First impressions of the rod, it seems perfectly balanced but just a fuzz on the heavy side. May be a little light on the power for what I'm looking for, but i definately have other uses for it. If I like it a lot I will probably order the same rod in 4 or 5 power for my jig needs 

Probably a Phenix ultra bmx or Provo

You can do 1/2 oz with an 853. Not ideal but it will work outside of heavy cover. 

NRX green rods seem to be discontinued. If you end up wanting more Loomis, the 894 is exceptional for 1/2 oz jigs. Might be possible to pick one up at not too much over your original budget. 

7 hours ago, Cgrinder said:

You can do 1/2 oz with an 853. Not ideal but it will work outside of heavy cover. 

NRX green rods seem to be discontinued. If you end up wanting more Loomis, the 894 is exceptional for 1/2 oz jigs. Might be possible to pick one up at not too much over your original budget. 

I feel like this will be my 1/4oz to maybe 3/8oz finesse and bitsy bug jig setup. I don't feel like it had enough backbone for heavy wire hooks. If I like it I will hunt down a little more beefy rod. Honestly first off it feels like my megabass blows it out of the water in the $300 department for feel, quality, and balance. But for the $200 I gave for it I feel like it is better than my st criox avid. This rod feels like more of a $200 rod than a $300 rod if you get what I'm saying.