There are some proven classics as well as some new rods introduced to the market so it's worth asking the question again...

What are the best high-end swim jig rods for tossing primarily 3/8 oz swim jigs, and the occasional 1/2 oz? Needs to be good at pulling through weed cover and keeping fish pinned. Targeting the 7 foot length range as I am in a kayak now most of the time.

Those I'm considering:

*Loomis NRX 853/854 JWR

*Loomis 844 MBR

*Conquest 844 MBR

*Megabass Destroyer Daemos

*Dobyns Xtasy 724

*Poison Adrena 7'0" MHF, PAD170MHB

*St. Croix Legend X2 LXTC71MHF

Open to other suggestions as well - TIA

I usually fish swim jigs with a paddle tail and like a longer rod for bomb casting deep weedlines. I use a DRX 755 and CNQ 904 mostly for this. If I'm pitching or target casting I prefer the Diawa Steez 7'2H Power Pitch. I have no idea if these are the best, but they're great enough at it that I don't question what I'm missing. My main weights are 1/2oz and up, though all 3 can easily handle 3/8oz jigs.

scott

1 minute ago, softwateronly said:

I usually fish swim jigs with a paddle tail and like a longer rod for bomb casting deep weedlines. I use a DRX 755 and CNQ 904 mostly for this. If I'm pitching or target casting I prefer the Diawa Steez 7'2H Power Pitch. I have no idea if these are the best, but they're great enough at it that I don't question what I'm missing. My main weights are 1/2oz and up, though all 3 can easily handle 3/8oz jigs.

scott

Good rods, I currently have a 7'3" length I like in a boat, but with a kayak - I'm looking to go shorter around 7'0"

Maybe next year I'll have a different answer. There's a solid tip MC Days 360 6'9MH being released this spring that has caught my eye. Seems like it would be a great alabama shake rod, big minnow rod, and medium cover dragging rod. I have the 6'6MH now, and it's quickly become my de facto favorite jig rod at a much lower price than the other flagship models in mainstream line ups. I have swam jigs with the 6'6 model, but haven't put that much time into it to give a definitive answer. Still not a seven footer, but that rod with a met will still send a jig as far as I want and have the tip to backbone to work it in heavy cover, the sensitivity to feel everything, and the mid section to keep them pinned when they jump. If the current 7' MH/F Poison Adrena is the middle child of the old 6'11M+/F and 7'2H/F I'd have that on my radar too. Good Luck!

scott

EDIT: For some reason I babbled on twice without fully reading your post. The CNQ 844 would be what I'd compare all others to.

47 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

EDIT: For some reason I babbled on twice without fully reading your post. The CNQ 844 would be what I'd compare all others to.

Thanks Scott, yes I’ve heard if you like the NRX+ 844 MBR, that the Conquest is even better. Not as far as sensitivity, but for the right action/strength for swim jigs. But it is the most expensive rod on the list. Sometimes there are other new offerings just as good but slightly less dollars.

@FryDog62 I have tried several rods for swim jigs and my favorites are the Megabass Daemos and the 883C NRX+ BJR. The Daemos is a great for accurate casts and the 883C is great for long casts. You can overload both of these rods with a 1/2oz jig and a heavy trailer, like a Largo Shad or a Crush City Mayor. The Daemos, for me, requires a little harder swing when you set the hook. The 883C is overkill for both bladed jigs and swim jigs but is fun to fish.

I have tried my 844C GLX and 894C NRX+ JWR. The 844C was ok but just didn't work as well my two favorites and the 894C was not bad but too fast at the tip. I have also tried my 853C NRX and it just felt off with swimjigs. A good compromise in the Loomis line would be the 873C CCR NRX+. It's a little more powerful than the 853C JWR but softer at the tip. It has worked well for a lot of stuff including jigs, swim jigs, and the free rig.

11 hours ago, FishTank said:

I have tried my 844C GLX and 894C NRX+ JWR. The 844C was ok but just didn't work as well my two favorites and the 894C was not bad but too fast at the tip.

Sounds like you were mixed on the GLX version of the 844C, have you fished the Conquest 844 MBR?

7 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Sounds like you were mixed on the GLX version of the 844C, have you fished the Conquest 844 MBR?

I actually really like the 844C. Its one those rods that's good at a lot of things but it wasn't my favorite for swim jigs. I also have the 904c NRX+ and love it for football jigs. The 844C is an older version though and has a different feel to it.

On the Conquest 844c, I have no real experience with that one. I have held a few and it never felt as though I would like it better than the NRX+.

7 minutes ago, FishTank said:

On the Conquest 844c, I have no real experience with that one. I have held a few and it never felt as though I would like it better than the NRX+.

Yep, just that the 904 is too long for me...

3 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Yep, just that the 904 is too long for me...

