Best Rod for Bottom Contact and Moving Baits

[UmairF]

Hey guys,

 

Need some help narrowing down a rod. I’m trying to consolidate my equipment and just upgrade to a few nicer sticks. I’m gonna list some techniques below that I need them for. Hoping to only grab one or 2 new rods at the most. Only looking for rods in the NRX+, Megabass, and higher-end Daiwa lines. For some context I fish a lot of Wisconsin natural and man-made lakes with lots of submerged grass in them. Slight mixture of rock too. Docks play a big deal too.

 

Jigs: Slack line sensitivity. Something that’s easy to skip with and rip out of grass. Not looking for a broomstick but something more powerful than the P5 Xbites and has a slightly softer tip than the NRX+ 854C so that I can load up a little more when I skip 3/8 and 1/2 oz jigs WITHOUT trailer.

 

Chatterbaits/swimjigs: Again, Mainly ripping through grass but also something that can fit into tighter spaces/lanes. Currently using the Dobyn’s Champion XP 734C. Mostly for 3/8 and 1/2 oz WITHOUT trailer as well.

 

Line sizes for both of these can vary. I do prefer braid to leader but open to full fluorocarbon too. Let me know what line you guys would recommend for the rods you suggest based on the technique.

 

I can add some more context if you guys need it. Hoping to have one rod for these situations but open to 2 options. Was looking at the P5 Super Destroyer but worried it’s going to be replaced/something better will be released since it’s already over 4 years old now. Would prefer something that’s a little more recent than that but if there’s a perfect rod from the last 4 years I’d be open to that too.

 

Thanks!

Umair

[WRB]

What you describing is a custom rod to meet all your goals.

Suggest contacting Alex owner of ALX rods and discuss what you are looking for.

Phenix K2 blanks look good.

Tom

[FryDog62]

Have you thought about GLX/NRX 844 MBR? 

[PaulVE64]

Gotta say ive enjoyed my latest StC Avid Walleye rod and am thinking about getting a 7'6" LegendT

I love this stick on my river 

[PBBrandon]

If versatility is your goal, Dobyns makes some of the most versatile rods out there. If you’re a fan of the Champ 734 you have, you could always get an Xtasy for the sensitivity boost.

 

I use my DRX755 for 3/8-1/2 jigs and chatterbaits with a trailer and it works very well. Soft tip for loading up, and great backbone for working slop. Without a trailer, going down to a 4 power might work better, however, you would lose some backbone working in the grass. I haven’t thrown 3/8 jigs without a trailer on the 755 but it is rated down to 3/8 so it should be fine on that rod as well

[UmairF]

Looks like one rod might not fit the applications I’m looking at. Maybe 2 different rods might help narrow it down in the NRX+, Megabass P5 and Daiwa lines

[casts_by_fly]

The falcon Cara head turner is the rod you’re looking for. 6’10”, 1/4-3/4 (though 1oz is easy enough) fast action with a quick tip but a lot of backbone up the rod. It was designed to be a short pitching rod but it’s a fantastic rod for bladed baits also.  Super versatile rod.  Mine also is my big walking bait rod, spinnerbait/chatterbait rod for most things, swim jig and tight spaces jig/pitching/plastics rod (aka docks and skipping), and it also tends to be the rod that I will throw the ‘random’ other lure if I don’t have the correct rod for it. For instance, I’d ordinarily throw weightless flukes on my shorter/lighter rod but I don’t always carry it so if that’s what I want to fish this rod will get it. 

[FishTank]

Out of the rods I have, here is what I would recommend based on OP's needs.....

 

904C NRX+ - Works for anything that hits the bottom. Sensitive, has a softish tip, and is my favorite football jig rod.

 

894C NRX+ - This is my dock and bank jig rod. I can flip and cast with it. I like it for when I need a quick hook set. It has plenty of power.  I tend to have this rod in my hand more and more. It's a pleasure to fish. 

 

853C NRX+ - I use this rod for 3/8oz jigs, occasionally 1/2oz jigs and Texas rigged plastic.  Not the best for vegetation and heavy cover but it gets the job done.

 

Megabass P5 Super Destroyer -  Great all around Heavy rod. Not my favorite for jigs but it is very versatile. I can throw a big crankbait on it or a 1/2oz jig and it will be great with both. 

