Higher end gear suggestions

[Smirak]

Got some money saved up and want to get something a little more higher end because I want it: not because I need it, or even deserve it. Id like for it to be something that I reach for quite often. Currently, I reach for my Curado 150 mgl on a st Croix 7’6” MHF Mojo Bass nearly 90% of the time. I throw pretty much everything on it. Don’t have a heavy or a fast (8.x) reel. Got everything else covered with the exception of light/UL. 
 

let’s say $1000 baitcaster/rod budget. 
 

Kevin

[Junk Fisherman]

Loomis NRX, Megabass Destroyer, and the Daiwa Steez are the rods I'd consider.  I'm partial to Daiwa so I would pair it up with a Zillion or a Chronarch if you are a Shimano guy.  I'd max out the rod and keep the reel in the $300 range.  Happy shopping!!  That sounds fun!

[TheBaitMonkey]

I’d get an NRX 893c or 873crr and pair it with a new Zillion HD 1000 from a JDM site. These Zillions are great - especially at the current exchange rate!
 

I love my 873crr but since you are used to the extra length the 893c should be your ticket. If you’re looking for versatility go with the 844c MBR, it’s another amazing choice.
 

You could go high end Daiwa or Megabass but you will always wonder what an NRX feels like so you might as well start there.
 

If you want something totally out of left field that is also a sick stick get a Shimano Poison Glorious 174MH+, it’s basically a Conquest that wasn’t made to look like the Amish built it and they are wonderful but hard to find in stock.

[badfish79]

Dobyns extreme hp 744 or 745, or a Dobyns xtasy 754 or 755 plus a $500 reel of your choice

[optimator]

I’d go NRX. Whatever is left over spend on a reel.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

This thread goes to show me how much I value the Zillion SV TW G......for your budget you could pretty much get 95% of the high end combos you'd want. 

 

You can honestly get two amazing combos for $1k......and that's certainly what I'd do.   Two rigs is better than one no matter how gucci it is.    

 

Get two Zillions, and two MegaBass Levante series rods to match up with them....boom, $1k of your hard earned money spent on Japanese awesomeness.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

If you’re treating yourself and want to explore a custom build, I’d be happy to talk with you. PM me here and I’ll get with you. Reel wise it’s hard to wrong in the top tier reels. I like the Zillion too. 

[LonnieP]

Steez AGS rod with a JDM Zillion SV or Zillion HD

[djhands]

Get a alx zolo mcsmalls and a Stella 3000 or 4000 reel and that covers most finesse spinning techniques 

[Cbump]

1 hour ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

You can honestly get two amazing combos for $1k......and that's certainly what I'd do. 

Same!

[Dye99]

For me, NRX+ for the best or Megabass destroyer, then spend the rest on a reel.

 

 

Its all personal opinions though, so the best bet would be to get your hands on a few different rigs and you decide what you think feels the best.

Youll know what feels good in your hands.

My fishing buddy hands me a McSmalls ALX and to me it's an ugly stick, hate it.

I hand him a NRX+ 852 for senko's and he hates it, feels like a cheap broomstick.

All perception.

 

 

 

[Pogues2300]

Love my nrx 873 crr and 844c . As far as reels go  I really do love daiwa but the best I own is metanium mgl b…. And I own two new zillions, they are good but don’t cast as far or are as smooth as the metanium imo.

[Reel]

Here is some of the high end gear that I've got and really like : 

Reel: Shimano Conquest

         Stella 2500- high speed, shallow spool

 

Rod: 901 NRX (spinning)

[Deephaven]

In that range if you have a hole in your arsenal custom is the only way to go IMO.  

[Wprich]

NRX+ 903/904 MBR rod with a Daiwa Zillion 8.5:1 reel.  If you find the right retailer will have some money left for line and some baits as well.

[djhands]

If you want to go to 1500 combo I have a craftsman hedgehog stinger with a daiwa exist PC 2500. It is balanced perfectly 

Or for power fishing I have a craftsman white python ii with an Antares MD DC 

[Msl819]

On 6/24/2023 at 6:42 PM, optimator said:

I’d go NRX. Whatever is left over spend on a reel.

This is what I’d do too. If you’re looking for a Hvy rod that has good versatility I would go with the 844 MBR. I have both the 873 CRR and the 844 MBR. They really are both great rods but the MBR action really is something to experience.

[jimanchower]

If you typically throw fast action rods and haven't tried an MBR, that's an easy recommendation. I got the GLX 843c, loved it, and more recently picked up the GLX 844c. But if you know you want a fast-action bottom contact rod maybe look at the NRX+. I've dipped my toe into the Megabass rod world but I'm more of a Loomis guy.

 

The Daiwa Zillion reels are great but I prefer the size and shape of Shimano's offerings. The Aldebaran is one of my favorites, both because it's super light and because I can absolutely bomb casts with it. The Metaniums are fantastic, too, if you want more of an all-rounder.

[padon]

id go nrx 843c and since im a shimano guy id go that route for a reel. but i really dont think super high end reels do that much for you. id be fine with another curado 150 mgl.

[FishTank]

For a light/ultra light.... I would go spinning in your case. I like the Loomis NRX+ 821S or the 842 SJR with a Shimano Vanquish 2500S

 

For a Heavy casting set up.... Loomis NRX+ 904C with a Shimano Metanium or a Megabass Valkyrie 7'1" H  (spiral wrapped guides) with a Daiwa Steez A II. 

[Jrob78]

I would get a Megabass P5 Destroyer in FMJ or BMG, depending on what you want the rod to do and then get a JDM Steez A II. 

[Bandersnatch]

Short

Tachyon shaft

Longer

Conquest 844c

NRX 873c

Steez Power Pitch 

Even longer 

nrx 894 

steez bottom contact 

 

 

JDM Steez A II 

Zillion 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

IMO the rod is the is more important than the reel in most cases.  I feel like you get more of a return on your investment with a rod then a reel.  

I would get a JD zillion or 20Met and spend the rest put the rest into a rod.  For 700$ you have some good option.  The real question is whether to go custom or not.  

[jjwalker67]

Megabass Super Destroyer and Daiwa Steez SV TW. Prefer this rod over a NRX+ 853 i use to have. 

[Bandersnatch]

8 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

IMO the rod is the is more important than the reel in most cases.  I feel like you get more of a return on your investment with a rod then a reel.  

I would get a JD zillion or 20Met and spend the rest put the rest into a rod.  For 700$ you have some good option.  The real question is whether to go custom or not.  

I love customs but I can’t help but think about when I made my first major investment in boujee gear. I bought a high end loomis because of the warranty. When buying high end off the shelf sticks you have a feeling that the money is somewhat invested. 
 

if I break a conquest, NRX or Steez, I can replace it for much less than the initial investment.

 

plus, there are some genuinely bad a**  production model rods with proven technique uses.