Looking for high end rod recommendations

[Fishin' Fool]

I once owned a G Loomis NRX872s and then made the mistake of selling it. What if anything is comparable to that rod. I'm looking at the rod as a big water tube, ned and even drop shot rod. I felt the 872s excelled in all of those. I prefer 7'2" to 7'4" rods. I don't prefer 7' or especially anything smaller. Thanks.

[looking45]

Why don't you just buy another Gloomis, instead of searching for something comparable

[Fishin' Fool]

1 minute ago, looking45 said:

Why don't you just buy another Gloomis, instead of searching for something comparable

I was hoping not to pay over $600 with tax. They are hard to find used.

[NOC 1]

1 hour ago, Fishin' Fool said:

I was hoping not to pay over $600 with tax. They are hard to find used.

Anything comparable is probably going to be somewhat comparable in price as well I think.

[Randy Price]

Did you look at any of the St. Croix high end line (Legend Elite, Legend X)?  They can be purchased for the low to mid $ 400.00

[NOC 1]

4 minutes ago, Randy Price said:

Did you look at any of the St. Croix high end line (Legend Elite, Legend X)?  They can be purchased for the low to mid $ 400.00

Those seem like nice rods for sure, but are they really comparable to the NRX? I've never felt a St.Croix rod that felt anything at all like a Loomis.

[roadwarrior]

There might be a better alternative at a lower price.  Have a custom built using 

a Rainshadow Eternity blank, Alps/ Toray reel seat and Fuji guides. I have a couple

that I am very happy with.

 

[Fishin' Fool]

Anyone have experience with the Megabass Brigand?

[looking45]

2 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

I was hoping not to pay over $600 with tax. They are hard to find used.

Take a look at the Gloomis E6 rods. You might be able to find something there.

[roadwarrior]

7 minutes ago, looking45 said:

Take a look at the Gloomis E6 rods. You might be able to find something there.

That series is not an upgrade.

[looking45]

3 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

That series is not an upgrade.

OP didn't say he wanted to upgrade. Just a suggestion. Thanks for your input

[roadwarrior]

"I once owned a G Loomis NRX872s and then made the mistake of selling it.

What if anything is comparable to that rod."

 

The E6X Series is not comparable to NRX.

[Randy Price]

53 minutes ago, NOC 1 said:

Those seem like nice rods for sure, but are they really comparable to the NRX? I've never felt a St.Croix rod that felt anything at all like a Loomis.

@NOC 1, I have never had a NRX but one of my fishing buddies thought the LE series of rods from SC was very close (he has several NRX's) and even a better deal for the $$.  I do know once you get to a certain price point the ROI gets VERY slim.  However it sounds like you're really only wanting another NRX.  Better save some coin and get what you want instead of settling for something else only to be let down.

[NOC 1]

1 minute ago, Randy Price said:

@NOC 1, I have never had a NRX but one of my fishing buddies thought the LE series of rods from SC was very close and even a better deal for the $$.  I do know once you get to a certain price point the ROI gets VERY slim.

You are right about that ROI. But for some of us it matters less than it does for others I think. I have never fished either rod. And though you can't always tell about a rod in the shop, I have handled both series of rods and didn't equate the two at all.

 

I have some SC LTB rods that I am OK with so it's not like I'm knocking the St. Croix rods. IME they make quality well built rods. It just seems to me that that both Loomis and SC have a unique style and feel to them and I have never handled any SC that felt like a Loomis...in any series.

 

That said, they guy who fished both might have a better idea...or we might be judging on different attributes I guess.

 

Not that the SC is inferior to the Loomis, just a different take on rod building.

[Randy Price]

@NOC 1, I have several SC Legend Elite's, Legend X's and Legend Xtreme's in spinning rods.  I would probably buy one if I could ever see one.  I live in N. IL and primarily fish in WI where SC is king.  Our local Cabela's only sell the E6X and the employees always say buy the Avid as it's better.

[NOC 1]

6 minutes ago, Randy Price said:

@NOC 1, I have several SC Legend Elite's, Legend X's and Legend Xtreme's in spinning rods.  I would probably buy one if I could ever see one.  I live in N. IL and primarily fish in WI where SC is king.  Our local Cabela's only sell the E6X and the employees always say buy the Avid as it's better.

actually, the Legend Elite is a rod I have been thinking about trying for a while now..I just haven't yet found the proper excuse. Most of my rod buying has been Megabass or Daiwa for the last few years..

 

As for the E6X...They miss the mark completely in my opinion. They don't feel like a Loomis to me. It wouldn't be too bad of a rod at $100 but even then I'd rather have a Falcon, Major Craft or many others. I'm not too keen on the IMX series either. For the price I can get better much cheaper. The real Loomis rods start at the GLX series I think.

