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The one rod to rule them all #14444977 08/10/22 03:49 PM
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blackNblue_NTX Offline OP
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I need help. Looking for the most sensitive and strong worm/ bottom contact/ jig casting rod on the market. I have looked at Dobyn's Xtasy's and Loomis NRX's but what else is out there that is comparable and if you have used either what are your opinions on them.

Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: blackNblue_NTX] #14444988 08/10/22 03:58 PM
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Haven't used the rods you mentioned. The Powell Max casting rod is the most sensitive/strongest worm and jig rod I own.


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Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: blackNblue_NTX] #14444994 08/10/22 04:03 PM
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"The One" is a product of Power Tackle

Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: blackNblue_NTX] #14445033 08/10/22 04:38 PM
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The "NEO" Xray7'6"MH by NorthFork Composites is as good as it gets. I own 2 and they are money for moving baits as well as bottom contact.

Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: blackNblue_NTX] #14445034 08/10/22 04:39 PM
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The best of the best is UglyStik.

You’re welcome.

Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: blackNblue_NTX] #14445040 08/10/22 04:42 PM
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jvc58dke Offline
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Have both an NRX 853C JWR and an Xtasy 723C. I use the NRX for texas rigged worms/creature baits/bottom contact soft plastics. I generally rig it pegged with a 1/4oz to 1/2oz tungsten bullet weight with a 5/0 to 7/0 ewg style hook. The Xtasy I use with weightless soft plastics, usually 5-6" senko style baits generally Texas rigged on a 3/0 to 5/0 ewg hook (I vary the size and wire thickness depending on the day/time of year to manipulate fall rate since I fish this 95% of the time weightless).

Sensitivity Winner: NRX. I usually use it in brush piles and can feel the line and the weight move across every stick in the pile. The XTASY is great but the NRX is better.

Balance Winner: Xtasy. Love the full cork handle and it feels terrific in my hand. The NRX split grip is ok but I have found I prefer a full cork grip (to the point where I would buy an NRX MBR next time for the grip).

Power/Action Winner: NRX. The 3 power NRX has the backbone of a 4 power Xtasy in my opinion. The 2 power Xtasy I don't feel comfortable throwing anything more than a 1/16th oz weight. In fact when I talked to Gary Dobyns at their shop in Sulphur Springs about the 2 power he said that a weightless 7" senko would be the max he would thrown on the Xtasy 2 Power.

Warranty: NRX.....have had to replace one Loomis rod (a 10 year old GLX) that my son broke by slamming the tip in a hatch on the boat. Clearly our fault. Called Loomis they replaced it with a new rod for the (at the time) $100 exchange fee. Have also had the top guide on an IMX come loose and Loomis sent me a replacement guide and glue for free. Haven't had any issues on the Xtasy so can't comment but blown away by Loomis service.

Overall: Honestly, toss up. You can't go wrong with either rod and I love them both. I probably fish soft plastics or jigs 80% of the time (I have an NRX 854C JWR for jigs btw) so have one of these rods in my hands most of the time. Would lean to the Loomis for the warranty but it is also a couple of hundred more dollars at this point. Biggest thing if you go with the Xtasy make sure you power up a bit as they are a bit "weaker" in terms of power rating than the Loomis.

PS: Everything I said about the 853 holds true for the 854 in terms of feel/power/etc.....just a bit stouter rod to handle the heavier bait. Typical jig I throw is 1/2 oz 70% of the time. Occasionally go as heavy as 3/4 or a light as 3/8 on the 854....handles them all fine.

If I had to live with just one rod setup would probably be an NRX MBR in a 3 power (I have IMXs and GLXs in MBR with the full cork handle and love them as well). If it was exclusively for bottom contact would probably stay with the NRX JWR even with the split handle. The solution is probably to buy an NRX 3 Power MBR and be sure......hahahaha


Last edited by jvc58dke; 08/10/22 04:50 PM.
Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: jvc58dke] #14445045 08/10/22 04:49 PM
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blackNblue_NTX Offline OP
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Originally Posted by jvc58dke
Have both an NRX 853C JWR and an Xtasy 723C. I use the NRX for texas rigged worms/creature baits/bottom contact soft plastics. I generally rig it pegged with a 1/4oz to 1/2oz tungsten bullet weight with a 5/0 to 7/0 ewg style hook. The Xtasy I use with weightless soft plastics, usually 5-6" senko style baits generally Texas rigged on a 3/0 to 5/0 ewg hook (I vary the size and wire thickness depending on the day/time of year to manipulate fall rate since I fish this 95% of the time weightless).

Sensitivity Winner: NRX. I usually use it in brush piles and can feel the line and the weight move across every stick in the pile. The XTASY is great but the NRX is better.

