Shimano/G. Loomis Conquest review.... 2025
18RangerZ520L reply :
Finally got out on the water with the Conquests this week.... I got 14 of them in the following models: 905C, 904C, 903C, 842C and 842S. On the casting rods I have Aldebaran 50's on them all and the spinning models I have Exsence 3000's on them. Got to fish with all models except the 905C, which arrived at my house while I was at the lake... 
I will say with the 905C just feeling it in my hand it balances WAY better than my NRX 895C did, the 905C is not tip heavy at all...
I owned all NRX's prior to upgrading and the Conquests have a more "solid" feel, hard to explain but the NRX's felt "hollow"/brittle in comparison. I noticed the casting was more "fluid" with the Conquests and the guides were quiet, sometimes on my NRX's I could hear the line go through the recoil guides during a cast or when fighting a fish. I do like the full cork grip on the Conquests and its a very smooth cork feel in hand, no pits/rough spots like a couple of my NRX's had.
I can't "with the naked eye" tell a weight difference between the Conquest and NRX, but they do feel stronger/more "solid" than the NRX. I caught several 3lb-4lb class fish on them including a 6lb and they all handled the fight of the fish great, I even caught a 5lb on the 842S Conquest paired with an Exsence 3000 with 8lb line. And I don't know if it's the reel or the rod or a combination of both, but the 842S Conquest with the Exsence 3000 casted like a dream! Farther and with less effort than with my NRX 852S w/Sustain 2500.
I was a little worried at first with the "fast" action of the Conquests vs the "extra fast" of the NRX's but it wasn't an issue. I fished the same baits on the Conquests that I did with the NRX's and the rods handled the baits fine. I met the lure weight limits on each model I fished with, zero issues.
Sensitivity is slightly better vs NRX, not as noticeable as say from a E6X to a GLX. Now, is "slightly better" worth the roughly 20% higher cost of the Conquest vs NRX? That's up to you...
I'm a gear junkie so it was worth it to me...
Fishing is my "beer", so having top of the line equipment makes fishing that much more enjoyable for me. In my line of work I need lots of "beer".... 
If you can swing the coin, I highly recommend them!
Darren. reply :
Welcome to the forums! There's a few gear junkies here
to keep you company 
.
Wait, I see you joined back in 2013! But your first posts
are almost 4 years after! You been mighty busy with your
"beer" gear, eh 
.
18RangerZ520L reply :
On 12/10/2017 at 10:20 PM, Darren. said:Welcome to the forums! There's a few gear junkies here
to keep you company
.
Wait, I see you joined back in 2013! But your first posts
are almost 4 years after! You been mighty busy with your
"beer" gear, eh
Stephen B reply :
Originally, I was a split grip guy, but the full handles are now my preference. That is why I am interested in the rods. Is the more solid feel attributed to the Sprial X technology versus the NRX ? Is that what you are referring to? Also, how do you like the real seats? Are they comfy? I am glad to hear you enjoy the Conquest rods, but I am skeptical as a buyer because NRX has an MBR lineup that is more affordable. My skepticism is mainly from some Tackle Warehouse reviews. But ultimately, everyone has different preferences. Keep us informed as you continue to spend time on the water with them!
fishballer06 reply :
THE_Vue's reply :
No picture or it never happend
18RangerZ520L reply :
On 12/11/2017 at 5:35 AM, Stephen B said:Originally, I was a split grip guy, but the full handles are now my preference. That is why I am interested in the rods. Is the more solid feel attributed to the Sprial X technology versus the NRX ? Is that what you are referring to? Also, how do you like the real seats? Are they comfy? I am glad to hear you enjoy the Conquest rods, but I am skeptical as a buyer because NRX has an MBR lineup that is more affordable. My skepticism is mainly from some Tackle Warehouse reviews. But ultimately, everyone has different preferences. Keep us informed as you continue to spend time on the water with them!
Yes, I'm assuming the reason for the "more solid" feel I felt is due to the Spiral X and Hi Power X technology in the Conquest. The reel seats are very similar to the NRX, very comfortable.
On 12/11/2017 at 12:23 PM, fishballer06 said:
18RangerZ520L reply :
On 12/11/2017 at 12:32 PM, THE_Vue's said:No picture or it never happened
You want a pic of my rods...? 
I'll take a pic of my (10) Shimano Aldebaran 50's and (4) Shimano Excense 3000's while I'm at it I guess... 
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 12/11/2017 at 10:27 PM, 18RangerZ520L said:You want a pic of my rods...?
I'll take a pic of my (10) Shimano Aldebaran 50's and (4) Shimano Excense 3000's while I'm at it I guess...
