The original G. Loomis NRX rods set a new high bar for technique specific bass fishing rods with their ultra-high-end, super sensitive rod series. And most bass fishing enthusiasts figured the bar couldn’t be topped. But the early reports are that the new G. Loomis NRX+ rods have exceeded the new benchmarks set with the original series.
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Several key aspects put these rods in a class by themselves. They include the following:
- Materials
- Sensitivity
- Strength
- Design
Materials
Rods at this price point will garner aficionados equally as much as naysayers. But most rod makers will create a flagship rod that includes their wishlist of materials to make the finest creation possible with the materials available today. And in the last 10 years rods have seen space-age advances in materials and manufacturing technologies.
The NRX+ American-made blank is rolled. in Woodland, Wash., and fortified with proprietary Spiral X technology. This innovative blank-building technique utilizes a triple-layer construction — a middle layer of vertical fibers matched with inner and outer layers of carbon tape that tightly wind the blank diagonally in opposite directions — to increase torsional rigidity without added weight or bulk. Spiral X technology provides virtually instantaneous power transmission when casting or fighting a fish, so you’ll immediately experience increased casting distance, heightened sensitivity, and a dramatic reduction in rod weight when you pick up an NRX+ rod.
That translates to a lighter rod that is more sensitive while also being stronger. Usually when you make a rod ultra-sensitive, you have to sacrifice strength. You generally make the blanks real crisp but more brittle as well. So this breakthrough has allowed them to make the most sensitive rods with enough back bone to horse on good bass.
Sensitivity
The material and wrapping process translates into to a lighter rod that is more sensitive while also being stronger. Usually when you make a rod ultra-sensitive, you have to sacrifice strength. You generally make the blanks real crisp but more brittle as well to get the high level of touch. So this breakthrough has allowed them to make the most sensitive rods with enough back bone to horse on good bass.
This is probably the most sensitive bass fishing rod I own now. I came to that conclusion after a few trips fishing shallow and fishing deep. But it really impressed me on a windy day on Kentucky Lake a few weeks ago when I was fishing a jig in 24-30 feet of water for deep smallmouth bass. There was lots of wave action, wind and current and feeling a bite down on the bottom with the 30 feet of water to mute the sensations is not ideal. But I caught two nice smallmouth on the jig that day that I really believe I would have never felt on a lot of other rods. They were bites that felt like I was fishing in 2 feet of water. Just a hard quick tick like it was right next to me on a short line but it was on a long cast in super deep water.
I was catching fish just pulling it over small rocks and then shaking it when I got around a larger rock. This has worked well for me for years in the winter. The NRX+ Jig/Worm rod has quickly become my favorite for this technique.
Strength
I was fairly impressed with being able to swing fish. It’s nerve racking the first time, knowing what these rods cost. But after my first day I was leaning on fish and swing fish like I would any of my more durable rods. When I’m fishing deep. I want to really hit the fish and lean on them. A lot of times you can have a bow in your line from wind or current and you need to really drive a hook. So it’s probably the technique where I hit fish the hardest. Again conventional wisdom is you have to baby traditional ultra-sensitive rods.
But I let them have it with the NRX+ Jig/Worm rod. I am so impressed with how sensitive but also how strong these rods are. I don’t feel like the fish is controlling the rod. I hit ‘em and wind on ‘em without worry with these NRX+ rods.
Design
Each NRX+ blank also incorporates an innovative Multi-Taper Design to enhance durability while further decreasing the blank’s weight. A series of “micro tapers” within the overall taper of the rod, G. Loomis’ proprietary Multi-Taper Design process enables rod engineers to use more material on potential stress points and less material everywhere else. The concept was to build this taper technology so you could cater rods to multiple lengths, actions and powers to fit literally any bass fishing technique imaginable.
Regardless of how you like to fish, you will find a rod that fits your fishing style perfectly. Again these are impressive advances that overcome the issues you have with standard rod lines where there is a tradeoff between sensitivity, action and power. In other words, you’ll find a few really great rods in every rod series but then a lot that aren’t perfect. The NRX+ gets you a lot closer to a perfect rod for every situation.
Equipped with a hybrid guide train, NRX+ rods feature Fuji Titanium stripper guides with SiC inserts as well as ultra-light, ultra-strong RECOIL guides – made from a nickel-titanium memory alloy. That means you get long accurate casts and a lifetime of durability. It’s maximizing an investment in the perfect bass fishing rod.
Closing thoughts
I’m an enthusiast when it comes to bass fishing. It’s the hobby that I love the most and don’t mind spending a little extra to have some of the nicest gear offered because it’s the one thing I enjoy doing in my limited free time. I love to experiment with terminal tackle out of Japan, and I will spend a lot more money for a couple of good reels than buying 4 cheaper reels, because the higher end reels last longer and give me less fits.
But I’m also conflicted in that I’m a bargain guy by nature. I drive a work truck as my every day vehicle because I got a great deal on work trucks with off road packages. I live in a modest house because we are simple folks and building a house for show always seemed like a shallow waste of money.
But I also believe in spending money on the things that bring you the most enjoyment. So I don’t spend money on everything. But when it comes to fishing, I don’t mind investing in rods or reels that will last me 10 years if I take care of them.
Sure, a golfer can hit a golf ball with the cheapest used clubs he can find, but there is just something more enjoyable about teeing off with a high end driver. I can kill a duck with my old Remington 870. But I just love shooting that Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus so much more. I can live off McDonalds, but when I’m vacationing in Florida, I much prefer fresh crab and scallops.
So if you’re an enthusiast bass fisherman like me, and don’t mind paying extra to use the best tools made for your favorite pastime, then the G.Loomis NRX+ is worth a long look. They really are impressive designs and creations.
For more information on G.Loomis NRX+, visit Gloomis.com.
To purchase an NRX+ rod, visit these online tackle retail partners:
