Where the captain derails the train is the statement "every pro on tour would buy rod boxes full of them" The pros don't buy them, if they were having to supply their own equipment without sponsorship do you reckon KVD would fish Quantum [censored] or run a Nitro boat???? Yes indeed, were it not for sponsorship $$$$$ you'd see a lot more NRX being proudly displayed.

I was making a point, if they are so much more sensitive than any other rod on the market then every top pro would use them. Right off hand I cant tell you any Bassmaster elites who fish them.

Waaaay too much emphasis on what the pros are doing Capt. Like I said earlier, if not for sponsorship $$$$ the decks of those Elite would be covered with NRX. They really are that much better.

If you are not a very good bass angler an NRX will not help you be competitive.
If you are a very good angler an NRX will not help you be more competitive.
Just like golf clubs folks.

I spoke with a rod builder I won�t say who the other day who said he could build a comparable rod close to the NRX for 170 bucks. Based on what I am hearing y�all say there is no way that would be possible right?

Buy it. See what the quality is. Write a report and let us all know.

No they would not, unless of course G loomis paid them more than their current deal.

My guess is that every single person on this forum owns something that another person would view as extravagant and quite possibly a "waste of money."

I bought a ping-pong paddle in 1973 that was $30. That was like $300 in today's dollars. And it wasn't because I was from a well-to-do family.

What's your extravagant thing?

I agree, my extravagance is Rolex watches. I don't consider my NRX extravagant

This has been said before, and I completely agree. Using an NRX for flipping, frogs, square bills, deep divers, topwaters, swimbaits, etc. Is overkill.

If you are throwing a football jig, C rig, T rig, fishing deep brush piles, etc. I have not found a better rod. I can feel what I come in contact with so much better that I can work football jigs over stumps, misc cover without getting hung up more than I can other rods, I feel the right type of bottom better, I feel the subtle bites better.

I don't fish tournaments, I don't care what everyone else is using, its all about getting an edge on bigger fish, and I know I throw a lot of money away chasing those big ones, but I love every minute of it.

I would think that would depend on which people are "some people".

The stereo system on my boat! $1200 Focal speakers. Made in France. With a nice little Mosconi amp. So I can listen to the Rangers games while I fish.

But....that was the tip of the iceberg. It was leftover stuff from my Jeep. <<<<even the wife didn't know how deep I was on that stereo system. But, then again, I have some Martin Logan stats in my living room. They cost more than I paid for my house in '93.

I really love music and cannot listen to it unless it's "right".

I have to disagree with the golf club comparison. If two different rods were tested, (like golf clubs), with automated arms holding them, then the most sensitive rod wins the feel test. I get that the rods wont make you something you're not, but if you can add more sensitivity, why not. I know what they are, and I love the NRX, and agreed that most all of the top three or four rod companies all make a more costly, more sensitive rod. A lot of guys out there spending $500. on a Driver shaft, also, doesn't make them a Tour player, but makes them better overall, with their game, if that graphite blank quality enhances their productivity.

Guys try to buy "a competitive game" in fishing and golf by buying high dollar stuff when they should be buying lessons and playing/practicing/fishing more.
Sensitivity does not mean chit when you are in the wrong fishing location and/or otherwise clueless.

More than likely you are the marketing profile target for $500 rods which is fine as I have several myself (thus my opinion on $200 or $500 rods).

Some of the best tournament anglers are using cheap stuff by comparison and win $s. Yes, I know they are paid....

It is true, some people's ability doesn't match up with the quality of their equipment. Like I said, a rod won't make you something you're not. However, once a person reaches a certain level of competency, better equipment will definitely make it more enjoyable. Now, the brand, style, price, are all for the consumer to decide, and the most expensive is not always the best, that's why there are so many choices, thank goodness.