How would you rank these higher end rods?

[dam0007]

IMO the Xtasys hold their own against all the rods mentioned in this thread. Personally the few NRXs I’ve fondled were ridiculously tip heavy and poorly balanced especially for a rod at that price range. I have one buddy who swears by the Steez rods and another who swears by the Exprides and Conquests. I haven’t tried a Steez rod in a long long time, Daiwa has always impressed me tho. 
 

might find it beneficial to get a custom built. There’s a lot of good blanks available. And a big thing for me is reel seats. You can get what you find most comfortable without being stuck with what a manufacturer is slapping on given rod. Hit up @Delaware Valley Tackle And pick his brain. He knows his stuff. 

[CrankFate]

10 hours ago, BaitFinesse said:

Personal preference.  My preference would be for the Megabass one.  The other ones look like budget sticks in comparison.  I'm not paying over $300 for rod that looks like a sub $100 stick no matter how good it fishes.  At this pricepoint you're paying for aesthetics among other things.  If it docent look the part then it just looks half baked.     

I will. Every time. How it fishes is the most important part. 
 

For that reason and the need for it to be under 4oz and good all around, I’d put Kistler back on the list. Just do not get anything with Kegan guides.

[Gazz]

22 hours ago, Hulkster said:

I would give my left nut for an IMX Pro MBR 903c

I'm pretty sure G.Loomis takes cash...

[crypt]

On 5/11/2020 at 1:36 AM, WRB said:

I would contact the site sponsor DVT or Alex at ALX and discuse what you are looking for within your budget ( basically unlimited ) and let them use their skilled expertise to offer you a custom built rod. The more detailed you can define your needs will helps good rod builder to meet them.  

A custom rod builder can find the exact rod blank needed, your needs helps to make selection on rod seat, handle material, guide set and location, reel locking ring design and over balance with your reel and rod weight desired.

Warranty and satisfaction should be lifetime with a trail period.

In addition pick up the phone and discus your concerns with Gary Dobyns, he knows all these rods and will give you his honest opinion.

No rod can do everything perfectly.

Tom

this is what I would do................

[KP Duty]

On 5/10/2020 at 8:58 PM, evo2s197 said:

I'm not sure I would rank Dobyns as high end especially the Xtasy series, high end in their line up, but not even close in the plethora of rods available.

 

High end OFF THE SHELF would be in no particular order.

 

St. Croix Legend Xtreme AGS 

 

LOOMIS NRX

 

SHIMANO CONQUEST 

 

MEGABASS ARMS

 

Daiwa STEEZ AGS ( Specifically the Bottom Contact)

 

Phenix K2 Torzite.

 

It all comes down to preference with the above rods I mentioned, the Shimano poison rods are nice upper mid level rods the Expride are a good value for a lower mid range.

 

Light doesn't necessarily mean the best, a lot of rods are "light" and feel dead or are just plain out junk and that's why you see them with a 40+% discount. It's all about feel, balance and that "IT" factor, most rods do not possess any of those traits but the rods I Listed do, some others can chime in, I'm giving advice on the rods I have fished or own not just regurgitating what I hear or read from others.

 

You could also go with a custom built rod with a K2, legend, or a stripped down NRX blank and have it built to your specs.

I'm not the first to say this, but the Poison glorious and conquest rods almost certainly use the same blank, and are priced similarly at Tackle Haven,.  Shimano's flagship rod is the poison ultima...particularly the '20 triangle grip 172H.  

[Hulkster]

Quote

If we're donating testicles, aim high. Go for a GLX at least.

ahhh but the GLX is not offered in a 7'6 MBR

 

the conquest is however..

[Yumeya]

Out of what you have listed I would go with-

 

NRX

Conquest

Black Widow-although I have heard awesome things about these rods I have never tried one.

Destroyer=adrena

Expride