High end Bottom contact rod or two middle/upper tier rods? which would you do?

[clemsondds]

Ok...so I started out looking to get the best bottom contact rod I could find.  I wanted to get the megabass x-bites but looks like no one has one.  I have called everywhere I can think of.  I had bought one that I thought was in stock...but then found out that they were just taking my money and then when one comes in ("probably in the fall") they would mail it to me.  Well, I would really like something sooner than that since I have a couple fishing trips coming up.  So I started looking at other options.  That same store recommended the st croix legend xstreme, which I'm sure is an amazing bottom contact rod. But we are getting up over $600.  So my question is: would you go with that and just have an amazing football jig/bc rod, or would you get two middle of the rod rods?  For middle of the road rods,  I'm thinking Megabass orochi braillist for a bottom contact and maybe a megabass flat side special for spinnerbaits and moving baits.  I don't have a really nice spinner bait rod, so that would probably be my next niche I would look to fill...but it's not super urgent.  What would you do?  And notice, I'm not asking what "I" should do...I'm not asking you to figure out what's best for me...just wondering what you would do if you were in this situation.  Is the brailist a really sensitive bottom contact rod?  Or would the legend xstreme be that much better? Thanks for your thoughts and sorry for the long read  

[roadwarrior]

https://www.gloomis.com/products/conquest-mag

 

12637-01	CNQ 844C MBR

[GetFishorDieTryin]

It makes more sense to put more money into a bottom contact rod.  For moving baits you don't need necessarily need a super sensitive rod.  It also depends on if you just want an additional rod or need an additional rod to fill a gap in the line up.  If you know for sure you want that X bites, just buy it because you are likely going to wind up buying anyway.  Orochis arent easy to get either so  take that into consideration.  

[WRB]

A highend bass rod used for casting jigs and worms and retrieving the lure along the bottom will not increase your strike detection unless you have developed strike detection skills. It’s not the rod, it’s your skill level, technique and presentation that counts.

There are several bass rods between $150 to $200 that have equal lure feedback and light weight then rods 3X the cost...IMO.

Tom

[Boomstick]

I pretty much use higher end rods for vertical presentations where the extra sensitivity is beneficial. I have a Daiwa Steez AGS 7'5" MH-H/F bottom contact rod, a Tatula Elite 7' M-MH/XF for finesse jigs and t-rigs and a Tatula Elite 7'1" M/F spinning rod for drop shots, tubes and shaky heads and whatnot. Then Tatula rods for everything else, I don't feel I need a $200+ rod for most moving baits or topwater, I mean you know when you get a hit or not and a flipping stick lies somewhere inbetween, but for as much as I get to use it doesn't really make sense.

 

I got that Steez AGS rod off Amazon around black friday for a pretty solid discount, I believe I paid $440 for it which beats the normal 20% off.

 

That said, I wouldn't put too much into it. A high end rod is nice to have, but not necessary to catch fish. I got my youngest son a St Croix Victory, and the sensitivity on that is also quite good and those retail for $200. It's not as good as the Steez, but I can feel the same vibrations although not quite as distinctly and I can feel whatever I'm dragging it over etc. So I would buy what you need. For example, if all of your rods are lower level, a pair of nice rods for finesse fishing and T-Rigs and jigs might be the way to go.

 

[FishTank]

If you already have a several rods to choose from or if you are adding a technique specific rod  then I would go high end > A G. Loomis NRX+ 844C would cover a lot of different techniques.  

 

Personal preference, you don't need a high end spinnerbait rod or a high end crankbait rod for that matter unless you upgrading from what you already have.  

 

Another thing to consider is the warranty with each rod.  Megabass may make a great rod but their warranty can't come close to Loomis or St. Croix. 

