FishTank

I have tried Sniper on a few occasions. I liked it but I found it to be inconsistent and it didn't tend to last as long I would like. I also tried Assassin. I did like it better but overall I have had a better experience with Seaguar Invizx and Tatsu respectively.

I use a G. Loomis 844C IMX for most of my top water. It has a soft enough tip and has good hook setting power. I have had this rod for almost 15 years. I have tried others for topwater/frogs and this rod has always been the best of them.

So I don't have the NRX 894C yet but it's on my list. I do have the 853C with the 70A and they balance perfectly together. I think the complaint from people on 894 stems from the reel seat being about 2+ inches up from where the 853 and 854 sit. Plus they may be using a reel that is extremely light weight. It seems people want to pair the best/most expensive reel out there with this rod, which usually translates into a light reel that doesn't balance well with the rod > for example, the Daiwa Steez SV TWS, the Steez CT SV or the Shimano Aldebaran. Great reels but I wouldn't put one on a heavy stout rod. The 70A is a dream to fish though. I have yet to find a flaw other than the spool capacity. With 12lb Seaguar Invizx, I can almost empty the reel on a long cast. It palms well, it casts well, it's not too heavy, it has a lot of power for a small reel, it's hard to backlash, and it's smooth like no other.

I have used it over the years and never really had a bad batch but I have had issues with it getting twisted, an occasional break off, and the line digging in. I only tend to use it for topwater now.

Mepps #4 and #5 black furry. I have caught just about everything with them. Still a great bait.

Fat Ika's would be awesome. And maybe some chunk like jig trailers.

Wow.... Only 3 left.

Lucky Craft Pointer 110 sp in American Shad.

I have not fished it but holding the Fury in hand, it reminds of the St. Croix BassX. The blanks seem similar.

Guilty of doing the same thing. I fished it for a few minutes before I figured it out. That's what getting up at 3am will do to you.

G. Loomis 803C GLX. I have 853C NRX and its fantastic but I like the 803c for skipping.

I have seen the old vintage glass rods go for about $75 to $125 depending on the condition. The guides in good shape and a clean logo with the model/serial number legible are a must.

I use a St. Croix 844C IMX with a Shimano Chronarch and 50lb braid. I never tighten the drag all the way down. I want the fish to take a little line.

Great reel. It's solid like a round reel but small like a finesse reel. Casting is really good but not the best. It's buttery smooth and has plenty of power. The only downside to me, and it's a small one, is the side plate can be a pain to take off and on. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. With that said, I would take a hard look at the Antares 70A, the JDM version. It can be had for about $400.

Tatsu is the best but I am happy with Invizx. I use 12lb for most of my baitcasters. I also use 6lb FC but I like Trilene XL 100% FC for this application.

That is a good deal for the NRX. I wouldn't hesitate. Great rod.

St. Croix and G. Loomis is where I would start. Depending on your budget, the St. Croix Avid is probably the best value of the bunch from both manufactures.

I can't personally speak for quality of these rods but I have seen good reviews on other forums. There is an X-fast BFS version that seems to fit the bill. http://fish.shimano.com.sg/content/fish/asia/sg/en/homepage/ProductPage.P-BANTAM.html

I recently bought a Shimano Vanquish and I was considering many different reels at that time. The BG was on the list. It was the only one I could find that I could put in hand that I was looking at. Oddly, a local shop had some. It is a fine reel though. It is one of the few that when you put in hand, you just know it's good.

The Penn Battle use to be a good reel for salt but I have not used one in a few years and can not speak for the new versions.

Amazon has Seaguar Invizx 8lb 1000 yard spool for $70. It's $100 on Tackle Warehouse. If you have prime, you can get in two days (usually). No store in my area carries 1000 yard spool of any line, unless I drive 45min to Cabelas and they only have BPS mono. I use to find it weird to get 150, 200, and 300 yard spools but I decided on lighter lines and heavier lines for that matter, to put a good amount of cheap backing on the spool. That way, I can fill two spools. I just have to keep track from memory (trial and error) how much backing to put on. Below is an example of a 200 yard spool of 6lb going on two spools and I still had some left over.

So I have the NRX 853C and the GLX 803C. The sensitivity of the 853 is fantastic and for 1/2oz jigs, it's pretty much perfect but the 803C also great> It's just a fuzz less sensitive. I can't say for sure what it is but I sort of like the 803c better for jigs and the 853C for spinnerbaits, swim jigs and especially for the Dark Sleeper. I have put the NRX 854C in hand and it seemed a little to stout for lighter jigs I wanted to use (mainly 1/2oz or smaller).

Last year, crankbaits and jerkbaits. This year, T-rigged soft plastic and spinnerbaits. No reason for the change. Just trying something different.

I also had a Helios Air that started to grind. I contacted Okuma and unfortunately, after two repairs, three reels, and a few months of trying to get them to work, I had to finally return them. I am not for sure of the cause but I don't think it was the spool bearings. I think the problem was with the main gear and the pinion. It was a shame because new out of the box, this reel was amazing.