Levante Whipsnake vs NRX+ (Review)

[Dumbbassanglr]

I just wanted to post how impressed I am with the Levante Whipsnake. Although I would say my Nrx+ 852 is slightly more sensitive, it’s not by much. This rod continues to impress me. I liked it so much that I also ordered the orochi version but when I got it I realized it was heavier and less sensitive!!! So I sold the orochi! This is coming from someone who owns all Nrx, conquest and exprides. The levante is my cheapest rod and I wanted people who wonder about higher end gear to know that if I could only have one spinning rod this might actually be it. It has a fast action but loads up well. In the last few days I’ve caught largemouth, smallmouth, crappie and a big ol carp (on accident) on it and it does it all well. 

[padon]

i have one also and really like it. ive never fished an nrx but i have several exprides and  the levante matches up pretty well. i was fishing a ned rig the other day and could feel it every time the bait hit a soft bottom.

[TNBankFishing]

You and I sir need to have a conversation about this. At first you had my attention, now you have my interest. 

[FryDog62]

I have both the Levante Whipsnake and NRX 852... and agree they are much closer rods in performance, than 2/3 the price difference. 

[TNBankFishing]

I’m most interested in the applications for the whipsnake. Is it limited to only drop shot, or can it handle niko and wacky rigged senkos?

 

Why is the Orochi heavier and less sensitive? 
 

I was looking at the whipsnake and just went Steez instead. I actually don’t mind using two spinning combos as it lets me roll with a drop shot and secondary technique. 
 

[Dumbbassanglr]

12 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

I’m most interested in the applications for the whipsnake. Is it limited to only drop shot, or can it handle niko and wacky rigged senkos?

 

Why is the Orochi heavier and less sensitive? 
 

I was looking at the whipsnake and just went Steez instead. I actually don’t mind using two spinning combos as it lets me roll with a drop shot and secondary technique. 
 

Well as far as orochi vs levante my theory is that the orochi came out in 2018 and the levante line was rereleased in 2019 because the first line had some breakage issues. They obviously updated the blanks. As far as weight goes it may just be the cork in the orochi that makes it heavier but I’ve never held an orochi that felt light and well balanced compared to exprides and nrx or glx. 

[TNBankFishing]

10 hours ago, Dumbbassanglr said:

Well as far as orochi vs levante my theory is that the orochi came out in 2018 and the levante line was rereleased in 2019 because the first line had some breakage issues. They obviously updated the blanks. As far as weight goes it may just be the cork in the orochi that makes it heavier but I’ve never held an orochi that felt light and well balanced compared to exprides and nrx or glx. 

Weight on a spinning setup isn’t as critical to me personally. If it’s half an oz heavier I don’t mind. The styling in the Orochi is just so nice I tend to lean towards it. Blank material might be better Levante to Levante but the Orochis I’ve owned have been sensitive enough for their price. 
 

Im more interested if a 5” Texas rigged senko, or 1/4oz - 5/16th drop shot plus bait wear it out. I’ve got two sticks now the new Steez ML and St. Croix MLXF and I’d like to have one which covers the bases. 

[Scud_Muffin]

Still the consensus that the Levante is superior to the Orochi version?

[Big Hands]

On 5/16/2022 at 5:50 PM, Dumbbassanglr said:

I liked it so much that I also ordered the orochi version but when I got it I realized it was heavier and less sensitive!!! So I sold the orochi!

 

I went to the tackle shop one day determined to walk out with the Orochi XX Whipsnake as I had handled it several times before, albeit without a reel attached to it. I took a couple of reels with me just to make sure. . . I just didn't like the balance of it no matter which reel I put on it. I did end up walking out with a new Zodias 7' ML/F and a Tatula 2000I had to take some time to get on with foam rather than my beloved cork, I really like the rod and use it often.