New Loomis GLX vs NRX for shakey head/drop shot

[David228]

I'm looking to buy one spinning rod and want the best. I use casting rods 95% of the time but have recently found myself with a spinning rod in my hands more than ever. I use a spinning set up for shakey heads and drop shots exclusively and feel that the most sensitive rod would benefit me most with these techniques.

My question is... Is there a NOTICEABLE difference in sensitivity when it comes to the highest end rods? Has anyone compared the Loomis GLX and NRX and is there a noticeable difference? I realize there is a new GLX that recently came out and it claims to be 20% lighter than the GLX that it replaced. I am leaning towards the new GLX as I feel as if its lighter than the NRX. 

Either way i am thinking about picking the 7ft medium jig and worm rod. Would this be a good rod for both shakey head and drop shots? What benefit would the technique specific "shakey head" rod have over the standard jig and worm rod? 

P.S. I have never owned a Loomis rod, if there is another option that is more sensitive I am open to suggestions.

 

[Molay1292]

If you want to use it for both techniques many recommend the NRX 842S SJR, nice rod, my fishing partner uses it.   I use the NRX 822S SYR and it does the job for me.   Before you purchase an NRX I would definitely take a look at the new St.Croix Elites.   I have the ES610MLXF and it is super nice, a little less money and it performs very very well.  The St. Croix  gives up just a touch of sensitivity in my hands to the NRX but certainly nothing that would cause you to miss fish.

[PatrickKnight]

In my hand the K2 blank from Phenix is slightly more sensitive than either of the offerings from Loomis. However my only experience with the Phenix was on a custom build so that might vary from the over the counter K2. For that much money though I would seriously consider getting with Mike at DVT and have a custom build done. With a custom you can have the taper, power, and length all custom done to exactly how you want it.

[David228]

I am going to try to get my hands on one of the St. Croix rods and compare that to the others. I'm not against a custom rod that's for sure, I wouldn't really know what to expect or ask for in a custom as I don't know the best taper/action for both shakey head and drop shot.

[bigfruits]

The NRX 852s is the best spinning rod I have used. Super sensitive - more than anything else I have tried including 5 other NRX rods and over a dozen GLXs (not the new ones).

 

[Fishin' Fool]

You have the Black Friday sales coming up that would knock the price of the NRX down to around the GLX price. I bought 2 NRX'S this year both 872s and use it for many applications including drop shot.

[jonnyblazex]

I use the nrx 822 syr for my shaky/ drop shot and it performs flawlessly.  The jig worm rod will have a stiffer tip, possibly a little stiff for drop shot when you want the rod to load up.  The 822 dsr has a nice soft tip that loads up really easy on a surging fish going under the boat, but lacks the tip to slam the hook home on shaky head, unless maybe you use braid.

[iabass8]

Get the nrx 852 and dont think twice about it.

[j bab]

Sound like no one on these forums has actually tried out the new GLX, so your question wasn't really answered. I made a similar thread awhile back but until people get the new GLX and really use it we won't know.

To attempt to answer your question, I don't think you'll regret buying either one, so what it comes down to is this: can you save up and be able to afford the NRX? Wait and get that one. If it makes more sense to you to buy the GLX price-wise, and you held it in your hand and liked it, then get that one.

[WRB]

19 hours ago, David228 said:

I'm looking to buy one spinning rod and want the best. I use casting rods 95% of the time but have recently found myself with a spinning rod in my hands more than ever. I use a spinning set up for shakey heads and drop shots exclusively and feel that the most sensitive rod would benefit me most with these techniques.

My question is... Is there a NOTICEABLE difference in sensitivity when it comes to the highest end rods? Has anyone compared the Loomis GLX and NRX and is there a noticeable difference? I realize there is a new GLX that recently came out and it claims to be 20% lighter than the GLX that it replaced. I am leaning towards the new GLX as I feel as if its lighter than the NRX. 

Either way i am thinking about picking the 7ft medium jig and worm rod. Would this be a good rod for both shakey head and drop shots? What benefit would the technique specific "shakey head" rod have over the standard jig and worm rod? 

P.S. I have never owned a Loomis rod, if there is another option that is more sensitive I am open to suggestions.

 

Maybe some who owns the two rods will list the actual rod weights to evaluate! Rod length and power both affect weight. Let's set 3.5 oz as very light weight for 7' MH or 2 power spinning rod. Your reel with line should weigh somewhere around 7 oz for good balance.

