Best Medium Heavy Casting Rod Recommended?

[JohnnyRebTX]

I have been upgrading all of my gear lately. I've already purchased a G Loomis NRX+ Medium JWR spinning rod, and a Shimano Expride Heavy casting rod. What's y'all's thoughts on one medium heavy caster that can do a bit of everything that y'all prefer? Daiwa Steez AGS MH? A Loomis NRX+ or GLX? Or something else like a Dobyns Champion Extreme HP,  St Croix Legend X, Kistler Z-Bone, or save a bit with another Expride?

Primary uses will be Texas rigs, but also used for moving baits. 

[Wprich]

Conquest or NRX+ mbr model like 843C or 844C I have 2 of them in the conquest line and love them.  I started upgrading my gear myself around this time last year and was lucky to pick them up at good prices as my do all casting rigs finesse jigs, jackhammers, spinner air, swimjigs, Texas rigs, even threw cranks on them.  I have a few croix legend elite(same blank as legend X) spinning rods that I love also and would imagine the casting rods would be great as well.

[roadwarrior]

The GLX MBR 844C is a universal rod and perhaps my all time favorite.

[Jweller]

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

The GLX MBR 844C is a universal rod and perhaps my all time favorite.

probably stretching the rod's limits here, but could it throw a squarebill in a pinch?

[Hulkster]

I'm in the process of ordering the IMX Pro MBR903C

 

I like the extra length of the 7'6 version of the MH MBR rod

 

I currently have a 2015 E6X version. I like it but I want something more crisp.

 

the GLX does not come in the 7'6 version 

[roadwarrior]

1 hour ago, Jweller said:

probably stretching the rod's limits here, but could it throw a squarebill in a pinch?

Yes, but not ideal. The tip is firm and most appropriate for single hook lures.

[JohnnyRebTX]

I was just offered a legend x for about $100 off brand new. I was leaning towards a Loomis GLX, but the price is tempting. Could I snag a GLX for below 400 during holiday sales?

[WRB]

Price doesn’t equal excellent MH bass rods, ego does.

Tom

[NorthernBasser]

Expride 7'2 med-heavy. Megabass Orochi Diablo is very versatile as well. Or if you wanna save money, the Dobyn Sierra 734. There's a regular size guides model and a micro guides version. If you're not doing braid to leader, the micro guides is a great choice. Awesome, awesome rod. 

[JohnnyRebTX]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Price doesn’t equal excellent MH bass rods, ego does.

Tom

Got any favorite MH's?

[NorthernBasser]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Price doesn’t equal excellent MH bass rods, ego does.

Tom

So somebody who wants to treat themselves to a higher end rod has a big ego? 

[WRB]

Paying $600-$700 for a bass and equal price for a reel will not make you a better bass angler, it will inflate your ego.

It’s like a pigeon grade shot gun vs a field grade, both shot the same but the pigeon grade can cost 10 X the field grade.

Anyone can have the highest quality bass rod blank made into custom rod that all your needs for under $400, I never paid more then $260.

What Elite or Major ledge pro is using $1200 combo’s? If high end rods truly provided a advantage they all would be using them.

Tom

[JohnnyRebTX]

14 minutes ago, WRB said:

Paying $600-$700 for a bass and equal price for a reel will not make you a better bass angler, it will inflate your ego.

It’s like a pigeon grade shot gun vs a field grade, both shot the same but the pigeon grade can cost 10 X the field grade.

Anyone can have the highest quality bass rod blank made into custom rod that all your needs for under $400, I never paid more then $260.

What Elite or Major ledge pro is using $1200 combo’s? If high end rods truly provided a advantage they all would be using them.

Tom

I agree that the more someone pays in a hobby doesn't equal better skill, but I've always said to each his own regarding just about anything. Some fisherman will never pay for more than a $20 combo from a big box store. Does that make them less of a fisherman? Nope! I can almost guarantee that just about anyone with fair incite can outfish me. That's why I don't fish in tournaments. It doesn't interest me, but like I said. To each his own. Like your gun references, I will never buy firearms upwards of $1,000 personally. But I don't blame people that do. I think they're cool. Just wouldn't spend that myself is all. Most of my buddies won't go above $100-$150 on a rod or reel. I don't blame them either. I mostly bank fish, and fishing is my favorite hobby. So a few hundred on four or five nice setups as opposed to $100-$150 on twenty setups for a tournament angler is not far off. Just depends on what we enjoy doing, and we are willing to pay. 

