Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

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Randingo
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Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by Randingo » Wed Mar 08, 2023 12:20 pm

This is basically a different title for a something I posted a couple of days ago, but I'm looking for as much input as possible from guys with hands on experience with NRX+ or similar models from other Loomis product lines. It's unlikely that I'll have a chance to handle these rods ahead of my purchase, so I hope to benefit from your experiences.

The immediate purpose for this rod will be deep water dropshotting with 1/2-5/8 ounce weights on the St. Lawrence for big smallmouth. The rod that has been handling the vast majority of this work for me is the Tatula Elite 7’6 AGS MLM (Feider hair jig rod). But given the quality of fish and the limited number of opportunities I have to fish for them, I want to put everything possible in my favor and get the most sensitive rod I can in my hands. Hence my focus on NRX+ here.

The rod does *not* need to be dropshot specific. On most other waters, I fish much lighter dropshot weights (mostly 3/16-1/4), and my OG Cumara and USDM Gen1 Orochi XX Stinger shot rods with their super responsive tips perform very well. The NRX+ models that seem to be in the running are the 822 DSR, 822 SYR, 852 SJR, and possibly the 853 SJR. Ideally, the rod I get will be versatile enough that I can use it for a number of applications. What can you tell me about your experiences with these models? Can you offer any comparisons between them?

So far, I've fished the technique with 8# braid (832) to 7# Sniper leader, but as part of squeezing every bit of performance and feel from this outfit, it'll probably be sporting straight 6-8# fluoro this year.

One last thing that may have a bearing on rod selection: we’re often sight fishing in 20-35’ at 1000 Islands, so I don't often cast in this particular situation, instead making short pitches or dropping straight down on fish, which means the fact that the weights I use exceed the recommended lure-weight range isn't much of an issue.

Cranky
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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by Cranky » Wed Mar 08, 2023 12:54 pm

You don’t need two topics for this. Just buy a NRX+ 872 and be done with it. That’s the rod you want.

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TravisNY
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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by TravisNY » Wed Mar 08, 2023 3:31 pm

Cranky wrote:
Wed Mar 08, 2023 12:54 pm
You don’t need two topics for this. Just buy a NRX+ 872 and be done with it. That’s the rod you want.
There’s your answer.

I concur with the 872s and be done with it. I’ve got a lot of smallmouth friends up that way and every one of them own multiples of that rod. I’ve had as many as four in rotation.

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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by HobeyBaker » Thu Mar 09, 2023 9:32 am

You want the 872.

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Randingo
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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by Randingo » Thu Mar 09, 2023 9:59 am

Thank you all. That’s the kind of answer I was hoping for. I'll be adding the NRX+ 872 to my gear asap.

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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by jpmoney » Thu Mar 09, 2023 12:13 pm

I have all of the NRX+'s that you mention, and for 1/2-5/8oz drop shot in current, hands down 872S. One of the best rods of all time for smallmouth. Honorable mentions go to the 902S, or possibly a Conquest 902S for deep dropshotting, however I know some folks don't like the more moderate taper that the 902S has under load.

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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by HobeyBaker » Fri Mar 10, 2023 5:53 pm

jpmoney wrote:
Thu Mar 09, 2023 12:13 pm
I have all of the NRX+'s that you mention, and for 1/2-5/8oz drop shot in current, hands down 872S. One of the best rods of all time for smallmouth. Honorable mentions go to the 902S, or possibly a Conquest 902S for deep dropshotting, however I know some folks don't like the more moderate taper that the 902S has under load.
I'm in that camp. I think the 901 and 902 rods are way too soft for dropshot.

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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by Mang » Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:06 pm

Check out this old video of Mark zona.

Https://youtube.com/watch?v=kY6pj-BAuLA ... IECMiOmarE

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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by HobeyBaker » Tue Mar 14, 2023 6:44 pm

Mang wrote:
Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:06 pm
Check out this old video of Mark zona.

