Steez AGS Casting Rods

[Jeffrey Walker]

Anyone have any experience or feedback on the AGS casting rods.  Would like to hear your thoughts on sensitivity power ratings, strengths and weaknesses compared to other higher end rods. Thanks!

[RDB]

I’ll respond since nobody else has.  I only own 1 Steez rod currently (the Steez Bottom Contact) but have many NRX rods (all for bottom contact).  Since the NRX is usually the standard most compare sensitivity against, I’ll share my opinions on the two.
 

The Steez has a better overall build quality and balance, and comfortably handles a wider range of weights than a comparable NRX without feeling over/under powered.  The NRX is lighter (light is relative…both are light) and I feel like the NRX handles more crisply.  As far as sensitivity, the Steez is very good but to me it has more of a deeper, almost duller feel v. the NRX.  They are both very sensitive but in my hands, I prefer the feedback from my NRX rods.

 

Weakness is in the eye of the beholder but I personally don’t feel like there are any weaknesses with either rod.  I don’t care about aesthetics and don’t notice balance issues on 4 oz rods.  Steez are excellent rods and though I sold my Conquests and went all NRX, I did keep my 1 Steez rod.

[Bandersnatch]

3 hours ago, RDB said:

I’ll respond since nobody else has.  I only own 1 Steez rod currently (the Steez Bottom Contact) but have many NRX rods (all for bottom contact).  Since the NRX is usually the standard most compare sensitivity against, I’ll share my opinions on the two.
 

The Steez has a better overall build quality and balance, and comfortably handles a wider range of weights than a comparable NRX without feeling over/under powered.  The NRX is lighter (light is relative…both are light) and I feel like the NRX handles more crisply.  As far as sensitivity, the Steez is very good but to me it has more of a deeper, almost duller feel v. the NRX.  They are both very sensitive but in my hands, I prefer the feedback from my NRX rods.

 

Weakness is in the eye of the beholder but I personally don’t feel like there are any weaknesses with either rod.  I don’t care about aesthetics and don’t notice balance issues on 4 oz rods.  Steez are excellent rods and though I sold my Conquests and went all NRX, I did keep my 1 Steez rod.

I’ve had the NRX 893 (before plus) bottom contact 1 & 2. The bottom contact 2 is certainly lighter and more sensitive than the bc1. The bc 2 is as sensitive in my hands as the NRX. As for build quality I love the steez but do worry about my guides as I’m rough on them. 

[RDB]

11 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

As for build quality I love the steez but do worry about my guides as I’m rough on them.

FYI…Diawa just replaced a broken guide on my Steez at no cost and the turn around was less than 2 weeks.  I spoke with them before sending and they said they typically no cost replace AGS guides.  Their ask was a copy of the receipt and paying for 1 way shipping ($20 something) but it was worth it to get the correct guide replaced to look brand new.

[Boomstick]

I have the older version of the Bottom Contact rod. It's a fantastic rod for jigs, weighted T-Rigs and C-Rigs. It's a little heavier than the new version (but balances exceptionally well with a light reel), has maybe 70% backbone with 30% of a fairly stout tip and foam handles. Build quality is top notch.

 

The Bottom Contact II is around 4 ounces so it's even lighter, has a shorter tip (which may be good or bad) but they switched to cork handles and from what I understand, it's the same low quality that they use on the  Tatula so make sure you keep that sealed with U40 because it pits pretty fast.

 

I have three rods with AGS guides and have yet to break one, but I'm pretty careful with all of my rods by default.

[Jeffrey Walker]

I don’t see much feedback on these as compared to other brands so i appreciate the input and feedback 

[Bandersnatch]

On 9/1/2022 at 9:50 AM, RDB said:

FYI…Diawa just replaced a broken guide on my Steez at no cost and the turn around was less than 2 weeks.  I spoke with them before sending and they said they typically no cost replace AGS guides.  Their ask was a copy of the receipt and paying for 1 way shipping ($20 something) but it was worth it to get the correct guide replaced to look brand new.

I agree, they have replaced two for me over two years. I’m not worried about that, I do worry that they will get broken early in a long trip (7 days) and the rod is out of commission for the rest of the trip. That’s happened to me .

[Jeffrey Walker]

didn’t realize they were fragile 

[ErieCan]

Punchfishing did a few good reviews on these rods. I think he has two vids on the BC2 and one on the 7'11" Flipping rod. 

 

 

[Jeffrey Walker]

still not much info on these but they seem to be up there in terms of sensitivity like second to NRX

[Junger]

On 9/4/2022 at 12:05 PM, Jeffrey Walker said:

didn’t realize they were fragile 

 

AGS guides are so rigid, they either don't flex enough on the blank and they get loose in guide wrap, or they snap where the O-ring meets the foot. It's a side effect of catching a lot of big fish on the AGS rods though...which I guess isn't a bad thing. I've had 2 AGS guides repaired/replaced in 3 years on two separate rods.

[Jeffrey Walker]

hmm, so maybe not the best choice??

 

what attracted me to them is they seem to be very versatile, while still one of the most sensitive rods available.  

 

I love my NRXs but looking for some other rods that are still very very sensitive but more versatile 

[RDB]

If you like the NRX, go with a Conquest.  They provide more versatility than the technique specific NRX rods.  They feel more powerful but overall not that different than the NRX which you said you already like.