Rods aren't sensitive, no brain or nerve endings, your fingers that holds the rod are sensitive to line vibrations and everyone is different.

I will not pay Loomis prices for a rod a good custom rod builder can make using equal or superior components exactly how I want it for less money and life time warranty. Give DVT site sponsor a call,  or ALX.

Tom

[bigfruits]

19 hours ago, David228 said:

Has anyone compared the Loomis GLX and NRX and is there a noticeable difference?

 

the difference between the old BSR GLX 852s and NRX 852s is huge. the 852s was my first NRX and what i thought would be my last. i couldnt believe what i was feeling on the river bottom. 8lb sniper FC. ill throw a spool of braid on it soon.

The NRX 852s will not be as good at light drop shot as the 822 DSR but is better at shaky. I have not used the 822 but have read up quite a bit and i dont think the 852s is ideal for light dropshot but not bad at all.

852s is expensive, not a good value at all, but i could never see myself sell it. 

[Fishin' Fool]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Maybe some who owns the two rods will list the actual rod weights to evaluate! Rod length and power both affect weight. Let's set 3.5 oz as very light weight for 7' MH or 2 power spinning rod. Your reel with line should weigh somewhere around 7 oz for good balance.

Rods aren't sensitive, no brain or nerve endings, your fingers that holds the rod are sensitive to line vibrations and everyone is different.

I will not pay Loomis prices for a rod a good custom rod builder can make using equal or superior components exactly how I want it for less money and life time warranty. Give DVT site sponsor a call,  or ALX.

Tom

I wouldn't pay full price either but if you're a savvy shopper deals can be found. I picked up my first during the Bass Master Classic weekend this year. TW had them on sale for 40% off. I picked up one more during the year from Monster Fishing Tackle. I paid $699 total for 2 brand new NRX rods. With the peace of mind you get with the warranty I would go that route all day every day. It seems like custom rods don't have much of a resale market. 

[WRB]

1 minute ago, Fishin' Fool said:

I wouldn't pay full price either but if you're a savvy shopper deals can be found. I picked up my first during the Bass Master Classic weekend this year. TW had them on sale for 40% off. I picked up one more during the year from Monster Fishing Tackle. I paid $699 total for 2 brand new NRX rods. With the peace of mind you get with the warranty I would go that route all day every day. It seems like custom rods don't have much of a resale market. 

Did you get the $100 warranty certificate with $350 price? 

If you are buying to resale than a name brand will have more value. My NRX equal custom rods were $260 each for 3 rods about 5 years ago.

Tom

 

[Fishin' Fool]

9 minutes ago, WRB said:

Did you get the $100 warranty certificate with $350 price? 

If you are buying to resale than a name brand will have more value. My NRX equal custom rods were $260 each for 3 rods about 5 years ago.

Tom

 

If you're referring to the Wild Card thing it sounds like they don't do that anymore since Shimano bought Loomis. From what they said you get one free replacement. Who knows that will probably change by the time I need it. I didn't really buy with the intention to resell but in a way it was peace of mind if I didn't like the rods I could unload for what I paid or better. Now that I used them for a season they will not be going anywhere

[Hulkster]

I believe the wild card thing is still in use? Shimano has owned Loomis since 1997. the Wild card thing is fairly new if im not mistaken.

[Airman4754]

I've never fished a GLX for those techniques, but I have fished an NRX. Personally I'm not a fan of the NRX blank, even though I still use one for jigs. 

I really like the Toray 40-Ton blank for drop/shaky fishing. That I know of the Phenix MBX line and then 13 Black line use those. The K2 is the Toray 46-Ton blank. 

You will find A LOT of support for the NRX for the simple fact that the owners paid so much to get them. 

[WRB]

When I was looking at the NRX rods 5 years ago the rod replacement certificate cost $100, prior to Shimano buying G. Loomis there wasn't any cost to replace a rod broken due to manufacturing flaws. You cut the rod in half and sent it to Loomis for replacement or took the rod to a dealer for replacement, it was simple.

My spinning rods are 20 year old original Phenix 6'6" split shot rods and still work good, should replace them because they get more use today. I usually out fish my partners who both use a mix of St Croix, Dobyns and NRX rods, good rods, but not going to make you a better bass angler.

Off the shelf I would go with Don Iovino's Major Craft spinning rods.

Tom

 

[Fishin' Fool]

12 minutes ago, Mosster47 said:

I've never fished a GLX for those techniques, but I have fished an NRX. Personally I'm not a fan of the NRX blank, even though I still use one for jigs. 

