Poll: Best high-end casting rod rankings.!

[Jeffrey Walker]

This is purely subjective, but in your experience (which would be a helpful qualifier in your response) what High-end brand casting rods represent the ultimate to you in either versatility, power, sensitivity, etc.  

 

Names come to mind such as conquest, nrx, megabass destroyer p5, steez ags, dobyns xtasy, poison adrena, etc, etc 

would love to hear how you would Rank the top end rods from your perspective, however you choose to rank them/ 

 

thisnis an open ended poll.  just want to hear your experiences with high end brands 

 

 

[KP Duty]

I have nrx and poison glorious sticks.  They are both great and each model excels at something different.  As far as usdm rods....the nrx probably has the best blend of weight, sensitivity, taper, and warranty.  That's why they are so popular.

[roadwarrior]

8 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

  As far as usdm rods....the nrx probably has the best blend of weight, sensitivity, taper, and warranty.  That's why they are so popular.

 

[FishTank]

I go with the top 6 that I own....

 

1. G. Loomis NRX+/NRX

2. Megabass Evoluzion

3. Megabass P5

4. G. Loomis GLX

5. St. Croix Legend Elite

6. Megabass Valkyrie 

 

Depending on what technique/lure, line, and specific rod, I could change the order of these slightly.  For instance, I like the NRX for over all, slack line sensitivity but the Evoluzion might be better for bottom contact. So kind of a toss up there.  

 

[Deleted account]

Had to check the calendar twice...

[Jeffrey Walker]

really curious where the steez ags rods would come into play in peoples experiences as well 

[new2BC4bass]

Can't afford high-end rods.  A rod that I feel is one of my most sensitive rods (especially given what I paid for it used) is a 7' MHF Rainshadow RX7.  It is also a great looking rod and very versatile.  I like a MHF for a do everything rod as it will handle most of the lures I use quite well.  I also have a few other rods purchased used that may qualify for "best", but they were purchased over the last few years, and I haven't gotten out much over that period.  I couldn't have afforded them new.

[KP Duty]

I forgot about the p5...which I have a couple of, but they are not bottom contact rods.  @FishTank....do you think the evolution blank is superior to the p5?  Evolution is certainly a nicer build I'll say.

[Cbump]

My two highest end rods:

 

Megabass P5 Destroyer

Dobyns Champion Extreme

 

 Love them both. 

[FishTank]

2 hours ago, KP Duty said:

I forgot about the p5...which I have a couple of, but they are not bottom contact rods.  @FishTank....do you think the evolution blank is superior to the p5?  Evolution is certainly a nicer build I'll say.

 

The Evoluzion I have is the 30th Anniversary Edition (previous model) and so far it's been fantastic but it is way different than the NRX models I have. Like most JDM rods, it's more parabolic but not moderate, maybe less stiff/crisp.  It very versatile. I have actually tried it with everything from crankbaits to jigs and have no real complaints, except that it may be too sensitive for cranks. 

 

As far as the P5's go, I have the Super Destroyer and the Criffhanger. Both are sensitive and work well for bottom contact baits but they are not my favorite. I tend to lean towards the NRX's rods instead.  Both of the rods I have I tend to use as general purpose rods on my kayak, which is what I wanted them for. One is for heavier stuff and the other for BFS. I have little to no experience with the other P5 models. I have only toyed around with the X-Bites and the Dark Sleeper.  The X-Bites felt awesome but the Dark Sleeper was kind of just OK. Can't explain it. 

 

Which rods do you have?

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

In my experience a high price doesnt mean I will like the rod more. I have NRX 893, GLX, Poison Andrena, Legend Elite, LTB, Kistler H3, Cumara for the high to mid priced range. I would put the Poison Arena as my favorite of those.

However the PA isnt my favorite rod I own this distinction goes to my Quantum Smoke 7' M/F yep a $130 rod beats those other $400-$600 rods for enjoyment and overall use. Its lightweight at 3.4oz and has very good balance at that weight. Its taper and lure weight handling lends itself to being very versatile. I throw ned rigs pond magic spinnerbaits to frogs and 3/4oz dark sleepers. The sensitivity is no joke either I feel it hold its own with those above. Ive owned this rod since 2011 used almost every outing its been a workhorse rod with great durability. My PB crappie and PB bass were caught with this rod so that makes it even more special.

 

Top 5 ranking of rods I own

1. Smoke
2. Avid
3. Poison Adrena
4. Okuma Helios
5. NRX

 

[RDB]

Of the rods have I a lot of time with:
1.   NRX+

2.  Conquest

3.  Steez

4.  Megabass OneTen Stick

5.  Z-Bone

 

I don’t typically use high end rods for moving baits but I had to try the OneTen stick.  It is a fun rod to fish with.

