NRX 893 vs Orochi XX EMTF

[Jon G]

Well as of the past year I've really moved away from Dobyns and moved into the St. Croix line. Nothing wrong with Dobyns but I just prefer St. Croix. However, I can not seem to find a rod that really replaces a DX 744 for me. My favorite rod as of now is a St. Croix Legend Elite in terms of weight and sensitivity but they don't offer a model in a 7'3-7'4 MH. A MH rod in that length is honestly my favorite rod specs because I use them for everything 3/8-1/2 oz jigs, bladed jigs, texas rigs, keitechs, and a lot more.

In my quest to find a rod to replace a DX 744 I've really been stuck on the Orochi XX EMTF or the NRX 893. I've wanting to add a few Orochi XX rods to my line up to fill in some gaps and was thinking of starting with an EMTF but I held the 893 the other day and I really do like it. The 893 would be nice for texas rigs and jigs but I'm not sure how much I'd like it for bladed jigs and some other reaction baits in that nature. That is why I was leaning more on the EMTF for the extra versatility.

If anybody has an opinion on which route I should take I would greatly appreciate it.

[Fishin' Fool]

Your comparison is a $550 rod versus a $300. Let's be honest for the cost both rods are gonna be awesome. Is the NRX gonna be $250 better than the Orochi? Not likely. However, the NRX does offer peace of mind with their warranty. If money is no object I'd go with the NRX. I do own two NRX872S. I picked both up during sales. No way would I have paid full price, that's just me. They are sweet rods. I hear great things about Orochi rods too. I think you'd be happy with that too. 

[kickerfish1]

Jon, I have experience with some of the rods you are referencing. I have several Dobyns rods in various series and powers both currently and what I have sold. The 4 powered rod is vary versatile and has an action that lends it self to throwing a lot of bass baits like the MBR 844 Loomis. The Orochi XX EMTF is pretty much a longer version of MBR 844 by 5 inches. It is great for a lot of things but not perfect for any one bait. I have used mine for weightless plastics, smaller texas rigs, jigs up to a 1/2 oz plus trailer, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and small keel weighted paddle tail swimbaits like 3.8 and 4.8 inch Fat Impact on a 1/4 oz weighted hook. It has really good feel and the balance is quite good. The NRX 893 is pretty much a bottom contact or weightless plastics rod. I have a few friends that fish the 893 and don't care for it for anything else. The only NRX I have is 873 CRR which is strictly a bottom contact rod and simply too fast for anything else for my liking.

So to answer your question I would get the NRX 893 if feel and bottom contact apps is your primary technique and you wan a focus on superior sensitivity. If you want something closer to the 4 powered Dobyns or the MBR 844 Loomis the EMTF will be a better choice. Since you can't get a MB rod NEW for a discount while the 893 can be bought for Rep Sample prices at or around $400 the difference is $100 when buying from an authorized retailer. I have seen the EMTF go for around $200 used but rarely the 893 will go for under $350.

Could always buy both and maybe sell the one you don't like.

[Jon G]

14 minutes ago, kickerfish1 said:

Jon, I have experience with some of the rods you are referencing. I have several Dobyns rods in various series and powers both currently and what I have sold. The 4 powered rod is vary versatile and has an action that lends it self to throwing a lot of bass baits like the MBR 844 Loomis. The Orochi XX EMTF is pretty much a longer version of MBR 844 by 5 inches. It is great for a lot of things but not perfect for any one bait. I have used mine for weightless plastics, smaller texas rigs, jigs up to a 1/2 oz plus trailer, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and small keel weighted paddle tail swimbaits like 3.8 and 4.8 inch Fat Impact on a 1/4 oz weighted hook. It has really good feel and the balance is quite good. The NRX 893 is pretty much a bottom contact or weightless plastics rod. I have a few friends that fish the 893 and don't care for it for anything else. The only NRX I have is 873 CRR which is strictly a bottom contact rod and simply too fast for anything else for my liking.

So to answer your question I would get the NRX 893 if feel and bottom contact apps is your primary technique and you wan a focus on superior sensitivity. If you want something closer to the 4 powered Dobyns or the MBR 844 Loomis the EMTF will be a better choice. Since you can't get a MB rod NEW for a discount while the 893 can be bought for Rep Sample prices at or around $400 the difference is $100 when buying from an authorized retailer. I have seen the EMTF go for around $200 used but rarely the 893 will go for under $350.

Could always buy both and maybe sell the one you don't like.

Yeah I was actually considering getting both lol. But I "need" to get a metanium mgl very soon since the jdm prices are on the rise. 

