Casting: Casting with the NRX 873C CRR is pure joy.  I really enjoy fishing rods in between 7'0” and 7'6”, and this rod was probably the most accurate one in this size range I have ever fished.  The blank is very light and crisp, lending it self to consistently pinpoint casting accuracy. The rod handles it's rated range of 1/4-3/4oz very well.  I was able to throw everything from unweighted Senkos to heavy jigs with no complaints.  In fact, it actually did fairly well with weights up to 1oz as well.  While using a rod above it's ratings is never recommended, in a pinch it will work.

Taking a break from Tarpon fishing to test out the action

Though the action is rated as fast, it feels and fishes like many extra fast rods I've experienced.   The immediate tip is not overly stiff so it still handles light baits well, but the blank loads and fishes similar to many extra fast rods I've fished in the past.

One problem I encountered during casting was when I used a leader when fishing braid.  The connection knot would occasionally hang on the Recoil guides during casting and retrieval.  It was never a huge annoyance, but was most noted when casting light plastics or pitching a bait.  The way around this was to shorten the leader and always try to keep it outside of the guides.               

Sensitivity:  As the hype suggests, sensitivity is top notch.  This rod leaves no mystery as to what your bait is doing and really helps you fish more effectively.  An angler should never miss a bite with this stick unless they are asleep!  I found myself addicted to using this rod with braided line.  When coupled together, this is the ultimate in sensitivity.

The open ended hook hangar holds any size hook perfectly

Power:  The NRX 873C CRR exhibits plenty of power.  When hooked up, there is substantial power in the mid and butt section to subdue a good fish.   The numerous Bass I caught on this rod posed no problem at all.  As mentioned earlier, this rod went with me one day to an Everglades canal to target Tarpon.  I managed to hook into an acrobatic fish of about 20lbs, which after a short bout and 3 jumps managed to throw the swimbait.  Though a short fight, the NRX handled the fish beautifully and I didn't feel undergunned whatsoever.

Composite cork protects the rod butt.

Application:  Designed as a carolina rigging rod, the NRX 873C CRR certainly excels at this as well as other bottom contact techniques like texas rigs, jigs, and tubes.  I would also qualify other applications as being acceptable with this stick, particularly ones using single hooks.  My favorites included Senkos, swim jigs, paddle tail swimbaits, and spinnerbaits.  The blank has the perfect amount of stoutness to be a very well rounded plastics rod, but as expected it is too stiff to really make a good rod to fish treble hooked baits on.

Price, Warranty:  With a cost of $500, the NRX 873C CRR is a substantial investment.  The only other rods available in the USA in that price range is the Daiwa Steez lineup.  Whether it's worth it or not is up to you, but the performance definitely backs up the high price tag. 

All NRX rods feature G. Loomis' “Wild Card” warranty program in addition to the standard warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.  With the Wild Card warranty, an NRX owner receives a special card that entitles them to a one time, free, no questions asked exchange if something should happen to their NRX for any reason.  That is tremendous peace of mind considering the high cost of these sticks!

Ratings: (We've re-calibrated our ratings standard for 2008 and have included a key at the bottom of the following matrix as a guide):

Pluses and Minuses:

Conclusion:  Through my middle and high school years in the 1990's,  fishing became a true passion.   As I fished more and more, I began using better and better tackle.  At the time, G. Loomis was really the only true high end rod available, and I slowly acquired a nice collection of some great GL3, IMX, and GLX rods.  I can still envision my rod rack full of those stealthy, subdued blanks and full cork handles.  The NRX series was such a drastic change in design and cosmetics for G. Loomis, that it took not only me but many other anglers a while to warm up to them. NRX graphite is certainly something special, so it only makes sense that the design of the rods represented this as well.

G. Loomis continues to make some of the best performing rods available!

G. Loomis realizes that some people may have avoided purchasing an NRX simply because of the color scheme used.  With this in mind, they recently launched the NRX “Green” rod series.  Every NRX rod with blue wraps is now available in this new series featuring the same components, but showcasing a green blank and wraps.

Looking for the NRX 873C CRR Rod? Try Tackle Warehouse