evo2s197

Reading this thread and others like it over the years on this forum, I consistently see individuals with high end equipment less judgemental than those with budget gear, can't really recall a thread that has the "cheap gear is junk" or similar statement as the topic, but the opposite is true, people Going on a REEEEEE! Tirade about high end stuff and the anglers that procure such equipment, it's pretty interesting and telling at the same time. “They envy the distinction I have won; let them therefore, envy my toils, my honesty, and the methods by which I gained it.” — Sallust

This is my new favorite trailer, paired with a tungsten 1/2 brown keitech casting jig is deadly lately, lot's of hits just deadsticking.

High end equipment is often just more enjoyable to fish with than cheaper gear, be it lightness, balance or just that "IT" factor, that's basically the difference.

Only negative of braid or braid with leader is no slack line sensitivity, unless you are actively dragging constant.

The 7ft1 mh xfast will have a softer tip, its almost hinge like, then gets into a stiff backbone, the first 12 inches is pretty soft.

Braid to leader or straight braid? Try a St. Croix 7ft1 MH extra fast model, they make it in most of their popular series, it's a phenomenal blank, and not a broomstick, it's great for spinnerbaits.

I would go with the 3000 size, better line management if using flourocarbon. Great choice on the Orochi, very nice series.

Exactly my sentiments in my first post.

How deep do you normally fish? I would imagine the Johnny Morris would be better than a Dobyns offering just not merely just as good even though it's cheaper than your Sierra rod, that's curious.

Agree send it in, being a lews there are a plethora of parts available because they are a popular platform and most models are easy to work on if you decide to do it Yourself.

St croix rods are awesome, I have some Legend Xtreme AGS great rods. My favorite dobyns is probably a Dobyns Extreme HP lure retriever, I cut the blank at the locknot after using it once and feeling meh about it then paired it with a Calcutta Conquest, it's been the most useful in this configuration, knocks those lures free in a hurry and I can feel every thump of the hound dog banging my lure free.

Compared to even a cheaper rod than a Sierra say like a Colt or Fury I would hope so. If you fished a superior brand, I bet you would think your nerve damaged has-been cured, just saying.

I could careless if someone is fishing a tournament, if I'm already fishing a spot they can go somewhere else, if they impede my space I'll start throwing a 10 inch Huddleston all around their boat and crossing their line while making direct eye contact and a smile, tournament angler's don't get special treatment for feeling entitled I don't care if it's KVD.

I just give them to friends that I know can't always buy lots of gear, or I give them to youth fishing clubs, I'd rather give then make anything off of them.

You've never owned a perfect rod because you have Loomis rods, look I understand you are sensitive when it comes to your Loomis gear that is extremely apparent, alot of folks feel that they are the pinnacle of performance because they think they are expensive and are triggered if told otherwise. No one is forcing you to buy anything else i agree they are a good mid range priced rod, as long as you're happy with your purchase and are fine with less than perfect thats all that matters, not everyone cares about using the best available, there are plenty of people satisfied with Conquest and NRX rods, they don't know any better and that's fine, it's common that some individuals equate a good warranty with the best or high end, I mean Ugly Stiks and Bass Pro branded rods have a awesome warranty... But as my first post stated, if you want better than loomis I listed a few for the people that are interested in more than mass produced off the shelf domestic gear, for others ignorance is bliss. Also to the OP the Daiwa J-Flouro is a awesome alternative to Tatsu if Tatsu is not readily available to you.

Dobyns aren't as sensitive as comparable rods in the same price range, even if you go all the way up to the Xtasy rods, they still have a muted feel. What you get is a balanced rod and a great warranty/replacement plan for accident prone individuals or manufacturer defects. They excel mostly as a moving bait brand not necessarily bottom contact, but some people like them for everything.

The racing designs have a warranty if you purchase through a authorized seller, I'm not sure about evergreen. Any high end JDM gear is really in no need of a warranty, you will not have any build issues such as loose reel seats, crooked guides, sloppy thread wraps etc that NRX rods have even to this day with the new iteration, and any rod that breaks while fishing is almost always due to user error or carelessness in one way or another. Some people need warranties and some don't, for the ones that need warranties there is nothing wrong with that you just buy what you can afford that has a warranty and you don't have to worry.

Another recommendation if you are interested in what's above the NRX+ in terms of sensitivity, build and performance is the Steez Racing Design Series, specifically the Hustler Finesse Tune or the Texas rig special, also consider the Evergreen Kaleido series in the Black Raven Extreme RS or the Stallion RS. Pair either of these with a Steez SV TWS Limited that has the SV Boost spool and you won't want to put the combo down, and it's truly high end. Any of the above rods will suit you for the intended use you have in store for them and are leaps and bounds above what Loomis has to offer, aside from the Poison Ultima series, which is second to the aforementioned rods. And Tatsu 10lb will work well with whatever combo you choose. Part numbers below: Daiwa Hustler Finesse Tune 701MH/HXB-ST Daiwa Texas Rig Special STZ RD 701MH/HFB Evergreen Black Raven Extreme IRSC-66MHF-TG40X Evergreen Stallion RS IRSC-69MH Stallion RS Limited Shimano Poison Ultima 2020 172H (it's really a MH with a MBR taper)

I use braid on all my Exist reels, so yes.

DAIWA EXIST LT Or SHIMANO STELLA FJ In either 2500 or 3000 These are the best, the good news is you have a plethora of choices that are still good, just not great. The Daiwa Certate or Shimano Exsence A come to mind as a cheaper alternative, they are close to the top of the food chain, lesser reels below these obviously get the job done, plenty of people use less expensive gear with no complaints. Just noticed the $150 or less budget not posted in the OP, in that case look for a Tatula LT on sale.

Picked up a few Bantam MGL's and a lone Metanium MGL, so far they are decent, they are more "Sterile" i guess you could say vs my Daiwa and Megabass variants, but still nice.

Added a Brand New IP79L DRAGON to the stable.

A 6 inch Mann's grape jelly worm.

Reading Toms posts on his perception of high end rods is definitely interesting. I for one enjoy fishing the best equipment available, and when it comes to bottom contact fishing especially jigs, I more often than not catch more and larger fish in comparison to other anglers im fishing with whether it's on my boat or theirs. Is it because of the equipment? Is it experience? Is it because I enjoy using my equipment more which has me more in tune with my lure? Or is it a combination of all the above? I can't say, all I know is that the right high end rod helps if you have at least a little bit of fishing experience, to say otherwise is just stubbornness.

The answer is yes, they supposedly solved the breaking issue and put it back on the market.