G. Loomis questions

[Fastbee]

Thinking about purchasing a G. Loomis rod in the near future, mainly since I've never owned one.  If I'm going to drop that much coin, I'd like something I could use for jigs since that's my primary bait of choice.  I've saw several threads on here and other sites reference the GLX 844MBR as kind of a universal jig rod mainly due to the MRB taper.  I'd also consider NRX as well as maybe the Conquest but I know almost nothing about anything Loomis...never even fished with one.  I mainly use 1/2 oz. jigs (sometimes 3/8 but rarely less than that) in less than 15' FOW but as several of my threads on here indicate I present them in a variety of ways (casting, skipping, pitching).  I'd like a single rod to handle that.  I've got a rod I really like for heavy cover and deep dragging so this rod wouldn't necessarily have to do those things. From a little looking around, it seems the JWR taper is more like an extra fast where as the MBR is fast.  I need the tip for skipping, so keep that in mind.  Not sure what direction I'll go, might just keep whipping around my OG Tatulas but I've started to get interested in Loomis for some reason...

[Jig Man]

I have 844 c and 843 c rods.. I use the 844s for 1/2 and up, the 843s for lighter jigs.

[TigerBassAU]

854jwr. It is also a fast action but tip is not as soft as 844mbr. IMO makes a better skipping rod but either would work. 844 is the better all purpose rod. 854 for 3/8 - 1/2 jig and big worm rod for me.  

[NHBull]

GLOOMIS account for most of my quiver and the conquest is all that and a bag of chips.  Technically not as fast a tip as the NRX, but I get more fish in the boat.

I am a huge fan of the MBR'S 

[FishTank]

I have the 844C GLX, 783C GLX, 803C GLX and the 853C NRX.  Out of all of these, the 844C is the most versatile and also cast better than the NRX.  All of them will handle a 1/2oz jig but 853C NRX is the most sensitive.  

 

I think if you are strictly going with a 1/2oz jig rod then the next step up from what I have, the 854C NRX, would be great.  If you are wanting a rod that is good at just about anything, then the 844C GLX is the best choice. 

[Fastbee]

I spoke to the local Shimano/Loomis dealer. He's got a couple of demos he thought would work:  NRX 854JWR ($435) and a Conquest 844MBR ($520).  He also has a new GLX 844MBR for $475.  As a bonus, he mentioned an Expride 7'2 MH for $230.  I hadn't really given much thought to the Expride until he mentioned it.  All would have full warranty. I'm sure the Conquest is awesome, but is it that much better?  And, are the Loomis rods that much better than the Expride?

[Boomstick]

31 minutes ago, Fastbee said:

I'm sure the Conquest is awesome, but is it that much better?  And, are the Loomis rods that much better than the Expride?

How much better is subjective, but the Expride is undoubtedly a better value and a $230 Expride is a steal. One thing to consider is the GLoomis MBRs do make very good jig rods.

[ifish4bass]

An NRX 853c is a great jig rod 3/8-1/2oz. The sensitivity is top of the line but the price tag is also. Don’t count out Dobyns Extreme HP, the DX743c is a great rod for jigs also. I have both and tend to use the 853c more.  
Now for the best value IMO is an Expride! Light and sensitive and price point is great for the rod you get. Not as many choice in power/action, but the 7-2 or 7-6MH would work great also. 

[Ogandrews]

I use an imx pro 894 fpr for stouter wire 3/8-1/2 jigs, 7’5” heavy fast. I own MBR’s and JWR’s and the FPR is slower than the jwr and faster than the mbr, great rod for when you want some more power but don’t want the extra fast tip you get with a jwr. Doubles as a great Texas rig rod as well. I don’t like throwing jigs on anything under 7’5” but if you like shorter rods than the MBR’s are solid, just remember even a 4 power MBR is not a super powerful rod so don’t expect to be using it around really heavy cover.

[Fastbee]

Great info, thanks!  Like I said I don't know much about Loomis at all...that gives me something to think about. 

 

I'm not going to rule out the Expride just yet.  I don't own any Shimano/Loomis rods so I thought my next purchase might be something from them since I really like the 3 reels I have.  My Tatula rods have been great for several years but I think I'm going to try some new stuff this year.

[Fastbee]

On 1/26/2021 at 11:57 PM, Ogandrews said:

I use an imx pro 894 fpr for stouter wire 3/8-1/2 jigs, 7’5” heavy fast. I own MBR’s and JWR’s and the FPR is slower than the jwr and faster than the mbr, great rod for when you want some more power but don’t want the extra fast tip you get with a jwr. Doubles as a great Texas rig rod as well. I don’t like throwing jigs on anything under 7’5” but if you like shorter rods than the MBR’s are solid, just remember even a 4 power MBR is not a super powerful rod so don’t expect to be using it around really heavy cover.

That GLX 894 FPR looks perfect on paper and your description of the taper might be the ticket. I'm going tomorrow to see what all I can get my hands on.  The demo rods are gone, so I'll either have to buy new or look around for used. 

[newapti5]

I have a GLX MBR 843c for 3/8 jigs. I didn't get the NRX or GLX JWR because I would rather sacrifice a little sensitivity for the right taper, that flexible MBR action. The only thing I don't like about GLX MBR is the ACS-style reel seat. It's really uncomfortable with most Daiwa reels (except the new Shimano-style Alphas SV TW), but OK with Shimano reels. 

