842C NRX, Thoughts?

[TxHawgs]

Just picked one of these up for $367. Guess it's an MBR rod, I've never owned one of these models. Anyone have one? Hope I don't regret it, wanted a 852C but they were gone and this was the last 842C. Wanted a 894C also and wondering if I should of got that instead.

[Goose52]

I don't have the NRX MBR 842C, but I do have the NRX MBR 843C as well as a (2 generations ago) GLX MBR 842C. The thing about the MBRs is the tip and taper. The Mag Bass blank has a fairly soft tip, but a lot of power lower in the blank. These characteristics make the rods VERY versatile in that they can be used for bottom contact, top water, and most presentations in-between - only limited by their power rating.

For a long time, my GLX MBR 842C was ALWAYS in the boat - usually rigged for lighter t-rigs, but ready to take on lighter spinnerbaits, weightless or weighted flukes, topwater, occasional cranking, etc. When the NRX MBRs came out, I got the 843C to up the game one power-level and then THAT rod was ALWAYS in the boat. (And now, a Gary Loomis/Edge MBR 705-1 has that role.)

So, you have a very versatile rod in the MBR 842C in that it can be very good at a number of presentations and has the sensitivity for bottom contact as well. Are there "technique-optimized" NRXs that could do any ONE of those presentations better? Sure. BUT, then you have a lot of rods in the boat or carrying along the bank. 

NOW, I also have the NRX JWR 852C which I use exclusively for light t-rigs. Would I pick the JWR 852C for that SINGLE application over the MBR 842C? Sure, but then I wouldn't have the versatility of the MBR rod.

OTOH, if you have a lot of technique-specific rods, and the room for them in the boat, then perhaps you don't NEED the versatility of the MBR series and might not end up using it as much...

THEN, regarding the JWR 894C - if you fish jigs, you MUST have the 894 so keep looking for/saving for one of those !!

You pays your money and you takes your choice.... 

[Yudo1]

What do you plan on using it for?  The 842 taper makes it a more versatile rod than the 852.  Both rods have different strengths.  The 842 is great for reaction baits and treble hooks, but also handles bottom contact techniques well.  The 852 is great for bottom contact, but also handles reaction baits well.  Both rods have soft tips and surprisingly powerful backbones.  The 852's tip gets to the backbone quicker with it's extra fast action.  For me, there's always a bit of doubt and buyer's remorse that comes along with a big ticket item.  You got a great deal though and I think you're going to love the rod once you use it.  On the flip side, if you don't think it's what you're looking for then you could always sell it pretty quickly for about what you paid minus pp fees and shipping. 

[TxHawgs]

Wow I'm so grateful that you two left your opinions in regards to the 842C. And by comparing them to other models I own really helped decide what to do. @Goose52 thanks so much for such a detailed and in depth discription of the 842C. I have 13 NRX'S and after reading your response I contacted the retailer and paid the $33 dollars to get the 894C. Thanks again guys!

[Goose52]

3 hours ago, TxHawgs said:

Wow I'm so grateful that you two left your opinions in regards to the 842C. And by comparing them to other models I own really helped decide what to do. @Goose52 thanks so much for such a detailed and in depth discription of the 842C. I have 13 NRX'S and after reading your response I contacted the retailer and paid the $33 dollars to get the 894C. Thanks again guys!

Yeah - I remember when you were buying all the green NRXs left on the planet...so I put in that bit about perhaps you don't need the versatility of the MBR series since you are reasonably well-equipped with technique-specific rods...