As of right now I'm definitely more on the nrx side of the fence but the more and more I look into it the megabass becomes more appealing 

[kickerfish1]

I have the Met MGL as well - You need one, and knowing you go with the JDM version with the shallower spool. I would put it in the top 3 of the best reels I have ever used.

[Jon G]

10 minutes ago, kickerfish1 said:

I have the Met MGL as well - You need one, and knowing you go with the JDM version with the shallower spool. I would put it in the top 3 of the best reels I have ever used.

I'm trying to find an HG but no one has any stock it seems like. I think I'm about to get my first XG reel lol

[kickerfish1]

That is the exact model I have. It is the fastest reel I have but it is just a blast to use. All the new technology including x-ship just makes it incredible even under load.

[Jon G]

 

That is the exact model I have. It is the fastest reel I have but it is just a blast to use. All the new technology including x-ship just makes it incredible even under load.

well I just placed an order at digitaka lol. Now I really need to settle on which rod I want lol

[Goose52]

I can't help you with your rod decision as the only thing I use my 893 for is bottom contact so I can't speak to it's performance for other presentations/baits. BUT, I can say that the Met MGL XG works nicely on an 893...

[kickerfish1]

Goose - Any chance you would consider typing up one of your reviews of the new MGL? Perhaps a comparison of it against the 13 Met and Met DC? I am assuming it has received your highest approval rating (casts baits and reels in fish)? When you have the time and have enough experience with the reel I would like to know what you think of it especially compared to other Met variations.

Congrats on getting the MGL Jon. I am sure you will like it. I know I have been enjoying mine.

[Yudo1]

I was bank fishing at a local pond and I only had my 893/met mgl combo throwing senkos and jigs.  No luck so I tied on a chatter bait thinking it might be a bad idea with the extra fast tip, but it worked.  I started getting bit and didn't lose a single fish.  I usually use my klx crt  for blade baits, but was surprised that the 893'same tip was soft enough.  

[Goose52]

16 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

Goose - Any chance you would consider typing up one of your reviews of the new MGL? Perhaps a comparison of it against the 13 Met and Met DC? I am assuming it has received your highest approval rating (casts baits and reels in fish)? When you have the time and have enough experience with the reel I would like to know what you think of it especially compared to other Met variations.

Congrats on getting the MGL Jon. I am sure you will like it. I know I have been enjoying mine.

I only do those detail reviews in winter when fishing is poor ...   But, for a quick mini-review, I can offer the following:

The Met MGL has been getting slimed-up nearly daily for a couple weeks now - 6 bass on it this morning - so I have enough time on water with it now.

All the Mets feel the same to me on the retrieve so for me the differences are all in the casting and the braking systems, and on the JDM MGL the reduced line capacity.

I did the detailed review of the Met DC so I don't have much to add to that. Great reel for what I use it for.

My 13 Met was originally on the NRX 893. I moved it over to an 894 due to the deeper spool and run it with 18lb Sniper. When the MGL came in, I put it on the 893 and run 14 lb Sniper on it. I have no line capacity issues as a result of that switch. The shallow spool on the JDM MGL holds plenty of 14 lb line for my purposes.

The SVS systems are different between the 13 Met and the MGL (6 brake blocks vs 4 plus the different system designs).  I run two different brake block weights in the 13 Met (see photo) and have lots of options for setting braking inside the reel - then still have the external dial for fine tuning. The MGL only has the 4 blocks but my gut feeling is that the external dial has a wider range of adjustment as compared to the 13 Met so you don't have to open the reel as much to change internal brakes.

13 Met internal brake block configuration with two different weight blocks:

All three of my Mets (13, DC, MGL) are on different power/action rods so I can't directly compare them regarding casting distance. I can say that my perception is that the MGL might give a bit more distance than the 13 Met but that hasn't been measured. They cast the baits that I use far enough to catch fish so that's good enough for me.

So, the MGL for me is as good or better than the 13 Met. The reduced line capacity of the JDM MGL was dealt with by matching the reel with a rod where I'm using a smaller diameter line. The MGL braking system is somewhat simpler than the 13 Met and as I mentioned will not require opening the reel as often to adjust internal brakes (BUT, I use just about the same weight baits on each rod so once the reel is dialed in I don't open the reel much anyway and just use the external dial for wind adjustment). I'm getting great distance with the MGL on the 893 using it's usual baits - 10" worms or 4" Chigger Craws behind 1/4 oz bullet weights.

All of the Mets are great tools and reel in fish. Good enough for me...

 

[kickerfish1]

Thanks. That will suffice until winter sets in.