Observations of Conquest 904c vs. NRX894c
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:48 pm
Got a chance to fish for three days on Kentucky Lake this past weekend with my new 904c Conquest. I already have 2 NRX894c and ran all three rods with 2016 Metaniums lined with new 16 lb Sunline Shooter on all. I was fishing a variety of baits - Keitech swimbaits (4.8 and 5.8 fat impact on 1/2 and 3/4 oz heads), hair jigs (5/8 and 1 oz), 3/4 oz football jigs, 3/4 oz shakeyhead with large 10+ worms and 1 oz scrounger head jigs with castaic swimbait. I caught several 2-6 lb. bass on both rods in water from 10-25 feet of water.
Note - I currently own 10 Nrx's and think they are fantastic. I love the light weight and am a sensitivity whore.
Weight: The Conquest feels lighter than the NRX and not by a little. I didn't weight them on purpose but no question that the Conquest is better balanced and is more nimble of the two. By way of feel, the 904c feels in the hand about halfway between a NRX893c and NRX894c.
Casting: This is where the Conquest shines. I love the Torzite guides. You better have a Full spool on a Metanium to throw a 1 oz hair jig. This rod also loads up really well casting 1/2 to 1 oz baits. Much better than the 894c.
Speed: The 894c is definitely and extra fast rod. Not sure I would even call the 904 a fast action. I would go with "almost fast" or extra medium.
Sensitivity: NRX wins this and it's not close. That's right, not close. When stroking a hair jig or popping a football jig the feel of the jig hitting a rocky bottom is WAY more noticeable on the NRX. With the Conquest it is a subtle, mushy thud that was often not detected on the end of a cast. Bottom composition is much more apparent on the NRX. On a fish strike the difference is the same. Big winner here for the NRX.
Hookset: The NRX with its much faster action pays dividends here - if you want it. For me, in deep water with lots of line out and a big single hook, I want it.
Power: I caught a 5-9 and a 5-13 on each and I can tell you that the 894 has a lot more backbone and you get to it much quicker than the Conquest. I could tell no difference on rod twist or whatever Shimano claims the spiral wrap helps with. Not sure where the "extra power" of the Conquest was, but I could not find it.
One last note, I didn't try it but I think that the 904c might be a GREAT big cranking rod.
Note - I currently own 10 Nrx's and think they are fantastic. I love the light weight and am a sensitivity whore.
Weight: The Conquest feels lighter than the NRX and not by a little. I didn't weight them on purpose but no question that the Conquest is better balanced and is more nimble of the two. By way of feel, the 904c feels in the hand about halfway between a NRX893c and NRX894c.
Casting: This is where the Conquest shines. I love the Torzite guides. You better have a Full spool on a Metanium to throw a 1 oz hair jig. This rod also loads up really well casting 1/2 to 1 oz baits. Much better than the 894c.
Speed: The 894c is definitely and extra fast rod. Not sure I would even call the 904 a fast action. I would go with "almost fast" or extra medium.
Sensitivity: NRX wins this and it's not close. That's right, not close. When stroking a hair jig or popping a football jig the feel of the jig hitting a rocky bottom is WAY more noticeable on the NRX. With the Conquest it is a subtle, mushy thud that was often not detected on the end of a cast. Bottom composition is much more apparent on the NRX. On a fish strike the difference is the same. Big winner here for the NRX.
Hookset: The NRX with its much faster action pays dividends here - if you want it. For me, in deep water with lots of line out and a big single hook, I want it.
Power: I caught a 5-9 and a 5-13 on each and I can tell you that the 894 has a lot more backbone and you get to it much quicker than the Conquest. I could tell no difference on rod twist or whatever Shimano claims the spiral wrap helps with. Not sure where the "extra power" of the Conquest was, but I could not find it.
One last note, I didn't try it but I think that the 904c might be a GREAT big cranking rod.