TNReb Posted February 6, 2019 Posted February 6, 2019 I am looking for a new spinning rod. It will be used for smallmouth, in finesse type situations. I'm currently using an NRX 852s. I like the rod, zero complaints. I am just looking for an extra rod. I want one at least 7', and in a medium-light or medium. I'll be throwing 10lb braid, with a 6 lb fluoro leader. Spy baits, ned rigs, those sorts of things - finesse fishing in clear water. I bought a Fenwick HMG 7'6 ML, and didn't care for it. It did not cast well. The line just didn't get through the guides easily. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm thinking about a custom rod. Are there any trusted custom rod builders around here? Quote
punch Posted February 6, 2019 Posted February 6, 2019 Umm get another NRX 852S? Absolutely one of the best 7' medium spinning rods on the planet. I had one for a while and it's about the best you can get for finesse fishing those baits you listed. If you want to get away from Loomis (why would you) and you got a healthy budget, then id suggest looking at a St Croix Legend Tournament or Legend X/Elite spinning rods. Also the Shimano Expride spinning rods are supposed to be fantastic (I've not used one personally). Also on the list would be the classic Dobyns 703 (or 733) in any of their trims. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 6, 2019 Super User Posted February 6, 2019 I have a custom rod built by Mike at DVT...http://www.delawarevalleytackle.com/ However, my main rod is a G.Loomis GLX PR844S/ Stella 2500/ #6 Tatsu. Quote
Brad Reid Posted February 6, 2019 Posted February 6, 2019 A couple come to mind. One would be a Shimano Zodias 7'3" in Medium Light. These rods have that unusual cross wrapping and worth reading about it as you do your research. The feel of the hand grip area on these rods, holding the rod that is, is the best ever. Another to look into would be the G-Rod International graphene rods. I have one of the trout rods and it feels like nothing else in my collection of various rods. Graphene is the one atom width carbon fiber material with the huge strength to weigh ratio. Worth a look. Brad Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted February 7, 2019 Posted February 7, 2019 I fished alot of smallies on St Clair. I have a NRX 872s and a GLX 892s. Both are awesome rods. But for the difference in price I really liked the GLX. Quote
Matt_3479 Posted February 7, 2019 Posted February 7, 2019 I am not speaking from experience on the water but I was just out shopping for a new spinning set up yesterday and I’m looking for 1 maybe 2. Looking for something Versatile, and the two I went in for was the 852s and 872s. The extra length on the 872 makes it feel like it would be a killer rod for more open water smallies. The 852 balance and feel is perfect in my opinion. If you are interested in trying something new other then a second 852, then another rod there that felt unbelievable for Ned’s and similar techinques was a 7’ expride A light. What a beautifully balanced, light weight, excellent feeling rod! I’d definately consider getting your hands on one to feel for yourself. For a few hundred less it feels d**n near on par with my new glx’s! I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting the nrx 852 or 872, but trying to find a reason to get the expride 7’ medium or light as well Quote
TBAG Posted February 7, 2019 Posted February 7, 2019 If you already own one NRX I'd think anything else might be subpar? No? If you can swing it I'd get another NRX. Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 7, 2019 Super User Posted February 7, 2019 On February 6, 2019 at 6:02 AM, TNReb said: I am looking for a new spinning rod. It will be used for smallmouth, in finesse type situations. I'm currently using an NRX 852s. I like the rod, zero complaints. I am just looking for an extra rod. I want one at least 7', and in a medium-light or medium. I'll be throwing 10lb braid, with a 6 lb fluoro leader. Spy baits, ned rigs, those sorts of things - finesse fishing in clear water. I bought a Fenwick HMG 7'6 ML, and didn't care for it. It did not cast well. The line just didn't get through the guides easily. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm thinking about a custom rod. Are there any trusted custom rod builders around here? Alex at ALX offers lifetime garantee and uses rods blanks and guide trains to meet your specific requirements. Not sure what DVT is doing at this time regarding rod builds? Tom Quote
Super User FishTank Posted February 7, 2019 Super User Posted February 7, 2019 For smallmouth my favorite rod is a Fenwick 7'6 ML Elite Tech Walleye. It is no where near as sensitive as the NRX you have but it is long, easy to pitch light weight baits, and hook sets are surprisingly easy with this rod because of the fast tip. I went through a 6 different rods (St. Croix, G. Loomis, Shimano, and Daiwa) until I found this rod just for smallmouth even though it is for walleye. Quote
