Smallieseeker

Another vote for the Dobyns Champion 736 glass. Light sensitive and well balanced for a glass rod. It has the perfect amount of give to really let the fish get the bait but still has the backbone to set the hook.

Paddle tail swimbaits The Ned rig Chatterbait with a swim senko trailer

I never heard about this, when was it?

They are all I fish anymore. I normally make one big resupply order every year. As many have pointed out they are well built, great hook, and great colors. I also prefer the football head on these since I’m fishing around a lot of rock and riprap. I did pick some bubble blades up this year to try, I haven’t used these yet.

I’m using a Dobyns Champion Extreme 743 paired with a Shimano Stradic ci4 spooled with 8 lbs fluro. Great combo for shakey heads and weightless plastics.

Yes the rattles are removable and yes it’s a very good jig for a very good price. I also like the war eagle finesse jigs.

I have been using dobyns almost exclusively for 2 seasons now in all their line ups except the colt series and while they are not the most sensitive rods in their price range they are still plenty sensitive and still worth their price especially when you purchase them during a sale like I do most of the time. Despite what some people are saying on here I have always thought their balance was perfect even on there 8 foot rods. Their actions are the biggest selling points for me. They are soft enough to absorb the fight and runs a 5 lbs smallies will give but still have plenty of backbone to give a great hook set. I loose very little fish while fishing anymore. Dobyns may not be for everyone but for my fishing they are perfect. They are overall a great durable rod that still has plenty of sensitivity. And the company will back their rods with a great a warranty. You will not be disappointed no matter what line up you choose from imo.

I have tried a few also and the one I keep going back to is McCoy’s mean green and xtra clear copolymer. Has great abrasion resistance and great line management. I have never felt like i needed more sensitivity out of it either. I have also bought some silver thread an40 to try this year and so far I haven’t been disappointed but I have only used it for a couple months so time will tell.

Reels Spinning: Shimano Casting: Diawa Rods Dobyns mostly with a few Shimano and St Croix

I have never used St. Croix trout series rods but do have a couple of their panfish series rods. One of them is the 7 foot light xfast and it’s a great rod and the one I would recommend I use it to throw micro cranks and 1/16th oz jigs. There is nothing extra fast about this rod. It has a great parabolic bend to it and I get great hook sets with it. But I really wouldn’t recommend throwing a 1/4 oz on it. I’m sure it could be done but there are better options out there for that weight.

I think a tatula sv would work good for that. I can throw 1/4 oz lures with out any trouble and still get good distance with mine on a medium light rod.

I like it for 1/4oz to 3/8oz. Any lighter or heavier I just use a different set up. I have actually heard the opposite. I’ve read that the Sierra is just a little bit softer than the champ and the champ extremes. I can’t say for sure tho bc my only experience with the champion extreme casting rods was a 4 power.

After reading so many good reviews I bought the Dobyns Champ Xp 736 glass. Absolutely love the rod! It’s light for a glass rod and has great balanced. I do how ever use this rod for mainly chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits and the occasional heavier top water. But if I ever find my self needing to throw something in the 6xd range this would be the rod I would use. And just to point out I have never lost a fish on the rod yet.

If looking at the Dobyns fury I would go with the 735 for frogs and heavier jigs, 705cb for trebles, and I know you want to keep it under 7 feet but the 734 or 733 in the dobyns line up are special. They are super versatile and are an all round good rod that has many uses.

I throw them on a Dobyns Sierra 682 casting with a tatula sv. Works good I never had a problem casting them but there is nothing wrong with using a spinning set up either.