Hi there i am new to this board and i need some help getting the right custom rod built. I have a factory 1084 imx i like it but want somthing better. I stricktly drift fish from the bank i never use anything higher than 12 lb mono and nothing less than 8 lb. the most important things to me are weight/balance,sensitivity,durability. with #1 being sensitivity. so wich rod is the most sensitive . I know from what i have read that most pepole pefer the 290 why? does the 290 fish well with the lighter line and light weight like say 3 or 4 shot slinkys with 250 shot? also which componets should i get on wich ever rod i choose thnks,josh

Don’t get too hung up on the sensitivity thing, the main reason guys like the IMX is because it is light and then of course lightness equals sensitivity. You will catch the same amount of fish with a Gl2 as you will an IMX it’s just that the IMX is lighter and more fun to fish.

I love my 1084 IMX and have never fished the Sage rods so I can’t speak for those. If it were me I would look long and hard at the new Rainshadow XST rods, they are very light.

Lots of guys on here like the 290 so you will get some good information. Also do a search; the topic was discussed just last week pretty well in another thread.

I could be wrong but if I remember I thought the 290 fell in between a 1084 and a 1025.

I've only handled the Sage 290 a little bit, but I would say the IMX 1084 is a little lighter and faster with the sage being a little more durable. I can't see having a custom IMX built if you aready have the factory rod. If its just balancing that a easy fix.

I'm with Dave D on the XST and save a little cash.

hey guys how much are the xst with high quality componets

are the xst the 51mil mod or 43 mil mod

Not sure if they are 51

Go here
http://www.batsonenterprises.com/content/view/56/191/

look at the RX8 blanks

The XST is a blend of RX7 (around 43) and RX8 (around 51). As for cost each builder has there own prices but with high end components they should be around $275 to $325.

so will a custom xst be nicer than my factory imx and what type of warranty do most rod builder have both for blanks breaking do to a bad blank and if say you step on it and it

is the xst more duriable than the imx?

TH custom rods can build you 1 for around 250.00 or less. He is a sponsor of this site. Get a hold of him for price.....

Well the only guy I know that has something close to both rods in question, is stam. & as he out of town for a few days I'll throw this up for him.
His sage 290 (is I think a) factory rod & the 1084 baitcaster is built on a Rainshadow XST blank it should be pretty close to that Loomis IMX. Here's what he has to say about the two of them.....

quote=stam] A ct 290 and rs 1084xst, (which I would assume is nearly the same as an str1084) are nearly identical and I find myself wondering why I own both, great spoon rods, better drift fishing rods and okay float rods, since I float fish the least I find it to be my best universal rod.

Rods both seem to balance out fine with a slightly different style of guides and spacing. [/quote]


c/22

Better rod blank? No. You're already there.

Better components on a blank? Have an XST 1084 made up with the components of your choice. The craftsmanship on your custom rod will be better than what Loomis can do.

Personally, I'd tell you to just keep and fish the IMX 1084c. If you wanted a "stronger" rod with more backbone, I'd say go to a 1025c.

If you really want to spend a LOT more money for the basic same rod, I'd say get a Sage 290.

But, since you already have the 1084c and it seems to work for you, you're done. No need to do anything other than get out and fish.



Most people looking at getting a 290 probably already don't have the IMX 1084.

I have, love, and use the IMX 1025c. Great all-around drift fishing rod. Not so great when it comes to floats or spoons. To me the 1084 seems a bit too light for floats or for spoons. I went with the 290 over the IMX 1084...which I had one, but sold it.

I mainly use and take 2 rods with me on the river. 1025c to drift fish, fish rags, worms, etc and the 290 to fish floats and spoons.

Josh, to get to the heart of your question....I would say.."Yes" By that I mean by having a custom rod made you can get a lighter, better overall made high-end rod than your current factory IMX 1084.

Now to answer the question on which blank you want to go with, you will need to look at the Sage 290 the IMX 1084 & the XST 1084 & do it side by side. To lighten up the finished rod there are some ultralight super-strong single foot guides to use, if you want to go nutt's then you can go split grip on the cork a lightweight blank thru reel-seat & and use a super light rod butt.


My take on the blanks....

IMX 1084... Fast & light, sounds perfect for your style of fishing. But its on the fragile side. If you take real good care of your gear it might be right for you. Spendy

XST 1084...Very close to the IMX, perhaps a touch more durable time will tell. & the least expensive of the 3 blanks by far.

Sage 290...As it is rated for lines 6-15 lb. over the 8-12 of the 1084's its a bit more stout. To me that a good thing, I see the 290 as a tank for a light rod. Its made to last a lifetime, I cannot see my self breaking this rod, unless I really screw-up. Its light & fast enough for me with great sensitivity in its factory configuration.

Real spendy


Best to you on your search....


c/22

thnxs guys great info

so is the 290 as sensitive as the imx? and does it cast light wieght .drift fishing is all i do

I have a couple GL2 1025c's (heavier than an IMX) and a TH-built Sage 290. Both are used for pitching spoons and drift fishing. Both have a solid butt section for larger fishies. Either model would likely serve you well and be a joy to use. I do prefer the lighter/more sensitive Sage.

No. lightness does not equal sensitivity.

i have not fished many gear rods so i am no expert but the Sage compared to the other rods i have fish is far superior. I really liked it when i had a chance to fish Gilly's

Those rods both rocks