Is the 854 a good 3/8oz jig rod? I'm looking for something to pair with my new mgl. It will be for light cover fishing and maybe dragging across wood, gonna pretty much be my bank beater jig setup. 

I wouldn't get it. The 854 is one of the lifeless rods in the NRX series. You would be better off with the 893 or 873.

Last yr I demoed the

853c and loved it, but I actually like the GLX better 

Why a 3 power? I had a 7'1" imx rod in 3 power  and it seemed soft for me, that's why I was after the 4 power. And I have a megabass emtf so I was thinking on a 7' rod since I don't have anything in he 7' range anymore. But I could possibly consider the 894 

I'd go with the 873crr.

I'm torn on this one as I own the NRX 854, 893, and 873ccr. For 3/8 my preference is 893. The 873ccr is a great 1/2 ounce jig setup. I originally bought the 854 for 3/8 and ended up missing fish until I switched from fluorocarbon to a braid with a floro leader. With the switch I am not missing hook sets. If you like the EMFT the mega bass perfect pitch could be a good option. 

I'm guess I could go with the 894 over the 854, maybe it's a better selection. It just seemed like the 893 would be the same exact rod as my emtf 

Well after researching it seems every single person prefers the 7'5 nrx rods over the other lengths, that confuses me lol. So I guess I'm gonna go with the 894, I just hope it gives the good balance lightweightness I'm wanting with the mgl 

894 isnt what i would call balanced but im picky about that stuff

The 873 is not your true 3 powered rod. It came out prior to the 894 and many felt it was mislabeled. It is more of a hybrid between a 3 and 4 powered Loomis. I use it for 3/8 and 1/2 oz jigs and it is completely at home with either. The 893 is more of a weightless plastic or 3/8 jig rod. The 894 is more of a 1/2 oz jig rod. The compromise rod IMO is the 873 and I absolutely love mine plus it is in a length in between the longer 7'5 rods and the shorter 7'1 rods. Yes, the EMTF Orichi XX and 893 are quite similar with the key difference between the action/taper. The EMTF is more versatile while the 893 is a 100% bottom contact rod due to the XF action.

So if you had to pick between the 873 and the 894 for 3/8 jigs which would it be(note I find the emtf underpowered for this app for me, it's more of t-rig or c-rig rod)? And I mean 3/8oz jigs plus trailer, so 1/2-5/8 oz total weight. I'm only wanting to spend $450 at most and I can't find a megabass rod I want in that price range, and I've always wanted to try a nrx. So that's the reason I'm wanting to try one. 

I like the 854 for 3/8oz. I never could like the 894, just personal preference. I think the CRR 873 is the best of the bunch .

 In my hands it fishes about a 4 1/2 power. By the time you put a trailer on a 3/8 oz. jig your pretty close to 1/2 oz but I think it's best with 1/2 -3/4oz football heads.

 

For your intended use (3/8 jigs, light cover, bank beating) IMO the 873 is the rod.  If you were fishing heavier cover or also using more 1/2oz then I'd say 894. 

873 with Met MGL (no line) and Scorpion 71 (30lb braid)

 

 

3 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

I like the 854 for 3/8oz. I never could like the 894, just personal preference. I think the CRR 873 is the best of the bunch .

 In my hands it fishes about a 4 1/2 power. By the time you put a trailer on a 3/8 oz. jig your pretty close to 1/2 oz but I think it's best with 1/2 -3/4oz football heads.

 

 

not so sure it fishes like a 4.5 power loomis if comparing to my old MBR 844. It is def a 4 power but from what i have read the 894 is a bit more powerful.

 

I also like my 873 for football heads. it seems to have a stiffer tip than some other jig rods i have and have tried and i like that for jigs. 

 

for those that have fished the 893, 873 and 894 - would you say the 873 falls in the middle power wise? i have read many describe the 893 as the best light jig rod with 3/8oz + plastic being the upper end in weight.

 

Man, if Shimano sold NRX blanks id prob have 8 jig rods. im getting excited. no more coffee.

To me ,the 873 is faster and more powerful than the 844, The MBR is more of a all purpose taper.

 The 894 feels stronger to me than the 854 , not sure why, maybe the length.

If only I could buy one of each and let the world know ha, I'll update you guys on what I go with monday and how it handles the 3/8 jig 

4 minutes ago, rangerjockey said:

To me ,the 873 is faster and more powerful than the 844, The MBR is more of a all purpose taper.

 The 894 feels stronger to me than the 854 , not sure why, maybe the length.

The MBR rods are designed to be slower in taper and thus more versatile. Great for folks who aren't using a lot of technique specific rods and need rods to cover multiple apps.

 

I agree the 873 is more powerful that the 844 but perhaps some of that has to do with it having a faster action. Looking at the 844's ratings of 1/4 - 1oz and the 873CRR at 1/4 -3/4 one would assume the 844 is the more powerful rod.

 

That 873 is a tough customer because it is the only rod in the Loomis lineup labeled as CRR or Carolina Rig Rod. All of these NRX rods being discussed are all bottom contact worm and jig type of rods where as the MBRs can be me used for moving baits and spinnerbaits/chatterbaits. To say the 873 is more of a 4.5 powered Loomis would be a tough statement because to some that would mean between the 894 and 895. IMO the rods isn't between these two but more between the 893 and 894. Also keep in mind that not all of the actions are the same as some are fast  and some are x-fast between the 893, 894, and 873.

 

I still would give the 873 the slight nod for the OP's intended apps though a number of rods could effectively get the job done.

Well I'm gonna go with the 873 now, might go with a 893 or a 895 as well when the taxes come back depending on what I think will compliment the 873 

16 minutes ago, Dan_the_fisher said:

Well I'm gonna go with the 873 now, might go with a 893 or a 895 as well when the taxes come back depending on what I think will compliment the 873 

 

It is a very good compromise rod when you are in between the 893 and 894. The 895 is likely NOT  a rod you will want. Pretty much a broomstick/punching rod. The 894 would be a better bet if you are wanting something for 1/2 or 3/4 oz jigs.

actually that's what I'm looking for in the 895, I have a glx fpr for my pitching already and I'd like a good sensitive broom stick to put the double wide beavers in the heavy cover.