Shimano/G. Loomis Conquest review....

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

2 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

I am not sold on a Loomis 3 power rod, or atleast the MBR line, being powerful enough for a Fat Ika.  Or rather, I have never found a hook that will both fit the Ika and be made of thin enough wire that I could get good hooksets with a 3 power.  It's frustrating as they cast/pitch an Ika very well, but I was having real issues this past summer with hooksets that went away once I moved to a more powerful rod. This was with it rigged "backwards" using an 4/0 Beast and 5/0 Riggin as my main two hooks, but I did try a few standard wire EWGs and they we not much better and gave far far worse plastic life. 

 

I will freely admit it might just be me being bad at hooksets 

Owner hooks are the worst I have used with ikas miss way too many good bites, wont use them. Gamakutsu Deep Throat 4/0 is my go to hook.  Power wise I have used MLXF LTB with braid and no issues with hooksets. I mostly use M\F rods Okuma Quantum St Croix. I just dont want a too powerful rod that wont load well casting the ika.

[fishindad]

Two best hooks made for the Fat Ika for plastic 'life' and hooking fish, bar none. Loomis MBR 3 power (i.e. 843) is more than enough rod to drill those hooks. Unless you use 8 lb. mono and make 50 yard casts, lol. I'm almost always pitching the Ika to cover and use 12 lb. Sniper with a MH rod. No issues missing fish.

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Beast_Hook_w__Twistlock/descpage-OBWT.html

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Superline_Spring_Lock_Hook/descpage-GSSLH.html

[22RangerZ520R]

3 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

I will freely admit it might just be me being bad at hooksets 

I'm going to go with this......

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

On 12/25/2017 at 9:36 AM, fishindad said:

Two best hooks made for the Fat Ika for plastic 'life' and hooking fish, bar none. Loomis MBR 3 power (i.e. 843) is more than enough rod to drill those hooks. Unless you use 8 lb. mono and make 50 yard casts, lol. I'm almost always pitching the Ika to cover and use 12 lb. Sniper with a MH rod. No issues missing fish.

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Beast_Hook_w__Twistlock/descpage-OBWT.html

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Superline_Spring_Lock_Hook/descpage-GSSLH.html

Those style hooks interfere with the skirt flow/movement I've seen it in the clear waters I fish that alone bugs me. Even worse if using Hydras. Also that spring rips the skirt off and can leave a chunk of the body with it at times. That's just my assessment from trying them out.

[fishindad]

That's cool, we each have differing perspectives on rigging. I have never fished the Damiki Hydra and the OP didn't mention it so I responded based on Fat Ika use. I've used EWG hooks and the screw lock hooks and in my hands, I see no difference in bites and, the EWG hooks do not hold the Ika nearly as well as the screw lock hooks. I've tried pegging with mono ala Don Iovino, which does help a bit but I find I can fish an Ika until multiple fish tear up the bait and the screw lock still holds. The OP can try each and post again with results - hopefully one hook style will work better.

[fishwizzard]

2 hours ago, fishindad said:

I'm almost always pitching the Ika to cover and use 12 lb. Sniper with a MH rod. No issues missing fish.

 

That is the line I was using and how I would fish them, but once I stepped up to a 6 power MB and 15lb Sniper, I started making most all of my hooksets.  

 

2 hours ago, 18RangerZ520L said:

I'm going to go with this......

Maybe it's true!

[NorcalBassin]

On 12/10/2017 at 5:29 AM, 18RangerZ520L said:

Finally got out on the water with the Conquests this week.... I got 14 of them in the following models: 905C, 904C, 903C, 842C and 842S.

I'm strongly considering picking up one of the Conquests and leaning towards the 903. What are your thoughts on it vs the NRX 893 (versatility, best uses, etc)?

 

[22RangerZ520R]

9 hours ago, NorcalBassin said:

I'm strongly considering picking up one of the Conquests and leaning towards the 903. What are your thoughts on it vs the NRX 893 (versatility, best uses, etc)?

 

I had (4) NRX 893C's and that was the most versatile casting NRX I owned IMO.  The 903C Conquest is the same, it and the 904C Conquest I think are going to be my favorites.  When I fished the 903C I used the same exact baits I had previously used on the 893C NRX and the Conquest handled them perfectly.  I'd say once you get past the 5/8oz - 3/4oz bait range the 904C will be a better choice.  If you throw 5/8oz or less a majority of the time, I'd get the 903C and vise versa with the 904C.   

[freelancer27]

Had the chance to briefly test the 903 today and was able to compare to my Z-Bone 7'3 HXF and Orochi Spinnerbait Special.

In short: I am not impressed. Craftmanship on the rod is below the Orochi, which costs less than a third. Sensitivity was below Zbone AND Orochi. 

I am sure people will disagree. But I am kind of happy with this result. Means I save a lot of money!

Cheers!