 

 

[Tennessee Boy]

These questions get debated often on here and sometimes get heated.   I think it boils down to this question.  What is your goal?  Do you want a nice rod that you can marvel at the quality of workmanship and impress your friends with?  If so go high end.   Do you just want to catch fish?  Go with the two middle of the road rods.    My most expensive rod is a St Croix Legend Xtreme.  My cheapest is a 30 year old Lew's rod that I paid $20 for back in the day.   I've never caught a fish on the Xtream that I couldn't have caught on the old Lew's rod. The Xtreme is pretty though.

[clemsondds]

10 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

These questions get debated often on here and sometimes get heated.   I think it boils down to this question.  What is your goal?  Do you want a nice rod that you can marvel at the quality of workmanship and impress your friends with?  If so go high end.   Do you just want to catch fish?  Go with the two middle of the road rods.    My most expensive rod is a St Croix Legend Xtreme.  My cheapest is a 30 year old Lew's rod that I paid $20 for back in the day.   I've never caught a fish on the Xtream that I couldn't have caught on the old Lew's rod. The Xtreme is pretty though.

Thank you for that advice.  Seems solid.  My main goal is to have a very sensitive bottom contact rod where I can feel the contours of the bottom really well and have good feedback.  I use a 7'2 MH Expride right now for football jigs and while it is pretty sensitive, I do feel it could be better.  I don't like changing out lures alot so I do have a lot of rods that I cary for specific techniques.  Most of my rods are St Croix Avid x or exprides, and I am very happy with them.  But the two holes that I think I need to fill are bottom contact and spinnerbait/chatterbait.  So I was trying to decide on how to fill those holes.  I have found that I love fishing my megabass whipsnake due to the quality and sensitivity over my other spinning rods (expride and avid x), and I love fishing my expride casting rods over my avid x casting rods for the most part. So...my main thing I'm trying to learn is...is there a difference in sensitivity between a $400 glx 844C MBR/mb braillist vs an nrx +844c/st croix legend xtreme?  I am fine with getting the xtreme if it's worth the money...  And again, I'm not asking you to tell me what I should do...I know only I can determine that...just asking what you would do if you were in my situation.  Money isn't really an object...but I try not to go crazy...and I would like to stay married  Thanks again everyone!! Love the discussion

[T-Billy]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

A highend bass rod used for casting jigs and worms and retrieving the lure along the bottom will not increase your strike detection unless you have developed strike detection skills. It’s not the rod, it’s your skill level, technique and presentation that counts.

There are several bass rods between $150 to $200 that have equal lure feedback and light weight then rods 3X the cost...IMO.

Tom

^^^THIS^^^ 

[clemsondds]

1 minute ago, T-Billy said:

^^^THIS^^^ 

In my experience (which granted isn't a ton), I can tell a noticeable difference in feel between two different rods...and they just happen to be at different price points.  It's not the rod that detects the strike better that I am looking to feel really, it's the bottom structure that I am wanting to feel and the intricacies of it.  Thanks for your help  

[Cgrinder]

If you don't have a high end bottom contact rod, and can afford one, you should get one and see for yourself what all the fuss is about, if the juice is worth the squeeze, etc etc. You're not going to beat your Expride for sensitivity without spending for it; those rods are very strong performers. Lastly to your specific inquiry, the Flatside Special is not a spinnerbait rod. I believe Megabass overstates its versatility, as for me it's a true graphite cranking rod that struggles with single hook applications unless you're going to run braid and light wire hooks.

[Deephaven]

The most expensive rod I own is the cheaper one I replaced with something better that no longer gets used.  I'd go all in and have zero regrets.

[Tennessee Boy]

1 hour ago, clemsondds said:

In my experience (which granted isn't a ton), I can tell a noticeable difference in feel between two different rods...and they just happen to be at different price points.  It's not the rod that detects the strike better that I am looking to feel really, it's the bottom structure that I am wanting to feel and the intricacies of it.  Thanks for your help  

I can also tell a noticeable difference in my feel when I put down one rod and pick up another.  I’ve found that the biggest factor is the amount of bow in my line.   The weight of the lure and the size and type of line make a big difference in how much bow is in the line.   Do yourself a favor and rig up two rods with the exact same line and lure.  This will reduce all the other factors except the rod.  This will help you determine for yourself how important the rod is in determining sensitivity.

