Super User S Hovanec Posted March 12, 2015 Super User Posted March 12, 2015 This may be off topic, but those handle wraps aren't the ugliest thing about Steve's NRX. The thread wraps leave a lot to be desired. I'm embarrassed if I have one gap in a wrap, let alone the multiple gaps just on the hook keeper alone. If these blanks were offered, I have no doubt I could build a rod far superior to the OEM NRX offerings. 1 Quote
jonnyblazex Posted March 12, 2015 Author Posted March 12, 2015  I was just thinking, if the rod had a full grip cork handle for a length this long, it would probably not be tip heavy. How much weight do you think you have under that wrap anyways? Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 This may be off topic, but those handle wraps aren't the ugliest thing about Steve's NRX. The thread wraps leave a lot to be desired. I'm embarrassed if I have one gap in a wrap, let alone the multiple gaps just on the hook keeper alone. If these blanks were offered, I have no doubt I could build a rod far superior to the OEM NRX offerings. The Gloomis blanks are undeniably high quality, but in your opinion, is there really nothing comparable out there? St Croix LTB, NFC, Phenix K2, Eternity2,.... just to name a few? Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015  I was just thinking, if the rod had a full grip cork handle for a length this long, it would probably not be tip heavy. How much weight do you think you have under that wrap anyways? Those few cork rings won't weigh anywhere near what was added. Another way to do it is a 1" rubber chair leg cap with quarters or fender washers stuffed inside slipped over the end of the cork. Quote
Lucky Craft Man Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 I was just thinking, if the rod had a full grip cork handle for a length this long, it would probably not be tip heavy. How much weight do you think you have under that wrap anyways? The rod that needed the least amount of counter weight was the 7'7" Umbrella Rig Rod (NRX 916 UBR). I think I used 1.4 ounces on that one. I used around 2.2 ounces of weight (it might have been 2.4 oz. I can't remeber now) on the NRX 895 JWR. The NRX 916 is a full rear handle and the NRX 895 is split grip. What I find the most interesting is that I never had to counterweigh any of my old GLX BCR rods. G Loomis knows how to make a balanced rod, but for some reason didn't see the need to make sure the NRX were. Quote
jonnyblazex Posted March 12, 2015 Author Posted March 12, 2015  I find that odd as well that the NRX don't seem perfectly balanced. I suppose the GLX BCR rods were a little heavier blank from the start, and more dense weight toward the rear adds a little weight and balances out. All I know is the NRX seems super light for its length. When you have a rod well over 7 foot, and it feels light as a feather, you know it is a winner! Quote
Lucky Craft Man Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 I find that odd as well that the NRX don't seem perfectly balanced. I suppose the GLX BCR rods were a little heavier blank from the start, and more dense weight toward the rear adds a little weight and balances out. By the way Lucky craft, what reel u runnin? It depends. Most of my NRX Baitcasters have Shimano Cores on them (and I just heard the Core was being discontinued, which is a shame. Great Reel!). All my NRX spinning rods (and all my other spinning rods) have a Pflueger Supreme on them (I know these aren't high end reels, but I truly like how they perform independent of cost). Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted March 12, 2015 Super User Posted March 12, 2015 The Gloomis blanks are undeniably high quality, but in your opinion, is there really nothing comparable out there? St Croix LTB, NFC, Phenix K2, Eternity2,.... just to name a few? I believe the SCV is of equal quality, but their colors scare some people off. I happen to love them. NFC seems to have am availability issue. While they are quality, IMO, they are old tech. Phenix, I have a hard time forking over a premium for an import blank. Played with an Eternity at the ICRBE. I liked it and will order one, but I don't think its on par with a SCV. We will see when it comes in and I can fish it beside my favorite SCV. Quote
BassmanDan Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 What a cool co-incidence...I got mine today too! I previously had the 894 and sent it back because of the weight and balance. When this rod arrived I was nervous but after putting a new Metanium XG on it and pitching a jig around I am very happy with the balance of the setup. The true test will be on the water but I expect to feel brilliance in the palms of my hands.  Hope you come to like yours as you get familiar with it...that's waaaay too much money not to be 1000% happy. Quote
Super User SirSnookalot Posted March 12, 2015 Super User Posted March 12, 2015 Wow!  I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I would NEVER do that to any rod, especially that rod! I wouldn't either. If I were spending that kind of money on a rod I'd be putting a reel on it that made the entire combo feel good.  What I would try is taking various sinkers and place them on top of the reel, that's going to give me a good indication of the weight of a new reel.  If 1 ounce sinker made it feel better I'd be buying a reel that was 1 ounce heavier than I'm using now. I use different lures on my rods, the balance is never the same. Quote
curtis9 Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 Changing reels isn't going to move the balance point very much. Adding weight to the button is much more effective due to the longer moment arm. Quote
Ozark_Basser Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 What weight system do you recommend for the butt of the rod to improve balance? http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/Rubber-Butt-Caps-Gimbals/The-Balancer-Removable-Butt-Cap This is what I would use. Quote
Lucky Craft Man Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building/Rubber-Butt-Caps-Gimbals/The-Balancer-Removable-Butt-Cap This is what I would use. I have tried those and they will do the job. For me, I didn't like how the rubber caps would come off every once in a while and the weights only came in one size, so fine tuning the balalce point was a little tougher (as a side note, when I did use those, I found that using quarters in conjunction with those leads weights helped with the dialling in the right balalcne point process). 1 Quote
