High-End Spinning Rod Addition

[UmairF]

Debating on whether or not to add an additional spinning rod to my lineup. I am a finesse fisherman primarily so I spend a lot of time with my spinning gear. Debating between the following:

 

-NRX+ 872S JWR

-Daiwa Steez AGS 7’6 The One

-P5 Windbuster

-X10 Medusa

 

Here’s what I currently own:

 

-NRX+ 803S JWR paired with a Twin Power FE 3000 (shallow water finesse)

-NRX+ 852S paired with a Vanford A 3000 (overall versatile rod)

-P5 Addermine paired with a Daiwa Exist LT 3000 (dropshots and ned rigs)

 

I fish in primarily in S.E Wisconsin and the Madison chain during the tournament season. Fishing as a co-angler and we fish a lot of weedlines, docks, and offshore occasionally. Don’t know if the 3 rods I listed on top would be beneficial or not to have. Not saying I need to bring all of them at once, but I do feel like I’m missing a spinning rod dedicated for deeper water applications.

 

What do you guys think? Any other suggestions in that price range?

 

Thanks,

Umair

 

 

[DogBone_384]

How dense is the vegetation in your waters?  A heavy or heavy-medium-heavy (Kistler) would be a good addition.  I have a Helium HMH.  It's just enough extra backbone without feeling like I'm fishing a broom stick.

[Junk Fisherman]

I LOVE my Steez 761 and it has a crazy lure range of 1/16th to 3/4 oz.  I have used mine for a variety of different techniques but it is my main Ned rig rod.  It's also great for drop shots, hair jigs, tubes, and finesse swimbaits.  There is nothing I throw with a spinning combo that the One wouldn't handle.  I can't compare it to the NRX+ or the other rods you mentioned since I've never owned any of them.  There was a Tackle Tour review of the One and there are several Youtube videos reviewing the One versus the NRX+ comparative.  From what I've read from people that have both rods, it seems more people slightly prefer the NRX+ but it is really spliting hairs.  I just ordered the 7'1 ML and the 7'3 MH Utility  Steez this week so I am sticking with the Steez line due to their incredible sensitivity, lightness, and their AGS carbon fiber guides.  Good luck with your decision.  

[Wprich]

If your looking for something for deep either the 872S or The One may be the rod for you I had the 872S but eventually traded it out for a 2nd 852S.

 

Another option for you would be a Loomis NRX+/Conquest 842S that would be a real do all rod that I have 2 of personally.  You can throw plastics(wacky, Neko, free rig, dropshot), crankbaits(shad rap/frittside jr.), jerkbaits(hard like 110 jr and jr+1 as well as Fluke style), paddle tails(2.8/3.3), minner shakin, I've even thrown the Megabass Dog X Jr. on them which has very fine hooks.

[FishTank]

Based on the rods the OP has I'm going to say the Windbuster.  You can use it for just about anything.  It would round out the rods he already has. He can use it for hard baits,  topwater,  and for soft plastic like a free rig. 

[UmairF]

3 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

How dense is the vegetation in your waters?  A heavy or heavy-medium-heavy (Kistler) would be a good addition.  I have a Helium HMH.  It's just enough extra backbone without feeling like I'm fishing a broom stick.

In water deeper than 15 ft, it’s either mush bottom, sparse grass, or gravel bottom depending on the season and how much the grass has grown.

 

3 hours ago, Junk Fisherman said:

I LOVE my Steez 761 and it has a crazy lure range of 1/16th to 3/4 oz.  I have used mine for a variety of different techniques but it is my main Ned rig rod.  It's also great for drop shots, hair jigs, tubes, and finesse swimbaits.  There is nothing I throw with a spinning combo that the One wouldn't handle.  I can't compare it to the NRX+ or the other rods you mentioned since I've never owned any of them.  There was a Tackle Tour review of the One and there are several Youtube videos reviewing the One versus the NRX+ comparative.  From what I've read from people that have both rods, it seems more people slightly prefer the NRX+ but it is really spliting hairs.  I just ordered the 7'1 ML and the 7'3 MH Utility  Steez this week so I am sticking with the Steez line due to their incredible sensitivity, lightness, and their AGS carbon fiber guides.  Good luck with your decision.  

I got to feel The One in hand at the fishing expo a couple weeks ago. Was comparing the bend to the NRX+ 872s and they’re different rods to me. I think The One is more comparable to the 902S which I ended up trading away since I didn’t care for it much but I heard that The One can do a lot more like you’re saying. As a Co-Angler, the versatility of The One sounds really appealing.

 

1 hour ago, Wprich said:

If your looking for something for deep either the 872S or The One may be the rod for you I had the 872S but eventually traded it out for a 2nd 852S.

