Want to buy one super high end rod - which one should it be?

[freelancer27]

Hi all,

I got a little raise at work and decided to buy one high end rod that should be kind of my all around rod with a heavy emphasis on jigz (up to 1oz) and paddle tail swimbaits.

I would pair it with either (SV103 XS, Metanium MGL, Antares DC).

Here are some options that I am thinking of:

* Shimano GL Conquest Cast Rod 7' Heavy 844C MBR
* G. Loomis NRX Casting Rod Blue 7'5" Heavy 894C JWR
* Daiwa Steez Compile-X Cast 7'1" Hvy
* Daiwa Steez SVF AGS Casting Rod 7'1" Heavy

Since i am bankfisherman for the most part, the rod should be as robust as a high end rod can be

Thanks for your thoughts!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Dwight Hottle]

The conquest 844C MBR is a very versatile blank. Match it up with either the Met mgl or Ant dc. It will probably balance better with the Ant dc. 

[burrows]

Buy the most expensive most expensive is always better

[roadwarrior]

The G.Loomis GLX MBR844C might be just what you are looking for.

 

http://www.gloomis.com/content/g-loomis/us/en/home/conventional/rods1/bass/classic-bass/CLASSIC_MAG_BASS.html

[freelancer27]

What I forgot to mention:

I also have a damaged St. Avid X. that I could upgrade to a St. Croix Legend X Series Casting Rod 7'1" Med Hvy

[Turkey sandwich]

I have a St. Croix Legend Elite jig rod, and so far I'm very, very happy with it.  I picked it up at a massive discount exchanging a broken Rage series.  The best I can tell, the only big difference between the Elite and Extremes are the grips.  If you like the full cork handle (I do for a lot of presentations), the Legend Elite is a great $380-$450 rod.  

 

However...

if you're fishing mostly from the bank, I'd suggest putting some of the money towards a kayak or Jon boat if possible.  A high end rod will, in most cases, serve you well wherever you're fishing, but a big part of the appeal comes in sensitivity in deep water/current/feeling changes in bottom composition, and to me, the money would be better spent getting off the shore and onto the water.  I'd consider exchanging the Avid X and through the warranty getting an Elite/Extreme/Tournament and putting the rest toward a used kayak.  

[bigfruits]

MB FMJ

[bigturtle]

Megabass Destroyer X7 F5.1/2-70X7 Diablo Fastmove. 3/8-1.5oz H/MF

[rippin-lips]

The Megabass X7 extreme mission would be a good choice. The problem is finding one. Nrx rods have been known to not balance all that great. I’ve also heard about build quality not being the best. Just look into the exact rod a bit. The new glx rods are very close to the nrx.  The new conquest hasn’t been out long enough to have many reviews. Why not a custom built exactly how you want it?

 

[Yudo1]

Of those choices, I'd go with the nrx 894, but I'd also look into the kistler z bone 5 power.

[Angry John]

1 hour ago, Turkey sandwich said:

I have a St. Croix Legend Elite jig rod, and so far I'm very, very happy with it.  I picked it up at a massive discount exchanging a broken Rage series.  The best I can tell, the only big difference between the Elite and Extremes are the grips.  If you like the full cork handle (I do for a lot of presentations), the Legend Elite is a great $380-$450 rod.  

 

However...

if you're fishing mostly from the bank, I'd suggest putting some of the money towards a kayak or Jon boat if possible.  A high end rod will, in most cases, serve you well wherever you're fishing, but a big part of the appeal comes in sensitivity in deep water/current/feeling changes in bottom composition, and to me, the money would be better spent getting off the shore and onto the water.  I'd consider exchanging the Avid X and through the warranty getting an Elite/Extreme/Tournament and putting the rest toward a used kayak.  

I would grab the legend c74hf.  This rod has monster power and fishes heavy jis and swaiver 168's great.  The 76mhf is a rod I would like to try out if you need a longer stick.

[Jason Penn]

Congrats on the raise!!!

 

Of your choices, I've only owned the comp-x. Lots of folks seem to think they're not really that sensitive, but I never had a problem. It's been a few years since I've had it, and I believe cheaper rods have improved a lot. I'm not sure I would make the call for the steez rods nowadays.

 

i would probably go with the Megabass Destroyer if I was looking at a high end rod now. I've read a lot of positive reviews on them, and they are cheaper than the Daiwa.

 

Loomis, I haven't used in 10-15 years, so nothing current do I know about, but it's still Loomis.

 

[Drunkentigerrr]

Conquest

[freelancer27]

I have the 2017 Helium 3 Heavy 7' 0" X-Fast Fishing Rod on order. ( I am going to do Kayak Fishing next year, hence a shorter rod). My first Kistler. With the 30% off it is just too good of a deal to pass on. I think I will use the rod and see how I feel about it. If I still crave for more, I will buy a high end rod then.

