Ultimate 7'6 spinning rod: NRX+ 902 vs Daiwa Steez AGS 7'6 MML "the one"

[525chill2pull]

Hello, all I wanted your thoughts between these two rods. I wanted a longer rod to cushion more headshakes and fish shaking me off. I want to improve my landing ration with little paddletail swimbaits, ned rigs, dropshots and small topwaters. I have narrowed down to both of these 7'6 rods and wanted your opinions on which you think is better and why. Thank you!

[KP Duty]

I think the broad weight range of the steez (1/16-3/4oz) makes it very versatile and popular.  The 902 Loomis (1/8-3/8oz) will be lighter duties only.  AGS guides can crack....that is a factor.  I prefer the NRX blank over the steez blank, but haven't fished the newest model steez.  For the techniques you listed...I'd choose the NRX.

[525chill2pull]

29 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

I think the broad weight range of the steez (1/16-3/4oz) makes it very versatile and popular.  The 902 Loomis (1/8-3/8oz) will be lighter duties only.  AGS guides can crack....that is a factor.  I prefer the NRX blank over the steez blank, but haven't fished the newest model steez.  For the techniques you listed...I'd choose the NRX.

Thank you! Other than weight range is there anything about the steez that puts it ahead of the 902? I think I will generally be in the 902 weight range or would move to a baitcaster otherwise.  And what do you like about the NRX blank better than steez?

 

I think there is a pretty big difference in the newer model 7'6 from daiwa. They shaved off about an ounce and is pretty much the same weight as the nrx+ 902 now. 

 

[thunderblack]

I have both series of the steez 7'-6". I agree with KP. The 901 and 902 are light duty rods. The steez is incredibly versatile. You can drop shot one minute and throw a jerkbait the next. Guides hold up great. I don't think you'd be disappointed with either choice since they are great rods but man the Steez is perfect. Also its super light, balanced, and better craftmanship than Loomis (if that is a factor to you). 

[TNBankFishing]

9 hours ago, 525chill2pull said:

Thank you! Other than weight range is there anything about the steez that puts it ahead of the 902? I think I will generally be in the 902 weight range or would move to a baitcaster otherwise.  And what do you like about the NRX blank better than steez?

 

I think there is a pretty big difference in the newer model 7'6 from daiwa. They shaved off about an ounce and is pretty much the same weight as the nrx+ 902 now. 

 

I sold 3 AGS rods this year to fund other purchases and I’m kicking myself. They are in my mind the best line of rods on the market today. The ONLY drawback and it’s a minor one for most people is the 5 year warranty. I fish from a yak so St. Croix and Loomis provide me a slightly higher sense of security. 

[525chill2pull]

7 hours ago, thunderblack said:

I have both series of the steez 7'-6". I agree with KP. The 901 and 902 are light duty rods. The steez is incredibly versatile. You can drop shot one minute and throw a jerkbait the next. Guides hold up great. I don't think you'd be disappointed with either choice since they are great rods but man the Steez is perfect. Also its super light, balanced, and better craftmanship than Loomis (if that is a factor to you). 

 

Thanks thunder- I was wondering up to what weight the 902 can throw well ( I assume the rating on the rod isn't correct based on the comments) and what might prevent it from throwing a jerkbait in a pinch. I def hear you guys regarding how awesome the steez is, just curious about the reasoning behind why the action seems to be better.  Thanks!

[thunderblack]

The 901s was very noddle like when I had one briefly. The 902 I heard was similar but have not fished the 902 or held one. The specs alone confirmed it for me though. It's not throwing anything in the 1/2o oz range. Smaller Jerkbaits maybe...

[MeatHead1313]

I've only had 1 trip with my Steez, so can't give a detailed review, and basing this off inshore fishing not bass, but I absolutely love it after that 1 trip and it's quickly become my absolute favourite rod to use. Had no problem keeping speckled trout pinned despite them having a super soft mouth and loving to jump, but also had more than enough power to handle slot redfish and 2-3ft long alligator gar. Used 3-3.5inch soft plastic paddletails on 1/8oz and 1/4 jigheads and it handled those perfectly.   

Don't have any experience with NRX rods so can't comment there. 

[WRB]

On 10/13/2022 at 12:32 PM, 525chill2pull said:

Hello, all I wanted your thoughts between these two rods. I wanted a longer rod to cushion more headshakes and fish shaking me off. I want to improve my landing ration with little paddletail swimbaits, ned rigs, dropshots and small topwaters. I have narrowed down to both of these 7'6 rods and wanted your opinions on which you think is better and why. Thank you!

What rod and line are you currently using?

Tom

[525chill2pull]

6 hours ago, WRB said:

What rod and line are you currently using?

