kayaking_kev

Sierra 734c

He should never backlash on setting 4 on a DC reel. I also heard the T-Wing system from the Daiwa reels are good for pitching and flipping also, but I have never used one of them.

I got the 7.5.1 about a month ago for $80 at DSG and thought it was a great deal and was impressed with the reel, so I picked up another one yesterday in the 5.6.1 gear ratio for cranking.

Those kind of beauties right there are why I think Smallmouth are better looking fish than Largemouth.

It's the sum of the parts. The blank material, the guides, the weight, the balance, the warranty, the company reputation, the reel seat, and handle type. It's definitely not just how light and stiff a rod is. I have a Dobyns Xtasy 755c that weighs 5.1 oz, made with top of the line everything that balances great. I have a Shimano SLX 7'5 Heavy that weighs less at 4.9 oz and is even stiffer, but the SLX is no where near as sensitive as the Xtasy. The same with my Dobyns Xtasy 723c that weighs 4.6 and Dobyns Fury 703c that weighs 4.5, both are MH and my Shimano SLX 7'2 MH which is 2 inches longer and stiffer than both weighs less at 4.4 oz. The most noticeable difference is the balance, the SLX has horrible balance compared to the Dobyns rods. And, even though the SLX are lighter, my shoulder will start to hurt after throwing them awhile and I never had that problem with a Dobyns. The SLX only comes with a 1 year warranty, while the Dobyns rods come with a lifetime warranty. The AA cork on the Fury will not last as long, feel or look as good as the AAAA cork on the Xtasy.

I catch several 18 and 19 inchers every year on a small river, some would call it a creek, but the biggest one has only weighed 3.1 lbs. It usually doesn't get more than 2 feet deep either.

Abu Garcia Black, Silver or Pro Max and I even think the Revo's. You can buy upgraded bearings and a 9 gram spool for BFS for about $30 on Alliexpress. REEL TEST on youtube has some videos of this.

Dick's let you take the 25% off of a St.Croix rod? I'm jealous, they never let me.

I think balance is just as important if not more important than weight. I have a Dobyns Xtasy 755c that weighs 5.1 oz. and a Shimano SLX 7'5 Heavy that weighs 4.9 oz., but holding them in your hand, the Xtasy feels way lighter because the balance is great, and the balance on the SLX is not good. Similarly, the Dobyns Fury 703c weighs 4.5 oz, compared to the 2" longer Shimano SLX 7'2 MH that weighs 4.4 oz., but the Fury feels a lot better because of the balance. And, for reel pairings, the Dobyns rods seem to balance with any reasonable reel,whether it's 8 oz. or 6 oz., but I can't find a heavy enough one to balance the SLX and I wouldn't want to go that heavy if I could find one. The only time I ever felt any arm soreness was when I started using the SLX. The pain wasn't in my casting arm, but in the arm and shoulder that I hold the rod with, which is my weak arm. If I had to use the SLX all the time, I would consider getting a LH reel, so I could hold the rod in my dominant hand, but I will most likely just sell the SLX's. I also find that similar to baseball players using weighted bats in the on deck circle, that if I make a few cast with my heaviest rod and then switch to a lighter rod, it makes it feel even lighter. I might have to start doing that to start off each session.

If you're interested in the Lew's LFS, you might want to keep a lookout for the Lew's Tournament MB. I picked one up at Dicks a couple weeks ago for $80. It was on sale for $100 and then they had a 20% off sale, which they have a lot. It's being replaced by the Tournament MP.

Tatula and Fuego if you want a reel with external brake control, but the SLX is a little better IMO. The SLX is smoother and weighs less. For a little bit more I would get the Shimano SLX XT, it has the same smoothness, but it has external and internal brakes. I would check out the Fury's though like someone mentioned. The Fury 703c is a very versatile rod, I pair mine with a Shimano SLX or a Lew's Tournament MB depending on how I'm feeling but both balance well with the Fury.

A Fury 735c is a Fast Action Rod and the Sierra 735c is Extra Fast. The Fury will be fine for frogging, but the Sierra will have more sensitivity for other stuff.

