GardenStateFishin Posted January 5 Posted January 5 Hey everyone happy new year! I’ve decided to fully jump in on almost all NRX+, trying to figure out a 5-6 rod lineup that will serve me well out of the kayak. I have a few rods already purchased and on the way, but with the weather here in the northeast likely won’t get to put them to use for a month or two. I fish in both reservoirs (25+ feet) and a lot of shallow lakes (less than 15 feet). Let me know if I made a mistake with any of the below (can still be returned and replaced). Also looking to pick up maybe 1 or 2 more. currently own the below/have them en route to me: 1.) NRX+ 842s - both dragging and dropping drop shots; Ned rigs (shallow water); wacky rigs; neko; small cranks; lipless cranks 2.) NRX+ 872s - my do it all bottom contact in deeper water 3.) Expride B 6’10 MSB - my solid tip strolling combo 4.) Expride B 6’10 M/MF - jerk bait rod 5.) NRX+ 844c MBR - chatterbaits and everything moving/reaction (3/8-1oz) 6.) NRX+ 873c CRR - do it all bottom contact (3/8-3/4) the 6 rods above cover almost all of my fishing, especially in deep water. What I really want to know is if any of the following rods will compliment my lineup well/better than the above for my shallow water fishing?: 852s jwr - really tempted to grab this. I fish a lot of less than 15’ depth and feel like this would be good to swap out the 872 on those days 822s dsr - is this worth it for drop shots if I have my 842? 821s NRR - same as the dsr above, is it worth it over the 842? 853c - I love throwing 1/4 oz Texas rigs, can the 852s handle that or should I grab this instead? thanks so much ahead of time and tight lines! Quote
Loomis13 Posted January 5 Posted January 5 If you’re limiting yourself to 5-6 rods, I wouldn’t get the 821 and 822. 852S and 872s are going to be very similar. sounds like most of these rods are spinning, do you typically fish spinning over casting rods? Quote
GardenStateFishin Posted January 5 Author Posted January 5 37 minutes ago, Loomis13 said: If you’re limiting yourself to 5-6 rods, I wouldn’t get the 821 and 822. 852S and 872s are going to be very similar. sounds like most of these rods are spinning, do you typically fish spinning over casting rods? Thanks that’s what I kindve figured. Can the 842 handle drop shots and neds fine? I haven’t gotten it in yet to put it to the test and I have a good discount deal on nrx+’s that ends today. im pretty impartial to either or. Have been finding myself gravitating more towards spinning as of late with the discovery of the vanquish which I’m obsessed with but if you think another casting rod is the right move to round out my lineup totally for it. The 853c I feel like will be a good compliment to my lineup for the light bottom contact work Quote
Wprich Posted January 5 Posted January 5 I have 842S(conquest) it's perfect for dropshotting missile/roboworms for largemouth. I dropshot minnow baits as well with it all this past summer fishing brushpiles but I do have a 822DSR I bought in November that will be covering that duty going forward. Don't fish NED much but I used the 842S for that a lot when I first got it no issues. Don't like 5" wacky on 842S is only thing you mentioned above I don't use it for but 4" Neko/wacky it fells perfect. I do ALOT of finesse cranking with 842S shad rap #5, frittside Jr, red eye shad. Do you skip docks and under overhangs alot? I had a 872S and didn't like it for skipping due to length so I sold it and got a second 852S my favorite spinning rod. It's different for everyone but the longer rods and kayak didn't work for me I've had and sold 902S, 893C, and 872S. 853C/843C will fill the gap between your 2 power spinning rod and the 873 very nicely. I have both and use the 853C almost exclusively with a TX rigged game hawg or Rage Lizard but will throw finesse jigs(Keitech/Beast Coast/Dirty Jigs). The 843C gets the finesse jigs, 3/8 chatters/spinnerbaits, 1/2 spoons, swimbaits, TX rigs(when I don't carry 853C), and Ive cranked with it few times DT-14/6th sense Cloud. Quote
