Editorial Verdict
For its 2025/2026 releases, JMC has clearly focused on the price-performance ratio, which, in the current market situation, deserves recognition.
These new FURIOUS LEGACY rods feature a clean look and a well-adapted build. Our measurements highlight a clear trend throughout the series: these rods are relatively powerful, and their applications naturally follow from this characteristic. Obviously, power does not mean stiffness, as they all share the same moderate-fast action, making them accessible to all types of casters, giving them a real ability to cast bulky flies and to fight fish effectively… provided the right target is chosen! Here are some guidelines to help you:
8'8" #6 and 9'2" #7, with their true #8/9 power are two excellent and versatile rods for getting started with predator fishing using streamers, especially if you are not targeting a specific species and/or your waters hold fish of moderate size. The shorter model will be better suited for those fishing from a boat or float tube. Conversely, the 9'2" will be more suitable for bank fishing, whether on rivers or lakes. Note the remarkable fishing comfort of the 8'8"!
The 9' #8, with its true #9/10 power, is THE rod to have if you fish a variety of waters throughout the season, populated with pike of different sizes requiring a wide range of streamer patterns and line densities. This rod will handle multiple situations (including demanding winter fishing). A #8 or #9 line will be preferred for deep fishing, while a #9 or #10 line will be better suited for surface fishing.
If the 9' #9 is considered by many anglers as the classic setup for pike fly fishing (we have already published two comparisons on this length/power combination), this FURIOUS LEGACY version is more powerful (#10/11) than most of its counterparts; it is clearly aimed at large specimens (pike, catfish, etc.). Its moderate-fast action will allow you to cast bulky flies and fish deep when conditions require it, using a #9 or #10 line.
Finally, the 9' #10, with its true #11/12 power and moderate-fast action, is the most specific rod in this comparison: the combination of very high power and moderate action clearly makes it suitable for casting very large streamers in search of trophy fish. It competes seriously with the Marryat Pikky in this highly specialised category.
Make the right choice!
3. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Here are the technical details of the entire range:
| JMC PURE NGX | 8'8 #6 | 9'2 #7 | 9' #8 | 9' #9 | 9' #10 |
| Brand | JMC | JMC | JMC | JMC | JMC |
| Series | FURIOUS LEGACY | FURIOUS LEGACY | FURIOUS LEGACY | FURIOUS LEGACY | FURIOUS LEGACY |
| Length | 8'8" | 9'2" | 9' | 9' | 9' |
| Actual length | 264 cm | 281 cm | 274 cm | 274 cm | 274 cm |
| Line weight | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 |
| Sections | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Actual weight | 104.00 g | 111.00 g | 113.00 g | 120.00 g | 120.00 g |
| Blank colour | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black |
| Finish | Matte varnish | Matte varnish | Matte varnish | Matte varnish | Matte varnish |
| Guides | 2 + 9 | 2 + 9 | 2 + 9 | 2 + 9 | 2 + 9 |
| Guide type | Single-leg | Single-leg | Single-leg | Single-leg | Single-leg |
| First guide position | 47 cm | 51 cm | 49 cm | 49 cm | 49 cm |
| Wraps | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black |
| Grip | 26 × 180 mm | 26 × 180 mm | 26 × 180 mm | 26 × 180 mm | 26 × 180 mm |
| Grip shape | Full Wells | Full Wells | Full Wells | Full Wells | Full Wells |
| Reel seat | Gun metal aluminium | Gun metal aluminium | Gun metal aluminium | Gun metal aluminium | Gun metal aluminium |
| Locking system | Uplocking | Uplocking | Uplocking | Uplocking | Uplocking |
| Spacer | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon | Carbon |
| Fighting butt | EVA foam | EVA foam | EVA foam | EVA foam | EVA foam |
| Hook keeper | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Alignment dots | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Packaging | Partitioned Cordura tube | Partitioned Cordura tube | Partitioned Cordura tube | Partitioned Cordura tube | Partitioned Cordura tube |
| ERN | 9.05 | 9.16 | 10.16 | 11.18 | 12.22 |
| AA | 65° | 65° | 65° | 65° | 65° |
NOTE: This gear test was first published in its French original version on www.truites-et-cie.fr
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