kayaking_kev

My Honest First Impressions I haven't actually fished with the rod yet and that's the most important thing. I'm by far no expert, but I do own 8 Dobyns Rods, including two Xtasys, one Extreme, and three Champions and others to compare it to. These are my first impressions of the feel and looks of my new Kaden 744c prototype after having it for 24 hours. What I like about it. The action feels really nice and the 744c seems like it's going to be a great all around rod. It has a really nice tip with a strong backbone, but closer to a Medium Heavy rather than a Heavy power. The cork looks really nice and surprised me on how well it felt. It doesn't seem like AA cork, it seems better than the Fury and Champion XP's and very close to the Extreme HP's cork. Of course it balances great, it's a Dobyns. The red color really pops, I really like it, and it looks really nice with a Fuego or any other red reel. What I think needs improved so far. The detail, besides the red color, the rod is plain, the blank isn't sanded, there needs to be some detail between the split grip on the handle like on every other Dobyns rod I have and also on the logo section of the blank if it's going to be near $200. I'm sure that helps make it a little lighter, but it looks cheaper than the Fury to be honest, it even has the same font as the Fury, but the Fury at least as some detail on the handle between the split grip. Conclusion It's still a nice looking rod compared to most other rod brands, just not as detailed as other Dobyns rods, but as long as this new material on the blank lives up to advertisement, it will be well worth the price. I can always add my own detail on the handle from Mudhole.

I don't know anything about this reel, but it's at the lowest price it has ever been right now, seems like a good deal. Left Hand Only! $83 Abu Garcia Revo ALX Low Profile Reel https://www.amazon.com/Abu-Garcia-HS-ALX-Profile/dp/B01IDELWLA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07BKMKFBM&pd_rd_r=77a354ee-b132-4dfe-9643-2d1541028ea7&pd_rd_w=oVMM4&pd_rd_wg=AMVXG&pf_rd_p=bdd201df-734f-454e-883c-73b0d8ccd4c3&pf_rd_r=7ZWC84NVPFZMADXYRRN8&refRID=7ZWC84NVPFZMADXYRRN8&th=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=tacklea-20&linkId=f732954f03642c62788836b68763a32d&language=en_US

Updated Dobyns collection. Kaden 744 and Champion 704 Glass came yesterday.

Latest additions.

My wife's parents live in Lenoir City right on the river, not far from you.

Yes, that was caught in Ohio on a River that runs into the Maumee River, which runs into Lake Erie. I fish a couple of them connected to the Maumee and they are full of smallmouth and rock bass, and some largemouth. I caught 34 bass on one three mile trip this past season and then the very next trip on a different 3 mile section I caught 41. They don't get very fat, but fight like hell. I've caught several over 18" and my PB is only 3.1 lbs., but the rock bass are huge.

Daiwa Tatula CT 100XS = $100 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Daiwa-Tatula-CT-100XS-8-1-1-Right-Hand-Baitcast-Fishing-Reel-TACT100XS/124298503 Daiwa Tatula 100 = $100 https://www.sportsmansoutfitters.com/products/daiwa-tatula-100-baitcast-fishing-reel Daiwa Fuego CT = $85 https://www.ebay.com/p/12034850898 Daiwa CR 80 = $61 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Daiwa-CC80-Compact-Baitcast-Fishing-Reel/860718572 Daiwa CC 80 = $60 https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Daiwa_CC_80_Casting_Reel/descpage-CC8.html# Lew's LFS Speed Spool = $100 https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-LEWREEL.html?from=basres Lew's Classic Speed Spool = $60 https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-LEWREEL.html?from=basres

Like I said, I'm noobish about them, not even really sure what's important to me besides finding depth, fish and structure. Some sort of GPS would be nice to navigate when I'm lost on a river and to tell me my speed and something with a waypoint marker.

