Rod balance - NRX vs Dobyns

[badfish79]

I'm in a position to level all the way up to an NRX+ and am eyeing an 843C MBR. I expect it to be versatile, but its main purpose would be 1/4 - 1/2oz t-rig plastics and small paddletail swimbaits.

 

I love my Dobyns Champ XPs, and a big reason is their balance. My current favorite is the DC703C. I love everything about it, but looking for more sensitivity and a full cork handle. I am planning to upgrade to either a DX743C or the NRX+ 843C. I'd probably go straight to a DX703C with no questions if it had a full cork handle.

 

With that said, do NRX's have similar balance to Dobyn's rods? I imagine at that price point, it should be pretty dang good. I cant imagine a more balanced rod than the Dobyns DC703C, but maybe with the NRX materials and lighter weight (assuming here), it will feel even better overall? Its going to be paired with a Lew's Tournament MB for the time being.

 

I havent found either rod locally, or at least both in the same shop to compare at the same time. Any input is greatly appreciated.

[thunderblack]

The 843MBR nrx is one of the best rods ever made. You will have zero complaints  Go after it if you want the best. 

[kstephes033]

No, balance on most NRX's are nowhere near a Dobyns balance and that is a well known gripe with NRX's, however the 843 should be short enough that the balance is fine. 

[FishTank]

I just picked the 843c. I don't why I waited to long to get it. Perfect balance,  casts well and feels strong in hand.  

 

I also picked up a Dobyn's Champion XP. Great rod as well. I would say it's a great bang for the buck type of rod. 

 

I do need more time with each to give them a proper evaluation but so far I am happy with both.

 

[badfish79]

I had a DC702C a couple years ago. It was super balanced and awesome for casting light weight stuff. It didnt have the power to keep the spotted bay bass that I fish for from digging themselves into the eel grass and shaking the hook, so I had to sell it and get a 703C. I never tried the 702C with freshwater bass.

 

Looking forward to your 843C review!

[dodgeguy]

Buy a Dobyns Xtasy

[FishTank]

6 minutes ago, fish_burrito said:

I had a DC702C a couple years ago. It was super balanced and awesome for casting light weight stuff. It didnt have the power to keep the spotted bay bass that I fish for from digging themselves into the eel grass and shaking the hook, so I had to sell it and get a 703C. I never tried the 702C with freshwater bass.

The tip on the 702c is soft to me but not in a bad way. It doesn't have a lot of hook setting power but its good enough.  I have tried it with a weightless senko, some Texas rigged soft plastic with an 1/8 oz bullet weight and some 4in easy shiners. All worked great. I can see where it would make for a decent jerkbait rod too. 

[badfish79]

1 hour ago, dodgeguy said:

Buy a Dobyns Xtasy

I thought about it. The 723C sounds like it fits my criteria, but at that price point, I might as well try "the best of the best". Maybe if one of those crazy 40% back type deals comes back any time soon.

1 hour ago, kstephes033 said:

No, balance on most NRX's are nowhere near a Dobyns balance and that is a well known gripe with NRX's, however the 843 should be short enough that the balance is fine. 

 

I had the same thoughts about the 843's length helping the balance. At one point I had a DC 703C and a 733C. I much prefer the 703C because of its better balance, which I assume is due to its shorter length. One of my worries of the DX743C would be the possibility that it wouldnt balance as well as the lower tier DC703C because its 4" longer, even with its better materials.

[kstephes033]

1 hour ago, fish_burrito said:

I thought about it. The 723C sounds like it fits my criteria, but at that price point, I might as well try "the best of the best". Maybe if one of those crazy 40% back type deals comes back any time soon.

 

I had the same thoughts about the 843's length helping the balance. At one point I had a DC 703C and a 733C. I much prefer the 703C because of its better balance, which I assume is due to its shorter length. One of my worries of the DX743C would be the possibility that it wouldnt balance as well as the lower tier DC703C because its 4" longer, even with its better materials.

At one time I owned 3 743c. They are awesome rods and great balance, but the sensitivity wont be anywhere near a loomis. 

[badfish79]

42 minutes ago, kstephes033 said:

At one time I owned 3 743c. They are awesome rods and great balance, but the sensitivity wont be anywhere near a loomis. 