There is a specific thread for showing equipment
Fishin' Fool reply :
On 12/11/2017 at 12:23 PM, fishballer06 said:
When I first read his post that was my response. I was calculating 14 Conquests + 14 fancy reels = more than my car 
18RangerZ520L reply :
On 12/12/2017 at 8:31 AM, Fishin' Fool said:When I first read his post that was my response. I was calculating 14 Conquests + 14 fancy reels = more than my car
That's not counting my other 4 big bait combos:
(4) Calcutta 400D's
(2) G. Loomis IMX Pro swimbait 966C's
(1) G. Loomis IMX Pro swimbait 965C
(1) G. Loomis CBR 959C DD
About $18,700 retail in 18 combos... (Granted, I didn't pay retail! )
The truck & boat (2017 F250 Platinum & 2018 Ranger Z520L) are where most of my fishing "expenses" are....!
You only live once, right?!?!?
Fishin' Fool reply :
On 12/12/2017 at 10:19 AM, 18RangerZ520L said:That's not counting my other 4 big bait combos:
(4) Calcutta 400D's
(2) G. Loomis IMX Pro swimbait 966C's
(1) G. Loomis IMX Pro swimbait 965C
(1) G. Loomis CBR 959C DD
About $18,700 retail in 18 combos... (Granted, I didn't pay retail!
The truck & boat (2017 F250 Platinum & 2018 Ranger Z520L) are where most of my fishing "expenses" are....!
You only live once, right?!?!?
And brother, you're living right!
18RangerZ520L reply :
The_Vue's & islandbass,
I added pics to the "Show off your stuff" pinned thread for ya'll...
Fishin' Fool reply :
Are you fishing a professional or semi-pro series? That seems like overkill for fun fishing.
kschultz76 reply :
Are you secretly Mark Zona?
RichF reply :
On 12/13/2017 at 7:41 AM, kschultz76 said:Are you secretly Mark Zona?
Can't be, Zona's with Daiwa now..haha
kschultz76 reply :
On 12/13/2017 at 8:47 AM, RichF said:Can't be, Zona's with Daiwa now..haha
Wow how’d I miss that?
18RangerZ520L reply :
On 12/12/2017 at 8:58 PM, Fishin' Fool said:And brother, you're living right!
RichF reply :
On 12/12/2017 at 10:19 AM, 18RangerZ520L said:The truck & boat (2017 F250 Platinum & 2018 Ranger Z520L) are where most of my fishing "expenses" are....!
Shoulda waited for a Vexus!
18RangerZ520L reply :
On 12/13/2017 at 7:21 AM, Fishin' Fool said:Are you fishing a professional or semi-pro series? That seems like overkill for fun fishing.
Heck no! I did tournament fish a long time ago, but quit. I fish Monday-Thursday to avoid the weekend warriors and googans!!! Nothin' like getting to the boat ramp and being the first one there, then having the lake to yourself! Or at most seeing 1 or 2 other boats all day vs 100 boats!
As far as overkill..... There's no such thing!
Like I said earlier, the nice equipment makes the fishing experience for me that much more enjoyable!
On 12/13/2017 at 9:50 PM, RichF said:Shoulda waited for a Vexus!
Nah, not right now. It's going to take a while for them to "prove" themselves, but I'm not closed minded to switching to a Vexus for my next boat in the future.
There's no question that all boats right now are compared to Ranger's as being the top of the line, but that may change with Morris buying them and everyone else out... Vexus may become the new "top of the line" brand bass boat, time will tell.....
I'm curious to see what they look like when they show the models off at the 2018 Classic. Definitely a lot of buzz going on about Vexus right now and I will be watching them closely....
On 12/13/2017 at 7:41 AM, kschultz76 said:Are you secretly Mark Zona?
I wish. If so, I would have got all my combos for free!
I only could swing getting the 14 Conquests by selling all of my NRX's and putting that money towards the new ones. It wasn't that much money out of pocket to upgrade...
RichF reply :
On 12/13/2017 at 9:51 PM, 18RangerZ520L said:I'm curious to see what they look like when they show the models off at the 2018 Classic. Definitely a lot of buzz going on about Vexus right now and I will be watching them closely....
I'm sure they will be nice. That name though...
18RangerZ520L reply :
On 12/13/2017 at 10:19 PM, RichF said:I'm sure they will be nice. That name though...
We shall see......
And yeah, kind of a weird name
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
How would the Conquest 903 do throwing Fat Ikas? I see its rated a Medium Heavy Fast 1/4-3/4oz. Would the Ika at around .384 oz load the rod well?
I have a Fenwick World Class 7'6" MH/F 3/8-1 oz and its too powerful does not load well with Ikas.
Also been thinking about the NRX893 could you compare the 903 to the 893 please?