[fishwizzard]

I you want to try a high end rod just to see what the fuss is about, go for a dedicated bottom contact rod.  If it doesn't knock your socks off you can likely get at least 60-75% of your money back with how scarce they are these days.

 

If you want to just get "a really good bass rod", then get a Loomis 884c in GLX/NRX+/Conquest, picking which ever hits the price point you are happy with or has the components you want.  You will end up with a rod that is great for a lot of stuff and at least "reasonably good" at a ton more.  

[clemsondds]

2 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Thank you for that advice.  Seems solid.  My main goal is to have a very sensitive bottom contact rod where I can feel the contours of the bottom really well and have good feedback.  I use a 7'2 MH Expride right now for football jigs and while it is pretty sensitive, I do feel it could be better.  I don't like changing out lures alot so I do have a lot of rods that I cary for specific techniques.  Most of my rods are St Croix Avid x or exprides, and I am very happy with them.  But the two holes that I think I need to fill are bottom contact and spinnerbait/chatterbait.  So I was trying to decide on how to fill those holes.  I have found that I love fishing my megabass whipsnake due to the quality and sensitivity over my other spinning rods (expride and avid x), and I love fishing my expride casting rods over my avid x casting rods for the most part. So...my main thing I'm trying to learn is...is there a difference in sensitivity between a $400 glx 844C MBR/mb braillist vs an nrx +844c/st croix legend xtreme?  I am fine with getting the xtreme if it's worth the money...  And again, I'm not asking you to tell me what I should do...I know only I can determine that...just asking what you would do if you were in my situation.  Money isn't really an object...but I try not to go crazy...and I would like to stay married  Thanks again everyone!! Love the discussion

 

14 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I can also tell a noticeable difference in my feel when I put down one rod and pick up another.  I’ve found that the biggest factor is the amount of bow in my line.   The weight of the lure and the size and type of line make a big difference in how much bow is in the line.   Do yourself a favor and rig up two rods with the exact same line and lure.  This will reduce all the other factors except the rod.  This will help you determine for yourself how important the rod is in determining sensitivity.

Yes I have pretty much the same setup on most of my setups…braid to leader. I noticed on my most high end spinning rod (megabass orochi) I could detect a bite while the line is slack, and also almost every pebble on the bottom.  So looking to find something similar in a casting rod. So I guess I should have phrased it this way…those who have had a medium priced bottom contact rod (eg megabass orochi, g loomis imx/glx…) and upgraded to nrx, conquest, legend xtreme…was there a big difference? 

[DaubsNU1]

I'm normally a "buy-once-cry-once" kind of guy. I would rather spend the $$ and get the best I can afford, vs. a case of the regrets.  

 

I'm also the guy who doesn't like to mess with a good thing...so I'm still fishing my Cabela's branded rods purchased in the 1990's...when they were made on Lomis blanks, and branded with Cabela's label...

 

They are good rods, and serve my needs well. Cost anywhere from $95 to $149 back then...which was not cheap. 

 

I have found when I spend the extra $$, and get the good stuff, I tend to take care of it better...and appreciate it more.

 

Good luck!

[evo2s197]

what's your maximum budget?

Legend Xtreme AGS, NRX, Conquest,  Phenix k2, 2021 Steez AGS is what would be considered upper mid range, all very nice rods, but there is better.

 

And anyone trying to tell you a quality higher end rod won't help your catch rate is misleading you it's known as the crab mentality, go out and get the best bottom contact rod you can afford.

[clemsondds]

23 minutes ago, evo2s197 said:

what's your maximum budget?

Legend Xtreme AGS, NRX, Conquest,  Phenix k2, 2021 Steez AGS is what would be considered upper mid range, all very nice rods, but there is better.

 

And anyone trying to tell you a quality higher end rod won't help your catch rate is misleading you it's known as the crab mentality, go out and get the best bottom contact rod you can afford.

