How important do you find sensitivity in your rod for bottom contact baits etc.

[woolleyfooley]

Wow. Got a lot more replies than I expected! Thank you all. 
 

As far as braid vs Fluoro, I use Fluoro as I find the semi slack line sensitivity much better which makes it much easier to detect strikes.

 

I love my champion extreme, and I do feel like I can feel everything going on down there. However, there are certain times when I feel my bait do something and I wonder “was that a bite, or was it my bait just falling off some grass?” 
 

That combined with comments I’ve seen from some people saying rods like the NRX+, the conquest, the steez ags and other $500+ rods “are in a different galaxy” to rods like my champion extreme does leave me wondering if upgrading would allow me to better interpret what I’m feeling, equaling more hook sets with a fish on the other end. 

 

I also believe the fact that I use my finger to feel the line makes a big difference. This is one of the reasons I have some doubts as to how much of a difference the rod actually makes for me. How much of what I’m feeling is from the line on my finger, and how much is from the rod?

 

I think the only way to find out for sure would be to try one of the expensive rods and see for myself. I’m sure it’s different for everyone.

 

Thanks again for all the replies. I’m really enjoying reading all of the feedback you’ve all given me!

[woolleyfooley]

Wanted to ask a question. Like I said, I love my champion extreme, but there are times when I wonder “did my bait just fall off some grass? Or was that a bite?” 
 

Combine that with seeing people on various online platforms claim rods like the NRX+, conquest, steez ags and similar are in a “different galaxy” compared to the champion extreme, I’d like to hear from people who have used the champion extreme and rods like the NRX, conquest, steez ags etc.

 

How much more sensitivity can be had going from a champion extreme to one of the “super rods” listed above? Would it really make a big difference in feeling bites for someone like me who keeps the line on my finger?

 

 

[rangerjockey]

28 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Wanted to ask a question. Like I said, I love my champion extreme, but there are times when I wonder “did my bait just fall off some grass? Or was that a bite?” 
 

Combine that with seeing people on various online platforms claim rods like the NRX+, conquest, steez ags and similar are in a “different galaxy” compared to the champion extreme, I’d like to hear from people who have used the champion extreme and rods like the NRX, conquest, steez ags etc.

 

How much more sensitivity can be had going from a champion extreme to one of the “super rods” listed above? Would it really make a big difference in feeling bites for someone like me who keeps the line on my finger?

 

 

I can tell you that you will ask yourself the same questions with a NRX, Steeze ect.

[softwateronly]

I will say Dobyns has a more muted feel in terms of sensitivity to me.  Ultimately, I don't think there is a discernible difference once you learn the rod and I agree with @rangerjockey. But if you're going for sensitivity skip the conquest series.  Nothing wrong with them, just think steez ags is above it.  I haven't done an nrx+ but most others still hold it as the production rod standard and that's probably worth a try.  Good luck!

 

scott

[woolleyfooley]

Thank you both! I’d really love to try an NRX+ or a steez ags to feel the difference for myself. I wish I could find someone local with one so I didn’t have to shell out the big bucks just to try it.

 

Anyone else with opinions like these would be much appreciated! 

[rangerjockey]

You could pick up a used one from ALF.  Talk to Brian and see what he has or check the used section on the web site.

[woolleyfooley]

On 11/8/2024 at 6:01 PM, rangerjockey said:

You could pick up a used one from ALF.  Talk to Brian and see what he has or check the used section on the web site.

Yeah that’s a good suggestion. I’d still love to hear more opinions on this and I’d especially love to hear from people who have used dobyns champion extreme rods and other higher end rods like the NRX or steez ags.

[Catt]

For this dumb Coonass there's more to it than just sensitivity. 

 

Ergonomics, it has to feel comfortable with a reel attached & a lure hanging off of it. The more exposed rod at the reel seat is a huge plus. You cannot run fast enough to give me a rod with EVA grips.

 

I can not explain why but can not get comfortable with any Dobyns.

 

As for G. Loomis, in my hands my Kistler Helium is just as sensitive. 

 

My worm rod is a $99 Powell Inferno, below is the reel seat. 

 

[ATA]

For me it is really important, Even for other application because ill make sure my lure having a right action by feeling the vibration.

[badfish79]

If you have the funds for it, buy an NRX+ or Steez brand new from TW, try it out for a couple sessions side by side with your DX. If you are impressed, keep the one you want and return the other, or return both. Their return policy is pretty solid and no hassle.

 

Something to note, the DX743 felt better balanced than an NRX+ 843, even with the DX's extra 4" and heavier weight. I was surprised when the noticably lighter NRX+ felt tip heavy.

[woolleyfooley]

54 minutes ago, badfish79 said:

If you have the funds for it, buy an NRX+ or Steez brand new from TW, try it out for a couple sessions side by side with your DX. If you are impressed, keep the one you want and return the other, or return both. Their return policy is pretty solid and no hassle.

 

Something to note, the DX743 felt better balanced than an NRX+ 843, even with the DX's extra 4" and heavier weight. I was surprised when the noticably lighter NRX+ felt tip heavy.

Thats a good point about balance. I absolutely love the way my Dobyns balance.

 

I was thinking about buying one to try and returning it if I didn’t find it enough of an advantage, but I feel a bit bad doing that. I’m assuming with TW or the rod company would lose money if I did a thing like that, since they’d have to sell it as a used rod I would think.

