Loomis13

Can’t really comment on the sensitivity, as I have only used it for a couple hours this past weekend when it was 38° and raining. However, I didn’t notice it being any better or worse. The blank is SCVII and the elites and extremes are SCVI. If it’s not just marketing and the blank is actually more sensitive than the elites it will be a phenomenal rod. It is definitely lighter, or balanced better than the elites/extremes.

If you are considering st croix, I would look at the new X2. Supposed to be a better blank, and from what I have handed balances very well. I hasn’t caught any fish on my spinning rod, but it balances better than the Extremese I’ve held and if the blank is actually a step up, it will be real similar to an NRX.

I also the braid to leader, but tend to use a fairly short leader and try to keep the knot out of the guides. Can’t go wrong with a destroyer either like has been mentioned in the thread. I have a daemos as well it and it’s awesome.

Someone else mentioned ‘the one’ by Daiwa. Fantastic spinning rod and very versatile. I also have a kistler Z bone and very fond of that rod. Would put it right up there with the legend elite, steez, and NRX. Not as technique specific as the other rods but very sensitive. I haven’t fished it yet, but have have it on order after playing around in store. The Legend X2 from Croix feels incredible and I cannot wait to fish it. Got to talk with Dan Johnston in person who is with St croix and he has high praises for the rod (yes I know he works there and wouldn’t say anything bad about it). But I was very impressed with the rod.

Have a new twin power and the previous model certate. Like FishTank, I would get the twin power. The certate is just okay to me.

From what I can tell the legend tournament cranking rods are the scIV material, with some glass in the blank. I am assuming the legend tournaments are a little more sensitive than the legend glass. Also probably a little lighter than the legend glass. Someone may correct me as I could very well be wrong.

I can’t comment on that rod in particular, but I would encourage you to take rod into a store and mount both reels and see how they feel. That may be difficult depending on your location and that reels are high end. If all else fails, you can maybe mount a small panfish reel and see how the rod balances with a light weight reel like the vanquish. Just be cognizant that this would only be good for a balance point of the combo.

The vanquish is really light and kind of hard to balance a rod with. How long of a rod are you using? I have the 23 vanquish and I would get the excense. But I’m not sure if it would be worth the extra money, just something I don’t have. Only played with an expense in store and it felt fantastic.

Not normally in on the newest gear, however I purchased a new twin power when they came out and have a 3000 excense on order. So I guess I guess yes??

What kind of weights are you bfs guys comfortable going down too? Like 1/16th? 1/8 doesn’t seem too crazy, but 1/16 with a small panfish plastic seems pretty light. Have never used a bfs set-up so not really sure either.

$200 flat for a z-bone shipped. Good deal!

Can’t comment on the difference between helium and z bone, but I got a zbone spinning rod a couple years ago and was very impressed. Ordered the 7’0” MH casting rod for Black Friday. Replacing a legend elite that I didn’t get along with. Handle was too big for my dainty hands.

Got a daemos earlier this year, but hadn’t used it until this past week. Have used legend elites, NRXs, Adrenas, and this is just as good I think. Also certainly is a pretty rod!

Let us know how you like it. I really like my Steez.

How fast of an action are you looking for? The 7’6” steez is a sweet rod, but I feel like you want a faster rod for drop shot.

I would go with something more stout than the 822. Especially if that’s the lowest. The 872s is the same two rating, but it definitely fishes heavier than the 822. I wouldn’t like 3/8 on the 822. But the NRX is a good choice.

What weights are you normally using?

Not an exact match, but might be worth something. I have the 872s with a 2500 twin power. Really like the balance. Cabo31 mentioned a twin power. The weight difference is pretty significant between the twin power and vanquish. I think I would go 3000 Vanquish if I was you. Haven’t fished with the twin power much, but have a 2000 vanquish and it’s a sweet reel!

Thats a fantastic lineup! I like the 872 better than the 852, but just a personal preference thing. And agree that it can handle close to a 3 power. I only have 1 Vanquish but it is sweet! Also just picked a new twin power so excited to try that out. just getting into the high end baitcasters. Picked up two metaniums but haven’t tried them yet.

Love the line up, but you’re missing half the goods! What about the reels??

I’m dropping the 852s. Same reason as FishTank.

Are you taking your own boat? Fishing the Minnesota side out of Baudette, you likely won’t catch too many small mouth. Will be 95% walleye and some northern. You might find a stray perch, crappie, and smaller. If you go up to the NW angle you will be in multi-species paradise. Going up to the NW angle also gives you the advantage of islands to break up the wind. Fishing out of Baudette, if you get a strong NW wind for a couple days you will be limited to fishing the river. Never done that in the summer, but most of the fish are out in the lake during the summer. As far as resorts, I have heard mostly good things about all of them. We stayed at Ships Wheel one year, and enjoyed it.

I figured as much. Thanks! I agree with this, a lot of the features of the current Stella have been implemented on the Twin Power. I have one of these on order from the local bait shop. Should be coming in fairly soon. Excited to check it out. Something still tells me I should try a Stella. Just want to want to see if they put any new features on it. I know the twin power and Vanquish are very different reels but if the new twin power is anything like the vanquish I have I will be very pleased.

I have the daiwa “the one” and an 872S. Completely different rods if you ask me. The Daiwa has a slower action as the MRX is pretty fast. I’d say they handle similar weight ranges with the daiwa handling heavier stuff better. Sensitivity wise, the daiwa is very good but if I had to choose I would say the NRX is slightly better. I prefer handling the Daiwa, the handle is a little smaller and I have smaller hands. Not sure it would be beneficial to have the 852S and the 872s unless you really like the 852S.

Hopefully all you die hard Shimano fans can shed some light for me. I am wanting to pick up a Stella, but the new ones are about 4 years old. I would rather wait until a new one comes out, however I have not not been staying up on release dates. Does anyone think we will see a new one any time soon, end of 2025, early 2026? I’m not in a hurry. Last time I did this, I purchased a Certate and they released a new like months after I received it!