Rod #1 = Dobyns Xtasy 723C (7'2 Medium Heavy /Fast) Reel #1 = Shimano SLX DC Uses = Texas Rigs + Single Hook Baits 1/4 oz - 1/2 oz Rod #2 = Dobyns Xtasy 755c (7'5 Mag Heavy/Fast) Reel #2 = 13 Fishing Origin FB Uses = Jigs + Single Hook Baits 1/2 oz - 1 oz Rod #3 = Dobyns Champion Extreme HP 702c (7'0 Medium Light/Fast) Reel #3 = 13 Fishing Concept Z Uses = Ned Rig + Single Hook Baits 1/8 oz - 3/8 oz Rod #4 = Dobyns Champion XP Glass 705cb (7'0 Medium Heavy/Fast) Reel #4 = Shimano SLX XT Uses = Squarebill + Moving Baits 1/4 oz - 3/4 oz Rod #5 = Dobyns Fury 703c (7'0 Medium Heavy/Fast) Reel #5 = Lew's Tournament MB Speed Spool Uses = Jerkbait + Single Hook + Moving Baits 1/4 oz - 5/8 oz ------------------------------------------------------------------ Rod #6 = Dobyns Champion XP 704sf Spinning Rod (7'0 Medium Heavy/Fast) Reel #6 = Shimano Sienna 2500 Uses = Spinnerbait + Single Hook + Moving Baits 1/4 oz - 3/4 oz Rod #7 = Lew's TP-1 Speed Stick Spinning Rod (6'9 Medium Light/Fast) Reel #7 = Penn Pursuit III 2500 Uses = Dropshot + Finesse Applications 1/8 oz -3/8 oz Rod #8 = 13 Fishing Defy Black Crankbait Rod (7'3 Heavy/Fast) Reel #8 = Shimano SLX Uses = Chatterbait + Moving Baits 1/2 oz -1.25 oz Rod #9 = Shimano SLX (7'2 Medium Heavy/Extra Fast) Reel #9 = Daiwa Fuego CT Uses = Buzzbaits + Bladed Jigs 1/4 oz - 3/4 oz Rod #10 = St. Croix Panfish Spinning Rod (6'9 Ultra Light/Fast) Reel #10 = Daiwa Revros 2000 Uses = Panfish Baits Rod #11 = Lew's Hank Parker Speed Stick (6'10 Medium/Fast) Reel #11 = Abu Garcia Pro Max Uses = Neko Rig + Single Hook Baits 1/5 oz - 3/8 oz Rod #12 = Ugly Stik Gx2 (6'0 Medium/Moderate) Reel #12 = Abu Garcia Black Max Uses = Whopper Plopper Size 90 + Kayak Fishing Rod #13 = Shimano SLX (Heavy/Fast) Reel #13 = None Uses = Frogs + Heavy Applications 1/2 oz - 1.5 oz Rod #14 = Fenwick HMX (7'6 Heavy/Fast) Reel #14 = None Uses = Punching + Heavy Applications 1/2 oz - 1.5 oz

I saved $1220 total. I got the Xtasy's for $395 each, the Extreme for like $240, Champion Glass for $160, Champion Spinning rod for $150, Lew's TP-1 for $65, Fenwick HMX for $35, Lew's Tournament MB reel for $80, 13 Fishing Concept Z for $70, etc.. I got some great deals and this was my first fishing Black Friday. I used a 6'0 2 piece Ugly Stik Gx2 this past season and a Black Max reel. The year before that I started out with a Zebco 202 combo. Ned rig, Shakyhead, Wacky rig and sometimes dropshot. I'm thinking the Lew's TP-1 ML Spinning rod might be my dropshot rod, but won't know until I get some time on them. The Extreme seems like it will dropshot good, it has a nice tip, but just not as soft as the TP-1. I'll have to see if the Exterme's bite detection is going to be better for me or the softer tip of the TP-1 for dropshot. I did make some cast with the Extreme 702c with a Ned rig the other day in a small section of water that wasn't frozen yet, and it was super nice and the orange Concept Z looks crazy on it, but I'm sure some people won't like it. I have a feeling I will use that 702c almost as much as the Xtasy 723c.