Https://youtube.com/watch?v=kY6pj-BAuLA ... IECMiOmarE
It's funny that the guide wrap in the video is crap.

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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by TravisNY » Wed Mar 15, 2023 2:26 pm

HobeyBaker wrote:
Fri Mar 10, 2023 5:53 pm
jpmoney wrote:
Thu Mar 09, 2023 12:13 pm
I have all of the NRX+'s that you mention, and for 1/2-5/8oz drop shot in current, hands down 872S. One of the best rods of all time for smallmouth. Honorable mentions go to the 902S, or possibly a Conquest 902S for deep dropshotting, however I know some folks don't like the more moderate taper that the 902S has under load.
I'm in that camp. I think the 901 and 902 rods are way too soft for dropshot.
Agreed regarding the 901 and 902 for DS but they’re smallmouth staples of mine for other things. That series has smallmouth spins dialed and are all I need. I know that you own your share.

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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by RMCatchNrelease » Thu Mar 30, 2023 6:30 am

HobeyBaker wrote:
Tue Mar 14, 2023 6:44 pm
Mang wrote:
Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:06 pm
Check out this old video of Mark zona.

Https://youtube.com/watch?v=kY6pj-BAuLA ... IECMiOmarE
It's funny that the guide wrap in the video is crap.
They have some of the worst fit and finish. My buddy has a few and there are gaps in several wraps per rod. I recently started building and was shocked when I noticed. Wild for the price, they seem to be built alongside a $50 Scimitar.

I guess you are buying the blank.

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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by Thunderblack1984 » Thu Mar 30, 2023 9:41 am

I'm not 100% sure if Loomis does this but some companies send their employees home with rods so they can wrap guides. I have never owned an nrx rod with nice wraps or aligned guides. Still worth the coin though for certain models.
Philippians 4:6

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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by PotatoLake » Thu Mar 30, 2023 1:54 pm

Gussy sure did pretty well at the Classic with the 872, eh?

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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by i_am_R2 » Thu Mar 30, 2023 7:52 pm

RMCatchNrelease wrote:
Thu Mar 30, 2023 6:30 am
HobeyBaker wrote:
Tue Mar 14, 2023 6:44 pm
Mang wrote:
Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:06 pm
Check out this old video of Mark zona.

Https://youtube.com/watch?v=kY6pj-BAuLA ... IECMiOmarE
It's funny that the guide wrap in the video is crap.
They have some of the worst fit and finish. My buddy has a few and there are gaps in several wraps per rod. I recently started building and was shocked when I noticed. Wild for the price, they seem to be built alongside a $50 Scimitar.

I guess you are buying the blank.
Have to agree. I caved and have one NRX to see what the hype is about and although it's fun to fish and an excellent performer, I can't stand looking at it. Actually have an old Scimitar too (first rod I ever bought for myself) and hate to say it, but the build quality on that is better :lol:

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Re: Loomis NRX users: please help a guy out...

Post by TravisNY » Fri Mar 31, 2023 1:22 pm

i_am_R2 wrote:
Thu Mar 30, 2023 7:52 pm
RMCatchNrelease wrote:
Thu Mar 30, 2023 6:30 am
HobeyBaker wrote:
Tue Mar 14, 2023 6:44 pm
Mang wrote:
Mon Mar 13, 2023 11:06 pm
Check out this old video of Mark zona.

Https://youtube.com/watch?v=kY6pj-BAuLA ... IECMiOmarE
It's funny that the guide wrap in the video is crap.
They have some of the worst fit and finish. My buddy has a few and there are gaps in several wraps per rod. I recently started building and was shocked when I noticed. Wild for the price, they seem to be built alongside a $50 Scimitar.

I guess you are buying the blank.
Have to agree. I caved and have one NRX to see what the hype is about and although it's fun to fish and an excellent performer, I can't stand looking at it. Actually have an old Scimitar too (first rod I ever bought for myself) and hate to say it, but the build quality on that is better :lol:
Eye of the beholder. I have no issue looking at my rack of them :).

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