Graphite fishing rods: is IM6 or IM7 better?

Question

when it comes to graphite fishing rods, which is better, IM6 or IM7? which is more desireable? which is more costly? what's the difference between them?

generally speaking, is the higher the IM-number the better? or is it vice-versa?

Answer 1

One is not better than the other and personally, the differences are not that great. The IM rating has to do with the graphite fibers that the rod is made from, how thin the fibers are, how they bend, and strength vs. diameter of the fibers (whole lot of scientific stuff). Generally IM7 rods are lighter in weight, more sensitive than an IM6, but tend to be a little more fragile. The IM7 will usually be the more expensive of the two when comparing two rods made by the same manf.

Every rod manf. has different patterns they use in constructing the rod blanks, so it is difficult to compare say a G Loomis rod to a rod say from ST.Croix of the same rating. The best rod will be what feels best to you, and you are comfortable with.

Edit: In answer to your follow up question about the IM# Generally speaking the higher the IM# the better quality the rod blank is supposed to be, from the manf. point of view. Again it comes down to what you feel best fishing with. Expert-7 hit it when he said it was more of a marketing tool.

Answer 2

what the difference should be is.....how do they feel to you.....
I just picked up a st croix fly rod with no marking on the IM level and it felt like it had the proper action I wanted....

I looked at Cortland and phlueger and ugly stick fly rods and all had IM levels listed, but they were too heavy or to slow of an action....

if you buy American (st croix) someone who is making the rod actually knows how the fishing rod is used...

if you buy chinese(all the rest) the person making the rod is probably worked 84 hours a week and has never gone fly fishing....and probably wouldn't care if he did

that has to count for something when you are building a fishing pole...

Answer 3

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RE:
Graphite fishing rods: is IM6 or IM7 better?
when it comes to graphite fishing rods, which is better, IM6 or IM7? which is more desireable? which is more costly? what's the difference between them?

Answer 4

IM7. Maybe it's just me. Rods I have, half is IM7, and the other half is IM8. I don't feel great differences between IM7 and IM8. But IM6 usually tires my arms more quickly. Again, it's just me.

Answer 5

im7 it may cost more but it is so worth it when it comes to catching trophy size fish

Answer 6

im8 is better them both of them