The brittleness (is that a word) is something that you must sacrifice for the lightness and sensitivity that the IMX features.

I have had a 1025 IMX (my favorite rod) for 2 1/2 years now and I love it. I have fished it hard and its still going strong. I am just careful though when I am snagged up and instead of reafing on it for 5 minutes, I accept defeat and break off.
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Ryan S. Petzold
aka
'Sparkey' and/or 'Special'