Sensitivity: If there's one expectation when spending $500 plus on a fishing rod let alone $650 it's that you'll be able to feel fish just looking at your bait, right? Who's going to spend that kind of coin on one fishing rod if it doesn't come with its own sidescan or panotpix? Well, if that's your expectation with a rod at this price point, Conquest is probably not for you. Don't get me wrong, the rod is sensitive, but I wouldn't say it's much more sensitive than my MBR842C GLX or my 852C JWR NRX. In fact, out of those three sticks, the NRX is the most sensitive while GLX and Conquest are pretty comparable.

Would Conquest be more sensitive with a different guide train? Tough to say...

Granted though both are rated as "fast" tapers, the NRX to which I'm comparing probably has a little faster taper because it's built for jigging and worming while the MBR is a more traditional, all purpose type of taper. Faster taper rods will be more responsive and a bit more sensitive. By a similar token the Conquest should be more sensitive than the GLX because the Conquest is lighter, but I struggle to split that hair.

Fig 1 : The chart above illustrates the deflection characteristics of our G.Loomis Conquest 842C MBR against the averages of our general purpose rods by power. As you can see, it lines up quite well with our Medium Power curve

Power: Disappointed in that news? Honestly, even though I knew that going into this purchase, so was I, but on the bright side, where Conquest shines is power. The 842C MBR charted out pretty much on par with our historical average for medium powered casting rods, but that doesn't tell the entire story. The rod is just solid. So solid in fact, that when I switched over reels to the Steez A TW I was throwing mostly vibrating jigs and underspins tipped with paddletail swimbaits.

Checking out that nice tip taper

These are moving baits with a single jig style hook that require a stick with a good backbone to drive home that point. In fact, I got into a bite using Owner's Flashy Swimmer tipped with a 3.75" Strike King Rage Swimmer that was so much fun, I had to force myself to put it down to give other products I needed to review some time in my hands. This is a bait combo I'd normally recommend on a heavy or at least a medium heavy powered rod.

The Conquest's cork handle is super clean

Design & Ergonomics: My G.Loomis Conquest 842C MBR tipped our scales at 3.6 ounces. Mind you, this is for a rod with a traditional, full rear grip design. I'm not sure how much weight is saved with those Torzite guides, but it surprised me this build was that light. Yet, balance does not suffer one bit as its balance point and torque are identical to that of its GLX counterpart.

The rod features an open ended hook keeper

Price & Applications: Back to this point, yes, this Conquest stick will set you back $650 plus tax and/or shipping or however those things work out at your location.

The Conquest 842C is far from reasonable or affordable and unfortunately, for enthusiasts like myself, that's part of its appeal. High end tackle is a sickness that knows no practical cure so heed what we say and not what we do, because if you sample one, there is no going back.

Conclusion: If you're a bottom line, results kind of consumer, G.Loomis's Conquest is probably not for you. On the other hand, if you're the type that becomes attached to your tackle, have uncontrollable enthusiasm, and can accept and understand that no piece of tackle is perfect, well, let's talk.

Don't knock it until you try it, Daiwa and G.Loomis/Shimano make excellent team mates.

Sure, Conquest 842C MBR is not perfect. It could be a tad more sensitive (perhaps it would be with a similar guide-train to NRX), and of course, it could be more affordable (if it weren't made in the USA). There's no denying those two aspects of this stick. But when matched with the right reel (and yes, the two reels I fished it with were excellent matches) fishing this 2-power casting rod from G.Loomis is about as perfect as it gets.

G.Loomis's Conquest 842C MBR feeds my enthusiast soul.

Because it's so light and well balanced, it's easy to use all day long. Because it's so powerful, once you get bit, it's almost like you're fishing with a 3-power, not a two. Somehow, it doesn't feel as brittle or fragile as typical, high end graphite sticks, yet all the intangibles of feel, casting ability, balance, weight, are all there. This is one of those products that feeds my enthusiast soul and you know what that means. G.Loomis's Conquest 842C MBR wins this editor's Ultimate Enthusiast Award.

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