Im working a ton of overtime now and I want to get a high end lightweight dedicated pitching rod and reel. I want to get the Shimano Aldebaran 7.4 reel but I would like some input on the rod. I am a co angler and always fish off the back deck so I like shorter rods. I will use it for senkos, worms and texas rigs, and occasionally for small finesse jigs. I have been checking out the G Loomis NRX+ worm and jig rod and the Shimano Poison Adrena. What are your thoughts on these rods? Or what other rods should I look at?

thanks all

A Dobyns DRX755C SH with a 4.9oz Lew's Custom Lite reel.

I left one thing out, I want made in USA or Japan

If money isn't an issue go with the Loomis, you won't regret it. I'm not a fan of the handle on the poison, I held a couple and aside from the handle it felt nice. 

The Loomis is at the top of my list, I just want to check with the vets to make sure, sometimes I get too anxious and make a choice I regret later

NRX+ 842C MBR

https://www.gloomis.com/collections/conventional-bass/products/nrx-plus-mag-bass

 

or

Conquest  

CNQ 842C MBR

https://www.gloomis.com/products/conquest-mag 

I have and like a H XF for these exact baits from a 5/16 finesse jig up to 1/2 oz jig.  Its the orochi perfect pitch is great but they aren't super light weight, even the new ones.  The new LTB power finesse has my eye as a similar rod but I'm not sure how these will balance out with a 5 oz reel.  A lot of jdm rods are built to pitch finesse jigs and up to 3/8 oz jig and are super light weight but have no us warranty.  Something to be aware of if you can't find what you want in the usdm.  There are also rods from daiwa and shimano like the usdm steez that may for the bill depending on how heavy a bait you want to go.  Look at the "target sniper", "the sensor" and "the power pitch".  I'm not sure if shimano has a usdm posion glorious line of rods but they probably have something similar.  

4 hours ago, 0351 said:

I left one thing out, I want made in USA or Japan

Poison adrena is made in china.

I have both nrx (893c) and poison adrena (6'7" ml spinning) they are way different rods but prefer the adrena. Wouldnt buy another nrx but looking to buy another adrena.

2022 St. Croix Legend Elite Tournament rods are made in USA.

Tom 

1 hour ago, QUAKEnSHAKE said:

Poison adrena is made in china.

I have both nrx (893c) and poison adrena (6'7" ml spinning) they are way different rods but prefer the adrena. Wouldnt buy another nrx but looking to buy another adrena.

 

I have several poison adrenas and can't recommend them highly enough.  Love the carbon fiber handles.

Kistler Helium ?

Kistler blanks are no longer made in the USA.

G Loomis…the standard that everyone else is judged against.  
 

Edit:  While your at it, put a few more hours in and skip the Aldebaran and put a Steez on it.

I’d get the best Loomis 852JWR you can afford. It’s the perfect taper for what you want.

How short is shorter? I rocked an nrx 804c (6'8") for a few years and it worked very well for pitching, skipping, and beating the bank. You'd be hard pressed to beat an nrx for sensitivity and lightness, the biggest downside is obviously the price. I sold because I found it a bit short to be a great "all-purpose" rod. Knowing what I know now I'd spring for custom rod before spending $600 on an nrx. My next jig/worm rod was a poison adrena (7'3'mhf) which I actually liked more than the loomis despite it being about $200 cheaper, it's not quite nrx sensitive or light but a better value imo, but I found it just a tad long for my needs and eventually sold it (fyi it's made in chy-na). Next I got a st croix legend elite (7'mhf), it's also not quite nrx sensitive or light but pretty close and the build quality seems a step above the others, it's an absolute tank (albeit a very light one), and has a much more comfortable feel/grip which I never was crazy about on the loomis', and it's what I've found to be the perfect length for me and an even better value than the 2 previous rods, to be clear I made an offer of $360 on the 'bay and it was accepted, I think they retail about $450 nowadays. Hope this helps.

My high end pitching combo is 782 SJR Conquest and expense 3000 size that I spooled with 8lb test InvizX. I purchased this couple weeks ago.

At the end of the day, there are a lot of good rods on the market.  A few more things to consider about G Loomis.  First, DO NOT pay retail…you should be able to get a discount but you have to ask.  Second, G Loomis rods hold their value very well and are easy to turn if you decide to sell.  Last, most folks who buy high end rods take care of them, so you can save a little more on a lightly used rod.  Also, with the economy tanking, I think there will be an increase in used rods available as people tighten up to weather the sh@# storm created by our government and Wall Street.

 

The opinions are my own and do not reflect those of the site ?.

10 minutes ago, RDB said:

At the end of the day, there are a lot of good rods on the market.  A few more things to consider about G Loomis.  First, DO NOT pay retail…you should be able to get a discount but you have to ask.  Second, G Loomis rods hold their value very well and are easy to turn if you decide to sell.  Last, most folks who buy high end rods take care of them, so you can save a little more on a lightly used rod.  Also, with the economy tanking, I think there will be an increase in used rods available as people tighten up to weather the sh@# storm created by our government and Wall Street.

 

The opinions are my own and do not reflect those of the site ?.

I have no hope of prices coming down on usdm stuff.  We went into a fishing gear price bubble in 2020 and it hasn't come down in the us since but prices returned to normal on over seas markets.  My last two new reel purchases were a $178 tatula elite and $223 alphas 800 with the us prices for these being $250 and $300.  None to pleased about many us retailers being "out of stock" on rods that were to be increased in price and the millisecond the price increased the stock was back.

22 hours ago, Catt said:

Kistler Helium ?

I second this.  Kistler Helium LMHF 7' is in my hands probably 70% of the time

21 hours ago, uno said:

Kistler blanks are no longer made in the USA.

 

Japanese Carbon by Toray-Extreme High Modulus

 

Helium avg. weight 3.5 ozs, pared with a Lew's Tournament Lite at 5.3 ozs I'm good to go.

2 hours ago, Tatulatard said:

I have no hope of prices coming down on usdm stuff.  We went into a fishing gear price bubble in 2020 and it hasn't come down in the us since but prices returned to normal on over seas markets.  My last two new reel purchases were a $178 tatula elite and $223 alphas 800 with the us prices for these being $250 and $300.  None to pleased about many us retailers being "out of stock" on rods that were to be increased in price and the millisecond the price increased the stock was back.

I agree on new stuff…I was more referring to the used market and the potential for people selling high end stuff to make ends meet in this crappy economy.

Out of curiosity, are the Kistler blanks made in Japan or just made out of Japanese graphite in some other place? I actually don't care either way, but someone might.

Shimano Conquest 843c and Steez SV TW this is my setup for 5/16 and 3/8 ounce jigs

On 5/2/2022 at 3:44 PM, Catt said:

 

Japanese Carbon by Toray-Extreme High Modulus

 

Helium avg. weight 3.5 ozs, pared with a Lew's Tournament Lite at 5.3 ozs I'm good to go.

I have a Helium from a few years back (North Fork blank) that I absolutely LOVE. Can you compare the new blanks to those, or didn't you have any of the older models? 

7 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

I have a Helium from a few years back (North Fork blank) that I absolutely LOVE. Can you compare the new blanks to those, or didn't you have any of the older models? 

 

No sir I can't this is my first experience with the Helium