[FishTank]

I would look at Megabass for a do all rod.

 

I have G. Loomis NRX, GLX, IMX and some St. Croix rods but the Megabass blanks that I have and fished/put in my hands (with a few exceptions) seem very versatile. With that said, they are kind of different as some of the ones I have seem like a blend of two or three rods in one.  For example, imagine some one took the butt of a heavy jig rod, the mid section of T-rigged soft plastic rod, the tip of a heavy crankbait rod and Frankensteined them together....  That would equal to the P5 Super Destroyer.  You can go through all their lines of rods and find gems like this.  I would like to think their concept is to make a rod that is pretty good (not totally great) at one thing but good at almost anything.  So far of the ones I own, I have really enjoyed them and they have made my bank fishing more fun but they may not be for everybody. If you are looking for a moving bait rod that can do T-rigged soft plastic, I would look at the Valkyrie line up.  They are a tad heavy when compared to the NRX rods but they are a blend and are both sensitive and somewhat soft.  I haven't held this rod or even seen it for that matter but it was one I considered recently and it looks like it might fit the bill..... Megabass Valkyrie 6'11'' MH, Med-Fast taper.  Downside though, just about everybody in the business has a better warranty than Megabass.

 

 

[NorthernBasser]

11 hours ago, WRB said:

Paying $600-$700 for a bass and equal price for a reel will not make you a better bass angler, it will inflate your ego.

It’s like a pigeon grade shot gun vs a field grade, both shot the same but the pigeon grade can cost 10 X the field grade.

Anyone can have the highest quality bass rod blank made into custom rod that all your needs for under $400, I never paid more then $260.

What Elite or Major ledge pro is using $1200 combo’s? If high end rods truly provided a advantage they all would be using them.

Tom

I don't recall him saying nicer gear will make him a better angler. There's many reasons people buy higher end gear. Lighter rods and reels may make it easier for them to fish all day. Better components, etc. Or maybe they work hard for their money and just enjoy treating themselves. To says it's all about ego is just silly IMO. 

 

I'll just assume you fish with $20 Ozark Trail Wal-Mart rods then? No need to spend more than that, right?

 

Personally I don't care what others spend. It's their money. And I certainly won't question someone's character based on how much money they spend on a rod and reel. 

[JohnnyRebTX]

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

I would look at Megabass for a do all rod.

 

I have G. Loomis NRX, GLX, IMX and some St. Croix rods but the Megabass blanks that I have and fished/put in my hands (with a few exceptions) seem very versatile. With that said, they are kind of different as some of the ones I have seem like a blend of two or three rods in one.  For example, imagine some one took the butt of a heavy jig rod, the mid section of T-rigged soft plastic rod, the tip of a heavy crankbait rod and Frankensteined them together....  That would equal to the P5 Super Destroyer.  You can go through all their lines of rods and find gems like this.  I would like to think their concept is to make a rod that is pretty good (not totally great) at one thing but good at almost anything.  So far of the ones I own, I have really enjoyed them and they have made my bank fishing more fun but they may not be for everybody. If you are looking for a moving bait rod that can do T-rigged soft plastic, I would look at the Valkyrie line up.  They are a tad heavy when compared to the NRX rods but they are a blend and are both sensitive and somewhat soft.  I haven't held this rod or even seen it for that matter but it was one I considered recently and it looks like it might fit the bill..... Megabass Valkyrie 6'11'' MH, Med-Fast taper.  Downside though, just about everybody in the business has a better warranty than Megabass.

 

 

I wish that model had cork grips. I just looked them up. I've heavily considered the Tequila Baccarac for an umbrella rig rod as well as some swimbaits. That one definitely interests me.

