Real
World Tests:
G.Loomis provided
the NRX+ Bladed Jig
Rod for this review
and to test the BJR
stick we head
straight for the
California Delta and
other local regional
lakes. The timing
was perfect as we
were also in the
process of testing
some new
chatterbaits from
Z-Man but also made
sure to tie on some
of our favorite
blades, including
the Evergreen
Jackhammer, to see
just how this new
rod handled a wider
range of bladed
jigs, as well as how
it compared to other
rods designed for
this purpose.
Time to see what the
new NRX+ is all
about
Casting:
Unlike with
lightweight finesse
baits casting bladed
jigs is relatively
easy, especially
with the added
weight of a trailer.
As you might expect
casting with the
NRX+ BJR was
effortless. Unlike
with some
glass-based rods the
BJR is very light,
and it loads quickly
helping launch even
smaller and lighter
bladed jigs like
finesse-oriented
Z-Man Mini Max
chatterbait.
The BJR whips pretty
smoothly for a Fast
action rod
As a refresher for
those unfamiliar
with Shimano’s
Spiral X design the
implementation
consists of three
layers: a blank made
of vertical fibers,
an inner layer, and
an outer layer both
comprised of carbon
tape that tightly
winds the blank
diagonally in
opposite directions.
The goal of using
this carbon tape in
place of a
conventional
horizontal fiber
sheet is providing
enhanced torsional
rigidity without
adding extra weight.
So how does this
translate to feel
and performance?
Spiral X
construction
increases rigidity
without increasing
weight. It is
significant that the
NRX+ rods use this
Shimano proprietary
triple layer
construction as they
are the first to do
so solely
manufactured in the
United States as the
Conquest Series
features a dual
region manufacturing
model
Similar to the
Conquest and Shimano
branded rods that
make use of Spiral X
blank construction
the rod feels very
crisp, helping
facilitate what
feels like
near-immediate
transmission of
power during the
cast. I found that I
was able to launch
bladed jigs when
casting with two
hands, but it was
just as easy to
sidearm and single
hand cast these
baits accurately.
The rod casts so
nicely that single
handed sidearm casts
are effortless
Sensitivity:
One of the reasons
why I mentioned that
this is such an
interesting
application for a
NRX+ rod is that
sensitivity isn’t
always a priority
when fishing this
technique. With
bladed jigs most
anglers prefer a
longer medium heavy
rod between 7’3” to
7’11” in length to
provide both a long
distance cast and a
softer parabolic
action that helps
with ripping blades
through vegetation.
The rod makes use of
Fuji Titanium SiC
guides...
This is exactly why
glass is so popular
for this technique,
as it is typically
softer and more
moderate to aid with
creating deflections
but is still able to
keep fish pinned
once they are hooked
up. Then there are
other anglers that
prefer a traditional
graphite rod for
this technique not
only for the
enhanced sensitivity
the material offers
but also the added
power to pull fish
out, and away, from
thick vegetation.
Personally I’ve
always subscribed to
the idea of using a
longer rod for this
technique and the
7’4” length of the
BJR falls right into
the range. I have
used glass rods for
fishing bladed jigs
but ultimately find
myself migrating
back towards
graphite rods just
because I can feel
every swing of the
blade, and better
perceive contact
with structure.
...as well as Nickel
Titanium Recoil
guides. So glad that
the company
maintained the
hybrid guide-train
as it is a signature
element of the NRX
Series
It is not like you
are not going to
feel a bait as
active as a
chatterbait with a
glass rod, but a
graphite rod just
adds to the
experience of
fishing such a
lively lure. I also
believe that glass
does a good job
keeping fish pinned,
but the power and
instant response of
graphite is a worthy
tradeoff, and in my
opinion just more
fun to fish. All
that being said with
the limited space on
the deck I rarely
bring a rod
specifically
designed for fishing
bladed jigs and
often employ one of
my jig or mag action
bass sticks. This is
one of those
techniques where
there are many rods
that can “get the
job done.”
Sensitivity is
excellent, and with
a Jackhammer and
Fluorocarbon things
get pretty insane.
It is pretty hard to
go back to glass
after fishing this
stick
While sensitivity
may not be something
critical to this
technique it does
present an edge and
the NRX+ hybrid
gear-train is
actually an ideal
setup for those that
want to have their
cake and eat it too.
Even smaller blades
transmit vibration
with utter clarity
through this blank.
Spool up with
fluorocarbon for
this technique and
the BJR takes the
whole vibration
transmission
experience to a near
sensory overload
level… it is that
good.
Strikes are epic.
Even smaller fish
are blast on this
rod
