Fastbee

Great info, thanks! Like I said I don't know much about Loomis at all...that gives me something to think about. I'm not going to rule out the Expride just yet. I don't own any Shimano/Loomis rods so I thought my next purchase might be something from them since I really like the 3 reels I have. My Tatula rods have been great for several years but I think I'm going to try some new stuff this year.

I spoke to the local Shimano/Loomis dealer. He's got a couple of demos he thought would work: NRX 854JWR ($435) and a Conquest 844MBR ($520). He also has a new GLX 844MBR for $475. As a bonus, he mentioned an Expride 7'2 MH for $230. I hadn't really given much thought to the Expride until he mentioned it. All would have full warranty. I'm sure the Conquest is awesome, but is it that much better? And, are the Loomis rods that much better than the Expride?

Thinking about purchasing a G. Loomis rod in the near future, mainly since I've never owned one. If I'm going to drop that much coin, I'd like something I could use for jigs since that's my primary bait of choice. I've saw several threads on here and other sites reference the GLX 844MBR as kind of a universal jig rod mainly due to the MRB taper. I'd also consider NRX as well as maybe the Conquest but I know almost nothing about anything Loomis...never even fished with one. I mainly use 1/2 oz. jigs (sometimes 3/8 but rarely less than that) in less than 15' FOW but as several of my threads on here indicate I present them in a variety of ways (casting, skipping, pitching). I'd like a single rod to handle that. I've got a rod I really like for heavy cover and deep dragging so this rod wouldn't necessarily have to do those things. From a little looking around, it seems the JWR taper is more like an extra fast where as the MBR is fast. I need the tip for skipping, so keep that in mind. Not sure what direction I'll go, might just keep whipping around my OG Tatulas but I've started to get interested in Loomis for some reason...

You just need the right retriever. I've only lost a single rig in three years after picking one of these up: https://www.another site.com/Tiptons/Tiptons-Golden-Retriever I use 20 lb. Big Game mono on either a Tatula 200 or a Lew's Super Duty 300.

Well, to me ROF is only important if I'm trying to catch "suspended" fish, those not relating to the top or bottom. If I'm dragging a jig on a point or ledge the ROF doesn't even enter my mind, keeping contact with the bottom is my primary concern. I play with ROF a lot on pole docks and laydowns since fish can be anywhere in the water column. I usually flip/pitch/skip jigs at these targets and getting bit on the way down helps to cover water.

I think frog hair is just really fine cut living rubber...

Depends on how it fished. I've bought and sold high end rods that just didn't suit me. Like you said, sensitivity is subjective. For me, the feel of the rod during the presentation is very important followed closely by how it performs during the cast. I haven't ever fished with an NRX but have fished with rods that many consider very close competitors. I've still got a couple but many have been sold for one reason or another. I don't get too hung up on sensitivity as a selling point any more. I caught plenty of bass 25 years ago on gear that would be considered junk today. For me it's more about being tuned in to the bait mentally than what the rod alone can provide.

The guys at The Tackle Trap are awesome. If they sell it, they know it inside and out. I've had several conversations about Megabass, Daiwa and St. Croix with them and they have been spot on with their recommendations each time. Bryan (the reel repair/tuning guy and local pro tournament angler) even took time out of his day to go through his personal rods and the rods in the shop to find a rod that would do what I needed. Gary is always great as well. They take the time to give you the info you need to make a good decision and will make recommendations but I've never felt pressured to buy the most expensive option. Matter of fact, Gary and Bryan have offered me lower priced options when I asked about much more expensive rods or reels.

I feel your pain...I've got two Tatula Elite rods that fish amazing but I really dislike that color!

I've been watching Lynn Dollar's channel for a couple of years. It's interesting to see how much things have changed from then to now!

Yep...

Here's my thoughts...I guess as the industry has changed the thought process of those involved has changed as well. The focus has started to move away from tournament victories in the direction of social media content and being a specialist would get boring...video after video of the same thing. Before everyone videoed every dang thing to post online, guys like Fritts (crankbait), Brauer and Biffle (jigs), Rowland (Pop-r) and Clunn (spinnerbait/crankbait) were usually all in on their specialty. Back then it was more important to win than to make a showing because wins got you exposure. I don't recall many mid-pack guys getting the cover of Bassmaster. It paid to be known for something then but not so much now and only having one thing to draw from limits your options. I've never been a pro, but during my tournament days I wasn't concerned about consistency...I fished to win every event, I was a specialist with the jig. When things lined up (and sometimes even when they weren't ideal) I was hard to beat. When it was obvious the jig wouldn't work, I fell back on the techniques mentioned above just to catch a few fish to weigh in but admittedly I was out of contention for the most part. It built my reputation though. The other competitors knew who I was because I won a lot. It's not like that now...

Specialists do well when things line up for their specialty. They can catch them other ways as well but that is not how they start out. The Brauers, Biffles and others that are famous for a single technique caught fish other ways but they shined when things lined up for their deal. I bought into the versatility thing awhile back and am not so sure it was helpful for me. I spent so much time cycling through baits that I feel it had a negative impact on my catching. When I was a heavy tournament competitor I caught fish three ways: flipping jigs, squarebill cranks in laydowns or buzzbaits. I can't tell you how much money I won flipping jigs, many tournaments there were two rods out, both flipping stick just with two different jigs tied on. I only resorted to the other two when I felt I had to. The specialist will stay with his deal and figure out how to get bites other miss. I've often wondered if the versatility factor came about as a way to improve sponsor opportunities for pros.