[Woody B]

Big number 1.   Ugly Stick

 

 

( I can't help it, I've always been this way)

[CrashVector]

Abu Garcia Zenon.  Best. Rod. Ever.

[NorcalBassin]

NRX/NRX+. Incredibly sensitive, pretty much any size/taper you'd ever need outside of swimbaits or BFS, and the warranty is top notch and incredibly simple. I really like higher end Megabass rods, but after 3 years you're SOL with the warranty and I've already been sol 2x.

[Jeffrey Walker]

My ranking is as follows

 

1) Megabass P5 - just so incredibly well done, not as sensitive as NRX but more enjoyable to fish with, the sleek design and balancing and grip, just make it the most enjoyable

2) NRX - obvious reasons - sensitivity 

3) Conquest - they don’t enough love prob because they’re soo expensive, could be number one just don’t like the full coke grips. 

4) Dobyns Champ XP - can’t say enough good about them. never tried the xtasy series 

5) St Croix Legend/Legend Xtreme - also really sensitive but they don’t wow me. 

 

have not tried poison adrena or steez ags.

[Jeffrey Walker]

On 9/3/2022 at 8:21 PM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

In my experience a high price doesnt mean I will like the rod more. I have NRX 893, GLX, Poison Andrena, Legend Elite, LTB, Kistler H3, Cumara for the high to mid priced range. I would put the Poison Arena as my favorite of those.

However the PA isnt my favorite rod I own this distinction goes to my Quantum Smoke 7' M/F yep a $130 rod beats those other $400-$600 rods for enjoyment and overall use. Its lightweight at 3.4oz and has very good balance at that weight. Its taper and lure weight handling lends itself to being very versatile. I throw ned rigs pond magic spinnerbaits to frogs and 3/4oz dark sleepers. The sensitivity is no joke either I feel it hold its own with those above. Ive owned this rod since 2011 used almost every outing its been a workhorse rod with great durability. My PB crappie and PB bass were caught with this rod so that makes it even more special.

 

Top 5 ranking of rods I own

1. Smoke
2. Avid
3. Poison Adrena
4. Okuma Helios
5. NRX

 

Appreciate that info, thanks 

[Hulkster]

It may not be 'high end' but my IMX Pro MBR903C is amazing 

[Tatulatard]

Megabass p5, jdm steez and posion glorious are all awesome.  Conquest if I want a posion glorious stylized by the amish.

[KP Duty]

17 minutes ago, Tatulatard said:

Megabass p5, jdm steez and posion glorious are all awesome.  Conquest if I want a posion glorious stylized by the amish.

I wonder if the conquest will get the '21 Glorious blank upgrade and become the Conquest+.  I don't know how well the Conquest is selling.  It could go away...

[Johnbt]

I ordered a Conquest 783C to see how it fished.

 

 

Then I ordered a Conquest 843C.

Then I ordered a Conquest 844C.

Then I ordered another one.

And an 843S. 

 

They suit me perfectly and I have no desire to change anything. If there's a better rod out there I don't need whatever it's offering. I'm kind of sad, I barely look at bass rods anymore.

[Jeffrey Walker]

I don’t think conquest get enought

love they’re really versatile, lightweight strong.  I think they’re hard to beat. 

[KP Duty]

2 hours ago, Johnbt said:

I ordered a Conquest 783C to see how it fished.

 

 

Then I ordered a Conquest 843C.

Then I ordered a Conquest 844C.

Then I ordered another one.

And an 843S. 

 

They suit me perfectly and I have no desire to change anything. If there's a better rod out there I don't need whatever it's offering. I'm kind of sad, I barely look at bass rods anymore.

Sweet.  I've been wanting that 843s for a while.  I want a powerful spinning rod for worms.  The conquest could stick around...

[Koz]

I'd be afraid that I would like those expensive, high end rods too much. I'll just stick with my Exprides.

[Bandersnatch]

On 9/9/2022 at 7:55 PM, Johnbt said:

I ordered a Conquest 783C to see how it fished.

 

 

Then I ordered a Conquest 843C.

Then I ordered a Conquest 844C.

Then I ordered another one.

And an 843S. 

 

They suit me perfectly and I have no desire to change anything. If there's a better rod out there I don't need whatever it's offering. I'm kind of sad, I barely look at bass rods anymore.

That 783c is my ninja sword for skipping. I can skip a six inch senko into a shot glass under a dock 

Just now, Bandersnatch said:

That 783c is my ninja sword for skipping. I can skip a six inch senko into a shot glass under a dock 

783c and a steez ct sv is a skipping machine