BasserJim Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 I've never understood the reasoning behind adding weight to a fishing rod Quote
Lucky Craft Man Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 I've never understood the reasoning behind adding weight to a fishing rod  It's a person preference kind of thing, that's all. 1 Quote
jonnyblazex Posted March 23, 2015 Author Posted March 23, 2015  Thread back from the dead. So I tried out my nrx 893c yesterday. The ice is finally out, but water is still just as cold, I would be shocked if its above 40 degrees, and its been really windy. The rod balance didn't feel as bad as I thought it would (tip heaviness) after first handling the rod, but still wasn't perfect, or as good as I would like it. I did get a couple bites, and could easily feel each peck, but may have just been bluegills nipping at the senko. Was really just testing the rod out, and get the reel dialed in. After fishing, my thumb was stuck in the position it is when I palm my reel, hands were frozen! Cold out, and snowing again! Anyways, I figured Id try out a balancing system. I bought some rubber chair leg covers like a few others have mentioned. I bought the 1 inch diameter ones, and they fit the butt of the rod real nice and snug. I figured with the weight of the rubber, and 2 quarters, it is about perfect balance for me. It moved the balance point back (from balancing the rod parallel on your finger) about 2 or 3 inches closer to the reel. It feels about perfect for now, but will have to try it out on the water when I get a chance. Shame to have to do it to this rod, but man it really feels a lot better in hand! Quote
masterbass Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015  Thread back from the dead. So I tried out my nrx 893c yesterday. The ice is finally out, but water is still just as cold, I would be shocked if its above 40 degrees, and its been really windy. The rod balance didn't feel as bad as I thought it would (tip heaviness) after first handling the rod, but still wasn't perfect, or as good as I would like it. I did get a couple bites, and could easily feel each peck, but may have just been bluegills nipping at the senko. Was really just testing the rod out, and get the reel dialed in. After fishing, my thumb was stuck in the position it is when I palm my reel, hands were frozen! Cold out, and snowing again! Anyways, I figured Id try out a balancing system. I bought some rubber chair leg covers like a few others have mentioned. I bought the 1 inch diameter ones, and they fit the butt of the rod real nice and snug. I figured with the weight of the rubber, and 2 quarters, it is about perfect balance for me. It moved the balance point back (from balancing the rod parallel on your finger) about 2 or 3 inches closer to the reel. It feels about perfect for now, but will have to try it out on the water when I get a chance. Shame to have to do it to this rod, but man it really feels a lot better in hand! Stupid question but where do you get rubber chair bumpers? Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted March 23, 2015 Super User Posted March 23, 2015 walmart, menards, home depot, lowes Quote
Steveo-1969 Posted March 23, 2015 Posted March 23, 2015 Thanks for the tip! I have the exact same rod and reel and had it out fishing for the first time this weekend. I also found it a little bit too tip heavy for my liking. I'm going to use your suggestion to move the balance point. Quote
masterbass Posted April 4, 2015 Posted April 4, 2015 I put a 1" chair leg bumper and 3 quarters inside and I can now say my 893 balances perfectly. I also like the added protection for the end of the handle. Thanks for the tip. 1 Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted April 4, 2015 Super User Posted April 4, 2015 G Loomis knows how to make a balanced rod, but for some reason didn't see the need to make sure the NRX were. I feel like they worried more about weight than balance w the NRX. They just went as light as possible and if someone wanted to balance the butt they obviously could. I LOVE my 852c and with an Ito Ai it balances like a feathery dream. It's as if I'm holding another rod's shadow. I do love seeing the effort put in though. Obsession is only bad if it doesn't get you EXACTLY what you want. Hater's gonna hate... Baiters gonna bait! Quote
masterbass Posted April 4, 2015 Posted April 4, 2015 I can't believe how easy it was for me to balance mine. The rubber chair bumper cost me .70 cents and with 4 quarters the rod balances at the line guide of the steez 103. This balanced combo feels lighter than before. 1 Quote
Super User *Hootie Posted April 4, 2015 Super User Posted April 4, 2015 I can't believe how easy it was for me to balance mine. The rubber chair bumper cost me .70 cents and with 4 quarters the rod balances at the line guide of the steez 103. This balanced combo feels lighter than before. For a grand total of $1.70....lol. Hootie Quote
Arv Posted April 4, 2015 Posted April 4, 2015 I don't have the 893, but I do have the 853. The NRX is a lot like the 7'1 Cumulus in my hands. While it's not the most balanced rod I've owned, the weight more than makes up for it for me. Since it is so light I don't feel like I'm having to overcome the tip to work my lures. I currently have an Aldebaran BFS on it which weighs a wopping 5.1oz. Again, I realize there are 4 more inches on the 893 so I'm not comparing apples to apples, just wanted to put my 2 cents in for what its worth. Quote
DelcoSol Posted April 5, 2015 Posted April 5, 2015 I have an 893 as well. It's paired with a Metanium XG and while not perfect, its not too bad. I think a reel in the 7-7.5 oz range would help a lot. I am however having a problem finding a reel for my 803. You would think a rod that short could use a lighter reel. Not exactly. With the short handle it still needs something in the 7oz range. Â Hey DVT, would it be possible to modify on of these rods to a full grip to help with the weight? Quote
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