Dobins Champion 702C

[rmcguirk]

So, I'm looking for a new BC set up. I'm looking for something primarily for bottom contact. The most I'm looking to spend on the rod is about $185 (the cost of a St. Croix Avid 6'6" MF), but of course I'd like to spend less if I can get a good quality rod on sale (looking new). Also, it is just about the end of the year here (Western NY), so I'm really looking for something I can start out next year with rather than something I need today, so I'm flexible in waiting for sales, close outs, etc.

Currently, Cabela's has a Dobins Champion 702C for sale at $149.99. Sounds like a great deal. Anyone have the rod and can provide a review, particularly as to how it is for jigs (primarily 3/8 ounce), t-rigged plastics and carolina rigs? Does it have enough back bone? (Obviously, each manufacture has a different view of "medium". My 6'10 Fenwick Elitetech Smallmouth MF is not really; my BPS Extreme 6'6" MF has far more backbone; and St. Croix are reputed to be "heavier" than listed.)

Or should I wait? Will there be Black Friday (Cyber Monday) sales that will be better? I've got a BPS close enough. Should I wait for their Spring sale when I can trade in some used equipment for a deal on new?

I appreciate your input.

Rick

[Brian Needham]

702 would be light for jigs IMO.

step up to at least a 3 power , and you could do 4 power as well.

i pitch 1/4 oz jigs + rage tail a lot of times with a dx744, and could easy go to 1/2oz+plastic.

i have a 734 champion laying around that i could sell if you want. pm me if you are interested.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

The 2 power will be far too light of a rod for most bottom contact baits unless you're going to be using very light wire hooks and fishing in open water. You'll want a minimum of a 4 power from the Dobyns line for those techniques. The 2 powers feel more like a medium light rod from most other manufacturers. I think you'll be happier waiting a bit for another sale. TW will have a pretty good sale coming up in about a month where you'll be able to get what you want at a decent discount.

[Arv]

I just ordered one to pair with a curado 51e. I plan on using it for shakey heads, drop shots, light jigs, split shot rigs, etc. Like mentioned above, if you're looking for 3/8 oz range I would go 3 power at the lightest. I'm really not planning on going any heavier than 1/4 oz with this rod.

[new2BC4bass]

(Obviously, each manufacture has a different view of "medium". My 6'10 Fenwick Elitetech Smallmouth MF is not really; my BPS Extreme 6'6" MF has far more backbone; and St. Croix are reputed to be "heavier" than listed.)

Rick

I used the same Fenwick rod whenever I got out earlier this year. Why do you say it is not a Medium? It is rated for 1/8-5/8 oz. which is definitely 'medium' range. I don't remember the heaviest lure I threw with it....probably 1/2 oz., but don't recall feeling that the rod was being over powered by any lure I tried. My Medium Falcons are only rated to 1/2 oz. Admittedly I was normally throwing something in the 3/16-3/8 range.

[kickerfish1]

ARV... is spot on for the intended techniques of the 702, which I would also throw in flick shake rigs and 4 inch stickbaits as well. Dobyns typically list about 5 techniques that their rods were intended for as a "general rule", though not to be thought of as inclusive. I have a dobyns 742dx and I typically use mine for the above techniques although I would think rigs pushing 3/8 oz or better would be pushing the rod beyond its sweat spot a bit too far.

For jigs, t-rigs, and c-rigs I would look at a 4 or 5 powered rod. Get the legnth you want but I prefer rods over 7 feet for these applications. The extra legnth will give better hooksets and also allow for longer casts especially for your c-rigs. You can probably find the champion rod for about $190+/- during the holiday sales if you prefer the dobyns line!

[Gatorbassman]

The 702C is by far my favorite rod. It is a true Med Fast action rod. It is perfect for shakyheads up to 1/4oz. It's the best lipless crankbait rod, even up to 1/2oz. I love it for spooks and weightless flukes and trickworms and light spinnerbaits, and it can't be beat for light wire finesse jigs.

I've got one for sale in the flea market that I'll sell for 150 shipped. It still has the tags on it.

[Quillback]

I've got a couple of 702 DX's, great rod for finesse type applications. Extremely sensitive. I'm sure the 702 C's are great rods also. Sounds like you can get one at a great price here.

[rmcguirk]

Thanks for all the great responses. I really love the practical, hands on that this board provides. The 702C sounds like a great rod, but it is too close to my Fenwick. As I said, I'm looking for more of a dedicated jigging set up.