 

Another option for you would be a Loomis NRX+/Conquest 842S that would be a real do all rod that I have 2 of personally.  You can throw plastics(wacky, Neko, free rig, dropshot), crankbaits(shad rap/frittside jr.), jerkbaits(hard like 110 jr and jr+1 as well as Fluke style), paddle tails(2.8/3.3), minner shakin, I've even thrown the Megabass Dog X Jr. on them which has very fine hooks.

I was debating between the 842 and 803 for shallow water applications like docks and sparse pads. Ended up going for the 803 since I figured I can probably put that through heavier stuff with that 3 power, and make even more precise pitches with the shorter length. How would you compare the 842 to the Windbuster? Seems like they handle the same spectrum of baits that you listed.

 

54 minutes ago, FishTank said:

Based on the rods the OP has I'm going to say the Windbuster.  You can use it for just about anything.  It would round out the rods he already has. He can use it for hard baits,  topwater,  and for soft plastic like a free rig. 

I’ve thought about the Windbuster so many times. I like how the secondary actions of the P5s are when a fish is on. Something you don’t feel in a store handling the rod in hand. Anything in the  7’4/7’3ish length and under feels a lot easier to imagine myself liking. Don’t really use anything longer than that regularly.

 

Okay so based off what you guys have said, I think I might be leaning towards the windbuster at the moment. Are there other comparable rods? Was thinking the 872S would be comparable but not sure if it’s as versatile as the windbuster.

 

Also, anyone have any input on the X10 Medusa? I know it’s primarily a minnow/scoping rod which I don’t really throw but not sure if it’s a technique I need to add to my arsenal. Was thinking I can have that technique ready in situations where my boater is zoning in on a specific depth range at a slow pace offshore and I can follow up with it behind them. Don’t really run into that situation often though. Are any of my current setups able to handle mid strolling? If not, would the windbuster be able to? Thinking the Addermine I currently have might be able to fill that gap, maybe not the best but just enough, without having to think about the X10 Medusa.

 

Thanks,

Umair

[MRQturbo]

872s...i use mine for drop shot in deep or cover... 852s is for finesse baits... 

[FellowAnglers1]

I have 872 , the one, 843s , and Windbuster. Can't go wrong with anyone of them but I agree with FishTank. Windbuster probably will fit you better with versatility.

[Big Hands]

I was very interested in a Daiwa Elite AGS 7'6" MML rod for quite a while for a rod that was just slightly more powerful than my St. Croix 7'6" MLXF hair jig rod that I adore for Senko fishing. I nearly bought one a few times online, but really wanted to put hands on one before pulling the trigger.

 

I finally came across one and there was a tag on it that advised against using braid to leader if the knot would go up into the AGS guidetrain, and thus be cast with that knot travelling through the guides when casting. Apparently there may be a chance that the knot could catch on the backside of the AGS ring and pop them out. So, you should keep your connection knot from ever travelling into the guides.

 

For me, as much as everything else about the rod appealed to me, that particular warning made it a 'no for me Dawg'. 

[Loomis13]

I have the daiwa “the one” and an 872S. Completely different rods if you ask me. The Daiwa has a slower action as the MRX is pretty fast. I’d say they handle similar weight ranges with the daiwa handling heavier stuff better. Sensitivity wise, the daiwa is very good but if I had to choose I would say the NRX is slightly better. I prefer handling the Daiwa, the handle is a little smaller and I have smaller hands. Not sure it would be beneficial to have the 852S and the 872s unless you really like the 852S. 

[softwateronly]

On 2/6/2025 at 7:37 PM, Big Hands said:

I was very interested in a Daiwa Elite AGS 7'6" MML rod for quite a while for a rod that was just slightly more powerful than my St. Croix 7'6" MLXF hair jig rod that I adore for Senko fishing. I nearly bought one a few times online, but really wanted to put hands on one before pulling the trigger.

 

I finally came across one and there was a tag on it that advised against using braid to leader if the knot would go up into the AGS guidetrain, and thus be cast with that knot travelling through the guides when casting. Apparently there may be a chance that the knot could catch on the backside of the AGS ring and pop them out. So, you should keep your connection knot from ever travelling into the guides.

 

For me, as much as everything else about the rod appealed to me, that particular warning made it a 'no for me Dawg'. 

 

I read and remember that fear so I bought them used from alf, did 3 seasons with a power pitch and 2 seasons with the sensor so far, braid to leader / fg knot.  They both have been great.  Let me be the tackle monkey's best friend, these rods are worth giving a shot and staying braid to leader if that's what you like.

 

scott