Tom

I have a megabass whipsnake as well as a fury 702. Both with 10lb braid to a 6-10 ft mono leader 

[Swest18x]

Old thread but in case anyone else is researching this rod I've been surprised to find this is now my go to shore fishing rod for a 110 jr and +1. I jerk sideways not down, if you can adapt that style this might be the best rod in existence for the jr. I like my jerkbait rods sensitive, of course the Steez has incredible sensitivity but most importantly you cannot believe how far you can cast a 110 jr on this rod. More distance= more water covered, no drawbacks to this rod as long as your fishing situation can accommodate the extra length. It might sound unconventional but it's crazy good in this application.

[Eddie101]

On 7/9/2024 at 9:54 AM, Swest18x said:

Old thread but in case anyone else is researching this rod I've been surprised to find this is now my go to shore fishing rod for a 110 jr and +1. I jerk sideways not down, if you can adapt that style this might be the best rod in existence for the jr. I like my jerkbait rods sensitive, of course the Steez has incredible sensitivity but most importantly you cannot believe how far you can cast a 110 jr on this rod. More distance= more water covered, no drawbacks to this rod as long as your fishing situation can accommodate the extra length. It might sound unconventional but it's crazy good in this application.

What’s “this rod”? 

[TNBankFishing]

36 minutes ago, Eddie101 said:

What’s “this rod”? 

Steez “The One”

[thunderblack]

On 7/9/2024 at 9:54 AM, Swest18x said:

Old thread but in case anyone else is researching this rod I've been surprised to find this is now my go to shore fishing rod for a 110 jr and +1. I jerk sideways not down, if you can adapt that style this might be the best rod in existence for the jr. I like my jerkbait rods sensitive, of course the Steez has incredible sensitivity but most importantly you cannot believe how far you can cast a 110 jr on this rod. More distance= more water covered, no drawbacks to this rod as long as your fishing situation can accommodate the extra length. It might sound unconventional but it's crazy good in this application.

 

I fished the Steez 7-6 with the regular size 110 and thought it was perfect too. This rod can do a lot no doubt. 

[Loomis13]

Can’t compare to the 902, but have the 7’6” Steez and I feel like it’s a fantastic rod. Maybe not quite as sensitive as an NRX (have the 872S) but very light for the length. Haven’t had an issue with the AGS guides, although only have had the rod for 9 months so this is the new model. The broad lure rating is in my opinion misleading, I feel 3/16-3/4 would be more accurate. To be fair I haven’t tried it with a 1/16 but can’t imagine it doing very well. Have too many other rods that throw a 1/16 well, so no need to use the steel for that. 

[Junk Fisherman]

On 9/16/2024 at 7:21 PM, Loomis13 said:

 To be fair I haven’t tried it with a 1/16 but can’t imagine it doing very well. Have too many other rods that throw a 1/16 well, so no need to use the steel for that. 

 

I've used my Steez 761 to throw many 1/16th oz Ned rigs and it is tremendous.  I originally bought the rod (1st edition) for dropshotting but after using it for Ned rigs (my #1 presentation), I rarely use it for anything else.  Nowadays, I use a 2nd edition 761 for Neds while I use my first edition 761 for primarily Neko rigs and all-around but it handled Neds great as well.  It's crazy how versatile the 761 is with its 1/16 to 3/4 oz lure range. The rod has been flawless with 3/8th oz dropshots and cracking 1/2 oz tubes in addition to Neds and Nekos.  It's just a stellar workhorse rod.  

[Loomis13]

On 9/17/2024 at 8:18 PM, Junk Fisherman said:

 

I've used my Steez 761 to throw many 1/16th oz Ned rigs and it is tremendous.  I originally bought the rod (1st edition) for dropshotting but after using it for Ned rigs (my #1 presentation), I rarely use it for anything else.  Nowadays, I use a 2nd edition 761 for Neds while I use my first edition 761 for primarily Neko rigs and all-around but it handled Neds great as well.  It's crazy how versatile the 761 is with its 1/16 to 3/4 oz lure range. The rod has been flawless with 3/8th oz dropshots and cracking 1/2 oz tubes in addition to Neds and Nekos.  It's just a stellar workhorse rod.  

Yeah, I’d imagine a 1/16 ned would work. I don’t bass fish much, so I was talking about 1/16 hair jig for crappie or something like that, so the plastic on the ned adds some weight. Of course line would play a role too. Maybe I’ll have to try it out🤔. 

[Dwight Hottle]

This is my "the one" hands down. I have not tried the Steez but have used the NRX+ 902. It covers all your bases but will handle heavier baits up to & including 1 ounce.

 

https://edgerods.com/product/epitome-sjr-764-1s

[jejenkyns]

3 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

This is my "the one" hands down. I have not tried the Steez but have used the NRX+ 902. It covers all your bases but will handle heavier baits up to & including 1 ounce.

 

https://edgerods.com/product/epitome-sjr-764-1s

cool looking rods!