Rodney Smith

I am considering trying this one my Stradic ci4’s. I am an avid braid user and have tried most brands. I know this one is expensive and some will immediately say that are are less expensive brands that are just as good. You are probably right. I would love to hear from some folks who have actually used this line.

My wife sent me and our 17 year old son to Angler’s Inn on El Salto for my 50th birthday. I will never forget it. The fishing is unlike anything you have ever done. The fish are supposedly the fastest growing bass in the world. You will get a 5 pounder and think you have an 8-10 pounder. The fish are that strong. Watch the video on their website and hear Kevin Van Dam talk about it. You will catch large quantities of fish and big fish. My son caught an 11 pounder. The other thing is the scenery. It is spectacular. The whole lake is surrounded by big, lush mountains (almost like ones you would see in Jamaica). The staff at Angler’s Inn are incredible. I can’t stop thinking about El Salto. When I got back, I got a little jar, pasted a picture of the lake on it, and started an El Salto Fund (at first as a joke). I have sold some stuff, asked for contributions to the fund for Christmas, etc, and now my fund is up to close to $1,000.00. Some how, some way, I have get back down there. 80% of their customers are repeat customers. That should tell you something. As far as safety, I understand the concern, but I certainly wouldn’t let that stop me. Big cities (including Atlanta close to where I live) are dangerous. I’m not for taking foolish risks, but I don’t want to live life in fear either. As long as you stay with the Angler’s Inn people, I don’t think you will encounter any drug cartel stuff. If I could go back tomorrow, I would.

That sounds like wise advice.

I know this reel is billed as a "finesse" reel, but I am wondering if anybody uses it as a general purpose reel. I now use all Chronarch MGL's (have had a Metanium) and I am thinking about getting an Aldabaran to mount onto the new Loomis Conquest 843C rod. It would make for a super light combo. It would be used for topwater, jerkbaits, lipless cranks, Senkos, etc. Most of the topwater baits would be 1/2-5/8. Is this little reel up the task?

I have always wanted to try one and now Bass Pro has their BPS Stalker front loading bag on sale. Anybody use front loaders? What are your thoughts?

The Conquest 843C.

Shimano GL Conquest Cast Rod 7' Heavy 844C MBR

Go DAWGS! 1980 was a really long time ago...

My Conquest 844c casts very well (I guess because of the Spiral x technology. I have used 6.9-7 ft rods because I like to make long casts to schooling fish (or just to be stealthy). It seems like I would sacrifice that with shorter rod. With a 7 ft rod, I just work the bait off to side a little instead of straight down.

I was very interested in this rod. The top end rating of 1/2 ounce scares me a little. I do throw some top waters that are 5/8-3/4.

I have the Conquest 844C rod for jigs and worms and I like it very much (had a NRX before). Would the 843C be good for throwing topwater and jerk baits? Most of my top water would be 1/2 PopMax- 5/8 Sammies style of baits. I would also use it lipless cranks, spinnerbaits, Senkos, etc. I only carry 2 casting rods and 2 spinning rods in my small boat so everything has to be versatile. I know many will prefer shorter rods, but I am fairly tall and have used 7 ft rods for these techniques before without any problem.

I have another rod that I could fish the 1/2 (or heavier) jigs, but with a nice rod like the Conquest, I like to fish with it as much as possible. I have a rod that I use for frogs and Carolina Rigs. I could use that for the heavier jigs. I did go out this morning and catch some fish on a 1/2 jig. You are correct. It is pushing the upper limits. The 844c would not work well for weightless Senko’s, t-rigged worms with 3/16-1/4 ounce weights, etc, would it?

I have been used to fishing with an NRX 853c for jigs. I bought the new Conquest 843C for fishing mainly 3/8 jigs with some 1/2 (and the occasional 1/4 or 5/16) jigs. I will also use it as my soft plastics rod. The MBR tip is softer than I’m accustomed to, but I’m sure I will get used to it. I bought the 843c because it thought it would cast a little better and would also double as a good Senko rod. I’m second guessing myself for not getting the 844c. What are your thoughts?

I sold my NRX 853C JWR that I had for for five years. I liked that rod, but was intrigued by the new Conquest. I have ordered one and I’m not sure that I like it. I could order the same NRX I had, but I am inclined to try a GLX 853c. I have the new GLX spinning rods and I like them very much. I have heard that the new GLX rods are very close to the NRX in terms of sensitivity. I have also read on the Tackle Tour review that they are a little softer in action then their predecessors. I fish mainly 3/8 jigs with some 1/2 and 1/4 occasionally in the mix. Does anyone have experience using the new GLX 853c for those applications? Would it be powerful enough? It would wonderful to hear from G. Loomis users with experience with the new GLX and the NRX.

I took my Conquest 843C out fishing for half a day today. The jury is still out at this point. The sensitivity was good. I was fishing a jig and either I had a bunch of short strikers or I may not like the MBR action with the fast tip compared to my NRX with the extra fast tip. The tip may be too soft. I will give it fair shake, but I have to say that I was not blown away. I am beginning to wonder if the Loomis's JWR rod's with the extra fast tip are still the better choice for bottom contact baits. On the positive side, it is extremely light and the reel seat is more comfortable than my old NRX. It also doesn't have the noisier recoil guides. I will do some further testing and see if the new design grows on me. For the price, it will have to.

I see what you mean. Mine doesn't look anything like that, but if it did I wouldn't be too happy about it. I did read of some quality control issues on the prior NRX. I didn't ever encounter it though.

I just got a Conquest 843c casting rod yesterday. It is definitely not crap. The fit and finish including the cork, wraps, etc are all top notch. I sold my NRX in order to get it. I have only taken it out on the water for an hour or so. I will need more time to see if it is really better than a NRX. Before I drop more big bucks on a spinning rod, I was hoping to hear some more “on the water” experiences.

Let me know what you think...

Does anybody have one of these yet?

Does anyone have one of these yet? I was hoping to hear from someone who has actually fished these rods?

Is the tungsten Red Eye Shad really better than the regular one? Will it catch more fish?

I have had one Shimano Metanium and one Loomis NRX. To me, that’s about as high-end as I’m comfortable going. However, if you have one passion and a Stella is within your budget and that’s what you want, I say more power to you. I’d love to fish one myself. Until that day, my ci4’s will have to do. The problem is, once you have tried the good stuff, it’s hard to go back. My wife just sent me to El Salto in Mexico for my 50th birthday. Now, fishing my spots back home suddenly doesn’t seem quite a good as they used to.

I enjoy some high end things, but a Stella reel is at a price most guys would never consider paying for a spinning reel. I’m sure the Stella is the Ferrari of fishing reels, but for 98% of us who would never spend $600 on a spinning reel, the Ci4 would make a great choice.

I don’t think you will do any better than the Ci4’s. I had several of the previous model and now the newest version. They are smooth, light, and powerful.

My wife just surprised me with a trip for me and my son to The Angler’s Inn at El Salto for my 50th birthday. We leave in a couple of weeks. I’m trying to plan for the trip. I would love to hear from some one who has been there. I have plenty of tackle, but with some tight flight arrangements and no margin for error, I’m not necessarily looking forward to bringing my own rods. They have a tackle lure package (expensive) and it says they supply rods on a first come, first serve basis. I am trying to pack light so I don’t have to check luggage. What should I do?