GeekOutdoors Posted February 8, 2019 Posted February 8, 2019 My go to are two Fenwick Aetos 7', one m/f the other is mh/f. Both are light and sensitive. Quote
waymont Posted February 8, 2019 Posted February 8, 2019 The St Croix Legend Tournament Walleye 7' ML would be perfect for you. I have the 6'6" model, and I use it exactly for what you described and it's great. Super comfortable rod. Quote
Allen Der Posted February 9, 2019 Posted February 9, 2019 On 2/8/2019 at 1:18 AM, waymont said: The St Croix Legend Tournament Walleye 7' ML would be perfect for you. I have the 6'6" model, and I use it exactly for what you described and it's great. Super comfortable rod. or the St Croix Eyecon 7' ML if you dont want to spend that much. I have two! Quote
fishincarolina Posted February 12, 2019 Posted February 12, 2019 I would take a serious look at the Expride Quote
Hulkster Posted February 12, 2019 Posted February 12, 2019 this weekend at my local fishing show im going to be picking up the Loomis E6X JWR 892S. its supposed to be an amazing smallmouth rod, there are youtube videos talking about how it was designed with the smallies in mind. I love the extra long Loomis rods and this rod being 7'5 will fit in nicely in my collection. just wish I could afford the IMX Pro version, but up here in Canada it goes for $430-ish dollars! Almost double what the E6X version costs Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted February 12, 2019 Posted February 12, 2019 12 minutes ago, Hulkster said: this weekend at my local fishing show im going to be picking up the Loomis E6X JWR 892S. its supposed to be an amazing smallmouth rod, there are youtube videos talking about how it was designed with the smallies in mind. I love the extra long Loomis rods and this rod being 7'5 will fit in nicely in my collection. just wish I could afford the IMX Pro version, but up here in Canada it goes for $430-ish dollars! Almost double what the E6X version costs I think you could do better than a E6x. Can't you find a better deal on a new rod on Ebay? If you like a 7'5" I'd highly suggest the GLX 892s. It's up there with my NRX. 2 Quote
Hulkster Posted February 12, 2019 Posted February 12, 2019 8 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said: I think you could do better than a E6x. Can't you find a better deal on a new rod on Ebay? If you like a 7'5" I'd highly suggest the GLX 892s. It's up there with my NRX. Thanks! I know the IMX Pro and GLX are worlds above the E6X, but with the Canadian dollar being what it is, they cost a fortune up here, even on ebay Canada. A quick search just showed GLX's at $598 and IMX's at $445. Cost prohibitive for me. I can manage the E6Xs though lol Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted February 12, 2019 Posted February 12, 2019 5 minutes ago, Hulkster said: Thanks! I know the IMX Pro and GLX are worlds above the E6X, but with the Canadian dollar being what it is, they cost a fortune up here, even on ebay Canada. A quick search just showed GLX's at $598 and IMX's at $445. Cost prohibitive for me. I can manage the E6Xs though lol That's crazy man. I don't blame you. I think I bought my GLX for around $300. Quote
GeekOutdoors Posted February 13, 2019 Posted February 13, 2019 45 minutes ago, Hulkster said: Thanks! I know the IMX Pro and GLX are worlds above the E6X, but with the Canadian dollar being what it is, they cost a fortune up here, even on ebay Canada. A quick search just showed GLX's at $598 and IMX's at $445. Cost prohibitive for me. I can manage the E6Xs though lol No luck for canadian customers lately... Dont know where you are located but here if its not in a B&M store, almost no luck. Shipping is prohibitive if even available Quote
Matt_3479 Posted February 13, 2019 Posted February 13, 2019 11 hours ago, Hulkster said: Thanks! I know the IMX Pro and GLX are worlds above the E6X, but with the Canadian dollar being what it is, they cost a fortune up here, even on ebay Canada. A quick search just showed GLX's at $598 and IMX's at $445. Cost prohibitive for me. I can manage the E6Xs though lol I know everyone had there own budgets and you know what you can afford but I’m also in Canada and started with the e6x. Got mine on sale at a wicked price and I still today love that rod. 6’6” walleye rod. But I also saved and got 2 different imx pro’s and then save and got 3 glx’s (not at the same time or anything) but I feel it’s defiantly worth saving that extra week or two and holding off for the imx pro. At 240-280 for the e6x for 150 ish more I think it’s worth the step above the e6x. Just a thought. The other thing is to keep an eye out for a used loomis come across facebook marketplace or kijiji. Picked up some nice rods used st great prices. Waiting for an nrx to show and I’ll be all over that Quote
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