I'm considering getting my first fish finder for my kayak, but I don't want a expensive one, I'm looking at $100-$150 range for the fish finder. It's not going to be used a whole lot as I fish a lot in shallow rivers or bank fish most of the time. I also need some good advice on batteries, battery box, etc.. I will list some of the options I have came up with real quick, but I am pretty noobish when it comes to marine electronics. Transducer Mount so I don't have to drill a hole in my kayak hull. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0174X6UNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_mKSCBbJFWD8FK Battery https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006LO9S3E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=fishfinders89-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B006LO9S3E&linkId=bcf37bb1599f7a542b3364db9dda8e1e Battery Box https://www.amazon.com/Attwood-Corporation-9082-1-Small-Battery/dp/B0000B12YQ/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=kayak%2Bbattery%2Bbox&qid=1580626061&sr=8-13&th=1 Fish Finder https://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-410150-1-PIRANHAMAX-Fish-finder/dp/B01MDP3DPB?tag=sonarwars-20 Fish Finder https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Striker-Transducer-Fishfinder-Traditional/dp/B017NI17HQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1540570057&sr=8-3&keywords=Garmin+Striker+4&linkCode=sl1&tag=ecopetlife-20&linkId=c0f1a7cdb7953af837dbb4410a748e03&language=en_US These next two are a little more than what I want to spend, but wondering how much of a improvement would they be. https://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-410190-1-Helix-Fishfinder-System/dp/B01MCWIC5H?tag=sonarwars-20 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Humminbird-Helix-5-Sonar-G2-Fishfinder-410190-1/54876745

I have two of them, but that's not what I'm talking about. The Xtasy has Grayish logos.

Got my 744c today. Overall it's a nice rod, but I do have some small complaints. I wish there was some detail on the blank between the split grip like on the other series, it's kinda of plain. I wish the red trim on the guide wrapping went on every guide, not just the first one. I had some epoxy filled in on one of the bottom of my guides, which bothered me the most, but shouldn't affect anything and can probably easily be removed with a little heat. I like the feel, the red color, the split grips, the reel seat, the balance, the tip, and we will see how the guides hold up, don't know much about them.

The red is fine with me, but I wouldn't mind some kind of blackout color sometime soon.

I have a sit-in kayak, so I only get a few drips here and there from my paddle and just layer up. If I had a sit-on-top, I would have waterproof everything if the water and air were cold. I've used them before and there's no avoiding getting wet. There's a good thread around here somewhere about the best method and material for layering and staying warm and dry, try a couple search terms if you're interested.

Gary Dobyns on the Kaden Series, posted last night. "Explaining the Kaden Series. Guys, I have issues. When a new material comes out, I must play with it. Can't help myself. Along with this, my factory owner had a new design he wanted to play with. So we started messing around. When I think something is better, the fisherman in me has to have it. Probably sounds corny but it's true. I get myself in a bind at times and the Kaden Series is prime example. Where this rod will fall into the line up, is still unknown. If it's as good as I think it is, I'll fit it in somewhere. This rod may change too, it depends on the feed back. Maybe it'll need full handles, maybe different guides or reelseats, maybe it needs to be pink I've never built a series and asked for feedback from our customers. I'm anxious to see how it works. Please send comments and ideas to reviews@dobynsrods.com This address will be active in a few days. I'll make a post when it's active. Thanks in advance for the info and help. I'll really be looking at it hard. THX!!!"

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/big-bite-baits-minnow-jig#repChildCatSku=023728256 Chartreuse Red Eye to go with the Chartreuse 1" Gulp Minnow, but I got some Black ones also and Shiner colored Gulp Minnows. I get them locally at Dunhams, but looks like they are cheaper at Academy.

Maybe consider getting a Shimano SLX DC, it might help with casting those bigger profile baits, especially into the wind and it cost about the same as the Curado K, I also heard they even feel similar. Or maybe the Shimano Intenza MH Glass. I have a Dobyns Champion Glass 705cb paired with a SLX XT for bladed jigs, but a lot of people love the 735 Glass as the ultimate chatterbait rod.