It is a long rod but throwing jigs in cover and around docks, it's great off of my kayak.

I also got to thinking why I like the Daemos, 883C BJR and the 873C CRR and its the tip on these rods. I often fish swim jigs in grass and I like to rip the bait through. The softer tips on these rods helps and they also recover quickly. If I'm using something like a big Keitech as a trailer, I don't want a rod that's going to rip the bait out of its mouth as soon as I feel it. I would say all the rods that I mentioned including the 844C and 904C do a really good job of pinning fish.

17 minutes ago, FishTank said:

It is a long rod but throwing jigs in cover and around docks, it's great off of my kayak.

I also got to thinking why I like the Daemos, 883C BJR and the 873C CRR and its the tip on these rods. I often fish swim jigs in grass and I like to rip the bait through. The softer tips on these rods helps and they also recover quickly. If I'm using something like a big Keitech as a trailer, I don't want a rod that's going to rip the bait out of its mouth as soon as I feel it. I would say all the rods that I mentioned including the 844C and 904C do a really good job of pinning fish.

90% of the time, I fish 3/8 oz swim jigs and a 4 inch Easy Shiner trailer... I would think that would be a sweet spot for the Daemos. If I went to a 1/2 oz swim jig also with a 4 inch Easy Shiner would it still be in the sweet spot for the Daemos? If I go heavier than that, I typically switch to a different rod.

47 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

90% of the time, I fish 3/8 oz swim jigs and a 4 inch Easy Shiner trailer... I would think that would be a sweet spot for the Daemos. If I went to a 1/2 oz swim jig also with a 4 inch Easy Shiner would it still be in the sweet spot for the Daemos? If I go heavier than that, I typically switch to a different rod.

That would work. Just remember that with this rod you need to pull pretty good to get the hook in. I have thought of switching from fluorocarbon to braid or braid to leader. We'll see how it goes.

Liking what I hear about the Daemos, would also be interested in what others have to say about the Conquest 844 MBR for swim jigs. I saw an older post where @Bandersnatch and @Pogues2300 have used one if they or others would like to chime in... Thx

I love my head turner for what you’re describing. The Cara swim jig rod is my usual for swim jigs, but that rod is 7’2” so longer than say you want. The head turner at 6’10” is a great 3/8-1/2 oz swim jig rod. It was originally designed as a shorter jig pitching rod and if I’m throwing a swim jig around docks or lots of obstructions (standing timber) I’ll reach for the head turner to buy me some space. Not sure if a Cara is high end enough for what you’re thinking but I wouldn’t rule it out.

On 2/8/2026 at 2:11 PM, FryDog62 said:

What are the best high-end swim jig rods for tossing primarily 3/8 oz swim jigs, and the occasional 1/2 oz? Needs to be good at pulling through weed cover and keeping fish pinned. Targeting the 7 foot length range as I am in a kayak now most of the time.

Looking forward to this discussion and what you decide.

I'm looking for the same rod.

I don't mind something a little longer though. (Please, no "That's what she said!" jokes).

I’m getting other input that suggests the 843 MBR would be better for what I described than the 844 MBR…

13 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Looking forward to this discussion and what you decide.

I'm looking for the same rod.

Well, here's what I am deciding - at least for the short term:

• Some people on a different forum suggested the 843 MBR as a better alternative to the 844 MBR for swim jigs. Possibly right. I already have an NRX+ 843 MBR and although it is extremely versatile, I have used it primarily as a dedicated spinnerbait rod. During a couple of Bassmaster Kayak events where the bite died and I needed to cover a lot of water to find scattered fish it literally saved my bacon. It loads and pins fish like no other rod I've fished with.

• Will the 843 MBR be as good as a swim jig rod? I think it could if I'm primarily in the 3/8 oz range and occasional 1/2 ounce. If it's not up to the task, then I go back to the drawing board.

• So now I slide my Enox Decoy rod over as my primary spinnerbait rod. It's versatile so other things too. It's always been a little light for swim jigs around cover. I really like the rod, but with its unique weight rating, I've struggled to find its niche. This could be it, along with dragging lighter football jigs in gravel, rocks, etc.

• The odd man out might be my Dobyns Champ 734c. It has been such a great rod for swim jigs, but going from a boat to kayak, it seems just a bit too long when fighting fish at the boat. I lost a couple that way recently.

Will see how the 843 MBR performs as a swim jig rod before I sell the Dobyns.

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

• Some people on a different forum suggested the 843 MBR as a better alternative to the 844 MBR for swim jigs. Possibly right. I already have an NRX+ 843 MBR and although it is extremely versatile, I have used it primarily as a dedicated spinnerbait rod. During a couple of Bassmaster Kayak events where the bite died and I needed to cover a lot of water to find scattered fish it literally saved my bacon. It loads and pins fish like no other rod I've fished with.