18RangerZ520L reply :
On 12/25/2017 at 7:25 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:How would the Conquest 903 do throwing Fat Ikas? I see its rated a Medium Heavy Fast 1/4-3/4oz. Would the Ika at around .384 oz load the rod well?
I have a Fenwick World Class 7'6" MH/F 3/8-1 oz and its too powerful does not load well with Ikas.
Also been thinking about the NRX893 could you compare the 903 to the 893 please?
I think the 903C would handle the Ikas just fine. How are your rigging the Ikas? Weightless, bullet weight, etc.? It's going to depend on your reel and line weight also on casting distance, etc. On my 903C Conquest paired with my Aldebaran 50 and 12# Tatsu, the Ika would cast a mile.
I also had (4) of the NRX 893C's and I think that rod is the most versatile NRX casting model.
I can't comment on the Fenwick, I've been strictly high end G. Loomis & Shimano for a very long time now...
fishwizzard reply :
I am not sold on a Loomis 3 power rod, or atleast the MBR line, being powerful enough for a Fat Ika. Or rather, I have never found a hook that will both fit the Ika and be made of thin enough wire that I could get good hooksets with a 3 power. It's frustrating as they cast/pitch an Ika very well, but I was having real issues this past summer with hooksets that went away once I moved to a more powerful rod. This was with it rigged "backwards" using an 4/0 Beast and 5/0 Riggin as my main two hooks, but I did try a few standard wire EWGs and they we not much better and gave far far worse plastic life.
I will freely admit it might just be me being bad at hooksets 
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 12/25/2017 at 10:18 PM, fishwizzard said:I am not sold on a Loomis 3 power rod, or atleast the MBR line, being powerful enough for a Fat Ika. Or rather, I have never found a hook that will both fit the Ika and be made of thin enough wire that I could get good hooksets with a 3 power. It's frustrating as they cast/pitch an Ika very well, but I was having real issues this past summer with hooksets that went away once I moved to a more powerful rod. This was with it rigged "backwards" using an 4/0 Beast and 5/0 Riggin as my main two hooks, but I did try a few standard wire EWGs and they we not much better and gave far far worse plastic life.
I will freely admit it might just be me being bad at hooksets
Owner hooks are the worst I have used with ikas miss way too many good bites, wont use them. Gamakutsu Deep Throat 4/0 is my go to hook. Power wise I have used MLXF LTB with braid and no issues with hooksets. I mostly use MF rods Okuma Quantum St Croix. I just dont want a too powerful rod that wont load well casting the ika.
fishindad reply :
Two best hooks made for the Fat Ika for plastic 'life' and hooking fish, bar none. Loomis MBR 3 power (i.e. 843) is more than enough rod to drill those hooks. Unless you use 8 lb. mono and make 50 yard casts, lol. I'm almost always pitching the Ika to cover and use 12 lb. Sniper with a MH rod. No issues missing fish.
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Beast_Hook_w__Twistlock/descpage-OBWT.html
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Superline_Spring_Lock_Hook/descpage-GSSLH.html
18RangerZ520L reply :
On 12/25/2017 at 10:18 PM, fishwizzard said:I will freely admit it might just be me being bad at hooksets
I'm going to go with this......
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 12/26/2017 at 1:36 AM, fishindad said:Two best hooks made for the Fat Ika for plastic 'life' and hooking fish, bar none. Loomis MBR 3 power (i.e. 843) is more than enough rod to drill those hooks. Unless you use 8 lb. mono and make 50 yard casts, lol. I'm almost always pitching the Ika to cover and use 12 lb. Sniper with a MH rod. No issues missing fish.
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Beast_Hook_w__Twistlock/descpage-OBWT.html
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Superline_Spring_Lock_Hook/descpage-GSSLH.html
Those style hooks interfere with the skirt flow/movement I've seen it in the clear waters I fish that alone bugs me. Even worse if using Hydras. Also that spring rips the skirt off and can leave a chunk of the body with it at times. That's just my assessment from trying them out.
fishindad reply :
That's cool, we each have differing perspectives on rigging. I have never fished the Damiki Hydra and the OP didn't mention it so I responded based on Fat Ika use. I've used EWG hooks and the screw lock hooks and in my hands, I see no difference in bites and, the EWG hooks do not hold the Ika nearly as well as the screw lock hooks. I've tried pegging with mono ala Don Iovino, which does help a bit but I find I can fish an Ika until multiple fish tear up the bait and the screw lock still holds. The OP can try each and post again with results - hopefully one hook style will work better.
fishwizzard reply :
On 12/26/2017 at 1:36 AM, fishindad said:I'm almost always pitching the Ika to cover and use 12 lb. Sniper with a MH rod. No issues missing fish.
That is the line I was using and how I would fish them, but once I stepped up to a 6 power MB and 15lb Sniper, I started making most all of my hooksets.