GardenStateFishin Posted January 5 Author Posted January 5 2 hours ago, Wprich said: I have 842S(conquest) it's perfect for dropshotting missile/roboworms for largemouth. I dropshot minnow baits as well with it all this past summer fishing brushpiles but I do have a 822DSR I bought in November that will be covering that duty going forward. Don't fish NED much but I used the 842S for that a lot when I first got it no issues. Don't like 5" wacky on 842S is only thing you mentioned above I don't use it for but 4" Neko/wacky it fells perfect. I do ALOT of finesse cranking with 842S shad rap #5, frittside Jr, red eye shad. Do you skip docks and under overhangs alot? I had a 872S and didn't like it for skipping due to length so I sold it and got a second 852S my favorite spinning rod. It's different for everyone but the longer rods and kayak didn't work for me I've had and sold 902S, 893C, and 872S. 853C/843C will fill the gap between your 2 power spinning rod and the 873 very nicely. I have both and use the 853C almost exclusively with a TX rigged game hawg or Rage Lizard but will throw finesse jigs(Keitech/Beast Coast/Dirty Jigs). The 843C gets the finesse jigs, 3/8 chatters/spinnerbaits, 1/2 spoons, swimbaits, TX rigs(when I don't carry 853C), and Ive cranked with it few times DT-14/6th sense Cloud. This is the perfect response I was looking for thank you so much. I think the 842 will get me by for a while on the light finesse spinning. Eventually might grab that 822 if I feel it’s lacking but I have high hopes Definitely do a lot of skipping under docks and overhangs as I primarily fish largemouth. Just sort of bought the 872 on a whim based on some other online reviews but agree I feel like I will end up liking the 852 over the 872 just because of the length on the kayak which was my worry. Think I’ve decided I’m gonna grab the 852 and 853 to fill those gaps and will probably end up selling the 872. Thanks again 👍🏼 1 Quote
Loomis13 Posted January 5 Posted January 5 4 hours ago, GardenStateFishin said: Thanks that’s what I kindve figured. Can the 842 handle drop shots and neds fine? I haven’t gotten it in yet to put it to the test and I have a good discount deal on nrx+’s that ends today. im pretty impartial to either or. Have been finding myself gravitating more towards spinning as of late with the discovery of the vanquish which I’m obsessed with but if you think another casting rod is the right move to round out my lineup totally for it. The 853c I feel like will be a good compliment to my lineup for the light bottom contact work I’m actually a spinning rod guy, so 2 bait casters is enough for me. I think you could get by with 5 rods. 822, 872, and the 842. Then the two casting rods you have currently. Of course if you want another one that’s a different conversation cause I’m always trying new stuff. The 872 and 822 have similar lure ratings but I don’t think they fish the same at all. 872 handles heavier stuff way better imo. or add the 852c if you like prefer a casting rod for some techniques. and yeah, the vanquish is a sweet reel! I have mine on 6’10” MLFX Legend Elite. Quote
Super User FishTank Posted January 5 Super User Posted January 5 I also fish from a kayak but about 50% of the time. I usually take 5-7 rods and have several NRX+ rods. Here is what I have. The ones I have highlighted I would consider essential to my fishing and what I use the most. 802C JWR- 1/4oz jigs, some small swimbaits and shakey head. Love this rod for 1/4oz jigs. When I fish this rod I am using it in shallow water and in tight quarters. 853C JWR- 3/8oz jigs, Dark Sleeper and T-rigged soft plastic up to 1/2oz. 894C JWR- 1/2 - 3/4oz jigs and some soft plastic. This has become my favorite jig rod. Plenty of power and sensitivity. 895C JWR - 3/4oz and up jigs, punching and heavier flip and pitch baits. Sensitive but more power than I will ever need. 843C MBR- Swimjigs, soft plastic, topwater and just a great multipurpose rod. 904C MBR - Topwater, my favorite for football jigs, heavy soft plastic. Another great all around rod but for heavier stuff. 873C CCR - Another great all around rod. I use this for when I want to switch from jigs to spinnerbaits to even topwater. The action of this rod rest somewhere between the 843C and the 894C. 883C BJR - By far the best Jackhammer/bladed jig rod I have used. I was skeptical when I got it but fished it and now it always goes with me. It is also my favorite spinnerbait rod. Technique specific but pretty much perfect. Hate the hook keeper. 821S NRR - This is my essential finesse spinning rod. It's sensitive and throws light stuff, like neds, small drop shot and small swimbaits. Just a fun rod to fish. 872S JWR - By far my favorite spinning rod. It has more power than you would think for a 2 power rod. It has a soft and quick tip but the power from the middle down is fantastic. It is oddly different from the rating but in a good way. 803S JWR - Short dock fishing with Senkos and free rig baits. This was my first NRX spinning rod and it has never let me down. 842 SJR - Jerkbaits, drop shot, swimbaits, senkos and spybaits. It's similar to the MBR casting rods. Just a good all around rod but it's not the best at any one thing. I am considering the 822S DSR, 902S or the 901S. I have had a chance to fish each one of these now and they sort of hold a spot in my head but don't necessarily fit a need. We will see what the bait monkey says. Quote
