Looking for a slightly more powerful and versatile rod than the NRX+893c

[freelancer27]

Hi all,

I am looking to get some informed opinions from you all!

I have been fishing my NRX+ 893c for quite a while now and while I think it is a great rod, I often feel like I could use a bit more power when I am throwing a 3/8oz texas rigged plastic in some light grass. 

Hence, I decided to look for alternatives.

Needs:
* Would like to be able to throw anything from a 1/4oz Texas rig to a 3/8oz Texas rig where the bottom has some medium vegetation (nothing like pitching into cover though)

* It would be great to have a taper that would also allow the occasional moving bait (paddle tail, small chatterbaits)
* What I would also appreciate in a new rod would be a bit more leader friendly guides. The recoil guides are just a bit annoying at times. I am planning to user 30# braid to 12/14# FC
* Great warranty is a must, since I bank fish quite a bit and there is always a risk of something breaking
* Would like to stay within the same length, but dont mind if it is a few inches shorter/longer

Context:
* I have the Steez BC 1 that I am using for anything 1/2oz and a multiple Medium (light) rods for 1/4oz and below techniques
* Would most likely be pared with a Steez A (Steez SV spool)
* No budget limitation at this point (I do not prefer custom rods though)


Looking forward to your suggestions!

Thanks!

[Jmurphy87]

I would suggest the one rod that had done just about everything for me so far. That is a Conquest 844c MBR. I have thrown 2.8 keitech on a 1/8 owner flashy swimmer and even lighter stuff. I have thrown up to 1.1 oz setups on it, jigs, frogs, chatter baits, lipless, square bills, spinner baits, Texas rigs, walking baits. It’s an extremely versatile rod that can do a little bit of everything due to the unique taper, but it’s still got a lot of power when you need it. That’s my recommendation, I hope that it gives you a option to look at.

[MidwestBassAttack]

If you want to stay with Loomis…873CRR for a jack of all trades NRX+.
 

Outside of an NRX but at the same elite-level of sensitivity…Alpha Angler Zilla or Kistler Helium or Zbone 734. I jumped on the Alpha bandwagon and am very, very impressed.

[casts_by_fly]

what you're describing is the Falcon Cara heavy cover jig.  7'4" H/F, Falcon 6-power 'heavy' which is a very light heavy or an upper end MH for some.  1/2-1 oz rating.  A texas rig with a 1/4 oz weight and a modest sized bait is going to be okay.  If you're talking about something like a 3" beaver or a baby brush hog then that might be too light.  This rod realls shines with a 3/8 weight texas rig (and about any plastic you want to put on it).  It's labelled a fast action and that's true, but it has a good flex to it.  I use it for a lot of things- mid sized texas rigs and similar jigs, big chatterbaits, 110 ploppers.  With 30 lb braid it would be a great rod for what you're describing.  Mine has a zillion on it and its one of the combos I don't leave at home for any trip.  

[FishTank]

873C CCR and then the 904C MBR NRX+ would be my choices. 

[freelancer27]

Thanks all for the inputs so far! 

 

The 873crr has definitely crossed my mind! So has the Conquest 903c. This rod seems a bit more powerful than the 893c. Anybody with comparison points? The 904 might be too powerful and would overlap too much with the Steez BC that I already have. 

14 hours ago, Jmurphy87 said:

I would suggest the one rod that had done just about everything for me so far. That is a Conquest 844c MBR. I have thrown 2.8 keitech on a 1/8 owner flashy swimmer and even lighter stuff. I have thrown up to 1.1 oz setups on it, jigs, frogs, chatter baits, lipless, square bills, spinner baits, Texas rigs, walking baits. It’s an extremely versatile rod that can do a little bit of everything due to the unique taper, but it’s still got a lot of power when you need it. That’s my recommendation, I hope that it gives you a option to look at.

Thanks for the suggestion! What reel have you paired it up with to throw the keitech comfortably? 

 

I would think that the 844 is a bit too powerful for what I am intending. 

 

Anybody have a comparison between the 873c and the conquest 844c?

[Jmurphy87]

7 minutes ago, freelancer27 said:

Thanks all for the inputs so far! 

 

The 873crr has definitely crossed my mind! So has the Conquest 903c. This rod seems a bit more powerful than the 893c. Anybody with comparison points? The 904 might be too powerful and would overlap too much with the Steez BC that I already have. 

Thanks for the suggestion! What reel have you paired it up with to throw the keitech comfortably? 

 

I would think that the 844 is a bit too powerful for what I am intending. 

 

Anybody have a comparison between the 873c and the conquest 844c?

I used a slx xt, curado 150 mgl. Both of those reels did fine with it. The 844 is a very unique rod, powerful but has some give to it. I would say that it is good for moderate cover overall, last year I was fighting a 4.25lb fish out of a reed island with 14lb fluorocarbon and it felt good but it could have used a little bit more. But it worked so I keep using it.

[WRB]

Take a close look at ALX ENOX LST casting rod, meets all your needs, plus 10 year warranty and excellent customer service. Call Alex to answer any questions you may have.

Tom

[waymont]

Get a Loomis 844 mbr. It’s just the power and taper you’re looking for.

i my self prefer the  GLX because of the guides, but if you like the NRX guides get an 844 NRX.

 

[freelancer27]

Thanks again all!

 

I wanted to throw in two rods that I am also considering. 

 

1. Xtasy 754c

2. Conquest 903c

 

Anybody with experience/opinions on those?

 

Thanks again!

[lunkerboss923]

Loomis 843C (IMX PRO) for me is as versatile as you can get. I've used a trap, squarebill, Texas rig, swimbait with a 3/8oz flashy swimmer, chatterbait, and spinnerbait. 

[KP Duty]

904 mbr if you want to stay with a longer rod.  873 is great, but not as versatile as an mbr.

[softwateronly]

9 hours ago, freelancer27 said:

Thanks again all!

 

I wanted to throw in two rods that I am also considering. 

 

1. Xtasy 754c

2. Conquest 903c

 

Anybody with experience/opinions on those?

 

Thanks again!

 

There's enough tip on both the DRX755 and CNQ904 to throw and work 3/16oz bullet with a t-mac.  Usually I throw 3/16-3/8oz and 8-10" worms on these rods and somewhat favor the 755 for no discernible reason.  I know both of these are one power higher than you asked, but I would lean that way if I were you and it's also because that's what I know.  In Loomis you're going from a jwr to mbr, 1 power up should give you the tip to power you're looking for.  The 755 feels like a MH in weight and balance, but has some real power if/when you need it. 

 

I fish braid to leader, and both the 755/904 handle moving baits well.  They are 1 and 2 in my fave swim jig/chatterbait rods.

 

scott