Hi, I bought this ride today at the flea market. It is an Abu Garcia Gold Max light action spinning rod. It's labeled 100% IM6 graphite. It's a beautiful rod but I have no clue what it actually is or what the actual quality of the rod blank is or anything of this sort. It looks like an older rod but I cannot be sure. I'm pretty sure it's going to fish really well. It's really lightweight and feels really nice in my hand and the action on it just from flexing it and looking at how it bends it's going to be beautiful for a little panfish which is what I enjoy fishing for the most. Does anyone know anything about this rod. It says on the blank designed by Abu Garcia Sweden. There are no country of origin marks or labels on this rod whatsoever so I'm pretty sure it's not made in china. Unless it was made in a Time when this country allowed things to be made in other countries and imported without country of origin labels. But I am not anywhere near an expert on stuff like that so I could be wrong. But if anyone has any information about this rod I would very much appreciate it. It's going to make a really nice addition to my collection but I would like to know the quality of it so I can determine what quality of real I might want to pair it with. Thanks.

Some photos.

 

Actually have the same rod, my dad said it was a great rod and he loved it, I also cannot find info on it . That’s for posting pictures as I am fixing the cork on it because rodents got into it and destroyed the cork

Here's a detailed timeline rundown of Gary loomis' graphite innovation.  Might help you ballpark it better...

 

https://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/g-loomis-fly-rods-1982-1997.707589/

 

scott

It's probably nothing special. The Abu Max series of rods and reels are budget options. Nowadays, at least, they typically comes as combos. I'm familiar with Black Max, Silver Max, and Pro Max, and that's listed in order based on price. They're generally considered fine pieces of equipment for what you pay for them. The names on these changed some recently. I know the Black Max is now the Max X. A lot of people use these because for $40 they're amazing. The Black Max/Max X combos are often the first thing many new bass anglers purchase and learn on. No idea about the Gold Max specifically, but I'm sure it's just a step up within these Max variants. Should fish just fine, especially for panfish.

Hey there, your rod is one of Abu Garcia's original Gold Max series that was marketed during the early 1990s in North America as well as certain other markets. The Gold Max was a "mid-tier" range of rods that sat in between the Black Max and Pro Max Concept 2000 series. The differences in quality (and price) amongst the 3 rod series came down to cork grip quality, blank composition, type and number of guides, and cosmetics. The 3 rod series each had their own matching reel series; the spinning reels had worm gear drives. The rods and reels were made in South Korea and were pretty decent quality for that time; I owned a Pro Max Concept 2000 medium light spinning combo back in the day and enjoyed using it quite a bit.

 

By the mid 1990s in North America Abu replaced the 3 Max rod series with the Royal Vectran 7 and a couple of other, lesser quality series. The Max name has  been resurrected periodically by Abu since then for unrelated rod and reel series up to the present day. I think that your rod would make a fine old-school fishing tool; it looks like it's in excellent condition!

I know nada about that rod.  When you said it will make a nice addition to your collection, did you mean as a rod that hangs on the wall or one that gets fished?

 

Offhand I can think of only one IM6 rod that was in my arsenal (got stolen).  It was a saltwater 7' MLF casting rod rated 3/8-3/4 oz.  I used it for trebles.  Would cast a 3/8 crankbait a very good distance.

 

I hope you fish the rod, and post how you like it.