NRX 853C or 854C JWR - Advice

[Falkus]

Am looking into this.

 

I already have the NRX 803C JWR which is set up for 1/8 to 3/8 craws which does the job perfectly.   

 

What would be a better rod for heavier weight between 3/8 to 1/2 for texas rig/jigs .

[MissouriMark]

I recently had the same decision to make between the NRX 853C or the 854C. I have had a GLX 783C for many years and it is my 1/4 -3/8 oz jig rod .I love this rod. I pitch and cast jigs about 75% of the time . I wanted an NRX for 3/8-1/2 oz jigs and had to decide between the 853 and 854 . The 853 being MH power has an extra fast action, the 854 is Heavy power with a fast action . My personal preference is a fast action as opposed to the extra fast, so I chose the 854 . Back in June I had a great day pitching jigs into brush piles along boat docks in 12 fow and the NRX was flawless and amazing . I think you would be real happy with the 854 for your jig duty, Burke !!!

[kickerfish1]

I would skip those rods and move right to the 873 CRR. It was the rod I bought when I was in your shoes looking to make the same decision. Don't let the 3 in the rod description fool you. The 853 and 854 as well as the 893 and 894 are in the Loomis BCR series or Bottom Contact Rod series. The CRR is what the label as a Carolina Rig Rod. It is much more than that though and actually fishes heavier and more powerfully than a typical Loomis 3 powered rod. I only use my 873 for jigs and Texas rigs. Usually a 1/4 oz tungsten weight and a plastic bait or a 3/8 or 1/2 oz jig plus a trailer. Never had an issue with the rod in terms of feel, power, or getting a good hook set.

 

Keep in mind also that there was a point in time where there was no 894 or 895 in the NRX series. These were added at a later date after the series was released. Outside of the 80* series and 85* series the only longer rod options were the 873 and 893. So one of the more popular choices for what you were wanting was the 873 as it is sort of a tweener rod. Now it seems like a lot of guys that have the $ will buy a 893 for weighless plastics and jigs up to 3/8 oz with trailer and a 894 for those bigger 1/2 and 3/4 oz jigs.

 

There are several rods that can obviously do what you want with but the question becomes length and of course the cover you fish. If you are fishing some pretty nasty stuff you may want to look at the 894 as it feels more powerful than the 854. The 873 will be more powerful than both the 893 and 803.

 

IMO I would look at the 894, 854 and 873 as rods that can do what you want to do.

[Yudo1]

Kickerfish summed it up perfectly.  I use a 873crr for those weights.

[clh121787]

Like yudo and kicker said the 873 is my go to t rig and jig rod. It's the only nrx I own. I have other 4 power Loomis rods. And to quote kicker don't let the 3 power fool you. It fishes more like a 4 power. Favorite rod I own. 

[LOZSteve]

Definitely not the 853 it's way too soft and you will not get good hooksets.  I agree with 873 for Texas rigged plastics like brush hogs, 10 inch worms, and 1/2 ounce jigs.  I also like the 893 for lighter plastics and 3/8 ounce jigs. The only advantage for the 854 that I like for 3/8 ounce jigs is skipping around docks because it has more flex in the tip of the rod, but I don't like it as much for Texas rigs. My favorite for these weights with plastic and jigs would be the 873. 

[WRB]

What line are you unable to get a hook set with using NRX853 JWR rod?

If the nominal jig weight is 1/4 oz (1/8-3/8 oz) why do you all feel  nominal jig weight of 7/16 oz (3/8-1/2oz) requires a power increase from 3 to 4? 

The jig weight differential of 3/16 oz makes little to no difference consideration actual jig weights very more than 1/8 oz and trailers can weigh anywhere from 1/16 oz to 3/8 oz.

What really affects jig hook sets is technique , hook wire dia/sharpness and line type/lb test.

Rod length 80, 85, 87 and 89 with Loomis =overall rod length in inches and longer the rod the longer the rod handle is.

Everyything considered NRX 854C JWR should work for your 1/4 to 3/4 oz jigs and worms.

Tom

[Falkus]

Thanks guys for your input on this, I never thought that the 873 CRR would be part of the discussion.

I will be doing some more researching on that and decide shortly when black friday comes or someone is having a huge NRX sale  

 

The main reason I want to stay in the 854C range due to the handle length (14 1/4). The 803C is perfect for me (Handle Length: 13 1/4). If I am being picky on this, I should go custom build