Rods Dobyns Xtasy 723c Dobyns Xtasy 755c Dobyns Champion Extreme HP 702c Dobyns Champion XP Glass 705cb Dobyns Fury 703c Dobyns Champion XP 704sf St.Croix Panfish Series 6'9 UL/F Lew's TP-1 Speed Stick Spinning Rod 6'9 ML/F 13 Fishing Defy Black Crankbait Rod 7'3 H/M Fenwick HMX 7'6 H/F Shimano SLX 7'2 MH/XF Shimano SLX 7'5 H/F Reels Shimano SLX DC Shimano SLX XT Shimano SLX Lew's Tournament MB Speed Spool 13 Fishing Concept Z 13 Fishing Origin FB Daiwa Fuego CT Daiwa Revros 2500 Daiwa QR750 Line 50# Power Pro Braid 300 yds. 12# Trilene Sensation Pro Grade 330 yds. 8# Yozuri Hybrid 600 yds. Rod Sleeves and Reel Covers Casting Rod Sleeves = 7 Spinning Rod Sleeves = 2 Casting Reel Covers = 7 Spinning Reel Covers = 2 Baits and Lures Hard Strike King Pro Crank Firetiger Series Strike King KVD HC Crank Black Back/Chart 2.5 Strike King 5XD Strike King 6XD Rapala DT-4 Live Bluegill Rapala DT-6 Bluegill Rapala Shadow Rap Yellow Perch Lunkerhunt Impact Jerkbait Jumbo 3.5" Lunkerhunt Impact Jerkbait Golden 3.5" Yo-Zuri 3DR Jerkbait Real Perch Bomber Pro Long A Blue Flash JIGS Strike King Bitsy Bug Jig Pumpkin 1/4oz Strike King Pro Jig PB&J 3/8 Strike King Pro Jig Pumpkin Green Flk 1/2 Strike King Tour Grade Swim Jig Bluegill 3/8 Strike King Tour Grade Football Jig 3/8 GrnPump Strike King Tour Grade Football Jig 1/2 PB&J Strike King TG Finesse Football Jig Green Pump Craw 3/8 Terminator Pro Jig Blue Pumpkin 3/8 Terminator Pro Jig Pumpkin Brown Black 3/8 Bass Patrol Football Jig Brown Rubber 3/8 Bass Patrol Football Jig Brown Rubber 1/2 CHATTERBAITS Z-Man Chatterbait Green Pumpkin Purple 3/8 Z-Man Chatterbait Perch 1/2 Z-Man Chatterbait Perch 1/2 SPINNERBAITS Strike King Tour Spin Chart Sexy Shad DBL Willow Painted 1/2 Strike King KVD Spinnerbait 3/8 Blue Fox Flash Spinner Shad 3/16 Coolbaits Underspin Ol' Faith/Slv Blade 3/16oz 1/0 PLASTICS Big Bite Baits Craw Worm Carolina Pumpkin 4" Dry Creek 3.5" Double Dipped Tube Red Hot Craw Z-Man TRD Bugz Green Pumpkin Orange 2.75" Missile Drop Craw Dill Pickle SOFT SWIMBAITS Megabass Dark Sleeper Hanahaze 1/2oz 3" Keitech Swing Impact FAT Smallmouth Magic 3.3" FROGS Lunkerhunt Realistic Frog 1/2 oz Lunkerhunt Realistic Popping Frog 1/2 oz Lunkerhunt Realistic Pocket Frog 1/4 oz MISC Owner Sniper Finesse Neko Hook 2/0 7pk U-40 Cork Seal Yum Wacky Tool

You can get a Dobyns Champion for about $170 on the Dobyns website under refurbished rods, they are always like new and in excellent condition. The Dobyns Sierra is also within your price range and is a nice upgrade over a Fury. I would definitely think about an Avid or Avid X though, but they are more pricey and even better yet if you can swing it is an Expride. What power of a rod are you looking for? I have a Dobyns Champion 704sf that is about a month old and only has about 10 cast on it that I would sell for under $200.

I have the Fury 703c and the Champion Glass 705cb. I think the 703c might be a bit better at 1.5's, but both will do a good job. You can really feel the lure with the 703c and it's an excellent spinnerbait & jerkbait rod as well. I bought it for Senkos, but it seems to be better with the mentioned lures.

