Best value high end rods for pitching jigs?

[mheichelbech]

What is the best value in the high end rods line up?  For example is a Loomis NRX really $200-$300 better than an IMX Pro?  Or is a St. Croix Legend the best value or what else out there is dollar/dollar great value?  Basically I’m thinking lightness of the overall rod, sensitivity, durability as the main measures...

one interesting thing I have noticed is that I see IMX Pros used in the low $200 range but seldom see a GLX or NRX discounted a lot in the used market.

[Michigander]

Haven't fished those, but I've been using this $200 TFO Tactical Elite 7'5" H (TLE FS 756-1) for pitching jigs this year and I'm incredibly happy with the sensitivity. 

[Nelson Delaney]

Tre NRX is the most sensitive rod that I have fished.  Is it the best value?   Probably not. Is it 2-$300 Better than imx...yes.  
 

Keep in mind Covid shut down Loomis  production for months.  This drove up the prices & demand of used rods. 
 

 

[Teal]

I'm do not own the rod, but I hear on a consistant basis that the shimano expired is one of the best values as far higher end rods.  I've heard it on here and well as multiple youtubers like tactical bashing.  Those guys actually include that rod in their high end review along side the high end Loomis and megabass rods.  I think they run 279.00. 

[Teal]

I also would include the Dobyns xtreme rods to your value list.  I own a 744 specifically for pitching jigs. It's a good rod.  I think they run 350 but can found for 320 or so.  MEGABASS Orochi, is about 300 as well... how they measure up to NRX, probably not in the area of sensitivity, but another solid line up of rods in terms of what you get versus what you pay or would pay for a flagship rod like, conquest, nrx, steez, ecstasy.  And they have a STRONG following. But in terms of VALUE, not just high end value, you cant.go wrong with the daiwa tatula rods, dobyns champion, or the expride 

 

I could be very wrong, but once you get to that.300 to 400 mark, I think alot of it is splitting hairs. 

[NOC 1]

10 hours ago, Michigander said:

Haven't fished those, but I've been using this $200 TFO Tactical Elite 7'5" H (TLE FS 756-1) for pitching jigs this year and I'm incredibly happy with the sensitivity. 

I don't have one of those rods, but one of my sons does. he uses it for launching Big Carolina rigs with big 10-12" worms into the deep water looking for big summertime bass in Texas. He says the same thing. He says it is surprisingly sensitive considering the price and the power of that rod.

[mheichelbech]

2 hours ago, Teal said:

I also would include the Dobyns xtreme rods to your value list.  I own a 744 specifically for pitching jigs. It's a good rod.  I think they run 350 but can found for 320 or so.  MEGABASS Orochi, is about 300 as well... how they measure up to NRX, probably not in the area of sensitivity, but another solid line up of rods in terms of what you get versus what you pay or would pay for a flagship rod like, conquest, nrx, steez, ecstasy.  And they have a STRONG following. But in terms of VALUE, not just high end value, you cant.go wrong with the daiwa tatula rods, dobyns champion, or the expride 

 

I could be very wrong, but once you get to that.300 to 400 mark, I think alot of it is splitting hairs. 

I agree about the splitting hairs.  I mainly mentioned the brands I did because they are the ones I know.
Another thing  I am curious about is could you get a better setup including lightness and sensitivity with a custom rod by using a less expensive blank but better guides.

[Teal]

2 hours ago, mheichelbech said:

I agree about the splitting hairs.  I mainly mentioned the brands I did because they are the ones I know.
Another thing  I am curious about is could you get a better setup including lightness and sensitivity with a custom rod by using a less expensive blank but better guides.

I am getting my first custom rod made now. Still going back and forth with Mike making sure we get the concept exactly the way I want andnthenbest for the rod....so my experience with customs is near zero.  But I do know that there are some AMAZING rod blanks out there some cost more than others.. I'm not sure about reaching a NRX level sensitivity with one... but I'm positive  you can have one made that is sensitive with solid level components and to the length of your choice and from a good variety of blank materials.  

 

That's a good question for @Delaware Valley Tackle or @.ghoti.

[Dumbbassanglr]

I have exprides but to me the best VALUE in fishing rods is the zodias. They lighter and more sensitive than most rods twice the price. 

[Dens228]

I can tell you that my St Croix AvidX was better than my St. Croix Mojo Bass.  
I can also tell  you that my MegaBass Orochi XX Braillist was better than my AvidX.  So yes as I spent more the rod was better.  I couldn't tell you if that continues as you go even higher.....

[Tywithay]

ZBone is the best value, in my opinion. The XRay blanks are the real deal and on par with the NRX. They go on sale often and you can even get them 25% off at the moment with a code. For $415, there's nothing else close, except the Edge Silver Widows, but they can be difficult to source because the company has garbage service.