I tournament fished heavily for years and was pretty successful. Started in a small local club when I was 12. I stopped after getting married and having kids because I didn't feel I could dedicate the time on the water needed to stay competitive in the larger derbies. I started back last year on a little weeknight wildcat near my house. I'd have to agree with some others about the level of "pro-ness" that was everywhere. I didn't know any of the guys I was fishing against and most never even weighed anything in but they all were geared up like they were touring pros or something. The Facebook page for the tournament was full of these same guys talking about all the other tournaments they fish but when you looked at the results they sucked in all the other ones too! As different as it's become, I still feel like tournament fishing is an excellent way to improve as an angler. My decision making and focus were much better with a few bucks on the line (NOTE: I'm a competitive person by nature, so this might no apply to everyone) and it was nice to have a real time evaluation of what was caught by who not just what some guys at the dock said. A buddy and I are going to fish a local "open" series on our home lake this year. Lots of guys I've known for years and some of the better local weekend fishermen frequent this series. I'm excited to get back to it and hope to have a decent year of competition. I firmly believe that fishing against/with guys that are better than you make you a better angler.

Wish I had some earth-shattering advice but I don't. Jimmyjoe and I do the same thing...I have cycled through hundreds of rods over the years. I buy what I think will work and then fish with it for a while. If I like it, I keep it, otherwise it gets sold. My local shop will let me demo a rod now that we've built a relationship. It has saved me some time and money for sure.

I use old jigs to practice with but the sinkers would probably be fine on concrete or pavement.

That Tatula 7 MHR is one of my favorite skipping rods. The action is really good and it's heavy enough to drive a big hook home. I like centrifugal brakes over magnetic brakes but that's just me. I've tried the SV spooled reels from Daiwa for skipping and while effective, I prefer the Shimano SVS braking system (or even older centrifugal brakes). Also, I prefer to use more spool tension and less braking with centrifugal brakes and less spool tension and more brakes with magnetic.

Deephaven - That's my point, you can use a wide variety of rods/reels for this application. With practice, the OP could use any of the equipment he listed and be successful just like you could. No need to purchase anything extra, just put in some work.

Really good advice...been skipping for years, long before SV spools and such. Skipping with a BC is like anything else, practice makes perfect but you have to practice properly and learn the motion, it should be automatic with no thought. IMO, folks rely too much on the "skipping" reels and rods. If they help you build confidence then great, but I learned to skip with an Ambassadeur 5600 on a cheap no name rod my uncle gave me. Here are a few thoughts that I have given to guys I've helped along the way: - Get over your fear of backlashing...it's going to happen no matter how good you are. - You've got to commit to the cast, don't hold back. - Keep your eyes fixed on the target...find where works best for YOU. I skip docks and overhangs alot, so I focus on where I want my bait to "disappear" but others find different focal points better. - Put some mustard on your casts...the force I use on roll casts for skipping isn't any different than my overhand casts, it might even be a little harder. You need that to load the rod. This goes along with the first and second points. The video from Jonny Shultz (Fish the Moment) is almost a carbon copy of what I do. Keeping the elbow close really helps and the smooth "whipping" action is key. A side note: my neighbors think I'm a little crazy sometimes but I stand on the short retaining wall between our properties and skip old jigs into my garage under my boat and my wife's SUV to keep sharp. I don't do alot of skipping in the winter or spring while fishing so I practice along the way to keep the muscle memory. Also, that OG Tatula 7' MHR mentioned earlier works great for skipping.

100% agree, especially when it's overcast or low light. Fish aren't always as predictable as we'd like, I've caught some really good fish several feet away from the cover. Make those casts and stay ready!

This is some solid advice right here. The man who taught me how to jig fish used this same method with me. My equipment wasn't the best, but understanding how things normally feel makes a huge difference in detecting strikes and objects you can't see.

Not so sure it's the braid or t-wing giving you issues. The Magforce breaking is a little different profile from the others on the market. It took me some getting used to.

I've used the BB1 Pro for what you describe and I liked it just fine. I've never used a Super Duty Wide Spool but do have a Super Duty 300. I don't think I would like it for cranking, I didn't care for it while throwing an A-rig the other day...not really the same application or even same reel so take it for what it's worth. I would question your rod of choice for 6XDs...I'd use my 755 in a pinch but wouldn't like it as a 6XD rod very often. The biggest crank I use on it regularly is a DT-16 or DD-22. Have you used the 755 for 6XDs alot?

I got a KLX for a huge discount last year (7'6 H) that I really wanted to like...I just couldn't find a place for it after I had it. I sold it not too long ago. Same deal with my Argon (7'1 MH) but I still have it. They are great rods at the sale prices but not worth full retail in my opinion. I bought them to replace some aging OG Daiwa Tatulas but ended up liking the Tats better. I'll probably hang on to the Argon because it is very versatile.