G. Loomis IMX Steelhead Drift Rods

The new IMX Steelhead Drift Rods, or “STDR” for short, is a series of freshwater steelhead fishing rods designed for the drifting technique used in rivers and streams. G. Loomis engineered these rods using the latest in fishing rod technology resulting in a finished product that was lighter, more sensitive and stronger than their IMX predecessors. Comprised of six two piece casting models, G. Loomis latest IMX Steelhead Drift Rods offer the ideal actions and lengths desired by anglers for the technique. Steelhead use holding water to rest as they leave the ocean or the Great Lakes and migrate up coastal streams and inland tributaries to spawn. It's usually just in front of a boulder where the current is soft or out of the main current in a slot where the water is slightly softer. That's exactly why you need a long rod to drift baits or bait-like artificials for these oversized, searun rainbows. The less line drag you create by increasing the line angle, the more feel and bait/lure control you have. When you need to fish a seam in the middle of the river you need accuracy. When you get the chance to fish all day long, you want a rod that’s as light as possible. When the bite is normally so light it’s hard to tell it from the rocks, you really need sensitivity. When that fish-of-a-lifetime heads for the ocean you need power. That's where our IMX technology makes all the difference.

The release of the new 2014 G. Loomis IMX Rods offers anglers a whole new level of sensitivity and strength in rods that are up to 15% lighter than the original IMX series. With surprising power to weight ratios, the Drift series of steelhead rods is exactly what you need to effectively fish this unique technique. The G. Loomis IMX STDR Steelhead Drift Series includes six models - all rods are two-piece casting rods. Specs can be found below.

IMX STDR Models

G.Loomis IMX Steelhead Drift Rod Models

IMX 1043-2C STDR

At 8'8", this is a great light-duty steelhead drift rod. It's got the range to cover a number of fishing applications and water conditions. It will handle light line, all the way down to 6-pound test for low, clear water when you're chasing those acrobatic summer-runs or as much as 12-pound for those larger winter fish. You can pitch spinners, drift artificial rigs like spin-n-glos, corkies or bait. The dynamics of our exclusive IMX material helps reduce overall rod weight and provides you with about as much sensitivity as you can imagine!

IMX 1086-2C STDR

A more powerful 9' big-water steelhead drift rod. It's has plenty of muscle for those big winter-runs and will do a good job for fall silvers as well. If you fish Alaska or any of the big rivers of Washington and Oregon, it’s a great drift rod that will handle big water, big fish and big lures. IMX makes it lighter than you'd expect and still have all the power and sensitivity you need. A great all-around, all-seasons, power rod for steelhead and small salmon! Would make a really good king salmon rod for the smaller coastal rivers in the fall!

IMX 1103-2C STDR

An nice, long, light-duty drift rod designed specifically for big rivers where the extra length increases line and lure control. It's a great summer-run rod, but works well early in the fall when the water is low and the fish are spooky. You can stay back and still maintain a very controlled drift with a lot of extra leverage and tip-speed for a quick hookset. Anglers on big U.S. waters have found it to be a really good alternative for jig fishing or fishing big, clear-water rivers where long leaders are paramount for success.

IMX 1104-2C STDR

A more powerful, drift rod designed specifically for big river steelhead. It has a medium-heavy power rating that makes it ideal for any of the small salmon species as well. The extra length gives you a "cleaner", drag-free drift because it creates a steeper line angle and that's a big plus given the bite is so light when you're drift fishing. It will handle most of the popular drifting techniques and thank to IMX, it's a lot lighter than you might expect. A gem of a drift rod for the serious steelheader.

IMX 1163-2C STDR

Our "max" length, light-duty drift rod designed specifically for big water where the extra length can dramatically increase casting range as well as line and lure control. It's a really responsive, light line drift rod that works well in both summer and fall when facing low water conditions and spooky fish. The extra length lets you reach those deeper pockets all the way across the river and still get a good presentation where varying currents make it difficult to manage your line. These rods balance nicely with a light tip-weight thanks to IMX and they are incredibly sensitive, a plus in any steelheader's book.

IMX 1165-2C STDR

Our most powerful, "max" length, casting drift rod, designed specifically for big river steelhead and the smaller salmon species. With a medium-heavy power rating it gives you a lot of options . The extra length allows for increased line and lure control, but the big advantage is how much line you can move when you need to set the hook at the end of a long cast. It's tough enough to feel a soft bite at that distance so it's nice to know that when it comes you can maintain a positive connection from hookset to the bank. The IMX advantage of better sensitivity and reduced weight is an important factor. You can fish all day without getting tired. That is, unless you're hauling them in, one after another!

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DHEP) and lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov