G. Loomis enters the ice fishing sector – see the new rods in action here

G. Loomis, the US company known for its origins in fly fishing, has taken its first step into the ice fishing market.

The Shimano brand started to ship its new IMX-Pro ice rods to tackle dealers this week. The 12-rod series is made up of seven models for larger species like walleye, pike and lake trout and five solid, fast-taper models for lighter applications and strike detection suited to panfish. 

Development of the new series began in January 2019 at Lake of the Woods, Minnesota, in temperatures hovering at 50 below zero and never above 30 below. “Knowing that our goal was to design the best ice rods for any and all conditions, we quickly learned that our full cork grip design and the use of REC recoil guides was a must,” said David Brinkerhoff, a member of the G. Loomis design team. “Our continued research in much better weather conditions during later trips that season, as well as last winter, led us to using split-cork grips on the lighter rods to enhance strike detection and hook-setting.”

The medium-light, medium and medium-heavy tubular rods in the series come in 33, 35, 37, 39 and 40-inch sizes. The five lighter action models measure 29, 31 and 33 inches in light and medium power. G. Loomis began fishing rod development in the salmon and steelhead markets 39 years ago and expanded into bass fishing rods before its entry into the ice-fishing sector.