ABrugs

@AverageJoeP - Yeah, same page. I also fish from the bank right now and that is a big reason for this for me. My strategy will change once I get my bass boat in a couple of years. Right now, I’d rather bring one setup so I can walk and fish as I go.

Thanks for the insight! I've been leaning 842 the entire time and think that's the direction I'll end up going. Almost all of the fishing I do would qualify as 'open water' so that's re-assuring. My next step is making a decision on which Loomis line to go w/ and I hope that there are some available to see at the upcoming Michigan Fishing Show.

Thanks for all the responses! @NorcalBassin - I should've clarified the weight range. 3/8 total weight is what I'd mostly be throwing. I almost exclusively fish shallow water right now and most of my heads will be 1/8 w/ an occasional 1/4 mixed in, but that will be the exception. An example would be a 3.3" Keitech SIF on a 1/8 head for a total weight of under 3/8. Other examples would be a 3/8 Dark Sleeper, Megabass Vision 110 Jr./110+1 Jr., 1/4 spinnerbaits, 4"/5" Senkos, etc. The only lures that would get close to the top of the range would be those spinnerbaits and 1/4 swim jigs w/ small trailers. ^ With this clarification, what are your thoughts on the 842 vs 843? @thunderblack - Thanks! I know I didn't include it in my original post, but do you have any feedback or thoughts on just going straight to the top w/ the Conquest 842 MBR? I'm a little hesitant w/ the GLX because I've read a lot about the reel seat being uncomfortable. I wish I had a store near me that had some of these in stock as it's tough to pull the trigger on such an expensive rod w/o holding any of them. There's a fishing show in Michigan coming up at the beginning of January and I might wait until then to see if any vendors bring some of these models.

I think I'm getting closer and closer to making a decision on what rod I'll be going w/ for next year. The Loomis 842 MBR is what I've been leaning towards, but I'm also curious to hear about how this rod compares to the St. Croix Legend line in the 7' M/F model? Both rods are the same length, power, and are rated at 1/4 - 5/8. If I go w/ the Loomis, I'm still unsure about what line/model, but would probably be an IMX-PRO, GLX, or NRX+. If I go w/ the Croix, it would be the Legend X. I won't list out all the techniques I'd be using this for, but most of them would fall into the 3/8 range. I'd be looking at a smaller Shimano MGL reel, like the Aldebaran MGL 50 or Curado MGL 70 K, and using 12# Tatsu w/ it. Ultimately, I'm looking to build a high-end versatile casting setup and I believe I've narrowed it down to these 2 options. I'd love to hear any opinions/thoughts. Thanks!

Alright, thanks. Would you recommend the 842 for the 3/8 DS then?

Would a G. Loomis 842 MBR work well for the 3/8 DS? @NHBull - You mentioned that you used this for the 1/2, which surprised me a little bit. If that’s the case, I would think it could handle the 3/8 great. Would you still recommend the 842 for the 1/2?

This has been really helpful to read through as I’m planning on getting one of the 842 MBR sticks. It sounds like this will work for all of the techniques I plan on throwing. Do you all think I’d be good throwing a 3/8 Megabass Dark Sleeper? Would the 1/2 be too much for this rod?

@NathanDLTH - What size swimbaits do you throw on it? I’m interested in the Orochi XX Shakyhead and am trying to get a feel for the Megabass power ratings.

Hey, @thunderblack - I know you mentioned the Orochi XX Shakyhead and now I'm curious what techniques you think that rod would be good for and if it would work for the things I plan on doing?

As I’ve been doing research and a lot of thinking about this, I’m really curious and interested to hear what thoughts would be on looking into the IMX-PRO 842 MBR paired w/ a Shimano Curado MGL 70 K versus going right to the top for my first venture into G. Loomis? ^ The IMX would still be the nicest rod I’ve ever had, by far. Also, it looks like I’d be able to fit around 100 yards of 12# Tatsu on the Curado, which is a decent amount more than the Aldebaran. Ultimately, I think I might like having something to look forward to by working my way up through the different rod lines every year.

Yeah, I'd be going w/ the Orochi XX Ronin so that's good to hear. I'm thinking I would be throwing total weights around 3/8 and rarely going over that. I actually really like that it's 6'8 and that adds to the appeal for me. I appreciate all of your insight, @thunderblack.

