TNBankFishing

Most of what I’ve read or heard anecdotally the CNQ have a higher top end and give you more faith pushing it than the NRX models. I’d suggest something the X10 line which can handle the weights. The NRX line shines on JWR actions but those weights would be a push even on an 895, and the rod would be useless for much else besides big ole jigs.

A strange bit of knowledge is the St. Croix XF actions tend to have a softer tip than their Fast counterparts. They just shut off into the backbone a bit sooner. For a medium powered rod the XF does work well for rip and jerk baits. I used a legend x 6’10mxf for a couple years and it performed well. Anything above M and the backbone overpowers the action by a large degree.

I’d look at a couple demo rods in the tackle traps used section. As far as brands/models/action I’m not much help. Never owned a travel rod but if I did it would be a Megabass. I’ve bought hundreds of things from Japan, but never a rod. I’m too chicken to risk what domestic shippers have done more than once.

If you specifically want something to cut through veggies there are options of 4 strand braid that will act as a saw. Sunline makes one, and others I’m sure. If you need smooth 8 strand for day to day use most main brands are surprisingly similar. In my years of trying different brands, braid never felt all that different. With flouro manufacturers matter more.

Was a kayak guy for 5 years in the southeast around Tennessee/Georgia/Carolinas. I own 3 spinning rods and really only use two. 852 and Steez the 7’6 mml. I don’t like throwing hard baits on spinning gear so jerks and light cranks are casting exclusive even from a kayak. Depending on where you fish the ML will cover your neds and light jdm stuff or a dedicated vertical drop shot rod. Now if that part of your fishing arsenal is small or nonexistent I’d just skip it entirely. I don’t fish a shaking minnow, neds, or really anything under 1/4 oz weight plus plastic regularly. For those weights my 843 or st croix medium are more than capable. If you’re me, a ML stick like the st croix 7’ML I own just doesn’t see action. While it’s fantastic at the baits it’s built for I don’t enjoy fishing them. Think about the fishing you like to do, not finding a use for a rod that throws baits you bought because the internet says they are great. Tighten up your combos until you’re fishing what you want to fish every time you grab something off the deck. You’ll quickly narrow down what you really need and can swap the others into more of the good stuff.

What you’re asking for can be 6 different rods. What single technique do you want this rod and reel to excel at?

The consumer is always the one who suffers with trade wars and tariffs. The reality is it will get much worse before it gets better.

I’m in the occasionally boat. If I’m going to use it that trip it’s pre rigged. I don’t like fiddling around with the rig on the water.

MAP pricing is not affected by this sale. Some big ticket items can be had for 20% off.

The rod weighs less than 4oz in total. I never cared that the rod was ever so slightly tip heavy. I’m not even sure I’ve ever noticed.

Which reservoirs are you on most? Norris fishing a lot different than Watts Bar, and Douglas or Loudon can have their quirks.

I agree with rangerjockey, and I can articulate two reasons. The first is at this point in your fishing journey you don’t know what techniques you love to fish. This isn’t an attack or belittling you, but how many hours have you put in across all techniques you have tackle for? Do you know for a fact you’re going to be throwing a jig day in and day out for the next 5 years to warrant spending the money? For example it took me over a year to trust jigs. Initially I never caught anything and assumed my jig/rod/location was the problem. It ended up being me. I didn’t have the patience and feel to know when a jig was cast into a high percentage location and the experience to know when it was picked up. We can all tell when a bass thunks a jig and runs off, but the subtle pickup was a mystery to me. I missed a ton of fish until I sat down and really worked at the craft. Now a jig is the first thing I throw. A couple of my friends still hate them. Only throw Trigs and even then only up to a 1/4oz. They hate the weight and how the bait performs for them. A brand new NRX jig rod would sit in their rod locker until it’s pity party time. I don’t think you’re at the point you know you’ll if you love throwing bottom contact all day. My second point is you’re going to have selective anxiety about choosing the “best” rod. I did this when I moved into my current career and high end equipment became a possibility. My first high end purchase was a Mh Zodias back when they had foam handles and had just come out. Was the ~7ft MH. Went fishing and was blown away compared to the Walmart sticks I’d been using. So naturally I wanted more. The hook up tackle YouTube showed me a bunch of high end JDM Megabass rods. I called up the shop and Ben said he had a fantastic junk rod in stock that did everything. So I ordered me a MB Destroyer Carbon Head Wild Bunch. It was… not that much better than my Zodias. It was too heavy powered, too slow actioned for anything I wanted to do. Imagine a current P5 super destroyer style rod. Not a bank fishing junk rod unless you know what to throw on it. I didn’t know why this rod wasn’t working and assumed I had made a mistake. So I picked up what people said were the best this and that because I didn’t have the time on water to actually know what I wanted. Over the course of a year or two I ended up with about 20 sticks where I actually only wanted about 3 of them. Learn from my mistake. Instead of 1 $600 rod get 3 $200 sticks which cover all of your bases. St. Croix Victory 7’4” heavy. In stock at the rod locker used last time I checked. Evergreen/Daiwa Elite MH. Zodias 6’10 medium.