Thanks all for your comments. Again, learned something!

[DaveT63]

I would wait until Cyber Monday starts at St Croix.  They sent out an email hinting that the previous generation Legend Elites would be on sale.  They usually sell them for between 70 and 50 percent off.  I would put them in the same league as a Loomis GLX, but cheaper given the sale.

[Yudo1]

8 hours ago, freelancer27 said:

I have the 2017 Helium 3 Heavy 7' 0" X-Fast Fishing Rod on order. ( I am going to do Kayak Fishing next year, hence a shorter rod). My first Kistler. With the 30% off it is just too good of a deal to pass on. I think I will use the rod and see how I feel about it. If I still crave for more, I will buy a high end rod then.

Thanks all for your comments. Again, learned something!

You're going to love that rod.

[Sam]

G. Loomis or Steetz.

 

Price them out and decide which ones you like the best.

[kickerfish1]

The Helium 3s are very nice rods especially on sale. IMO hard to beat for the money.

 

The terms high end and Helium 3 are likely not going to mix well. Meaning a Zbone would be Kistler's high end rod if that is the brand you are most interested in.

 

High end rods for me would be GLX, NRX, Megabass Destroyer and above, customs built on high end blanks, Phoenix K2s, high end Croixs (I would never own one though), and other JDM rods like Evergreen or Gancraft.

 

I would not even consider a Conquest rod as I just don't see them being worth the money nor can you seem to find any consistent feedback that clearly indicates the rod is above the NRX line.

 

Just under the high end rods there are lots of options like the Dobyns Champion Extremes, MB Orochi XX, Kistler H3, various Croix rods, Phenix Ultra MBX, Loomis IMX, some custom builds, and some JDM rods like Majorcraft.

 

I can see the performance difference between the two tiers in most cases. The key is that NO one needs the top tier to be successful or to catch fish. Plenty can be caught in that $250 - $350 tier and have all the performance and attributes a person could ever want out of a rod. Climb down into the $150 - $250 range and still plenty of great rods and choices. A step further down into the budget rods around $100 or so and you will find plenty of fishable options too.

 

There is not any one best rod, brand, price point or blank out there. Pick the rod manufacturer, blank, rod line, rod model, etc... that best fits your personal preferences and fish it!

[Raul]

For ages I wanted a Megabass F5-66X Bearing Down but I was never able to get one, nowadays I don’t give a rat’s rear end.

[fishindad]

Spend the money to upgrade to the Legend Extreme (or Elite) MHF. I spent much of my youth fishing from shore and can tell you that transporting and fishing a one-piece rod that's over 7 foot is asking for trouble. Unless it's an Ugly Stik. No way I'd be taking an NRX 7'5" rod in and out of the vehicle and hiking through the brush.

 

Would also agree with TS, save money towards getting off the shore, whether kayak, float tube, jon boat, etc.

[freelancer27]

Yep, thanks again guys. 

Hobie purchase is planned for early 2018. Hence the reason to get the 7 foot rod rather than the 7'3. 

As it has been said before, super sensitive rods shine when fishing deeper water, which is not always possible from the shore. So, I will revaluate next year to see if I have to upgrade my choice. 

Thanks again!

[iabass8]

Go custom

[kschultz76]

Helium 3 at the current sale prices is a lot of rod for a great price. You won’t find it lacking for sensitivity or other performance factors. That’s a better investment then buying some of the enthusiast higher end rods until you dial in what’s you really want in a rod. Investing in the kayak will do a lot more to open up your fish catching potential then a more expensive rod will. 

 

I have ave some nice high end rods, they’re beautiful. Some of them I love and will get a lot of use out of. Others I occasionally regret because they just won’t get used enough and I should have learned more about the rod and my needs before diving in. 

 

Enjoy the new outfit!

[freelancer27]

3 minutes ago, kschultz76 said:

Helium 3 at the current sale prices is a lot of rod for a great price. You won’t find it lacking for sensitivity or other performance factors. That’s a better investment then buying some of the enthusiast higher end rods until you dial in what’s you really want in a rod. Investing in the kayak will do a lot more to open up your fish catching potential then a more expensive rod will. 

 

I have ave some nice high end rods, they’re beautiful. Some of them I love and will get a lot of use out of. Others I occasionally regret because they just won’t get used enough and I should have learned more about the rod and my needs before diving in. 

 

Enjoy the new outfit!

So, which ones you love and why?

 

[LOZSteve]

When you step up in price range there are many great options.  It really depends on what you are looking for general purpose or technique specific. If you are set for your emphasis on heavier jigs and paddle tails then the 894c NRX is going to be hard to beat. Several great options with MB Orochi rods or higher lines from them.  Tactical basin just did a high end guide on utube with some good suggestions on it.  I would just make sure you know what you are looking for in the rod (general purpose vs. technique specific) and research your buying options.  At these price points you should never pay full price.