Thanks, @thunderblack. I appreciate that insight. I plan on throwing a lot of paddle tail swimbaits next year for smallmouth bass, specifically the Keitech Swing Impact FAT 3.3” w/ 1/8 heads. In addition to these, I’ll be throwing the Megabass 110 Jr./110+1 Jr., the smaller sizes of the Dark Sleeper, 4”/5” Senkos, and a couple of other things, including smaller tubes. How do you think it would perform for these techniques, specifically the swimbaits?

@Buzzbaiter - Well, I hope you’re right. Those are two of the techniques I would be throwing the most.

I might be in the market for a versatile spinning rod and the Megabass Ronin has intrigued me. The power (Medium-Light) and rating (1/4 - 3/4) are an interesting combination and I'd love to hear from anyone who has this rod regarding the different techniques they use w/ it. I know it's supposed to be an awesome spinning rod for jerkbaits, but is it able to handle several different techniques? If so, which ones would you recommend? Thanks!

I’ve learned that investing in technique specific setups as a novice bass angler wasn’t the best move for me. I’ll be consolidating and upgrading my 4 setups to 1 versatile setup going into my 3rd year bass fishing in 2022.

I actually haven’t used 8# Tatsu yet as I’m still torn on deciding which of those two setups to invest in. If I DO decide to go spinning, that’s what I’ll be starting w/ based on a lot of research I’ve done on the best handling FC for spinning reels. I know that doesn’t give you actual experience w/ it, but it seems like it’s the favorite of most who go straight FC on spinning.

Thanks for posting, @Fat Ika. I’ll be following responses here as well as I plan on throwing a lot of these for smallies next year on LSC. While this setup wouldn’t be completely dedicated to finesse swimbaits, I’m highly considering the NRX+ 842 MBR w/ an Aldebaran MGL 50 and 12# Tatsu as my versatile casting setup, which sounds very similar to the suggestion RW gave you. If I decide to go spinning, I would be leaning most towards the St. Croix Legend X 6’8 MXF w/ a Stradic FL 2500 and 8# Tatsu.

I agree w/ you 100%! The even better part for me is I’ve never owned anything like we’re talking about in this thread and that adds to the excitement. Fishing is about the entire experience for me and the rod/reel I’m using is a big part of that overall experience.

@Randy Price - I know it’s been a while since this thread was active, but was curious what you went w/ here? I’m highly considering a NRX+ 842 MBR w/ an Aldebaran MGL 50 for next year, unless I decided to go spinning instead. If I did go spinning, the rods discussed in this thread would be of interest. If you could provide an update and any additional feedback, that would be great. Thanks!

That's an awesome setup, @roadwarrior. My personal fishing season up here will be ending at the end of November and I'll be selling my current combos immediately after that to get ready. Needless to say, this thread is getting me amped. ^ I do still think the NRX+ 842 MBR w/ the Aldebaran MGL 50 will be the ideal setup for me. Now, I'll need to start thinking about what's next after that. ?

Does anyone know or have any insight into what new high-end reels Shimano might be releasing in 2022? I know they just re-modeled the Metanium in 2020 so that’s likely off the table. When was the last time the Aldebaran was refreshed?

I'll be following this thread as well, @WPCfishing. I'm really interested in the NRX+ MBRs. Thanks for posting!

@FishTank - I love that post. With so many great options at this level, I'm really interested in those 'lightsaberesque' pairings. I'm guessing the 842 MBR version of the NRX+ w/ an Aldebaran MGL would likely fall into this given how light they both are, but I'd love to hear from someone who has that setup. @Hulkster - I've also thought about the IMX-PRO 842 MBR paired w/ a Bantam MGL, but wasn't sure about how they would balance considering the Bantam is on the heavier side. I'm sure the 903 would be an awesome pairing w/ it.

I’ve only used 16# and 14# Sunline Sniper for all falling techniques. I plan on switching to 12# Seaguar Tatsu next year as I’ve heard it’s the best and I don’t need heavier line in the waters I fish.

@jbsoonerfan - Any reason you’re letting go of the Bantams? I’m always reading outstanding reviews on them. I should clarify as well that I’m not going to roll w/ 1 combo forever, it’s just all I need right now considering I fish once per week on average for a couple of hours, besides vacation and up north trips. I’d like to have 1 really nice setup that is also versatile, hence the MBR. ^ I plan on adding a combo every year and assuming I like the quality and versatility of the MBR actions w/ the MGL spools, I’ll keep investing in additional setups.