I assume almost nothing compares to the sensitivity on the NRX, but since I have never experienced it, I would probably be ok with the DX743. I am sure both are a big upgrade to the DC703. The one with the better balance will be the winner. I'd love to hear that the DX743 balances just like a DC703, that would save me a few hundred bucks.

 

I am still weary of buying without trying. I bought a Daiwa Tatula 7' Medium spinning rod because I saw Punch Fishing's review on it and he mentioned its light-weight (3.something oz) and versatility. Although it was super duper light, I ended up selling it as it was tip heavy in my hands.

 

Dobyns spoiled me and now balance is my favorite and almost the most important aspect of any rod I look to own.

[dodgeguy]

Balance should be. Over an entire day imbalance wears on you.

[Jrob78]

The balance on the 743 is great and the rod is a pleasure to fish with. It’s not great in the sensitivity department though and nowhere near an NRX. I hate these balance pictures but it’s the best way for you to see. Lol

 

Also, I noticed you said 1/2oz t-rigs, that sounds more like a 744 to me. The 743 isn't super powerful for a MH.

 

Something in the Megabass P5 line might be a good option as well. 

[rangerjockey]

14 hours ago, dodgeguy said:

Buy a Dobyns Xtasy

If your going to spend 550+ on a rod then buy the best and get the NRX. The Xtasy really isn't close in terms of sensitivity. Dobyns has made a big deal out of balance for years. The 89 inch NRX's are tippy in some models especially the 895 .

My 853 balances right on the reel nut with a 150 MGL.  What more do you want ?

What models are you comparing ?

[badfish79]

16 hours ago, kstephes033 said:

At one time I owned 3 743c. They are awesome rods and great balance, but the sensitivity wont be anywhere near a loomis. 

How would a DX743 compare to the lesser Loomis rods when it comes to balance and sensitivity? like an 843 MBR in a GLX or IMX-Pro?

 

I guess another question for those with experience with Dobyns and G.Loomis rods, which is more similar to a DC703 power-wise? an 843 or 842 MBR?

[rangerjockey]

In my opinion the 843 GLX is stronger than a 703 and lighter than a 704 .I would say 703 1/2 

[waymont]

Don’t have an NRX 843, but I have two GLX 843 rods. If the NRX is better balanced and sensitive I’d love to experience it.  The GLX is an unbelievable rod. I use either a Zillion G or current Metanium, and it just floats in my hand. It’s a stronger rod that Dobyns 703c.

[TNBankFishing]

On 3/13/2023 at 4:47 PM, fish_burrito said:

I thought about it. The 723C sounds like it fits my criteria, but at that price point, I might as well try "the best of the best". Maybe if one of those crazy 40% back type deals comes back any time soon.

 

I had the same thoughts about the 843's length helping the balance. At one point I had a DC 703C and a 733C. I much prefer the 703C because of its better balance, which I assume is due to its shorter length. One of my worries of the DX743C would be the possibility that it wouldnt balance as well as the lower tier DC703C because its 4" longer, even with its better materials.

One of those 40% deals is happening tomorrow if you’ve not yet pulled the trigger. 

[badfish79]

 

3 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

One of those 40% deals is happening tomorrow if you’ve not yet pulled the trigger. 

 

I did pull the trigger on an nrx+ 843, but it's tax return season, so one more rod can't hurt ?

[badfish79]

Update:

 

If anyone is interested, I picked up an NRX+ 843.

 

The DC703 most definitely balances better imo (noticeably less tip heavy) than the NRX, but its not horrible. If this was mainly for a bottom contact, tip up fishing style, I might have some issues, but its not the case.

 

The sensitivity of the NRX is way out of the DC's league, as expected. I fished an area I am very familiar with and pulled my t-rigged grub over some stones that I only subtly felt with the DC before. The bottom feel was so much more pronounced that I was swinging on the stone taps and eel grass before I realized what they were.

 

I still prefer the Dobyns ergonomics and balance feel with the Lews Tournament MB than the NRX (maybe the fuji reel seat vs the shimano Ci4 reel seat?). Maybe a new reel on the NRX will be the ticket to 100% satisfaction. The NRX will for sure be my main rod going forward, so I'm sure time will eventually change my mind.