Wprich Posted January 8 Posted January 8 On 1/5/2025 at 3:31 PM, GardenStateFishin said: This is the perfect response I was looking for thank you so much. I think the 842 will get me by for a while on the light finesse spinning. Eventually might grab that 822 if I feel it’s lacking but I have high hopes Definitely do a lot of skipping under docks and overhangs as I primarily fish largemouth. Just sort of bought the 872 on a whim based on some other online reviews but agree I feel like I will end up liking the 852 over the 872 just because of the length on the kayak which was my worry. Think I’ve decided I’m gonna grab the 852 and 853 to fill those gaps and will probably end up selling the 872. Thanks again 👍🏼 Glad to help I made same choice and bought a 872S as my second NRX(852S was my first) mostly based on what I saw online about it. Good thing I was able to sell it after about a year of having it and didn't lose much on the sell at all. Don't get me wrong its a nice rod but I found myself using it more on bank fishing trips than out my kayak. The 842S will definitely handle everything light finesse but if I have a rod rigged up for dropshot I kinda hate to rerig it for something else call me lazy🤣. I fished dropshot ALOT this year on the spotted bass lakes here in GA and for 2025 decided I'd rather have a rod dedicated to it for the day so got 822dsr. I actually wanted a 3rd 842S but the 822dsr came in stock sooner so just went with it caught a few fish on it in December like it so far. Quote
Super User FryDog62 Posted January 8 Super User Posted January 8 I’m a fan of the 843 MBR for its versatility in a kayak… I’m not a fan of the 6-10 Expride for jerkbaits with that long of a handle in any boat, but especially a kayak. 1 Quote
Maverick2017 Posted January 8 Posted January 8 How does that 894JWR compare to the 873CRR for ya? Little more length and horsepower? How’s the tips? Quote
GardenStateFishin Posted January 9 Author Posted January 9 On 1/8/2025 at 7:52 AM, Wprich said: Glad to help I made same choice and bought a 872S as my second NRX(852S was my first) mostly based on what I saw online about it. Good thing I was able to sell it after about a year of having it and didn't lose much on the sell at all. Don't get me wrong its a nice rod but I found myself using it more on bank fishing trips than out my kayak. The 842S will definitely handle everything light finesse but if I have a rod rigged up for dropshot I kinda hate to rerig it for something else call me lazy🤣. I fished dropshot ALOT this year on the spotted bass lakes here in GA and for 2025 decided I'd rather have a rod dedicated to it for the day so got 822dsr. I actually wanted a 3rd 842S but the 822dsr came in stock sooner so just went with it caught a few fish on it in December like it so far. Well I ended up kinda going all in lol. I was getting each nrx+ at about $350-400 with the sale so I ended up with all of the following: 821s NRR - was between this and 822dsr for a while but just felt the 821 NRR could handle Dropshot + some so gave it a shot 842s SJR 852s JWR 872s JWR 844c MBR 853c JWR 873c CRR gonna just run each of them and figure out which fit my needs best and then sell of the remaining. Good part about NRX+ is the value holds! Will report back where I end up! 3 Quote
johnmyers Posted January 19 Posted January 19 Don’t overlook the 822 dsr. Great for drop shot but also a great finesse rod and best spinning rod I have ever used for smaller jerk baits and I have tried several NRXs and others 1 Quote
GardenStateFishin Posted January 26 Author Posted January 26 On 1/19/2025 at 10:57 AM, johnmyers said: Don’t overlook the 822 dsr. Great for drop shot but also a great finesse rod and best spinning rod I have ever used for smaller jerk baits and I have tried several NRXs and others Yeah honestly I’m kindve regretting picking up the 821 instead of the 822. Definitely my next pick up Quote
MRQturbo Posted February 2 Posted February 2 I fish out of a kayak also and prefer to use longer rods... If I could only bring 5 nrx plus with me: 872s for drop shot or finesse baits 894c for 1/2 Oz jig 904c for 4.8 Keitech swing fat impact or noisy flapper frog 893c 1/4 to 3/8 trig soft plastics 883c for spinnerbait/bladed jig If I could bring a few more: 852s for weightless senko 895c for punching duties 873c for any baits I'll be dragging along the bottom like a football jig or 8 to 10" worm Quote
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