P5s are a strange animal. I loved mine for their multipurpose use but hated the spinning rod grips. One thing to consider is how patient you are with this purchase as well. I use higher end gear but I’m happy waiting 3-6 months to pickup something I’m looking for. If you can source used for St. Croix you’ll save a ton. Loomis is usually a call around until you get a shop willing to make a deal sorta thing.

Their blanks used to be excellent. Now I’m not sure. Lots of middling reviews recently.

The heliums are not NRX sensitive, but you need to jump up to Xtasy/Xtreme/SteezAGS level. Then again the diminishing returns over $300 is stark. The 7’4” will have a hard time casting a small 3/8th once jig without a substantial trailer. The Xtreme also has a slightly more moderate action than the elite/X2 but it’s splitting hairs.

Line choice is yours and personal preference will play a huge role. I use 15-20lb straight flouro on my 873 with a healthy backing of cheap mono. I prefer not using braid to leader on casting gear because I don’t feel it makes enough difference with the heavy line and power style of fishing I do. If you have more reels than rods, it’s a lot easier to slap a different reel on the rod to change its line characteristics than to deal with a hundred different leaders. Use 15lb mono on one reel for moving bait applications and straight braid for the bottom contact stuff. It’s what I did as I grew my rod collection.

The 873 fishes like a 3.5 power. It’s more than enough for thick veggies. I use mine from the bank and kayak all over the TVA system in Tennessee and it’s flawless. If you’re moving up to a punching plastic with over a once weight it’s not perfect fit but it can handle it in a pinch. The Daemos is a more of a moving bait rod, nowhere near the power to throw big bottom contacts in thick cover. I second not going MB as your first spend. They are great multipurpose rods but you’re asking for a primarily jig and worm stick with swim jig and chatter flexibility.

Ok, let’s buckle up. I fish a lot from the bank and own or have owned the Steez Extra Heavy special, 873, 844, Legend Elite 7’4” heavy. The one you want is the 873. The Heavy Cover Special starts being functional at 5/8ths weight plus trailer. It’s as sensitive as my NRX rods, but is too powerful for anything beyond punching, large jigs and big ole frogs. 894 is too fast for anything outside strictly bottom contact jigs or t rigs. 844 isn’t what I’d use for what you mention. It’s not as sensitive and kinda feels out of place to me. I use my 843 on every outing. Sold my 844 within a month. The 7’4” is what I’d consider the second best choice. From my experience with the legend elite model it has a hard time under half a once with casting. Otherwise it’s great. 873 will cover everything you want and balances well. I’ll let others chime in if they know more about the other models.

USPS doesn’t have a surcharge for a rod tube less than 7’6”. Use them often.

2nd the mule. I don’t use it every outing if I’m only hauling a single rod or two but it goes on every camping trip and when I’m on someone else’s boat. Keeps stuff organized and relatively safe when walking a trail or to the bank from the car.

Colored SLP Zillion when they drop, and a normal one if you don’t want to wait. Or anything with hyperdrive gearing would be good.

1/8-5/16 plus plastic trigs and very light trailers on 3/8th jigs. Tips light and overall the 893 I had was fun to fish but had too much overlap with other rods.

You loved your friend and eased his suffering. You did the right thing, and I hope you find peace and happiness in his memories.

Apply it thin, don’t glob it. Use a small craft brush or an old toothbrush to work it into the cork. Less is more. It will change the color of the cork slightly. It may have a mildly tacky feeling for your first outing but that subsided quickly.

I’ve used and abused my Zillions for the last 4 years. I bought a USDM reel as soon as they launched to test and I was extremely impressed. Until there is another leap forward in smoothness, castability, and reliability I won’t be swapping them out. I’m rough on gear because I bank fish a ton and wade rivers chasing smallmouth. At this point I have 3 USDM reels and 4 JDM ones with a HD for punching and frogging. Love the size and I have medium to small hands, palming isn’t an issue.