 

In any case, how many of you all use your finger to feel the line when fishing bottom contact baits? Does that play a role in how important sensitivity is for you?

[badfish79]

I leave the plastic on the cork and try my best not to put it on the ground or on any surface it might get scuffed on. I've bought and returned rods at least 4-5 times and never gave one back in any condition less than I received it in.

 

 

[woolleyfooley]

On 11/12/2024 at 5:26 PM, badfish79 said:

I leave the plastic on the cork and try my best not to put it on the ground or on any surface it might get scuffed on. I've bought and returned rods at least 4-5 times and never gave one back in any condition less than I received it in.

 

 

That’s a good idea. I might just have to give in. I’m really curious how sensitive the steez ags is compared to my dobyns champion extremes. 

[scbassin]

The Rod & the way you use it is just fine. It's the set up I use for my bottom fishing, It works great. Why spend more money?

[BrianMDTX]

I think, if I’m really being honest with myself, that “sensitivity” depends on the angler as much, if not more so, than the rod. An experienced angler may detect strikes vs. wood, rocks, grass, etc. with twine on a broomstick vs an inexperienced angler with a high-end rig. As I’ve gained more experience on the water, I’ve come to discover that I can detect the differences better now working a Texas rig on one of my older Aird-X rods then I could 2-3 years ago. 
 

Yeah, my Kistler Helium is more sensitive, but how much more does it make me a better angler? I’m sure a little, but maybe not as much as I (did) think it does. 

[WRB]

For the sake of discussion let’s assume there is a “sensitivity” meter to measure casting rods on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the most sensitive.

To make this meter we must first define what sensitivity is.

Transmitting line movement going through the rod tip and rod tip movement traveling down the rod blank to the reel seat. 
We need to include a meter setting for line type, mono having the highest setting and braid a lower setting to compensate line stretch since most of you believe mono stretches.

We also need to factor in rod weight and balance with the reel mounted. Lighter weight and perfect balance is entered into meter. Perfect balance to weight scored 0, tip heavy is 1 over 4 oz is rate 1 for each 1/2 oz. The total subtracted from the total score.

Casting performance is another factor to enter into the meter. Subtracting 0 to 3 points O being excellent, 3 being satisfactory.

Bottom lure contact rods we want the meter to read 9 to 10.

Using your sensitivity meter located between your ears how does bottom contact rate?

Tom

[woolleyfooley]

5 hours ago, scbassin said:

The Rod & the way you use it is just fine. It's the set up I use for my bottom fishing, It works great. Why spend more money?

Good question. I absolutely love my champion extreme. It’s the most sensitive rod I’ve ever fished. I can feel what’s going on down there very well. The only “issue” I have is from time to time I’ll be working a Texas rig and I’ll feel something that makes me think “was that a bite? Or was that my bait falling over some grass?”
 

With all that said, I can’t help but wonder how much more I would feel with one of the ultra sensitive rods, like the steez ags or nrx+. Would I be able to tell “yes, that was a bite” or “no, that was just the bait coming over grass”. I’m sure a lot of it is a “the grass is always greener” mentality. Realistically, I’m just curious if more sensitivity would help me detect more bites. 

[OkobojiEagle]

Take 1/2 of the amount you are ready to spend on a NRX+ and budget it to an experienced custom rod builder...

[scaleface]

I have never used a rod over 100 dollars. My worm/jig rod right now is a seven foot Okuma Inshore  rod , heavy action. I  like the way it feels and fishes. I have three more in medium heavy action.  I hold the line between my index finger and thumb    WRB style.

[woolleyfooley]

On 11/26/2024 at 3:46 PM, OkobojiEagle said:

Take 1/2 of the amount you are ready to spend on a NRX+ and budget it to an experienced custom rod builder...

I’ve definitely thought about that. I’m curious how that process works. 

[msgf91]

On 11/7/2024 at 5:11 PM, woolleyfooley said:

Wanted to ask a question. Like I said, I love my champion extreme, but there are times when I wonder “did my bait just fall off some grass? Or was that a bite?” 
 

Combine that with seeing people on various online platforms claim rods like the NRX+, conquest, steez ags and similar are in a “different galaxy” compared to the champion extreme, I’d like to hear from people who have used the champion extreme and rods like the NRX, conquest, steez ags etc.

 

How much more sensitivity can be had going from a champion extreme to one of the “super rods” listed above? Would it really make a big difference in feeling bites for someone like me who keeps the line on my finger?

 

 

For me I think the next level of sensitivity is not feeling the bumps and thumps differently, but feeling of sudden changes in tension more often. Sure I could feel it every once in awhile. But with a more expensive rod I feel it more. 

I picked up an ALX Enox Aura a year or so ago and was disappointed at first. Bumps and thumps didn't feel any different. But with bottom contact I could feel when the fish just held on to the lure. Or when I was fishing for crappie I could feel them just swim with the lure in their mouth. 

[ABU is overpriced]

I would take balance over sensitivity, but its important.

[woolleyfooley]

2 hours ago, ABU is overpriced said:

I would take balance over sensitivity, but its important.

Interesting. I love the way the Dobyn’s champion extreme balances. I’ve heard the NRX doesn’t balance that well. I’m really interested in the steez ags. I wonder which model steez ags would be a good replacement for a champion extreme 745? How well do the steez ags balance?