Dedicated jig rod

[MattimusND]

Long time lurker first time poster here. I’m wanting to get a dedicated jig rod for next season. I throw 1/2oz football jigs more than anything and some 3/8oz casting jigs. I like the idea of getting my first Megabass or Loomis rod, so my primary options I’ve been looking at are the Orochi XX Braillist, Loomis GCX 893c or 894c JWR. Looking for opinions and other potential options in that price range. 

[Phil77]

Loomis has the better warranty, think megabass is only a year. 

[evo2s197]

As long as your not a klutz, a warranty shouldn't be #1 on the list for a Jig rod the Megabass is superior to the GCX, other options if your budget restricted is the Irod and Halo brand.

[PressuredFishing]

5 hours ago, MattimusND said:

Long time lurker first time poster here. I’m wanting to get a dedicated jig rod for next season. I throw 1/2oz football jigs more than anything and some 3/8oz casting jigs. I like the idea of getting my first Megabass or Loomis rod, so my primary options I’ve been looking at are the Orochi XX Braillist, Loomis GCX 893c or 894c JWR. Looking for opinions and other potential options in that price range. 

G Loomis rods are nice if you can afford them, don't worry about warrantys as your first decision for purchasing, they always add fees fines, and usually are really stuck up when you ask to redeem the warranty. I would try to hold both in person, what I do is sneak a 10 foot long thing of mono and have a buddy tap the line with a pencil with the line going through the guides. Good way to figure out which one is more sensitive for you.

[WRB]

Customer service and warranty is important, accidents happen. $70 Dobyns replaces his rods for a life time.

Only the skilled angler can choose which rod feels best to them, balance, casting and touch and feel are personal.

 

[NorcalBassin]

The Loomis Warranty has been great and hassle free for me the 3-4x I've used it over the years and much better than the 60% of retail price for my Megabass replacement. Back to the rod- I really like the 894 for jigs over 3/8 and the 893 for 3/8 or 1/4 oz.

[Smalls]

7 hours ago, evo2s197 said:

As long as your not a klutz, a warranty shouldn't be #1 on the list for a Jig rod the Megabass is superior to the GCX, other options if your budget restricted is the Irod and Halo brand.

Lead time on a replacement should be pretty high up that list, though. I'll definitely agree, the Megabass rod is the better choice, I've seen guys wait a looooong time for a replacement rod. Not sure if it's gotten better, but it's worth looking into before you buy.

 

[waymont]

13 hours ago, MattimusND said:

Loomis GCX 893c or 894c JWR

You should also think about the MBR 843 or 844. They are really great jig rods.

Unless you need the longer rod.

[roadwarrior]

22 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

G Loomis rods are nice if you can afford them, don't worry about warrantys as your first decision for purchasing, they always add fees fines, and usually are really stuck up when you ask to redeem the warranty.

I have been fishing G. Loomis for more than 25 years and have NEVER had any issue with warranty or replacement. Their customer service is the Gold Standard in the industry.

 

                   

 

[TNBankFishing]

Megabass far and away. Dollar for dollar they are nicer and more refined. A warranty for Megabass when bought new is 3 years, and the one rod I’ve broken was replaced after zero questions. No expiditor fee, just a new stick. 
 

I own a Brailist and for you’re techniques it would work perfectly. It balances well on any sub 7 oz reel and has surprising strength for a MH. I use it for swim jigs, football and close quarter pitching. 
 

Comparing the GCX to the Orochi isn’t even close. A more accurate comparison is the IMX line, but from guides to fit and finish the Orochi is superior. 
 

Feel free to ask me anything about these sticks. 

[Boomstick]

As for the rods you selected, I would be inclined to go with the Brailist over the GCR, or possibly the Tour Versatile as well. The IMX line would be a better GLoomis comparison. The Orochi XX may still be the better rod, and the build quality will be better than likely even a much more expensive GLoomis rod. But the Megabass warranty leaves a lot to be desired - I would essentially go into this purchase as if the Megabass rods did not even come with a warranty at all, and if that is not a problem, then go with the Megabass.

 

As for the GLoomis rods, I would probably look at the 844C MBR or the 894C JWR. A 1/2oz jig might be a little bit much for the 843C or 893C although it might be passable as GLoomis tends to be slightly conservative with their lure ratings.

[PressuredFishing]

7 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

I have been fishing G. Loomis for more than 25 years and have NEVER had any issue with warranty or replacement. Their customer service is the Gold Standard in the industry.

 

                   

 

I hope so, I cannot say the same for megabass rods, from my experience they have said to me if there are defects they will show in the first trip and its probably user error, took it back to the store and they accepted it with open arms. fished with it for about a week, it was really nice, untill the guides got loose, not quite sure why, it wasnt just one either, two of them where loose, have never had any rods have loose guides, probably a lemon but customer service put a bad taste in my mouth.

5 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

Megabass far and away. Dollar for dollar they are nicer and more refined. A warranty for Megabass when bought new is 3 years, and the one rod I’ve broken was replaced after zero questions. No expiditor fee, just a new stick. 
 

