Need Help Deciding On A High End Heavy Jig Rod

[FishTank]

So I am looking for a heavy jig rod that I can also use for paddle tail swimbaits (ie,Keitechs with a jig head) and I am trying to decide between the following rods....

 

G. Loomis NRX 854

St. Croix Legend Elite 7'4'' Heavy Fast 

Megabass Destroyer P5 Super Destroyer

G. Loomis NRX 873C Carolina Rig > Read this is a good rod for bigger jigs

 

I was able to find these sort of local and have also found an OK deal on each.  I just need help figuring out which one.  I also considered the Conquest 844C and the Steez AGS Heavy but both are backordered and the deal I have is for in stock only rods.   I also not sure which reel but that's for a different time > probably a round reel though....

 

[roadwarrior]

The Conquest 844 is highly recommended, but the closest thing I have is the 

GLX MBR 844C. This is a GREAT rod. Match it up with a Conquest 100 and you

will be in heaven!. Mine is spooled with Tatsu #15.

 

[NHBull]

^^^^ hold out for the conquest.  I love mine and you will look for other applications for it......and paired with the conquest 100 =heavinly 

[FishTank]

12 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

The Conquest 844 is highly recommended, but the closest thing I have is the 

GLX MBR 844C. This is a GREAT rod. Match it up with a Conquest 100 and you

will be in heaven!. Mine is spooled with Tatsu #15.

 

 

Well I solved the reel... I found what looks to be a new in the box, but used, Shimano Calcutta TE 101GT (so pretty much the Conquest).  It bought it for $150.   I couldn't pass it up.  I will post some pics on Monday.

 

I would like to get the Conquest 844C but at full price, $700, it's a stretch.  I should I have bit the bullet last year when we had the Boat, Sport and Travel Show and I found it for around $500.   It wasn't a demo or used,  just a show price.  

 

Still thinking on the rod but I am open to other suggestions......

 

[roadwarrior]

I have the Calcutta with the handle on the correct side...You will love it!

[Boomstick]

One thing to note is the NRX 873C is more geared towards lighter jigs than for lighter jigs than heavier jigs, although like most GLoomis rods they well over their weight limit.

 

I picked up a Daiwa Steez AGS MHH/F Bottom Contact rod for jig fishing this year on TW's Black Friday sales. It's supposed to work well with up to 3/4oz jigs, but most of my jig fishing is 3/8oz and 1/2oz which it should excel at. It has that proper action that I was looking for in a jig rod, a little stiffer than your standard MH rod that runs on the heavy side, but a little bit of bend in the tip, sort of the GLoomis MBR bend if you will. Thick weeds aren't all too common where I fish, but we have a lot of wood, so that may be an option.

 

I haven't got to fish it yet, but the vibrations I could feel just taking off the rod sleeve were insane. It also balances exceptionally well with the 5.5oz Steez SV reel I paired with it, and doesn't feel very tip heavy with no reel at all. It's a little heavier in weight than some other high end options, but for me due to how I fish a vertical presentation, the balance is a little more important than the overall weight. So my initial impressions of this rod are very high.

[FishTank]

35 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

One thing to note is the NRX 873C is more geared towards lighter jigs than for lighter jigs than heavier jigs, although like most GLoomis rods they well over their weight limit.

 

I picked up a Daiwa Steez AGS MHH/F Bottom Contact rod for jig fishing this year on TW's Black Friday sales. It's supposed to work well with up to 3/4oz jigs, but most of my jig fishing is 3/8oz and 1/2oz which it should excel at. It has that proper action that I was looking for in a jig rod, a little stiffer than your standard MH rod that runs on the heavy side, but a little bit of bend in the tip, sort of the GLoomis MBR bend if you will. Thick weeds aren't all too common where I fish, but we have a lot of wood, so that may be an option.

 

I haven't got to fish it yet, but the vibrations I could feel just taking off the rod sleeve were insane. It also balances exceptionally well with the 5.5oz Steez SV reel I paired with it, and doesn't feel very tip heavy with no reel at all. It's a little heavier in weight than some other high end options, but for me due to how I fish a vertical presentation, the balance is a little more important than the overall weight. So my initial impressions of this rod are very high.

 

I looked at one of Steez SVF AGS rods and I liked the way it felt in hand but wasn't sure how I would feel in the long run about the slick handle and the foam grips.  I kind of like cork but it's not a deal breaker.  