[jeffalessi801]

Love my dx743 and 744, never tried the nrx to compare but curado dc on my extremes are a dream set up. 

[UmairF]

On 3/13/2023 at 10:10 PM, Jrob78 said:

The balance on the 743 is great and the rod is a pleasure to fish with. It’s not great in the sensitivity department though and nowhere near an NRX. I hate these balance pictures but it’s the best way for you to see. Lol

 

Also, I noticed you said 1/2oz t-rigs, that sounds more like a 744 to me. The 743 isn't super powerful for a MH.

 

Something in the Megabass P5 line might be a good option as well. 

How would you compare the new p5 rods to the xtasy rods in terms of balance, sensitivity, components, and power? I think those 2 are more comparable in price vs. the $600+ nrx+ lineup.

 

I would love to get my hands on an nrx+ 852 spinning rod someday though. Almost every review I’ve seen swears it’s the GOAT for shakeyheads and all around finesse techniques. I’d probably use it to drag 1/4 ounce football jigs too.

[Jrob78]

15 minutes ago, UmairF said:

How would you compare the new p5 rods to the xtasy rods in terms of balance, sensitivity, components, and power? I think those 2 are more comparable in price vs. the $600+ nrx+ lineup.

 

I would love to get my hands on an nrx+ 852 spinning rod someday though. Almost every review I’ve seen swears it’s the GOAT for shakeyheads and all around finesse techniques. I’d probably use it to drag 1/4 ounce football jigs too.

I don't have any experience with the Xtasy rods. I've only fished one P5, the X-Bites, but it is amazing in sensitivity and balance. No experience with any of the NRX+ rods either.

[UmairF]

34 minutes ago, Jrob78 said:

I don't have any experience with the Xtasy rods. I've only fished one P5, the X-Bites, but it is amazing in sensitivity and balance. No experience with any of the NRX+ rods either.

Oh nice! I heard the X-Bites is a phenomenal jig rod from the hookuptackle. What do you primarily use it for, or techniques see it being used for?

 

I found an Orochi XX Braillist in mint condition on sale and bought since the tacticalbassin guys love it so much for jigs. I hated how tip heavy it was though and ended up returning it once I felt it outta the box with a new zillion attached. Currently using an expride b 7’2 MH with the zillion for my heavier bottom contact techniques but I’d be interested in getting a specialty rod for 3/8-3/4 jigs specifically.

 

Also really leaning towards that nrx+ 852 spinning for my finesse bottom contact techniques but not pulling the trigger anytime soon. Open to other/better options if anyone has suggestions on that too.

[Jrob78]

29 minutes ago, UmairF said:

Oh nice! I heard the X-Bites is a phenomenal jig rod from the hookuptackle. What do you primarily use it for, or techniques see it being used for?

 

I found an Orochi XX Braillist in mint condition on sale and bought since the tacticalbassin guys love it so much for jigs. I hated how tip heavy it was though and ended up returning it once I felt it outta the box with a new zillion attached. Currently using an expride b 7’2 MH with the zillion for my heavier bottom contact techniques but I’d be interested in getting a specialty rod for 3/8-3/4 jigs specifically.

 

Also really leaning towards that nrx+ 852 spinning for my finesse bottom contact techniques but not pulling the trigger anytime soon. Open to other/better options if anyone has suggestions on that too.

To me the X-Bites is a phenomenal finesse jig rod and maybe 3/8oz jigs and t-rigs. It doesn't have the power for anything heavier though, imo. From what I hear the FMJ is the rod for jigs in that range.

[jimanchower]

1 hour ago, Jrob78 said:

To me the X-Bites is a phenomenal finesse jig rod and maybe 3/8oz jigs and t-rigs. It doesn't have the power for anything heavier though, imo. From what I hear the FMJ is the rod for jigs in that range.

 

Agreed. I don't find the X Bites to be particularly versatile compared to most of my other rods (which are -- to be fair -- designed to be versatile) but for jigs and t-rigs with a total weight in the 1/2 - 3/4oz range, it's what I want in my hands. The 7'2" MH/F Expride that the OP has (which I also have, in the A designation) does much better with those 1/2 - 5/8oz jigs.