NRX 894 vs NRX 873C

[cndbasshunter]

NRX fans. Texas rig - 1/4-1/2 oz plus plastic. Will pair with Metanium with some blue to match

[DavidSA]

What amount of cover are you fishing or what line are you using.

[cndbasshunter]

What amount of cover are you fishing or what line are you using.

Weeds mostly with the odd tree or stump. Braid or 20lb flouro.

[DavidSA]

The 894 is a true Heavy powered rod and is slightly more powerful the Gloomis MBR844 in measurements I have done at home. I don't own the 873 but according to the TT review it is less powerful then the 844. In fact, it is mid-point of the 783 and mbr 844 power wise. If you said open water I think the 873 would be the ticket. For weeds and the lines you note, I would go with the 894.

For what it is worth, I throw 3/16 weights and trick worm all the time in my 894. I fish 5 inch senko's on the 894 over florida grass and it is the rod for that environment. I'm sure a lighter power rod would load better on the cast but I am very satisfied with the load of the 894 and it is what is required for the cover I am fishing.

[Bubbleboy]

I'm watching this thread with great interest. I recently got an 893c JWR and an 843c MBR. Was fishing last weekend with these for the first time and found the 893c (fantastic rod btw) could have used just a tad more power yanking them out of the slop.

As for the 843, it had a bit too much bend in it for my liking when using a spinnerbait. Again though, wonderful rod!

I'm hoping that the either a 894c JWR or the 873c CRR will fill my heavier rod void. I only have room for one more on my kayak unfortunately. I will have a chance to test both in a couple of weeks and will report back.

[rockchalk06]

I have both. The 873 felt too under powered when you topped the 1/2 total weight mark. For 3/8 oz jig and trailer, it's the cats ass. I have mine paired with an IS79 and love it.

I would recommend jumping to the 894. I have mine paired with a Core 100MG7. Balances well and feels great. 1/2-3/4 oz jig and trailer feels spot on.

[steve1206]

I could go either way depending on a couple of factors. Casting 1/4-3/8 plus plastic, 873...1/2oz with a worm, 873. Close quarters with 3/8-1/2oz, especially with bulky plastic, 894..with considerable cover, 894..I have multiple of both rods and I use the 873s for pitching non bulky plastics and night fishing my 3/8 with 10" worm and brush hogs (casting to docks/brush piles/points). I use the 894s for pitching 3/8 plus big brush hogs and fishing 5/8 and 3/4 football jigs...I tend to throw the 873 more with plastics and the 894 more with bigger jigs..that's my tendency anyway, when I have the option of either/or.

[DavidSA]

I'm watching this thread with great interest. I recently got an 893c JWR and an 843c MBR. Was fishing last weekend with these for the first time and found the 893c (fantastic rod btw) could have used just a tad more power yanking them out of the slop.

I have only held the 893's and I own several 803c's which I use for small plastics (1/8th to 3/8oz ranges). I can tell you the 894 is much more powerful then the 803 and I have seen posted the same between the 893 and 894. In fact, the tip on the 893 feels almost whip like to me.

Each angler is different as how we fish. I have no idea what it is like to fish out of a Kayak for example. My preference is for rods a little on the stout side to really get a good hook set and get the fish moving toward me. Last night I was throwing a shaky head worm at the small pond by my Dad's house. I got a light bite, set the hook and started reeling. The fish was making no wake, was not running much and giving me little sign of size. About 10ft from shore the fish strips a little line and becomes visible; about 5 to 6lb range. As she rolled over she got off the hook. I've had this happen countless times with 2power worm rods which is why I use 803's for small plastics. Still it happened on a 803. I doubt it would have happened with my 894/ 30# braid/Metanium combo. The hook set would have been more effective.

Steve above describes how I would split duty between the 873 and 894 in open water. It isn't until we mention Ontario slop and weeds that I move firmly into the 894 camp. I am thinking about getting an 873 for spinnerbait and buzzbait fishing. I think I would like this rod more then the 843 NRX because I like the power. Most guys won't agree to this on this board and I see that as much to do with personal preference on power.

[cndbasshunter]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

[Fishing4Fun]

I would get the 873 CRR for what you describe. A very capable rod for anything between 1/4 and close to 3/4 oz. The rod has alot of power IMO. I fish 3/8 to 1\2 oz jigs plus trailer on mine and love it. Have used it for Texas rigs but the biggest sinker I ever use is 3/8oz and it handles them just fine.

Not sure about the 894 but as Steve points out it is a powerful rod for sure and also heavier in actual weight. It would likely be overkill for the 1/4 oz stuff but ideal for that 3/8 to 1/2 oz sinker plus plastic. The 873 would be fine with a 1\2 oz sinker plus plastic but not ideal.

[johnnybassboat]

I have a 873 and love it for 5/16-3/8 weight plus plastic, usually a beaver. I fish this around brush and light wood cover. I can say that I have never lost a fish because of lack of power. I also have a 893 and use it for light t-rigs 3/16-1/4 in more open water. Both rods are great for what they were designed to do. Next up a 894 for jigs and heavy t-rigs.

[BigG]

I've been interested in these two rods for some time. Based on this thread I decided in TT fashion to get both 873 for plastics and 894 for jigs. Thanks for all the informative info.

[KP Duty]

I'm watching this thread with great interest. I recently got an 893c JWR and an 843c MBR. Was fishing last weekend with these for the first time and found the 893c (fantastic rod btw) could have used just a tad more power yanking them out of the slop.

As for the 843, it had a bit too much bend in it for my liking when using a spinnerbait. Again though, wonderful rod!

I'm hoping that the either a 894c JWR or the 873c CRR will fill my heavier rod void. I only have room for one more on my kayak unfortunately. I will have a chance to test both in a couple of weeks and will report back.

Your post is interesting in itself. I don't own any nrx's, but do have a slew of mbr glx/imx's. My 843's are my go-to spinnerbait rods and occasional B2 rods when cranking cover. Ideally ithey would be a hair less powerful which I notice the nrx is according to line rating anyway. I was wondering if you've tried throwing 3/8-1/2Oz squarebill with your nrx flavored mbr. Fast rods allow me to steer my squarebill when off-roading.

[cndbasshunter]

Better heavier than lighter i ordered the NRX894C Now to wait for all my goodies to come!

[DavidSA]

Please post back with what you think of the power vs. your application. Over on BBC I have seen multiple Ontario anglers comment the 873 was not enough rod for the cover they fish. Granted they may fish different bodies of water.