How does the Lew's MP compare with the MB? I really like the MB. I wanted the Legalis, but found the Revros LT for a great price.

Dobyns Xtasy 723c - MH/F (Soon to be 2020 Shimano Metanium 8.1:1) Dobyns Xtasy 755c - XH/F (Shimano SLX DC 7.2:1) Dobyns Extreme HP 702c - ML/F (13 Fishing Concept Z 7.3:1) Dobyns Champion XP Glass 704cb - M/F (Shimano SLX 7.2.1) Dobyns Champion XP Glass 705cb - MH/F (Shimano SLX XT 7.2.1) Dobyns Champion XP 704sf - MH/F (Shimano Sienna 2500) Dobyns Kaden 744c - H/F (Daiwa Fuego CT 8.1:1)) Dobyns Fury 703c - MH/F (Lew's Tournament MB 7.5:1) St.Croix Panfish Series 6'9" - UL/F (Daiwa Revros 2000) Lew's TP-1 Speed Stick 6'9" - ML/F (Penn Pursuit 2500) 13 Defy Black Crankbait 7'3" - H/M (Lew's Tournament MB 5.6:1) Shimano SLX 7'5" - H/F (13 Fishing Origin FB 8.1:1) Shimano SLX 7'2" - MH/XF (No Reel) Fenwick HMX 7'6" - H/F (No Reel) Lew's Hank Parker IM8 6'10" - M/F (Abu Garcia Pro Max 7.1:1) Ugly Stik Gx2 (4 of them) 6'0" - M/M (Abu Garcia Black Max 6.4:1) Eagle Claw (Old) 6'6" - M/M (Shimano IV 4000) Zebco Slingshot 5'6" - ML/M (Zebco 202 Spincast) H2o Angler 6'0" - M/F (No Reel) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everything is brand new from the last few months from the Fenwick HMX on up. Still waiting on the Kaden rod to get here, and the 704 Glass will be here Monday. I do plan on selling a few rods. The Champion 704sf, both SLX Rods, Fenwick HMX, and 2 of my Gx2's.

No, they didn't even take my email address, but the money was deducted from my account. I do wish they gave us a tracking # for them.

Can you ship in the same tube that TW sends you?

It depends on how much you're going to use the Black Max reel. If it's just on the weekends during the Spring and Summer, it's a fine reel. But, they do break down pretty easily with heavy use in my experience. It was my first baitcaster and I admit I did put it through the ringer taking it kayaking for a season and a half, a few things went wrong with it. The thumb bar came detached on one side, but I did superglue it back and hopefully it will hold, but the gears have also become really grindy, even after a cleaning. It could be from the extreme wear and tear I put on it being a noob while kayak fishing. Other than that I caught more fish with that reel than any other reel so far and I now own 10+, and I still plan on having a use for it. I guess if you take care of it, it would be a decent cheap option for cranking with the 6.4.1 gear ration and it cast pretty good. It hard to find a cheaper BC reel in a lower gear for cranking. I don't have any experience with the rod, I used a 6'0 Medium Ugly Stik Gx2 and threw the Whopper Plopper on it most of the time, but it does good with all moving baits being a composite rod. I caught hundreds of fish on that combo this past season and it also matches good too. I usually fish for pesky river smallies that fight, shake and jump pretty hard and it did a good job of keeping them pinned.

OMG! What beautiful fish! Them things could probably eat my PB Smallie.

I dunno, maybe a cold water thing, but I don't really know.

I don't think they will have those models, at least not right away. The series is supposed to be designed more for bottom contact fishing and the 735CB was thrown in there because a lot of people have been asking for a 735 graphite cb rod, since there is only a 735 Glass model right now. I think everyone loved the Sierra and Champion Series for reaction baits and Gary wanted to introduce a better blank for bottom baits in that price range, for those not wanting to spend the money on the Extreme or Xtasy.

This was posted on FB about 20 mins ago. I'm trying to get a pic of the thread wrapping though.