I just got my DC reel a few days ago so I haven't been able to use it yet, but I'm usually a fan of a good $100 reel and put them on my Dobyns Xtasy. I don't really get why people get expensive reels and put them on cheap rods, but that's another story. There are some really good deals to be had some really good non DC reels. I recently got a Daiwa Fuego for $50, 13 Orgin FB for $50, 13 Concept Z for $70, Lew's Tournament MB for $80, Shimano SLX for $65, Shimano SLX XT for $95. I paid $150 for the Shimano SLX DC and at that price, I should be happy with it when I eventually get to use it, but if it were the regular price, I would consider getting two maybe even 3 good non DC reels for cheaper. I've never used a $400-$500 reel and maybe it's a good thing because I'm happy with the cheaper reels. I would love to try a Metanium MGL though and if I get another DC reel, it will be the Scorpion DC. Tackle Warehouse does have a reel demo program. For $20 you can demo 4 reels for a week.

I agree with the 734c recommendation in the Champion or Sierra line. The 734c is the most versatile Dobyns rod period.

Fishband BFS GH100 for $50 Daiwa JDM Alphas Air Shimano Metanium MGL Shimano Scorpion DC Shimano Aldebaran MGL

You must of never got a rod shipped from Dicks Sporting Goods.

Anyone else have packages from FedEx that are scheduled for delivery on a Saturday, but the package never shows up until Monday. The last two times that I've had orders from them on Saturdays, I stayed home all day waiting for it and then come Saturday night after no package arrives, the delivery date changes to Monday. Both times the tracking said it left on the truck for delivery Saturday morning at 5:30 am. I just know the next time I have one scheduled on a Saturday and don't stay home, it will actually get delivered and a porch pirate will ****** it. And, another thing, they seemed to have stopped ringing the doorbell and just set my packages on the porch and leave. I live on the corner of a busy road, someone could easily ****** a package.

Does anyone else use Mt.Dew if the fish is bleeding? That's the first thing I do if I see blood, then I will remove the plastic and then use hemostats to turn the hook through the gills and pull the hook out backwards. I have done this once or twice in one of my youtube videos. I caught over 500 fish this season on video and gut hooked less than 10, and I fished a lot with a plastic worm. And, to top it off I used a 6'0 Ugly Stik Gx2, 2 piece for most of the year. I now have two Dobyns Xtasy's and a Champion Extreme for next season, so hopefully I will have even fewer gut hooks. I would really like to try crushing the barbs on my hooks next season and at least give it a try.

Dobyns Fury 734c can be had on Dobyns website under refurbished rods for under $100. Most are in excellent condition and have just been traded in. 703c or 704c if you want a shorter length. The 734c is the most versatile rod is just about every Dobyns Series from the Colt to the Champion XP. There are a few rods under $100 that are decent. The Lew's TP-1 has been on sale, I got one for $65 at Dicks recently. The 13 Fishing Defy Black for $59 is a good rod for the price. I got one for under $50 at Dicks about 2 weeks ago. I was pleasantly surprised at the lightness and balance of both of those rods. I've heard great things about the $59 Daiwa AirXd. I wouldn't get a SLX rod to pair with your SLX XT, the balance isn't good at all. I have a SLX reel paired with my Fury 703c and it balances perfect. I also have the SLX XT paired with a Dobyns Champion Glass and the blue on blue looks slick. I have two SLX rods and they both need heavier reels to balance out. I have the Daiwa Fuego on one and at 7.6 oz. it's still not a good balance. I'm not sure how the SLX rods are so poorly balanced, they are light rods, must be just tip heavy.

No Problem! Gary Dobyns told me almost two weeks ago that a new Dobyns series is about to be released in a few weeks, so it should be anytime now. I know it has 7ft Panfish rods in it, but I'm not sure if it's going to be all panfish models or not, he wouldn't really divulge anymore information on them. I don't think it will be a higher end series than the Xtasy though and may just be a Panfish Series. Besides great rods, you can't beat Dobyns Customer Service. Gary himself will talk to you and make you feel like a friend. And, you can't beat the Warranty, he said he asked to see a receipt only once ever on a return, and you can send your rod in and get a good deal on a upgrade or different model.