Thank you!  Yes I agree with you. There are way too many glowing reviews of high end rods to all be wrong. I understand that technique is important as well , but I do think a good rod can make a big difference. 
so can you offer some suggestions on where you think the best rod is on the diminishing returns curve? I don’t need the absolute best but would just like a bottom contact rod that is super sensitive (ie more than an expride…) 

Would appreciate anyone’s thoughts on this. I would love a steez or nrx+ dedicated bc rod but can’t find one available. The closest I could find is the 7’1 MH legend xtreme. So just trying to decide if that rod is worth the money or am I overpaying 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

17 hours ago, Boomstick said:

a Tatula Elite 7' M-MH/XF for finesse jigs and t-rigs and a Tatula Elite 7'1" M/F spinning rod for drop shots, tubes and shaky heads and whatnot

Do you think the AGS guides add enough sensitivity to nearly double the cost of the rod?  Its the same blank as the standard Tatula, I think you get 1 more eye depending on rod model and that weird grey paintjob for another 30 or 40$.  I think the SC3 in the Victory gives me more feedback then the Tatula.  I like them both, but I actually think the Tatula is more versatile and if I had to pick the 7'1 ML Tatula or the 6'10 VIc it would be the Tatula for sure even though the Vic is more sensitive IMO.

[Chris at Tech]

Considering your starting point is a pretty-darn-good Expride, I think you may find yourself disappointed.

 

If you were starting with a $50 Bass Pro rod and trying to step up, then ok -- you'd be blown away by the night and day sensitivity difference.  In this instance however, the increase in sensitivity is not likely to keep pace with the increase in $$$ spent.

 

If it's me, I'm getting two middle of the road rods.

[Dye99]

So many nice bottom contact rods...This season Ive been using the Megabass Orochi Brailest and love it...Great for all bottom contact baits..

 

[clemsondds]

16 minutes ago, Chris at Tech said:

Considering your starting point is a pretty-darn-good Expride, I think you may find yourself disappointed.

 

If you were starting with a $50 Bass Pro rod and trying to step up, then ok -- you'd be blown away by the night and day sensitivity difference.  In this instance however, the increase in sensitivity is not likely to keep pace with the increase in $$$ spent.

 

If it's me, I'm getting two middle of the road rods.

So in your opinion what are some rods that are a step up from Expride in bottom contact sensitivity?

14 minutes ago, Dye99 said:

So many nice bottom contact rods...This season Ive been using the Megabass Orochi Brailest and love it...Great for all bottom contact baits..

 

This is the info I was looking for. Have you ever compared it with higher end rod like an NRX? 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

You get what you pay for up to a point, then reach the point of diminishing returns. This goes for almost every product on the market. That doesn’t mean high end products are not fun to own and use only that it’s a personal decision. You don’t need a $2000 driver to golf, but if you can and want to why not? Same goes for cars, bikes, bows you name it. 

[clemsondds]

13 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

You get what you pay for up to a point, then reach the point of diminishing returns. This goes for almost every product on the market. That doesn’t mean high end products are not fun to own and use only that it’s a personal decision. You don’t need a $2000 driver to golf, but if you can and want to why not? Same goes for cars, bikes, bows you name it. 

Yes I know this…I was just trying to narrow down some models where you feel that curve starts to taper off…eg thr glx bottom contact is way more sensitive than an expride, but the nrx is not that much more sensitive than the glx. Something like that. I was really just looking for those guys that have had an expride, glx, imx pro, adrena, and xtreme…compare those on a sensitivity scale.  I’ve pretty much made up my mind but still just curious. 

[Dye99]

3 hours ago, clemsondds said:

So in your opinion what are some rods that are a step up from Expride in bottom contact sensitivity?

This is the info I was looking for. Have you ever compared it with higher end rod like an NRX? 

I own a handful of loomis stuff and love it. My NRX is one of my favorites by far. The Megabass stuff, especially the Brailest is a super fast tip but its more backbone and stiffer than the Loomis.