 

Megabass P5 Daemos - Still new to me and it might not be the best for the OP's needs but it will work for a 3/8oz and 1/2oz jigs, swim jigs, and probably a spinnerbait.  It's soft and not that powerful at the tip. It's similar to the X-Bites but the tip is faster and has a little less power in the butt of the rod.  Sensitivity is good but not as good as any NRX rod. It will make for a good junk fishing rod. 

 

 * 883C NRX+ -  For Chatterbaits and Spinnerbaits, I have yet to find a better rod. It will cast a mile. It loads on a hook set perfectly. I have tried tons of rods for these techniques and this has been the only rod that has blown me away.  The tip is soft for an NRX rod but the rest is power.  Only downside to this rod and it's a big one for me, the hook keeper is just above the rod butt on the blank. It gets a zero. It's annoying and in the wrong place. I have gotten use to it though but man what were they thinking.  This rod is pure overkill as well. 

 

Honorable mention> 803C GLX for 3/8oz jigs around docks and 844C GLX for 1/2oz jigs and soft plastic

 

[UmairF]

Update:

 

Ended up grabbing a Daiwa Steez AGS Bottom Contact 2 and the NRX+ 873CRR. Got to take the 873 out once and caught some fish on it. Man it’s a dream to fish. Really looking forward to the BC2 next season to throw jigs and texas rigs in submerged grass.

 

Going to trade my xbites for the daemos. Chatterbaits is a confidence bait of mine and it inly makes sense for me to have a rod that’s more geared for that technique. Plus it covers a lot of other moving baits. Picked up the dark sleeper too since that’s another versatile rod for a lot of baits I like to throw.

 

Going to still sell the champ xp 734. Don’t think I’ll be buying another Dobyns rod although I will say their customer service has always been a pleasure to work with.

[woolleyfooley]

I was going to suggest a steez ags. I’m really considering upgrading my Dobyn’s champ extreme 745 to a steez ags. I’m really curious how they compare sensitivity wise to the other top dogs.

[lunkerboss923]

On 11/2/2024 at 1:23 PM, FryDog62 said:

Have you thought about GLX/NRX 844 MBR? 

I second this. The 844 MBR is probably better than anything Megabass for all around. 

[Sota]

On 11/2/2024 at 11:43 AM, UmairF said:

Hey guys,

 

Need some help narrowing down a rod. I’m trying to consolidate my equipment and just upgrade to a few nicer sticks. I’m gonna list some techniques below that I need them for. Hoping to only grab one or 2 new rods at the most. Only looking for rods in the NRX+, Megabass, and higher-end Daiwa lines. For some context I fish a lot of Wisconsin natural and man-made lakes with lots of submerged grass in them. Slight mixture of rock too. Docks play a big deal too.

 

Jigs: Slack line sensitivity. Something that’s easy to skip with and rip out of grass. Not looking for a broomstick but something more powerful than the P5 Xbites and has a slightly softer tip than the NRX+ 854C so that I can load up a little more when I skip 3/8 and 1/2 oz jigs WITHOUT trailer.

 

Chatterbaits/swimjigs: Again, Mainly ripping through grass but also something that can fit into tighter spaces/lanes. Currently using the Dobyn’s Champion XP 734C. Mostly for 3/8 and 1/2 oz WITHOUT trailer as well.

 

Line sizes for both of these can vary. I do prefer braid to leader but open to full fluorocarbon too. Let me know what line you guys would recommend for the rods you suggest based on the technique.

 

I can add some more context if you guys need it. Hoping to have one rod for these situations but open to 2 options. Was looking at the P5 Super Destroyer but worried it’s going to be replaced/something better will be released since it’s already over 4 years old now. Would prefer something that’s a little more recent than that but if there’s a perfect rod from the last 4 years I’d be open to that too.

 

Thanks!

Umair

I don’t know if you would be interested. Mega bass Orochi is on sale at ALF. It’s under the Cyber Monday tab. Like 100 bucks off.  Might be worth a look if there’s a rod for you there. 

[Fishingmickey]

1 hour ago, Sota said:

I don’t know if you would be interested. Mega bass Orochi is on sale at ALF. It’s under the Cyber Monday tab. Like 100 bucks off.  Might be worth a look if there’s a rod for you there. 

Code is still working.   Orochi 2 perfect pitch is on the way.