[softwateronly]

52 minutes ago, JohnnyRebTX said:

I wish that model had cork grips. I just looked them up. I've heavily considered the Tequila Baccarac for an umbrella rig rod as well as some swimbaits. That one definitely interests me.

 

I have this and love it.  Super versatile, single hook/trebles, reaction/sensitivity, 5/8-3.5oz, it does all of it really well.  I wish they made a 7'6 version, maybe the Mark 56 will be it, but the literature makes it sound a touch too parabolic for me.

 

scott

[JohnnyRebTX]

The more that I read reviews and specs, the more I wonder if maybe a medium casting rod is what I'm looking for. The T-rigs that I enjoy throwing the most are with 3/16oz weights. That seems to be below the specs of many MH rods. Plus I plan on throwing 1/4-1/2 lipless cranks on it as well as 3/8 oz spinners, chatterbaits, 3/16 oz underspins, and possibly square bills. These seem to be on the lighter spectrum of a medium heavy, and my Heavy Expride can cast 1/2-1.5oz.

Thoughts?

[FishTank]

5 hours ago, JohnnyRebTX said:

I wish that model had cork grips. I just looked them up. I've heavily considered the Tequila Baccarac for an umbrella rig rod as well as some swimbaits. That one definitely interests me.

 

The grip is something to get use to on the Super Destroyer. 

 

I did look at the same Tequila Baccarac and ended up with the Valkyrie 7'1'' Heavy. I was looking for something I can through a 6in Magdraft on as well as Alabama Rigs, and Frogs.  What I found was I can use this rod for just about anything heavy. I used it for jigs, T-rigged  soft plastic and big crankbaits. It works for all of it.  I wasn't a fan of the spiral wrapped guides at first but it will cast a mile and do it effortlessly. 

[NavyToad]

Most MH rods are rated 1/4-1oz. A 3/16 weight with a piece of plastic will put you above 1/4oz and should be no problem on a MH. A 1/2oz lipless on a Medium rod might be a stretch.

Most MH rods will throw spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, t-rigs, and lipless cranks with ease.

Not to confuse you, but all MH rods are not the same. 

[NorthernBasser]

Agree with NavyToad. I'd definitely go with a med-heavy. You can still get the 7'2" med-heavy Expride A at TW right now, and you'd get the 15% off. It's a very versatile rod. 

[JohnnyRebTX]

Thanks for the advice guys. Since TW is running the 15% off, what about the new St Croix Legend tournament? I read that the old models were tip heavy. With the sale going on and if they improved them, they'd be roughly the same as an Expride.

[DogBone_384]

On 5/24/2022 at 12:21 AM, JohnnyRebTX said:

What's y'all's thoughts on one medium heavy caster that can do a bit of everything that y'all prefer?

I'm a Kistler fan.  My #1 MH rod is their Helium 7' MH/F.  I own many Heliums and KLXs, which weigh in around 3 1/2 ounces each.  The KLX is a mod-fast blank, which you could also say is pretty universal, and maybe a better choice if you're using one rod for T-rigs and moving baits.  Kistler's build quality is excellent, and they're made in Texas.

 

I called Kistler one day to pay for a custom order I had in and Trey answered the phone, a nice 'small company' feel.  

 

Best of luck picking out your new rod!

[BigAngus752]

On 5/23/2022 at 11:21 PM, JohnnyRebTX said:

Primary uses will be Texas rigs, but also used for moving baits. 

No.  Just no.  You will change your mind later.  Pick a rod for bottom contact.  Pick a rod for movers.   

[JohnnyRebTX]

24 minutes ago, DogBone_384 said:

I'm a Kistler fan.  My #1 MH rod is their Helium 7' MH/F.  I own many Heliums and KLXs, which weigh in around 3 1/2 ounces each.  The KLX is a mod-fast blank, which you could also say is pretty universal.  Kistler's build quality is excellent, and they're made in Texas.

 

I called Kistler one day to pay for a custom order I had in and Trey answered the phone, a nice 'small company' feel.  

 

Best of luck picking out your new rod!

I wonder how the Dobyns Champion Extreme HP compares to the Helium's. I've heard good things about both.