[Jeffrey Walker]

Really looking forward feedback on Steez AGS as head they are very sensitive but have mixed reviews as well

just not much info out there on first hand experience 

[RDB]

I shared my thoughts in the first post but I wouldn’t hold my breath expecting a lot of feedback.  They are very good rods but not the most popular choice in the high end category.  There is the video above as well as several others on YouTube and a few reviews on Tackle Tour.

[Jeffrey Walker]

I watched the video, love that guy and trust his experiences but that was the bottom contact rod.  i’m more interested in more versatile rods like the medium, the heavy and the extra heavy rods for multi-purposes.  
 

What else would you all reccomend for a highly versatile but still extremely sensitive high end rod series?

[RDB]

IMO, if you are going to spend that kind of money on a rod, it should be for bottom contact techniques…the extra dollars you are spending are primarily related to sensitivity.  Steez and Conquest rods are more versatile than the NRX rods but when I say versatile, I’m referring to a wider range of bottom contact techniques because they have wider lure ratings.  For example, an 844 Conquest is rated from 3/8-1oz but you can comfortably go above 1oz.  The NRX 854 is rated from 5/16-3/4 and IME, those ratings are pretty close.  You could use an MBR rod like the Conquest for some non bottom contact techniques but that is not there strength and there are much better and cheaper alternatives.  I can’t speak to St. Croix or Megabass bottom contact casting rods as I have no experience with them

[Jeffrey Walker]

hmm.. so your opinion is the premium paid flr sensitivity doesn’t necessarily translate to versatility and value.  in other words,  the money spent on these rods for having great sensitivity isn’t really worth it given the wide range of uses, and potential applications where sensitivity isn’t the most important factor. however, the value may be in that they offer a wide range of uses and not the sensitivity.  

 

is that correct?

 

if so, then are they versatile enough to justify the premium over other higher end brands like Megabass P5, dobyns xtasy, conquest etc 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

13 minutes ago, RDB said:

IMO, if you are going to spend that kind of money on a rod, it should be for bottom contact techniques…the extra dollars you are spending are primarily related to sensitivity.  Steez and Conquest rods are more versatile than the NRX rods but when I say versatile, I’m referring to a wider range of bottom contact techniques because they have wider lure ratings.  For example, an 844 Conquest is rated from 3/8-1oz but you can comfortably go above 1oz.  The NRX 854 is rated from 5/16-3/4 and IME, those ratings are pretty close.  You could use an MBR rod like the Conquest for some non bottom contact techniques but that is not there strength and there are much better and cheaper alternatives.  I can’t speak to St. Croix or Megabass bottom contact casting rods as I have no experience with them

From the Loomis lineup, what's the best chatterbait rod?  I take it that you don't think a NRX or Conquest is worth the squeeze for CBs?

[Jeffrey Walker]

I asked that question not long ago and my conclusion was dobyns 736 glass 

not worth the premium for sensitivity, it’s more power and action and materials 

[RDB]

4 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

From the Loomis lineup, what's the best chatterbait rod?  I take it that you don't think a NRX or Conquest is worth the squeeze for CBs?

I absolutely don’t.  If I had to choose a G. Loomis rod for chatterbaits, it would probably be a GLX but I don’t have a lot of experiences with the lower tier Loomis rods.  My number 1 choice and the rod I use for chatterbaits is the Alpha Angler ChatterBound.  It’s around $250 and awesome for most anything moving.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

2 minutes ago, RDB said:

I absolutely don’t.  If I had to choose a G. Loomis rod for chatterbaits, it would probably be a GLX but I don’t have a lot of experiences with the lower tier Loomis rods.  My number 1 choice and the rod I use for chatterbaits is the Alpha Angler ChatterBound.  It’s around $250 and awesome for most anything moving.

When I was last into this sport as heavily as I am, GLX was the top of the line, moreover I got a few special edition models.     I've been fishing them on GLX Mag Bass rods, and a lot is to be desired.

 

I wish I could stick with Loomis, but I'll look into the one you recommend.   250 isn't anything to sneeze at.

 

Thanks, and sorry to hijack OPs thread

[PotatoLake]

14 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

From the Loomis lineup, what's the best chatterbait rod?  I take it that you don't think a NRX or Conquest is worth the squeeze for CBs?

Ive always heard this is the Loomis chatter rod to own.

 

IMX Pro Cast Rod 7'4" Med Hvy Bladed Jig 883C BJR

[AlabamaSpothunter]

9 minutes ago, PotatoLake said:

Ive always heard this is the Loomis chatter rod to own.

 

IMX Pro Cast Rod 7'4" Med Hvy Bladed Jig 883C BJR

Buying Loomis is a big deal because my local store is one of Loomis's biggest dealers and has a no questions asked warranty policy.   Gives me great security when I lay down good money for a rod.   That said I need to go in and ask about other rods they may offer similar warranties on.

 

Knock on wood I don't break them often, but breaking a $300-700 rods and eating it is a tough pill to swallow 

[Jeffrey Walker]

if we could get this back to Steez ags that would be appreciated. 

21 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

When I was last into this sport as heavily as I am, GLX was the top of the line, moreover I got a few special edition models.     I've been fishing them on GLX Mag Bass rods, and a lot is to be desired.

 

I wish I could stick with Loomis, but I'll look into the one you recommend.   250 isn't anything to sneeze at.

 

Thanks, and sorry to hijack OPs thread

no worries, i understand completely but if we keep this on point - about steez ags rods that would be appreciated.