What’s the best Texas rig rod — or even two options — for fishing 1/4 to 3/8 oz setups with a 10-inch worm? I’ll mostly be throwing around 5/16 oz with a Rage Bug, mainly dragging around rock or stumps. I’m not looking to pitch, more focused on casting and dragging

 

ok with g loomis or steez money but nothing more lol

I can highly recommend one of my favorites for the past few months 

St Croix’s GXR/Seviin reel
 

My H/F GXR has become my main heavy cover flipping/pitching setup. 
The combo balances perfectly together. 
I know you didn’t ask for a flipping/pitching setup specifically and it’s not. 
I’ve been rotating between 65# and 80# Smackdown for the heaviest and thickest of cover and handles both conditions up to 1 3/4 oz weights without concern. 

 

The Rage Bug is also my #1 bottom contact T-Rig plastic. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

NRX+ 893, 894, 873

 

Steez Utility Player or Bottom Contact 2

 

P5, not sure with the big worm. Daemos? BMG?

 

You're spoiled for choice if you're willing to drop the scratch. 

Another I want to recommend is Okuma’s M/F Cerros paired with the Haikai DT reel.
It’s another combo I recently got which is perfectly suited for lighter to moderate cover conditions and applications. 
 

The Cerros is light, sensitive and loads perfectly within its recommended limits. 
The Haikai DT reel casts as smooth as any other I own. 
 
 

 

 

Mike

Nrx plus 873...

1 hour ago, PGA Dropout said:

NRX+ 893, 894, 873

 

Steez Utility Player or Bottom Contact 2

 

P5, not sure with the big worm. Daemos? BMG?

 

You're spoiled for choice if you're willing to drop the scratch. 

I say FMJ is perfect for a 10” worm following a 3/8th weight. 
 

 

2 hours ago, PGA Dropout said:

NRX+ 893, 894, 873

 

Steez Utility Player or Bottom Contact 2

 

P5, not sure with the big worm. Daemos? BMG?

 

You're spoiled for choice if you're willing to drop the scratch. 

I was thinking of the utility player I have tons of daiwa tatula elite ags 7'4" hvy and 7'6" hvy ags would you still recommend the bottom contact 

I still use my All Star WR1. I am constanly looking for another. 

2 minutes ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

I was thinking of the utility player I have tons of daiwa tatula elite ags 7'4" hvy and 7'6" hvy ags would you still recommend the bottom contact 

 

Hard to go wrong. The UP would be better on the lower end and the BC2 on the higher.

 

I trust Punch on the Youtubes and the BC2 is his Texas rig rod. On the other hand, more than one shop owner has told me the Utility Player is just about the best 1/4 Oz T-rig rod made.

 

I will say Omnia still has Bottom Contacts in stock with the Pro deal discussed in the other thread (last day today). 

Daiwa Zillion 7’3 Mh/f

8 hours ago, PGA Dropout said:

Steez Utility Player or Bottom Contact 2

The bottom contact 1 definitely is very good for this. The 2nd gen probably isn’t too far off.

I like the NRX+ 853C for big worms but I have also used the 894C for 3/8oz weights. If you want a softer tip, the 843C isn't bad either.  

 

1 hour ago, Boomstick said:

The bottom contact 1 definitely is very good for this. The 2nd gen probably isn’t too far off.

well I'm torn on rather to get both or just get the bottom contact 2

6 minutes ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

well I'm torn on rather to get both or just get the bottom contact 2

The 2 is the current model. I got mine BC1 for $440 before they revamped the line. The 2 is cork and lighter but the 1 is foam (Daiwas cork always pits so I prefer it) and heavier but balances extremely well with a light reel. As far as fishing it, the main difference is the BC1 is a 70/30 rod, Japenese style bend with a lot of tip but a very stiff tip where the BC2 is more like 80/20 with a softer tip.

Thick weeds are usually isolated for me so the BC1 is the perfect jig or heavy trig rod for my uses. It can still turn their heads before they go around a fallen tree or into cover. My kid has a St Croix Victory Full Contact Finesse which is more like the BC2 but it behaves fairly similarly 

The Falcon Cara Heavy cover jig was designed for what you’re looking for.  It’s a great rod for that I that is my primary use for it.  

Either the 873 CRR or BC2. I personally like the Daiwa a bit more.

I should also mention the NRX 844 . I love the MBR action and its just a more versatile rod than the JWR.

21 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

What’s the best Texas rig rod

 

I'm a Kistler fan. I'd pick a 7' or 7'3" MH/F or HMH/F.  Helium, Z-Bone, or Abrams, his newest line that uses blanks manufactured in TX.  I own Heliums in both MH/F and HMH/F.  The HMH has heavy backbone and a really nice tip.  It's my preferred rod for thick cover. 

 

They're hand made in TX and Trey's customer service is exceptional.  They just repaired an older KLX for me and the only way you can tell is one guide is shinier than the rest of them.

 

After Kistler, I'd recommend Douglas' X-Matrix rods.  I bought their 7'4" MH/F at a fishing show this year and am impressed.  It's very stout for a MH rod, but the tip is awesome.  I use it for heavy cover and 1/2+ oz jigs.  It's not made in the US, and is a little heavier than the Kistler rods I own.

 

Good luck picking out a rod.

1 hour ago, rangerjockey said:

Either the 873 CRR or BC2. I personally like the Daiwa a bit more.

I should also mention the NRX 844 . I love the MBR action and its just a more versatile rod than the JWR.

Do you think the bc2 is to stiff for just casting lightweights and dragging I’ve heard it’s more a football jig rod 

 

second thing I’m worried about is it to similar to my ags hvy 7’4” Daiwa’s 

 

sorta wanted to stick Daiwa 

2 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

Do you think the bc2 is to stiff for just casting lightweights and dragging I’ve heard it’s more a football jig rod 

 

second thing I’m worried about is it to similar to my ags hvy 7’4” Daiwa’s 

 

sorta wanted to stick Daiwa 

I use the zillion version of the BC2 for weightless T rigs, no issues casting something like a bronco bug on a 4/0 superline ewg.

If you are going to get a daiwa try to get before they bump the prices up

3 hours ago, GoneFishingLTN said:

Do you think the bc2 is to stiff for just casting lightweights and dragging I’ve heard it’s more a football jig rod 

 

second thing I’m worried about is it to similar to my ags hvy 7’4” Daiwa’s 

 

sorta wanted to stick Daiwa 

Mine is in the boat but I believe Daiwa rates at 1/4oz on the low side. I never use it for anything lighter than a 3/8 jig or a 1/4 oz shaky head and a big worm.  I personally don't Texas rig much anymore.

6 hours ago, djhands said:

If you are going to get a daiwa try to get before they bump the prices up

They already went up

6 hours ago, djhands said:

If you are going to get a daiwa try to get before they bump the prices up

 

6 minutes ago, LonnieP said:

They already went up

Price increase  hit retailers yesterday.

11 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

 

Price increase  hit retailers yesterday.

Not worried about price but worried about not getting the correct action or buying something so similar to what I already have 

There are lots of very fine rods out there for that Steez or NRX+ price point and below.

ALX Enox or Zolo series

Falcon Expert or Cara series

Shimano's Poison Adrena, Expride or Zodias

Phenix also makes some nice light rods.

 

Lots to look at.

FM