[Chris Carey]

I’ll add the poison adrena to the list. I have the 7’3” heavy I throw jigs on and it’s fantastic. Ultra sensitive, extremely light weight. It’s a great rod and at $349 it’s certainly not cheap but still punches above it’s weight. 

[mheichelbech]

So the different rods everyone has mentioned, anyone have an idea how they would compare to a 20 year old G Loomis IMX MBR model?  For lightness and sensitivity?  

[waymont]

7 minutes ago, mheichelbech said:

So the different rods everyone has mentioned, anyone have an idea how they would compare to a 20 year old G Loomis IMX MBR model?  For lightness and sensitivity?  

I'm an older IMX fan,  The MBR rods in particular. I have JWR IMX-Pro rods (three, no MBR), and 4 older IMX MBR rods, and two older GLX MBR rods to compare. The JWR IMX-Pro rods are very sensitive for bottom contact fishing, maybe a little more than the IMX. I love them all, and I don't think you would suffer at all, getting any of them. For me, I find the magic in IMX older and new, so that's where I stay. I am so used to them, I feel really connected to them.

 

From what I see the IMX-Pro rods usually sell for $240-$250, the GLX go for around $350 used, and NRX go for $380-$425 plus shipping. Personally I don't see the benefit of getting the above the $300 mark, but I know lots of people do. For me, I'm staying in the IMX-Pro range.

[mheichelbech]

2 hours ago, waymont said:

I'm an older IMX fan,  The MBR rods in particular. I have JWR IMX-Pro rods (three, no MBR), and 4 older IMX MBR rods, and two older GLX MBR rods to compare. The JWR IMX-Pro rods are very sensitive for bottom contact fishing, maybe a little more than the IMX. I love them all, and I don't think you would suffer at all, getting any of them. For me, I find the magic in IMX older and new, so that's where I stay. I am so used to them, I feel really connected to them.

 

From what I see the IMX-Pro rods usually sell for $240-$250, the GLX go for around $350 used, and NRX go for $380-$425 plus shipping. Personally I don't see the benefit of getting the above the $300 mark, but I know lots of people do. For me, I'm staying in the IMX-Pro range.

Are the newer ones lighter?  I think as much as anything that’s what I’d be looking to change for is if they are materially lighter.  As you noted, I am well dialed in with my old IMX.

[NHBull]

Before all this crap happened you could get an NRX for 400 with some shopping and a conquest for 425 and at those price point they are fantastic.  Best is a relative word

[waymont]

5 minutes ago, mheichelbech said:

Are the newer ones lighter?  I think as much as anything that’s what I’d be looking to change for is if they are materially lighter.  As you noted, I am well dialed in with my old IMX.

I'm not sure I can accurately say since I have different rods between the rod lines. I have all 6'6" and 7' 3 power MBR in my IMX/GLX rods, and 7'2" 3 power and 7'1" 2 power JWR rods. Balance is great with all of them.

[NathanDLTH]

I owned a GLX 893, it was insanely light and sensitive for the price, but that’s where my love stops. The reel seat was not that comfortable and the blank is too stiff for my liking. I’ve fished an NRX next to my Xtasy and they were comparable, but I would give it to the NRX still, Loomis knows how to build a rod. The other rods I’d check out would be the Destroyer USA line from Megabass and the new P5 Destroyer line, both have good bottom contact rod and are well made. 

[mheichelbech]

On 8/15/2020 at 9:43 AM, NathanDLTH said:

I owned a GLX 893, it was insanely light and sensitive for the price, but that’s where my love stops. The reel seat was not that comfortable and the blank is too stiff for my liking. I’ve fished an NRX next to my Xtasy and they were comparable, but I would give it to the NRX still, Loomis knows how to build a rod. The other rods I’d check out would be the Destroyer USA line from Megabass and the new P5 Destroyer line, both have good bottom contact rod and are well made. 

The hard part is there just aren’t any shops around here that carry much for premium rods.  Even Bass Pro doesn’t have any GLX or NRX rods and no Megabass or Dobyns rods that I know of.  It’s pretty much buy and hope.

[Teal]

1 hour ago, mheichelbech said:

The hard part is there just aren’t any shops around here that carry much for premium rods.  Even Bass Pro doesn’t have any GLX or NRX rods and no Megabass or Dobyns rods that I know of.  It’s pretty much buy and hope.

Man if that's the case, you can always go tackle warehouse.  I think they will let you try the product first.... I'm not sure how it works but I think @A-Jay does.  Pm him...I'm positive he used their trial program before.  

[A-Jay]

26 minutes ago, Teal said:

Man if that's the case, you can always go tackle warehouse.  I think they will let you try the product first.... I'm not sure how it works but I think @A-Jay does.  Pm him...I'm positive he used their trial program before.  

TW has cancelled their reel demo program in light of the pandemic. 

A-Jay