[CFDoc]

3 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

I once owned a G Loomis NRX872s and then made the mistake of selling it. What if anything is comparable to that rod. I'm looking at the rod as a big water tube, ned and even drop shot rod. I felt the 872s excelled in all of those. I prefer 7'2" to 7'4" rods. I don't prefer 7' or especially anything smaller. Thanks.

Megabass destroyer P5 for $475 or a Poison Adrena for $375 would be my choices.

 

Although I'm not a fan of NRX's, or really any Loomis offering, for that matter.

[Fishin' Fool]

Thanks everyone I will research your suggestions. My biggest drawback with St. Croix is they never offered the oddball sizes like 7'2" or 7'4". I also had a GLX892s and really liked that too

[new2BC4bass]

You are talking rods way out of my budget.  No store around here to handle them either.  Some TW reviewers that say they have owned, or do own, NRX rods claim the Poison Adrena is as sensitive.  Definitely a lot cheaper.  And if you don't like it, you could sell it to me at a 40% discount. 

[WRB]

G. Loomis NRX series rods are now a decade old technology. Time tends to develope technology and this is true in fishing rods. Light weight with flexible high modulus rods are now common. You can get NRX performance for $400 today. Take a look at Shimano new rods.

Tom

[RoLo]

 

You might look at the Kistler Helium 7'3" (~$350)
Though I've owned Kistlers, I don't own this one, and can't speak from experience

 

Roger

[shimanoangler]

18 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Anyone have experience with the Megabass Brigand?

The Brigand is a GREAT stick.  It has plenty of feel for tube fishing and enough backbone to set the hook on long casts is deep water.  However, I think it may be a tad too heavy/stiff (if you can have such a thing with a spinning rod) to cover the other lighter techniques you are looking to cover.  That said, it is a GREAT looking stick that fishes really well for tubes, paddle tail swimbaits and lighter jigs.  I have had a few of these rods, but I sold them as I am a pretty loyal Dobyns fan, and I already had a Dobyns Champion Extreme HP 743, so I had an overlap in technique specific rods, and I sold the Brigand.  Truth be told, I think it is a better, more sensitive, rod than my 743.

 

I am on the same pursuit you are on, and right now, what I am trying out are several Daiwa rods.  I have a Daiwa Cronos 7'6" MML with a stinger tip and a Daiwa Tatula Elite with AGS guides in the 7'6" ML.   Both rated up to 1/2 oz, but down to 1/8 and 3/32 of an oz, so I believe they are light enough to tackle the NED, Drop Shot and Hair Jig applications and maybe even heavy enough to step up to fishing NEKO and other Wacky right worms.  I am headed out for the long weekend to put these new rods to the test and I will report back on my findings.

 

I should mention that I also have the Dobyns Xtasy 752 and 753.  Just picked up the 753, so I haven't thrown it yet.  The 752 I have fished some (light paddle tails), and I have found the rod somewhat "stiff" for a ML.  So much so that it is really hard to "launch" those lighter baits (throws tubes a mile).  That is the one thing about the Xtasy line, which is they are really "stout" rods, and give you a really solid feeling fighting bigger fish (where I find some of the other finesse rods, Loomis included just too whippy/flimsy).   So this is great in the 753 and 723 models, but not exactly what I am looking for in the 752 and 722 models (sold my 722 for that very reason).      

 

If these don't meet the test, I have my eye on the Daiwa Steez 7'6" MML, but like you, I HATE the thought of dropping $450 or more to pick up a used one.....  

 

More to come after this weekend.  

[TBAG]

18 hours ago, looking45 said:

Take a look at the Gloomis E6 rods. You might be able to find something there.

 

Not even close to an NRX.

[thunderblack]

My thoughts for the top 6 suggestions

 in this order.

• NRX 872S / Steez AGS ML/M 7'-6"
• GLX - enjoy mine over destroyer
• Megabass Destroyer brigand or new P5 (have not fished P5)
• Poison Adrena  - not nrx sensitive but nice rod - too short for your liking at 6'-11"
• St. Croix Legend elite 
• Kistler Zbone is nice too if you don't care about warranty
• not knocking Dobyns but wasn't impressed with a couple mid level rods I have handled but another good option for longer spinners if you like full cork

 

[Johnpenguin]

On 8/31/2020 at 3:46 PM, CFDoc said:

Megabass destroyer P5 for $475 or a Poison Adrena for $375 would be my choices.

 

Although I'm not a fan of NRX's, or really any Loomis offering, for that matter.

^