I really like the Toray 40-Ton blank for drop/shaky fishing. That I know of the Phenix MBX line and then 13 Black line use those. The K2 is the Toray 46-Ton blank. 

You will find A LOT of support for the NRX for the simple fact that the owners paid so much to get them. 

I disagree with your comment. If I pay $550 for a rod that's crap. Either 1) It's immediately being returned or 2) I'm voicing my opinion that this rod sucks on whatever fishing forum. 

[bigfruits]

my crap turned into 5 of them. 

diminishing returns but OP asked for the best.

[bigfruits]

the St. Croix LE 6'9" MLXF is another choice I can recommend if you want to go a little lighter. A nicer build than the NRX. I think you can buy the blank unlike Loomis'. i think there are many blanks that can compete with this one if you decide to go custom.

 I might be tempted to try the 822DSR if i were you but i am afraid its not good for much else other than dropshot. hopefully i am wrong.

in my hands, the sensitivity varies from rod to rod even of the same type. the BCR803 GLX is a standout in the old GLXs. the NRX 803s, in my hands, not so much. i havent heard many good things about the NRX 822SYR but no experience there.

[David228]

Thanks for all of the information. I'm going to try to find a NRX 852 to demo and go from there. Provided I have no experience with the best blanks available, I can't imagine how I would ever pick one to start the custom process. 

[Hulkster]

Quote

When I was looking at the NRX rods 5 years ago the rod replacement certificate cost $100, prior to Shimano buying G. Loomis there wasn't any cost to replace a rod broken due to manufacturing flaws. You cut the rod in half and sent it to Loomis for replacement or took the rod to a dealer for replacement, it was simple.

This is all still in effect as far as I know. if a rod is found to be broken via a manufacturing defect, it is covered by the rods lifetime warranty which all loomis rods have.

if you have an accident and break a rod (eg car door) you can use the one time wild card replacement certificate.

but these are two different things. nothing has changed as far as I know. (lots of discussion on all this stuff a while ago on tackletour's shimano support forum where the shimano rep explained it like this if I recall).

either way, Loomis rods still have the best warranty/broken rod coverage in the business, now that st. Croix has reduced their coverage from lifetime to a number of years on the avid and up lines.

[WRB]

2 hours ago, David228 said:

Thanks for all of the information. I'm going to try to find a NRX 852 to demo and go from there. Provided I have no experience with the best blanks available, I can't imagine how I would ever pick one to start the custom process. 

Contact DVT and simply ask what he recommends.

What spinning reel do you plan to go with the $525 NRX spinning rod?

Tom

[fishindad]

David,

I'm chiming in late here but you've already received lots of good advice. I see that you're in AL and prefer to fish for largemouth in rivers - I dropshot in the clear lakes of Michigan for smallies so take that for what it is.

Best and most sensitive is subjective. I've fished for almost 50 years and have found that it's impossible to find the "ultimate" rod (or reel) for fishing since there is always new and better tackle every year. I have custom rods, GLX, Legend Extreme, Phenix, Shimano, Falcon, etc and they all fish and feel different. 

IMO, since it sounds like you are a newbie to dropshot and shaky head fishing, at least with a spinning rod, you should stick with the rod brand that you're presently using for your casting sticks. Instead focus on the various nuances of the techniques - line combinations and sizes, weights, various shaky head designs, dropshot hooks, how various plastics behave, using the techniques in current, etc, etc. Forget about what rod you're using because using "the best" doesn't mean you're automatically going to cheat the learning curve or somehow become an expert at either technique.

Don't get me wrong, I love trying out new gear and searching for "the one". If you have the disposable income I say go for it. But there's a lot of choices other than NRX. Steez AGS, Phenix K2, Kistler ZBone, Legend Elite with Torzites, Megabass, Archangel. I don't think many folks have fished all of these rods and if they have, I'll bet that each one of these sticks feels and behaves noticeably different. 

If you're going to give both shakyhead fishing and dropshot fishing a real honest effort then I say get one rod for each technique because IMO, the rod action (and power) needed for each is different - and it sounds like you're not wanting to compromise on cost so do it right the first time and get a rod for shakyheads and a rod for dropshotting.

Good luck and tight lines.

 

[David228]

8 hours ago, WRB said:

Contact DVT and simply ask what he recommends.

What spinning reel do you plan to go with the $525 NRX spinning rod?

Tom

I plan on using a Stradic Ci4+.. The newest model 2500