On 12/26/2017 at 1:47 AM, 18RangerZ520L said:I'm going to go with this......
Maybe it's true!
NorcalBassin reply :
On 12/10/2017 at 9:29 PM, 18RangerZ520L said:Finally got out on the water with the Conquests this week.... I got 14 of them in the following models: 905C, 904C, 903C, 842C and 842S.
I'm strongly considering picking up one of the Conquests and leaning towards the 903. What are your thoughts on it vs the NRX 893 (versatility, best uses, etc)?
18RangerZ520L reply :
On 12/30/2017 at 12:27 PM, NorcalBassin said:I'm strongly considering picking up one of the Conquests and leaning towards the 903. What are your thoughts on it vs the NRX 893 (versatility, best uses, etc)?
I had (4) NRX 893C's and that was the most versatile casting NRX I owned IMO. The 903C Conquest is the same, it and the 904C Conquest I think are going to be my favorites. When I fished the 903C I used the same exact baits I had previously used on the 893C NRX and the Conquest handled them perfectly. I'd say once you get past the 5/8oz - 3/4oz bait range the 904C will be a better choice. If you throw 5/8oz or less a majority of the time, I'd get the 903C and vise versa with the 904C.
freelancer27 reply :
Had the chance to briefly test the 903 today and was able to compare to my Z-Bone 7'3 HXF and Orochi Spinnerbait Special.
In short: I am not impressed. Craftmanship on the rod is below the Orochi, which costs less than a third. Sensitivity was below Zbone AND Orochi.
I am sure people will disagree. But I am kind of happy with this result. Means I save a lot of money!
Cheers!
Rodney Smith reply :
I do disagree with the assessment above. I can’t comment on a Zbone, but I have had an Orochi Flat Side Special. It isn’t even in the same ballpark in terms of sensitivity. The Orochi’s are pretty good looking rods, but they are pretty heavy, lack a hook keeper, and only have a 3 year warranty. Maybe a Destroyer would be a fairer comparison.
freelancer27 reply :
On 3/4/2018 at 5:53 PM, Rodney Smith said:I do disagree with the assessment above. I can’t comment on a Zbone, but I have had an Orochi Flat Side Special. It isn’t even in the same ballpark in terms of sensitivity. The Orochi’s are pretty good looking rods, but they are pretty heavy, lack a hook keeper, and only have a 3 year warranty. Maybe a Destroyer would be a fairer comparison.
To be fair I did not have that much time with the rod. THough what I did was drag a 1/4 oz Jig on 14# Sunline over roughly the same stretch.
To me the Conquest was not noticeably more sensitive than the Orochi. THe Zbone was more sensitive than the two.
My Orochi Spinnerbait has a hook keeper, is not really heavy (4.7 oz and balances well with a Steez SV TWS) and did come with a rod sleeve. The Conquest does not come with one, which is a bit of a joke for a 675 USD rod. Also the craftmanship on the Orochi is above the Conquest in my opinion. The guide wrapping is more consistent and the cork looked better to me too.
Again, I am happy for everybody that feels that their Conquest rod is the best there is. I am not an expert, but for me (in the isolated testing environment that I had access to) the rod performs more like a 300 USD rod.
Rodrgsv reply :
Which Conquest should I buy for Jig/plastics?
Rodney Smith reply :
I would recommend the the 843c if you are fishing wishing baits primarily 3/8 or less. If you want to throw 1/2 and heavier, I would get the 844c. I have both and the 844c is my main jig and worm rod. You can throw a 1/4-5/8 jigs with trailers on it with no problem. Both rods are versatile. The 843c can throw a spinnerbait, top water, Red Eye Shad, etc. You can throw a hollow bodied frog on the 844c.
18RangerZ520L reply :
On 3/8/2018 at 3:45 PM, Rodrgsv said:Which Conquest should I buy for Jig/plastics?
Same as Rodney said above, but I prefer the longer 7'6" models, 903C/904C......
Rodrgsv reply :
On 3/8/2018 at 6:58 PM, Rodney Smith said:I would recommend the the 843c if you are fishing wishing baits primarily 3/8 or less. If you want to throw 1/2 and heavier, I would get the 844c. I have both and the 844c is my main jig and worm rod. You can throw a 1/4-5/8 jigs with trailers on it with no problem. Both rods are versatile. The 843c can throw a spinnerbait, top water, Red Eye Shad, etc. You can throw a hollow bodied frog on the 844c.
what do you think would be better to pair with, Aldebaran 50HG or Metanium Mgl XG? for jigs, t rigs and f/p.
Rodney Smith reply :
Metanium MGL XG.
Riazuli reply :
I feel so much better about my winter spending now... Thank you.
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