G.Loomis Conquest 843CMBR Rod Review

Rod Review

A Global Design for Enthusiasts, the Shimano G.Loomis Conquest Rods (continued)

Price & Applications: The combined Spiral X and Hi-Power X technologies within the Conquest rods demonstrated improved casting and power characteristics during testing but there is one more benefit that we haven’t yet explored and that is increased durability. One of the reasons that the Conquest has such a small diameter and is able to be so lightweight is because of the improvements to blank strength that the design offers. Because the Conquest blanks are so resistant to blank ovalization they are able to manage pressure through the entire blank, improving overall durability.

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The combination of lifting power and durability inspires confidence that these rods are able to handle big fish and even baits and applications outside of the rod’s own ratings. For example I tried fishing swimbaits over an ounce over the rod’s recommended 3/4oz. lure rating and found that the rod could easily handle these baits both during cast and retrieve and while I wouldn’t recommend this on a day in and out basis the strength and reliability of these blanks definitely expand what you can use these rods for in a pinch.

The Conquest rods make use of excellent Grade-A cork and the handles are ergonomically sculpted for comfort

Another example on the other end of the spectrum is using the 843 SJR for finesse fishing plastics and drop shot rigs under the 3/16oz. minimum rating. Because the rod is so light and crisp the rod was able to handle these applications without feeling unwieldy, and while this is by no means the ideal drop shot rod, it is able to serve this purpose admirably in a pinch.

Even when fishing with light line I found that controlling fish with the Conquest was excellent. Both the spinning and casting 843 rods exhibited an excellent power to weight ratio

One of the hallmarks of the Conquest rod series is that though they are designed with instantly recognizable G.Loomis Mag Bass fast action tapers. The combined design and technology that goes into these these rods gives them the ability to handle a much wider range of applications than they are originally intended for, and even more so than other G.Loomis rods bearing the same MBR designations. These rods are truly multi-talented performers.

Though designed primarily for plastics and jigs these rods proved that they really are multi-talented and can be used for so much more in a pinch

Performance comes at a price and when it comes to the Conquest that price tag is a steep one. The NRX rods are already a major investment ranging from $500-$650 dollars but the Conquest takes things up a notch stating at $650 dollars and going to $675 dollars for the longest 7’6” 904C and 905C models. So who should consider buying a Conquest rod, and is there a specific audience that the company is trying to target with this premium series? The NRX already caters to the enthusiast angler but the Conquest is obviously positioned as the new flagship offering from G.Loomis/Shimano and is designed to take things to the next level.

While both the NRX and Conquest rods cater to the enthusiast angler the Conquest is designed as a halo product, one that showcases all the latest technology that the company, and two brands, are able to offer. These rods are designed for anglers that not only want the best that the company has to offer but is always searching for that additional edge or little bit more.

Of all the rods in the Conquest lineup the 843C MBR that I fished the most during testing is my favorite. It strikes the right balance of weight to power and is probably the most versatile rod in the entire lineup. This is the rod that I reach for plastics work and is great for fishing creatures, soft jerkbaits and can handle everything from finesse to heavier deep water jigs. It can flip or pitch in a pinch but if power fishing heavy cover is your primary application then stepping up to the longer 905C MBR makes sense.

The Conquest rods blend Shimano's technologies into rods that immediately feel familiar as the actions are 100% G.Loomis MBR

The 843SJR is a versatile spinning rod, capable of handling the same type of plastics but also for fishing lighter baits such as tubes, grubs, and even swimming Keitech style paddletails. This is a good rod for fishing for both largemouth and smallies and I never felt under or over-rodded when controlling big fish back to the boat, even with light 4lb. fluorocarbon line. The one thing that is probably missing in the Conquest line is a purpose built drop shot rod. The NRX 822S DSR is probably my favorite drop shot rod of all time and a Conquest version could just deliver the ultimate balance of finesse and power in a lighter even more crisp feeling package.