[Rodney Smith]

I do disagree with the assessment above. I can’t comment on a Zbone, but I have had an Orochi Flat Side Special. It isn’t even in the same ballpark in terms of sensitivity. The Orochi’s are pretty good looking rods, but they are pretty heavy, lack a hook keeper, and only have a 3 year warranty. Maybe a Destroyer would be a fairer comparison. 

[freelancer27]

9 hours ago, Rodney Smith said:

I do disagree with the assessment above. I can’t comment on a Zbone, but I have had an Orochi Flat Side Special. It isn’t even in the same ballpark in terms of sensitivity. The Orochi’s are pretty good looking rods, but they are pretty heavy, lack a hook keeper, and only have a 3 year warranty. Maybe a Destroyer would be a fairer comparison. 

To be fair I did not have that much time with the rod. THough what I did was drag a 1/4 oz Jig on 14# Sunline over roughly the same stretch. 

To me the Conquest was not noticeably more sensitive than the Orochi. THe Zbone was more sensitive than the two. 

My Orochi Spinnerbait has a hook keeper, is not really heavy (4.7 oz and balances well with a Steez SV TWS) and did come with a rod sleeve. The Conquest does not come with one, which is a bit of a joke for a 675 USD rod. Also the craftmanship on the Orochi is above the Conquest in my opinion. The guide wrapping is more consistent and the cork looked better to me too. 

Again, I am happy for everybody that feels that their Conquest rod is the best there is. I am not an expert, but for me (in the isolated testing environment that I had access to) the rod performs more like a 300 USD rod. 

[Rodrgsv]

Which Conquest should I buy for Jig/plastics?

[Rodney Smith]

I would recommend the the 843c if you are fishing wishing baits primarily 3/8 or less. If you want to throw 1/2 and heavier, I would get the 844c. I have both and the 844c is my main jig and worm rod. You can throw a 1/4-5/8 jigs with trailers on it with no problem. Both rods are versatile. The 843c can throw a spinnerbait, top water, Red Eye Shad, etc. You can throw a hollow bodied frog on the 844c. 

[22RangerZ520R]

5 hours ago, Rodrgsv said:

Which Conquest should I buy for Jig/plastics?

Same as Rodney said above, but I prefer the longer 7'6" models, 903C/904C......

[Rodrgsv]

On 3/8/2018 at 4:58 AM, Rodney Smith said:

I would recommend the the 843c if you are fishing wishing baits primarily 3/8 or less. If you want to throw 1/2 and heavier, I would get the 844c. I have both and the 844c is my main jig and worm rod. You can throw a 1/4-5/8 jigs with trailers on it with no problem. Both rods are versatile. The 843c can throw a spinnerbait, top water, Red Eye Shad, etc. You can throw a hollow bodied frog on the 844c. 

what do you think would be better to pair with, Aldebaran 50HG or Metanium Mgl XG? for jigs, t rigs and f/p.

[Rodney Smith]

Metanium MGL XG.

[Riazuli]

I feel so much better about my winter spending now... Thank you. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Would the Conquest 6'6 M F make a fantastic 110jr rod, or similar smaller jerks and cranks?  

 

My store has a screaming deal on this rod, and I broke my Steez Jerkbait rod yesterday which I'm still puking over.       $450 for a Conquest is about the only way I could buy one, but if the Destroyer JDM 110 Stick is better for 110jrs, than I might as well just get it.

 

Anyone with experience on the Conquest 6'6 M F?

[Bandersnatch]

On 9/29/2023 at 12:50 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Would the Conquest 6'6 M F make a fantastic 110jr rod, or similar smaller jerks and cranks?  

 

My store has a screaming deal on this rod, and I broke my Steez Jerkbait rod yesterday which I'm still puking over.       $450 for a Conquest is about the only way I could buy one, but if the Destroyer JDM 110 Stick is better for 110jrs, than I might as well just get it.

 

Anyone with experience on the Conquest 6'6 M F?

Absolutely love my 783c. Great jerkbait rod. Goat skipping rod. Great for small cranks or whatever else you want to throw. Great for Texas rigs too 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

13 minutes ago, Bandersnatch said:

Absolutely love my 783c. Great jerkbait rod. Goat skipping rod. Great for small cranks or whatever else you want to throw. Great for Texas rigs too 

Even if I don't get it to replace my Jerkbait setup, I might still have to grab it....thing wow'd the heck out of me.    Felt like air in the hand.   The action was dynamite as well.   Just can't get any feedback on it besides yours.   Appreciate it!   

[Bandersnatch]

22 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Even if I don't get it to replace my Jerkbait setup, I might still have to grab it....thing wow'd the heck out of me.    Felt like air in the hand.   The action was dynamite as well.   Just can't get any feedback on it besides yours.   Appreciate it!   

I caught an 8 on a little Texas rig in florida on mine last year. The rod handled it perfectly. I have steez ct sv on mine paired with hi vis braid to 16-22lb leader. When jerkbait fishing I’ll go down to 10-12lb. It’s an amazing rod for doing whatever you’d like