[Fastbee]

10 hours ago, newapti5 said:

I have a GLX MBR 843c for 3/8 jigs. I didn't get the NRX or GLX JWR because I would rather sacrifice a little sensitivity for the right taper, that flexible MBR action. The only thing I don't like about GLX MBR is the ACS-style reel seat. It's really uncomfortable with most Daiwa reels (except the new Shimano-style Alphas SV TW), but OK with Shimano reels. 

I don't really mind the ACS reel seat, but I feel you on having the right taper!  We all have different ways of doing things, and so far I've preferred that more moderate taper.  I made a similar post on another forum and someone commented about the benefits of a faster taper to allow better feel.  I agree with that, but to me x-fast rods are harder to cast so it's a trade off on most anything I suppose.  In that same thread Shimano Poison Adrenas came up...anyone have any first hand experience with them throwing 1/2-5/8 oz. jigs?

[Fastbee]

I've found several used rods that are of interest.  Having never owned anything Loomis, how do they handle the warranty if I were to need it?  One of the rods is supposedly a couple of weeks old and hasn't been registered online yet.  Others are a little older.  I've read the stuff for the Xpeditor program, but it appears the rod would still have to have been registered for them to even do that.  I think the Xpeditor program is pretty good if I could use it.  It says "no questions asked" but also leads you to believe they actually ask some questions...

[Dumbbassanglr]

First things first. You should be able to get all those rods for slightly less than the prices you were quoted. Don’t be afraid to make offers. Number 2, for the money expride is the best value however you do get a good warranty with loomis. I have a few exprides and a few loomis including a conquest 844 mbr which to me is the be all end all if I could only have one rod for the rest of my life. That being said you do have to get used to the slower action. It is slower than 90% of the fast action rods on the market today but it has enough backbone that once you get used to it you will love it.

[Deephaven]

If I was limited to one rod for all things bass and baitcaster the 844 would be on that list.  For what you want to use it for...is pretty much what I use mine for.  There are definitely plenty of other choices in that domain, but it is a great stick.

[roadwarrior]

10 hours ago, Deephaven said:

If I was limited to one rod for all things bass and baitcaster the 844 would be on that list.  

Dedicated jig and weighted soft plastics for me, but a GREAT all-around rod, too!

 

[5by3]

I just bought a few exprides last fall. Only have limited time with them, but was very impressed to see it holds its own against more expensive rods like the glx. Great value for its price tag.
 

If you go with the GLX, make sure you hold one in the store before you buy. The reel seat on the GLX feels different than the nrx or conquest. Some like it and some don’t. 

[rangerjockey]

I've been fishing the MBR's for 20 years or so. I have a 844 in the newer GLX as well as the older models. If I were looking for a all purpose rod the 844 is perfect. For strictly a jig rod I like the JWR's better. They get into the power faster and don't feel as mushy dragging something. 

 The NRX 893 is pretty much my favorite.

[Deephaven]

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

Dedicated jig and weighted soft plastics for me, but a GREAT all-around rod, too!

 

Mine is dedicated for exactly the same, but it deals with other presentations real well considering.

[Fastbee]

All the rods in stock at my two local shops are not things I'm looking for but I've been able to handle rods from the GLX, NRX and Conquest lines (the 844MBR I mentioned earlier was gone before I got there).  I like them all in the store and don't anticipate any problems with any of them that I'd purchase.  Both shops say more stock is coming but they aren't sure when.  The Tackle Trap is the only place I'd order from online and they are out of all G.Loomis.  I just really believe in supporting my local shops even if they are a few dollars higher.  I had thought about buying used but can't seem to get clear direction on warranty coverage should I need it on a used rod.  The more I read, the more I lean toward the GLX 844MBR.  I was able to handle a GLX 854JWR and liked it.  I'd really like to see how the GLX 894JWR feels as well.  I kind of bought into the longer rod philosophy a while back but am not sure I see much benefit on most tactics...7' was my max rod length for years and it worked just fine. 

[TigerBassAU]

894 is a great 1/2 - 3/4 jig rid for dragging, pitching, and heavy cover but you said you already had a rod for that and it is not what I would want for skipping.

 

If you want the loomis 1/2 jig skipping rod get the 854. If you want a multipurpose rod get the 844. If you can handle longer rods for skipping try the NRX 873 as a compromise between the 854 and 894. 

 

I find the stiffer tipped jwr are much more accurate than the mbr when casting with the correct weight for the rod. Casting accuracy is key for me when skipping a jig! 

[evo2s197]

Just get the Conquest  844c MBR it's gonna be the best overall jig rod in the Gloomis/Shimano lineup.

 

Bypass the Expride, GLX AND NRX rods.

[RDB]

You said you have a rod you like for heavier cover and deep dragging.  I think my decision would be based on the specs of that rod.  However, based on what you have shared, I would go with the Conquest 843 MBR or the NRX 873.  The 873 is 3” longer but I have no issues skipping, it’s super sensitive, and both should cover everything below what your heavy application rod covers.  I personally don’t think the Conquest gives me anything more than the NRX for bottom contact applications.  If you expand beyond that, the Conquest is certainly more versatile.

 

The GLX rods are great as well so it depends on what you want to spend.  My philosophy is that for bottom contact, I want the best, most sensitive rod I can afford.  For everything else, it’s not that important.

[Eddie101]

I’m torn between NRX+ 853JWR/NRX+853MBR/Conquest 853MBR

 

If you were me, what would you pick? I’m looking for a rod that can do plastic baits as well as jigs(1/4 to 1/2) Also, what’s so special about Conquest line anyway? It’s at least $100 more than aforementioned rods that are pretty pricey themselves. Is it worth the $$ or just a marketing gimmick?