Need help selecting first NRX+ Rod (843c or 853c?)

[mcnealstash]

Hi all- 

 

Introducing myself with this post.... New forum member and mainly a midwest river smallmouth angler here looking for some help selecting a casting rod to cover a variety of applications that aren't really well suited for throwing on the 2 setups I currently have. Those combos are a:

 

1. Megabass P5 Destroyer "Landsat" 6' 11" ML/F  w/ Shimano Vanford 2500-  I use this for light (1/8 and 3/16 oz.) Texas rigs, Micro/Nano Jigs (1/8-3/16 oz.), Ned Rigs, Shakeyheads (4-5"), and lightly weighted paddletails (2.8 and 3.3 keitechs usually).  I upgraded to this combo from a cheaper spinning combo this year and it's been a really solid "all around" finesse spinning setup for the river this Spring.  Technically the rod is rated to 3/8 oz. but I can feel when casting heavier rigs (3/8 oz.+) that it's overwhelming the rod a bit much and I'd probably be better off getting something a bit heavier to handle the increased load.

2. Megabass Levante "Flatside Special" M/M w/ Shimano Curado DC 151 6:1- Pretty standard reaction bait rod that mainly sees use in the Spring and Fall and is good for throwing treble hooked hardbaits including bladebaits, lipless cranks, squarebills, and jerkbaits. 

 

With the release of the new NRX+ it's a good time for me to buy a high end casting setup in the Medium-Heavy range to cover a variety of applications that aren't really being properly addressed by the above two.   Those applications include:

 

1/4 oz. Skirted Swim Jigs + 3.5-4" Trailers (plan to throw these 40% of the time on this rod)

1/4- 3/8 oz. Finesse Football Head Jigs with 3-4" Trailers (40%)

3/8 oz. Spinnerbait (10%)

3/8 oz. Megabass Dark Sleeper (10%)

 

 

The rivers I fish are shallow and I am usually wading them, although sometimes I do some shore fishing or fish from a canoe.  I like to fish about a 7' rod- anything longer is not practical for the rivers I fish.  Based on other posts I've read it seems like one of the 3 power models (843c or 853c) could be a good choice to meet these demands- the primary difference between the two being that the 843 has a fast taper while the 853 is x-fast.    Planning on pairing either one of these with a Metanium MGL or DC reel. 

 

My main question for everyone here is based my current equipment as well as the intended uses for this rod, do you think there is a superior choice between the 843 or 853?

 

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

 

 

[Blacktail 8541]

The 843 would work very well with the techniques you listed. Spinner baits and lighter swim jigs are great on the MBR. 3/8 oz. footballs are doable also.

[Spy]

The 843 is legendary as the only rod to have if you can only have one, the MBR taper is lights out effective and there really isn't any presentation that isn't in it's wheelhouse. 

[Crankin4Bass]

I would love to see a comparison of the NRX+ 843c MBR vs the Conquest 843c MBR. The Conquest is only $70 more.

[Cgrinder]

843 all the way, based on experience with previous gen of both rods. 853c is not a moving bait stick.

[kayaking_kev]

Conquest 843c is one sweet rod, I don't think I'll ever get rid of that rod.

[NorthernBasser]

On 5/13/2021 at 1:01 PM, BaitFinesse said:

Not sure I could go from a Megabass to a St Croix product.  The performance may be there but every single time I see it on deck next to the MB sticks I'm going to feel like I got ripped off.

NRX is GLoomis, not St. Croix.

 

Also, you ever check out the St. Croix Legend Xtreme? Croix makes some great rods. 

[evo2s197]

Just get both then you don't have to wonder, you'll know.

 

Also the Conquest is just a better series all around, I would look into those over the NRX+

[mcnealstash]

1 hour ago, evo2s197 said:

Just get both then you don't have to wonder, you'll know.

 

Also the Conquest is just a better series all around, I would look into those over the NRX+

After reading more and really thinking about my primary uses for this rod I think it makes more sense for me to go for one of the 843c's- The rivers I fish are so shallow in summer that oftentimes we have to downsize our bottom contact jigs and texas rigs significantly to not get hung up all the time.   In those scenarios it makes more sense to be throwing light rigs on my spinning rod.  The 843 will be a much better choice in terms of how much use I'll be able to get out of it when I want to throw bigger moving baits.  Being able to toss on 1/4 or 3/8 oz. football jigs/trigs and use the rod for some bottom contact when the water is higher is a bonus. 

 

I saw that the new NRX+ has the same spiral x technology that is also used in the conquest.  What about the conquest gives it the edge versus the new NRX lineup?  Just when I thought I had it all figured out a new variable is thrown into the mix...!

[Crankin4Bass]

54 minutes ago, mcnealstash said:

After reading more and really thinking about my primary uses for this rod I think it makes more sense for me to go for one of the 843c's- The rivers I fish are so shallow in summer that oftentimes we have to downsize our bottom contact jigs and texas rigs significantly to not get hung up all the time.   In those scenarios it makes more sense to be throwing light rigs on my spinning rod.  The 843 will be a much better choice in terms of how much use I'll be able to get out of it when I want to throw bigger moving baits.  Being able to toss on 1/4 or 3/8 oz. football jigs/trigs and use the rod for some bottom contact when the water is higher is a bonus. 

 

I saw that the new NRX+ has the same spiral x technology that is also used in the conquest.  What about the conquest gives it the edge versus the new NRX lineup?  Just when I thought I had it all figured out a new variable is thrown into the mix...!

 

Sorry about adding that variable, but I thought you should think about it, since it's not much more money for the Conquest. I hope someone will do a review soon. 

[evo2s197]

1 hour ago, mcnealstash said:

What about the conquest gives it the edge versus the new NRX lineup?  Just when I thought I had it all figured out a new variable is thrown into the mix...!

The Conquest has a much more balanced feel, they just feel "right".

 

Also the difference in sensitivity to myself at least is the same if not better on the Conquest.

 

The attention to detail is better on the Conquest as far as build quality.

 

And the Conquest does not have those horrid recoil guides.

 

The NRX and NRX+ seem like a test mule or concept version of the Conquest, where they slap stuff on it rush the build, but in the end after all the testing and feedback the final product is a lot more refined and appealing.

 

Plus the Conquest is also more expensive if you care about stuff like that.

 

I have a lot of high end and custom built rods to compare against the NRX rods I have, some people might get upset at what I'm gonna say but the NRX line is mostly Hype these days and relies on the past reputation to sell nowadays, some companies have caught up or surpassed the NRX line.

 

Don't get me wrong they are still nice rods though.

 

Why not get a 172mh Poison Ultima instead, everybody and their brother has a NRX thinking it's the pinnacle of bass rods.