Ratings:

G.Loomis Conquest 843C MBR Ratings (?/10)
Construction/Quality	Built with premium quality materials and top notch hardware including Fuji Torzite guides. The thread and epoxy work on the mass production rods we fished was better than the prototypes we first saw and in general look cleaner than NRX. The cork used on these rods is some of the cleanest we have ever seen	9
Performance	The Conquest fishes differently than any other G.Loomis rod and when it comes to weight it is incredibly light and crisp feeling. It does seem a bit stiffer than other G.Loomis rods and while sensitivity is on par with the NRX the casting and power on these rods are areas where the Conquest really shines	9.2
Price	The price of access to this rod is a hefty one. This is an enthusiast rod in every sense and though it is expensive it is also quite unlike any other rod in the G.Loomis lineup, or the market for that matter	5
Features	The best features of the Conquest rod come from the blank itself which better transfers casting energy and provides more lifting power. The Fuji Torzite guides are nice and the proprietary reel seats give the rod more Shimano and G.Loomis character	8
Design (Ergonomics)	While anglers originally had some difficulty accepting the NRX blue threading it soon became popular among enthusiasts. The new Conquest rods look similar to NRX from just a few feet away which is good or bad depending on how you look at it. Overall ergonomics of the rods is very good and while these rods may not be the most flashy it is in keeping with G.Loomis design	8.5
Application	This is also an area of strength for the Conquest rods as the durable and powerful blanks enable anglers to use them for a wider range of applications. Though the rods are light and small in diameter they can handle power fishing and even reaction baits if necessary. The 843C is a great candidate for the "Search for One"	9.5
Total Score		8.20
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable! For More Details of the updated rating system visit our explanation here

Pluses and Minuses:

Plus	Minus
+ Successful blending of Shimano technology with G.Loomis design/actions	- Price. You have to pay to play with this halo rod
+ Excellent casting rods. Casts feel smooth and consistent. Casting lighter baits with these rods is made easier without wasted energy	- Sensitivity is equal to NRX, which while impressive is the one area that the Conquest doesn't flat out beat the previous series
+ Power, and lots of it! This rod posesses great lifting attributes and really controls fish during the fight
+ Really lightweight, adding to the great ergonomics and feel of the rod. When paired with a lightweight reel the Conquest is really a pleasure to fish all day
+ Truly a halo product, a Japanese and American enthusiast rod rolled into one

Conclusion: The Shimano G.Loomis Asquith fly rods and now the Conquest bass rods successfully showcase what two teams on opposite sides of the world are able to do when they combine their resources and technologies. These are truly halo products and while most anglers will continue to partake in the company’s more affordable rods my hope is that the processes and technology found in these rods will eventually make the way down to other mainstream G.Loomis rod lines and I asked Dave about the possibility of that happening to which he replied “while that question has yet to be answered, the success seen already with Conquest for the bass market and Asquith in the fly-fishing world, it seems like a reasonable possibility. And we can assure you - and the folks at TackleTour - you'll be the first to know.” Until then enthusiasts on both sides of the pond have a new, very exclusive, weapon to employ in their hunt for big fish. Just as anglers in the U.S. covet JDM reels the Conquest rods have been well received in Japan since they were launched at the Yokohama Show this past January.

The Conquest Series is truly an enthusiast offering and one that successfully blends technology from the Shimano stable with classic G.Loomis design. These rods are a great halo product that demonstrate that when it comes to rod weight, casting, power and durability there is still room to push the envelope

The G.Loomis NRX line set the bar in a number of areas and the company was still able to find a few places where Shimano proprietary technologies could provide tangible benefits including improved casting, control and durability. To deliver these enhancements while still creating rods that exhibit tried and true G.Loomis mag bass fast actions is impressive.

While the Conquest rods are unique from the rest of the G.Loomis lineup they will also feel immediately familiar to existing fans of the brand. It is when there is a fish on the line that the improved control and lifting power really shine. The Conquest rods feel more solid than previous G.Loomis rods, are lighter, handle fish better and offer sensitivity similar to NRX. Though a major investment for anglers these halo rods successfully take the combined Shimano and G.Loomis brands to the next level, proving that there is still room to innovate and push the performance envelope, which is exactly what an Ultimate Enthusiast rod offering should do. I've really enjoyed fishing the Conquest rods and continue to find subtle attributes like how well they casts certain finesse baits or how they easily muscle fish away from structure which reinforce just how special these lightweight rods are. Don't be deceived by how thin and light the Conquests rods appear to be, they punch well above their weight class.

Looking for the Conquest Rods? Try Tackle Warehouse