 

The model I was interested in was the 7'2'' MH Regular Action but it was out.  I also thought that the weight of a round reel would make these rods butt heavy but I didn't get that far.  Like you though, I thought the Steez SV I have would pair great with it but I have already matched it with a St. Croix Legend Elite 6'8'' Med Fast and it's one of my favorite combos. 

[WRB]

You are not fishing bottom contact jigs, it’s swim jigs.

Shimano Expride A 7’2” Heavy works for your needs.

Tom

[Boomstick]

26 minutes ago, WRB said:

You are not fishing bottom contact jigs, it’s swim jigs.

Shimano Expride A 7’2” Heavy works for your needs.

Tom

I believe he is looking for bottom contact jigs plus the ability to fish a paddle tail unless I missed something.

43 minutes ago, FishTank said:

 

I looked at one of Steez SVF AGS rods and I liked the way it felt in hand but wasn't sure how I would feel in the long run about the slick handle and the foam grips.  I kind of like cork but it's not a deal breaker.

I honestly don't have a preference between cork and foam. My only preference in regards to a vertical presentation is a split grip - for other presentations a full grip or split grip is fine.

 

43 minutes ago, FishTank said:

The model I was interested in was the 7'2'' MH Regular Action but it was out.

Yeah I'm curious about this rod, maybe if I come across some extra cash and find a deal or maybe for this year's Black Friday sales for finesse jigs and maybe lighter jigs, football jigs and T-Rigs. The other option is the 7'1" MH/XF which I generally know the action of, but I keep hearing that the 7'2" is a pretty decent all purpose rod from Matt Allen. But it's listed as a regular tip, which ranges from moderate primarily on composite rods to near fast from what I've seen with Daiwa. It also was listed as a spinnerbait and deep diver rod on the old Daiwa Steez AGS page. Curious if you have any idea what to expect.

I would imagine one of those two would be a better option for paddle tails than the Bottom Contact rod at least.

[Zibass]

Forget about the Steez 72mhrb.  Conquest 844c and P5 super destroyer won't disappoint you. I have these rods.

[FishTank]

17 minutes ago, Zibass said:

Forget about the Steez 72mhrb.  Conquest 844c and P5 super destroyer won't disappoint you. I have these rods.

 

Picking up the Megabass P5 Super Destroyer tomorrow.  I like the feel of it and the shorter length for working paddle tail baits.  It looks like a great general purpose rod which is what I probably need.  I also ordered some 6'' Magdrafts to go with it. 

 

I may still get the Conquest 844C.  I have the 844C IMX and GLX which also added to my decision.  With having those two I might as well get the Conquest to finish it out.   We will see how the rest of the year goes.  I might upgrade my kayak instead > Sounds crazy when I think about it. 

 

[FishTank]

Well they are now home.

 

 

And when the guy I bought this from said it was new in the box, he wasn't joking.  A 17 year old reel, mint in the box that I had always dreamed of owning.... Super happy about this one.

 

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

On 2/7/2021 at 6:40 PM, FishTank said:

 

Picking up the Megabass P5 Super Destroyer tomorrow.  

How'd you end up liking the P5? 

[FishTank]

36 minutes ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

How'd you end up liking the P5? 

It worked out just fine. It's been a kind of do all rod for me. I've thrown everything from a 5in Senko to 6in Magdraft on it. It's not particularly fantastic at any one technique but does great on a variety of things. My only complaint is that the handle might be a bit slick.

[Bandersnatch]

I own two conquests 844c’s. While I know they are capable of pitching up to a 3/4 ounce Texas rig that is the top end for an already mushy tip rod. Don’t get me wrong, it works and can work well if having some mush and soft tip is your thing but I wouldn’t throw a 3/4 ounce jig and trailer on it as my first priority. It would be good for paddle tails. I hear the glx844c is more powerful than the conquest. The conquest great, just not a great “heavy” jig rod. I’d look toward something more like a steez power pitch , expride/ adrena 72H, bottom contact rod, 873c id guess has more power than the 844c conquest. Also, this conquest 844c weighs 4.2oz, it’s extremely light. I have a steez ct on it, weighing a totsl of 9.5 oz. This rod likes a light reel in my opinion. 

[MRQturbo]

Nrx plus 904c MBR...4.8 Keitech swing fat impact is what I usually have tied on this rod...