Staying with the bargain theme, St. Croix has a 6'6" MH Fast Legent Tournament Bass for sale at $120 (discounted from $240). Thoughts on that as a primary jigging stick?

I used the same Fenwick rod whenever I got out earlier this year. Why do you say it is not a Medium? It is rated for 1/8-5/8 oz. which is definitely 'medium' range. I don't remember the heaviest lure I threw with it....probably 1/2 oz., but don't recall feeling that the rod was being over powered by any lure I tried. My Medium Falcons are only rated to 1/2 oz. Admittedly I was normally throwing something in the 3/16-3/8 range.

New2BC: I wasn't bad mouthing the Fenwick. I love it. It's just that it seems to me a bit lighter in weight (power) than my other MF rod (a BPS "Extreme") and other rods that I've played with at BPS, DSG, etc. I thought it was a pretty non-controversial point that there is no "standardization" among rod manufacturers regarding power ratings.

[new2BC4bass]

Thanks for all the great responses. I really love the practical, hands on that this board provides. The 702C sounds like a great rod, but it is too close to my Fenwick. As I said, I'm looking for more of a dedicated jigging set up.

Staying with the bargain theme, St. Croix has a 6'6" MH Fast Legent Tournament Bass for sale at $120 (discounted from $240). Thoughts on that as a primary jigging stick?

New2BC: I wasn't bad mouthing the Fenwick. I love it. It's just that it seems to me a bit lighter in weight (power) than my other MF rod (a BPS "Extreme") and other rods that I've played with at BPS, DSG, etc. I thought it was a pretty non-controversial point that there is no "standardization" among rod manufacturers regarding power ratings.

You misunderstood me. I didn't take your post to mean that you were bad mouthing the Fenwick. I know one manufacturer's Medium will not necessarily be the same as another manufacturer's Medium. I guess I have to assume that the rod does not handle 5/8 oz. lures well? Or is it that the other mediums are stiffer? Thanks.

[rmcguirk]

Personally, I don't think it handles heavier lures well. That's why I use it for ligher-weight presentations. How has it worked for you with 5/8 oz jigs? In my experience, heavier lures put quite a bend in the rod when working them, making it harder to detect the bite, And when the lures are in some weeds, which is pretty standard in the waters I fish, it as much trouble working them out as anything. And yes, in my experience, certain other MF rods have more backbone.

[Brian Needham]

I've got a couple of 702 DX's, great rod for finesse type applications. Extremely sensitive. I'm sure the 702 C's are great rods also. Sounds like you can get one at a great price here.

is your rod the DX 702finesse casting model?

I been thinkning about that rod for shakeyheads but the "finesse" label scares me, and wondering if I need to just get the 742 casting but the weight range scares me there because I throw mostly 3/16+worm.

what do you think?

[Silas]

is your rod the DX 702finesse casting model?

I been thinkning about that rod for shakeyheads but the "finesse" label scares me, and wondering if I need to just get the 742 casting but the weight range scares me there because I throw mostly 3/16+worm.

what do you think?

I have the 702 Extreme...finesse drop shop rod. One of my favorites. At present, have a Curado 50E on it. It is the PERFECT shaky head rod.....1/16-1/8-3/16 oz shakey heads with 4-5 inch shakey worm. Also, wacky worms, both weighted and unweighted, and small crankbaits in the order of a RC .05.

It is the best combo for that purpose that I have at present. A close second would be a Quantum Smoke 665 with a Pixy on it.

I think it has enough backbone to set the hook on plastics....I usually use light wire hooks, and small worms....4-6 inches.

[Quillback]

is your rod the DX 702finesse casting model?

I been thinkning about that rod for shakeyheads but the "finesse" label scares me, and wondering if I need to just get the 742 casting but the weight range scares me there because I throw mostly 3/16+worm.

what do you think?

I'm OK with my 702's up to 1/4 oz. I don't do much shakeyheading, but you should be good for 3/16 or less. I mainly use mine for light c-rigging and t-rigging, usually with a 1/4 oz weight. You're not going to horse big fish out of heavy cover with a 702, but if you've got room to play a fish you can get them in the boat.

[skeletor6]

I would think the 6'6" is too short to be used for a jigging stick. I prefer at least 7'. Although the bargain room does have it at a great price I would find a deal elsewhere...shoot me a PM mcguirk if u want some more specific advice for getting a deal on a jigging stick.