Sounds like I need a NRX+ 843 MBR.

I was really leaning towards a full cork grip on this particular setup.

Not going to try to tell you which one to get BUT if it's any help I've currently got a GLX 844C MBR and a 753c and 735c Xtasy.

This weekend I setup my own rod bend experiment and went through them all. One interesting thing that came out of that was I noticed in terms of action the bend on the Xtasy 725 and 753 were virtually identical. Both have 11 guides on them and both bent right on the 6th one. Obviously a bit more pressure on the 5 power but ultimately I actually really liked the action on them.

The GLX was actually a bit faster. Not much but it did have more of what I'd consider to be a classic fast action with the bend coming in right on guide #7 / 12. That's counting from the bottom / stripper guide up to the top.

One of the takeaways for me on all that was that GLX seems to be a little better suited for bottom contact stuff like jigs and texas rigs compared to the Xtasy rods which seem to be a bit softer and better suited for moving baits.

Knowing Gary (D. not L.) I'm willing to bet the action on the 724 is virtually identical. So in terms of rod action and not taking anything else into consideration I might actually opt for the 724 for a swim jig.

But that said it does sort of feel a bit like splitting hairs at that point and truthfully I'd be fine with either of those for a swim jig rod...mostly just wanted to comment on the actual action of each rod and what I found when I tested it out w/ the ones I've got.

On 2/10/2026 at 8:06 AM, FryDog62 said:

• Some people on a different forum suggested the 843 MBR as a better alternative to the 844 MBR for swim jigs.

Would you mind explaining what you learned? Why some suggested the 843 over the 844.

I can’t fish for a couple of months but I’m sitting in my office right now exhausted and in need of some retail therapy. LOL

Thanks!

8 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Would you mind explaining what you learned? Why some suggested the 843 over the 844.

I can’t fish for a couple of months but I’m sitting in my office right now exhausted and in need of some retail therapy. LOL

Thanks!

Yes, here are a couple snippets (one from a rod dealer):

"I'd choose the MBR 843 over the 844 in the Loomis line since 3/8 is the majority of what you're doing with the occasional 1/2 oz. If it was the other way around, 80% 1/2 oz and 20% 3/8, then the 844 would be the choice."

"Fry for what you’re doing 843 will do what you’re asking. I had an 844 and loved it for jigs and Texas rigs, felt a bit much for swim jigs unless you’re in the thick stuff all the time."

I did take the 843 MBR that I have out for a few hours last weekend and tied on my usual 3/8 oz 6th Sense Divine swim jig + 4 inch Keitech Easy Shiner trailer around moderate cover and it felt close to perfect. I also threw a 3/8 oz Megabass Uoze underpin with same trailer and it did just fine. I weighed the Uoze + trailer afterwards at a hefty 3/4 oz which interestingly weighed the same as a 1/2 oz Divine Swim Jig and the same trailer. That is right at the top of the weight rating range for the 843 MBR.

So in conclusion, I do think the 843 MBR is a great rod for 3/8 oz swim jigs and the occasional 1/2 oz is fine. If you were fishing around a lot of thick grass and/or fishing the 1/2 oz the majority of time, I think the guys are right in suggesting to move up to the 844 MBR.

It sure is nice to have open water this time of year to test these theories out. Sure beats doing line stretch tests from my vaulted ceiling in Minnesota all winter long!!

@FryDog62

Thanks for your thoughts.

We are definitely in the same boat as I mostly throw 3/8 oz swim jigs (Dirty Jigs California) along with a 4" trailer. Only difference is I use a Mayor. I also have some 1/2 oz as I'm still trying to figure out which I prefer.

I'll still use this rod for spinner/chatter baits so the 843 might be better for me as well.

Curious what line you use for your swim jigs? Personally I prefer straight braid, either 20 or 30 lb.

“Curious what line you use for your swim jigs? Personally I prefer straight braid, either 20 or 30 lb.”

I prefer 17 lb Tatsu most of the time. I like a line that slithers through the weeds if possible versus braid which cuts and saws through. In highly pressured waters, I think the bigger/smarter fish that have been fooled earlier in their life get conditioned to the sound of braid sometimes.

Other times, I will use braid especially if I’m in thick/stiff stuff like Kissimmee grass in Florida, then there’s no other choice. Back to milfoil in Minnesota, I’m still a fluorocarbon guy.

I was “off planet” for a while what rod did you decide on? Sorry been a couple of months family wise

13 hours ago, Pogues2300 said:

I was “off planet” for a while what rod did you decide on? Sorry been a couple of months family wise

I'm going to use my existing NRX+ 843 MBR for 3/8-1/2 0z swim jigs... so far, so good. However, a new Conquest 844 MBR and a GLX 802c JWR for other things arrive later today according to FedEx tracking.