I own a Brailist and for you’re techniques it would work perfectly. It balances well on any sub 7 oz reel and has surprising strength for a MH. I use it for swim jigs, football and close quarter pitching. 
 

Comparing the GCX to the Orochi isn’t even close. A more accurate comparison is the IMX line, but from guides to fit and finish the Orochi is superior. 
 

Feel free to ask me anything about these sticks. 

wow thats nice, maybe I didnt get as kind of a megabass employee lol

[TNBankFishing]

I’m surprised that happened. I’ve never had a bad reaction from them, although I went through Megabass USA and not a local shop. 
 

While I believe whole heartedly the NRX is a fantastic rod, I don’t think Loomis competes at a lower price point. That’s what their Shimano line is for. 

[Boomstick]

5 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

While I believe whole heartedly the NRX is a fantastic rod, I don’t think Loomis competes at a lower price point. That’s what their Shimano line is for. 

Honestly, the Expride is probably also worth a look here. They are a good bang for their buck, and have a warranty although a bit slow.

[softwateronly]

On 10/24/2021 at 6:21 PM, Boomstick said:

Honestly, the Expride is probably also worth a look here. They are a good bang for their buck, and have a warranty although a bit slow.

X2

 

I use the EX 7'6MH for 1/2oz and under jigs and absolutely love it.  I had a shimano warranty replacement run through TW this spring and it was just 5 days total from shipping to receiving from chicago.  That kind of turnaround was as good as I could have hoped for.  Maybe I got lucky.

 

scott

On 10/22/2021 at 10:43 AM, MattimusND said:

Long time lurker first time poster here. I’m wanting to get a dedicated jig rod for next season. I throw 1/2oz football jigs more than anything and some 3/8oz casting jigs. I like the idea of getting my first Megabass or Loomis rod, so my primary options I’ve been looking at are the Orochi XX Braillist, Loomis GCX 893c or 894c JWR. Looking for opinions and other potential options in that price range. 

 

 

 

[Boomstick]

13 hours ago, softwateronly said:

I use the EX 7'6MH for 1/2oz and under jigs and absolutely love it.  I had a shimano warranty replacement run through TW this spring and it was just 5 days total from shipping to receiving from chicago.  That kind of turnaround was as good as I could have hoped for.  Maybe I got lucky.

 

I've heard some mixed about the speed of Shimano's warranty, but it's not like Megabass where all the fine print pretty much voids the warranty before you even used it.

[Craig P]

This year I was looking for a similar rod. I mostly use 3/4 ounce football jigs and went with a Dobyns DC 704C.  It is not “amazingly” sensitive but sensitive enough. What I really like about it is it’s balance and weight and I find that it is perfect for this task….which happens to be my preferred fishing method.

[Justbass11]

 I myself have a Okuma TCS 7’6”  heavy rod. I like it and was reasonably priced. Just saying 

[Cody28]

If you have the money for the Braillist I have heard this is the single jig best rod on the market from people around me. I recently got a dedicated jig rod myself but couldnt stomach the price tag of the Braillist. I went with St. Croix Victory 7'3" MHF and love it. I went with the MH due to it being available at a local shop, but have heard a lot of people love the 7'3" HXF because it has a very soft tip for light jigs, but lots of backbone. 

[Catt]

On 10/22/2021 at 4:10 PM, evo2s197 said:

, a warranty shouldn't be #1 on the list for a Jig rod

 

Maybe not #1 but It's still on my list!

 

At this price point warranty & customer service is very important. 

[TNBankFishing]

22 hours ago, Catt said:

 

Maybe not #1 but It's still on my list!

 

At this price point warranty & customer service is very important. 

I agree. To me the first year is the test. If I snap a rod being an idiot and you still stand behind your product no questions asked I’m sold. After a year… I mean most folks shouldn’t expect more than a 50% discount. 

[Catt]

2 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

If I snap a rod being an idiot

 

If I snap a rod that's on me, I wouldn't even turn it in for warranty. 

 

Factory defect that's theirs 

[Big Hands]

I have a hard time buying a rod that I haven't ever handled myself before buying, especially if it will see a lot of action for me. Very often, the rod I thought I just had to have for a particular purpose ends up not being 'the one'. Even then, what it feels like in the shop may not tell the whole story. 

 

I try to take the reel I plan to use on it with me, or use a similar reel the shop has to feel how it feels. Some rods are significantly different with a six ounce reel than they are with a seven ounce reel. Or how the reel sits in the seat, or how it fits in the palm of my hand, or how long the butt section is, or the way some other 'feature' affects me.

[NathanDLTH]

Megabass has a three year non-transferable warranty just to clear the water. First replacement is on them I believe. 

https://megabassusa.com/rod-warranty/

[ajschn06]

On 10/31/2021 at 9:12 PM, Catt said:

 

Maybe not #1 but It's still on my list!

 

At this price point warranty & customer service is very important. 

 

You don't worry about warranties until you actually have to use them.  I'll avoid Daiwa at all costs and gladly spend my money on anything made by Pure Fishing after a few warranty experiences this past year...