Ultimate weightless senko and 1/4-3/8oz jig rod

[freelancer27]

Hi guys,

I would like to pick your brains on the ultimate weightless senko and 1/4-3/8oz jig rod. I am currently using a 2018 7'6 MH Kistler ZBONE (1/4-1oz).

While I am very happy with the rod, I am wondering what else is out that that would add a bit on the sensitivity side.

Three rods that I am tracking right now:

* Megabass X-Bites
* NRX 893c
* Phenix K2 7'1 MH

Any other candidates? Rod would be paired with a 2019 Antares, 27# Seaguar R18 (+ 12# Sniper leader if necessary).

THanks a lot guys!

[ftl1951]

Hard to beat the NRX for sensitivity. Rumors are there is a new NRX coming out...??

[bwjay]

Is the Zbone really so lacking in sensitivity that you truly think it can be improved upon? Or are you really just wanting to see if it gets any better? Every report I've read says they're neck and neck with the NRX line with only minor differences.

[Jeep]

You might want to add the Steez Bottom Contact to that list. Not sure if you already own it? I personally prefer it over the Nrx 873.

[freelancer27]

Hard to beat the NRX for sensitivity. Rumors are there is a new NRX coming out...??

Yeah, that rumor has been going on for quite a while now.

I have a 852c and unless the new NRX also have a better styling and balance I will go with a different brand. Also the NRX does not particular sexy with the Antares. The modern styling of the Antares does not work with the retro look of the (current) NRX in my opinion.

[freelancer27]

You might want to add the Steez Bottom Contact to that list. Not sure if you already own it? I personally prefer it over the Nrx 873.

Thanks,
Yeah. I have this rod already and use it as my 3/8 -1/2 oz Jigs only. I chose it over the 894c that I had as well, but sold, since it was not as well balanced.

[amso4]

Hard to beat the NRX for sensitivity. Rumors are there is a new NRX coming out...??

Yeah, that rumor has been going on for quite a while now.

I have a 852c and unless the new NRX also have a better styling and balance I will go with a different brand. Also the NRX does not particular sexy with the Antares. The modern styling of the Antares does not work with the retro look of the (current) NRX in my opinion.

I was going to suggest the 853C. I like it because its short enough for tight skips, and is so lightweight. I also use a NFC MB-734
that I bit that is even lighter and is a tad longer. Its hard for me to keep looking for something more sensitive. I now focus on lightness and balance and have resorted to building them myself.

[eagleriver1_fish]

If only looking at sensitivity the NRX 893 is as good as I have fished for jigs and unweighted senkos.

[freelancer27]

If only looking at sensitivity the NRX 893 is as good as I have fished for jigs and unweighted senkos.

YEah, from a pure USDM sensitivity point of view, the NRX 893c is the choice. But for some reason I want to try something new that also has a bit more sex-appeal (together with the 2019 Antares) than the NRX.

[eagleriver1_fish]

quote=freelancer27 post_id=688841 time=1612411048 user_id=18594]

If only looking at sensitivity the NRX 893 is as good as I have fished for jigs and unweighted senkos.

YEah, from a pure USDM sensitivity point of view, the NRX 893c is the choice. But for some reason I want to try something new that also has a bit more sex-appeal (together with the 2019 Antares) than the NRX.
[/quote]

If that is the case you may want to edit your initial question/request.

[ss30378]

Maybe a custom rod on a high end blank like a point blank or k2 etc and add the accents and guide train you like??

[Drakestar]

If only looking at sensitivity the NRX 893 is as good as I have fished for jigs and unweighted senkos.

YEah, from a pure USDM sensitivity point of view, the NRX 893c is the choice. But for some reason I want to try something new that also has a bit more sex-appeal (together with the 2019 Antares) than the NRX.

If that is the case you may want to edit your initial question/request.

I think the topic and initial post are accurate: "ultimate" doesn't necessarily mean "most sensitive". I understand that many people equate sensitivity to "the best", but there's an equally big crowd that looks for a top-of-the-line blank that might be a hair less sensitive than an NRX, but has way better balance and optics.

To me, the choices (if paired with an Antares 70) are between the X-Bites and the K2 714 (I have that K2/Antares combo and love it). Or a custom-built Xray 733 or K2 with good balance and high-end components that match the Antares. I might even have thrown the Xtasy 723 into the mix, but I know that Freelancer27 isn't a fan of the series (because its sensitivity is a bit too low to keep the rod in that "ultimate" category).

[Cranky]

Budget? US-only? Since you’re using JDM R18 line anyway why not go big:

Steez Racing Design “Hustler” 701MH/H in either the technical tune or finesse tune.

[bwjay]

If only looking at sensitivity the NRX 893 is as good as I have fished for jigs and unweighted senkos.

YEah, from a pure USDM sensitivity point of view, the NRX 893c is the choice. But for some reason I want to try something new that also has a bit more sex-appeal (together with the 2019 Antares) than the NRX.

If that is the case you may want to edit your initial question/request.

I think the topic and initial post are accurate: "ultimate" doesn't necessarily mean "most sensitive". I understand that many people equate sensitivity to "the best", but there's an equally big crowd that looks for a top-of-the-line blank that might be a hair less sensitive than an NRX, but has way better balance and optics.

To me, the choices (if paired with an Antares 70) are between the X-Bites and the K2 714 (I have that K2/Antares combo and love it). Or a custom-built Xray 733 or K2 with good balance and high-end components that match the Antares. I might even have thrown the Xtasy 723 into the mix, but I know that Freelancer27 isn't a fan of the series (because its sensitivity is a bit too low to keep the rod in that "ultimate" category).

I agree "ultimate" doesn't mean "the most sensitive". But the OP specifically said they wanted more sensitivity (and is now saying they're disregarding the NRX because of the looks):

While I am very happy with the rod, I am wondering what else is out that that would add a bit on the sensitivity side.

[eagleriver1_fish]

If only looking at sensitivity the NRX 893 is as good as I have fished for jigs and unweighted senkos.

YEah, from a pure USDM sensitivity point of view, the NRX 893c is the choice. But for some reason I want to try something new that also has a bit more sex-appeal (together with the 2019 Antares) than the NRX.

If that is the case you may want to edit your initial question/request.

I think the topic and initial post are accurate: "ultimate" doesn't necessarily mean "most sensitive". I understand that many people equate sensitivity to "the best", but there's an equally big crowd that looks for a top-of-the-line blank that might be a hair less sensitive than an NRX, but has way better balance and optics.

To me, the choices (if paired with an Antares 70) are between the X-Bites and the K2 714 (I have that K2/Antares combo and love it). Or a custom-built Xray 733 or K2 with good balance and high-end components that match the Antares. I might even have thrown the Xtasy 723 into the mix, but I know that Freelancer27 isn't a fan of the series (because its sensitivity is a bit too low to keep the rod in that "ultimate" category).

I agree there are many factors that go into what someone thinks makes up the ultimate rod for any technique and we all weigh these attributes differently. That is why I said only considering sensitivity, I wasn't suggesting it is the ultimate jig rod. He specifically said he was looking for adding sensitivity and didn't say anything about appearance or any other attributes that are important to him so I didn't comment on those.

He also listed only 3 rods as the ones under consideration and then ruled out one because of looks. I guess I don't understand why he listed the NRX893 in the first place. It isn't like that rods appearance has changed in the last couple decades much less days .

No biggie, I was just trying to help get clarity as to what is most important to him with regard to the "ultimate" rod. I guess we can just disagree on how clear the initial post was or wasn't.