Balance Winner: Xtasy. Love the full cork handle and it feels terrific in my hand. The NRX split grip is ok but I have found I prefer a full cork grip (to the point where I would buy an NRX MBR next time for the grip).

Power/Action Winner: NRX. The 3 power NRX has the backbone of a 4 power Xtasy in my opinion. The 2 power Xtasy I don't feel comfortable throwing anything more than a 1/16th oz weight. In fact when I talked to Gary about the 2 power he said that a weightless 7" senko would be the max he would thrown on the Xtasy.

Warranty: NRX.....have had to replace one Loomis rod (a 10 year old GLX) that my son broke by slamming the tip in a hatch on the boat. Clearly our fault. Called Loomis they replaced it with a new rod for the (at the time) $100 exchange fee. Have also had the top guide on an IMX come loose and Loomis sent me a replacement guide and glue for free. Haven't had any issues on the Xtasy so can't comment but blown away by Loomis service.

Overall: Honestly, toss up. You can't go wrong with either rod and I love them both. I probably fish soft plastics or jigs 80% of the time (I have an NRX 854C JWR for jigs btw) so have one of these rods in my hands most of the time. Would lean to the Loomis for the warranty but it is also a couple of hundred more dollars at this point. Biggest thing if you go with the Xtasy make sure you power up a bit as they are a bit "weaker" in terms of power rating than the Loomis.

PS: Everything I said about the 853 holds true for the 854 in terms of feel/power/etc.....just a bit stouter rod to handle the heavier bait. Typical jig I throw is 1/2 oz 70% of the time. Occasionally go as heavy as 3/4 or a light as 3/8 on the 854....handles them all fine.



This is generally what I have heard so far in comparisons between the two. Almost all my rods are Dobyns so I understand the power discrepancies and I always go a power up on T Rig/ Jig applications but I want to try something different so that's why Loomis is on the radar. This is a great response though.

Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: blackNblue_NTX] #14445063 08/10/22 05:09 PM
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Thank you for the compliment! Hope it helps!

Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: blackNblue_NTX] #14445097 08/10/22 05:45 PM
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Falcon Cara "Amistad"

Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: blackNblue_NTX] #14445134 08/10/22 06:25 PM
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Gary Loomis Edge.


Eat. Sleep. Fish.
Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: blackNblue_NTX] #14445147 08/10/22 06:38 PM
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1oldbassguy Offline
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GLoomis , GL2 , 683 --- most versatile rod I have ever owned .
6'6" , mod-fast , medium heavy --- I can do most things I like --- jerkbaits , spinnerbaits , deep/med cranks , heavy drop shot , t-rigs , weightless senko's .
I have had it about 15 years --- wish I had three of them when available

Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: blackNblue_NTX] #14445169 08/10/22 06:54 PM
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Was a WR1 Allstar
Now is Falcon cara anything both are high quality tools unfortunate WR1 and 2 are history
wish I had some

Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: SteezMacQueen] #14445208 08/10/22 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by SteezMacQueen
Gary Loomis Edge.


Absolute Junk. I have 2 and both look like they were assembled by a drunk monkey. Don't even get me started on their customer service.

To the OP, there's a reason everyone tries to compare their rods to the NRX. When it comes to bottom contact sensitivity its hands down the best. In casting models I have the 852c, 853c, 854c (x2), 873 CRR (x2), and a 893c. If I was forced to pick just one it would be the 873 with the 854 being a close second. Are there rods out there that are prettier, yes. Are there rods out there with a better fit and finish, yes. Are there rods out there that balance better, yes. But none compare overall.

Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: blackNblue_NTX] #14445314 08/10/22 09:13 PM
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Honestly I think it's not the arrow, it's the Indian.. I know many old men who could put a whipping on others with just about anything you put in their hand. But I do like a certain feel in a rod.. Too many broken hearts when I would break a rod I built, so I just stay with affordable rods.. Just my .02 ...

Re: The one rod to rule them all [Re: tmd11111] #14445315 08/10/22 09:14 PM
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Originally Posted by tmd11111
Originally Posted by SteezMacQueen
Gary Loomis Edge.


Absolute Junk. I have 2 and both look like they were assembled by a drunk monkey. Don't even get me started on their customer service.


Never bought an edge rod but only build on NorthFork Composite blanks. Yes. Customer service is garbage. Shipping is stupid expensive and "excise" tax is a kick in the nads. With all of that said you can get an Xray series blank for 85 bucks on sale so for less than 200 bucks I can build the best rod available (IMHO) with Fuji KR series guides and carbon fiber grips. Pretty hard to beat.

Last edited by mossyback75; 08/10/22 09:15 PM.
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