Max, Savvy, Magic

[Arv]

I'm looking at upgrading some of my gear and want to get a rod that I will primarily throw 3/8 - 1/2oz jigs (maybe some 3/4 if I'm feeling crazy), t rigs, c rigs and maybe some heavier spinners (3/8 - 1/2oz ish). I don't fish any super heavy slop or anything like that but do cast into some submerged grass/weeds so I'm thinking something 7'ish MH/F. Like the title says, I'm debating between a Powell Max, Dobyns Savvy, and Duckett Magic (probably the macro, I plan on using braid and want to be able to tie a leader). Please let me know what you would choose and why, if you don't mind. Also if you have any other choices, throw them out there. Thanks very much in advance.

[shimmy]

What you are describing reminds me of the Dobyns 704 Savvy. Love the thing. The regular savvy has pretty small guides and struggle if the leader has to go inside the guides, but can still launch it with the right reel. This is a strong rod. Been using it for quarter ounce lures and it is a hair heavy for this but still can get them out there. The 704 is listed to handle 1/4 ounce but it enjoys more of the 3/8 ounce better. Great rod. I'm sure the other ones are great. What i like the most though is that the reel feels balanced on this rod, not as top heavy. Ten cents.

[Bass_Fanatic]

Powell Endurance 714C...I have a Savvy 734C and three Powells. The Powells are better rods IMO. I throw all the things you mentioned on the Powell 714C. Its gotta be one of the best all around rods made. Super versitale.

[skeletor6]

Powell Endurance 714C...I have a Savvy 734C and three Powells. The Powells are better rods IMO. I throw all the things you mentioned on the Powell 714C. Its gotta be one of the best all around rods made. Super versitale.

For what the OP mentioned, Versatility should definitely be considered in this decision. I am with you fanatic, I would also go with a 4 powered Powell. Nothing against the Dobyn's Savvy, but I think Powell has the Savvy beat on this one. The Dobyn's Champion is where I would start in the Dobyns lineup, I feel Powell does a fantastic Job in this price range.

I would also advise you to not overlook some of your other options. The Phenix Recon 715 is an amazing rod for the purposes you mentioned. I've spoke with users who fish Dobyns Extremes, GLX's and other high end equipment who don't mind fishing with the Phenix Recon at all. It is a super light and sensitive rod.

[Bass_Fanatic]

For what the OP mentioned, Versatility should definitely be considered in this decision. I am with you fanatic, I would also go with a 4 powered Powell. Nothing against the Dobyn's Savvy, but I think Powell has the Savvy beat on this one. The Dobyn's Champion is where I would start in the Dobyns lineup, I feel Powell does a fantastic Job in this price range.

I would also advise you to not overlook some of your other options. The Phenix Recon 715 is an amazing rod for the purposes you mentioned. I've spoke with users who fish Dobyns Extremes, GLX's and other high end equipment who don't mind fishing with the Phenix Recon at all. It is a super light and sensitive rod.

I also own a Recon 764. Its a great rod, but I feel the Powell is a little more versital than the Recon. The Recon has more of a mod-fast action, which I like for close quarters pitchin, but The Powells ex-fast action seems to be better for more purposes IMO. I wouldnt tell you to shy away from either though, they are both great rods.

[skeletor6]

I also own a Recon 764. Its a great rod, but I feel the Powell is a little more versital than the Recon. The Recon has more of a mod-fast action, which I like for close quarters pitchin, but The Powells ex-fast action seems to be better for more purposes IMO. I wouldnt tell you to shy away from either though, they are both great rods.

I think we are talking about different rods here. The Recon 764 is a nice rod, but also is not the 715 that I was mentioning. The Recon 715 would have a more versatile length of 7'1'' and plays a little more closer to like a 4.5 powered rod than a true 5 power rod. Which I feel works good in this situation. You are correct about the actions of the recons being more mod-fast. Since you are fishing braid, I do not see this as being a problem at all because of what the recon has to offer. Furthermore, I should have been more specific and that is I was talking about the gen2 recons that are going to be released here soon.

They fixed the hook keeper location, made the actions truer to their rating and fixed. Note that the recons are extremely light and sensitive rods. That is why I told the OP to consider them. I've spoken with many experienced and competent individuals who say the sensitivity of this rod falls somewhere between a Loomis IMX and GLX (Sensitivity Wise). Talking sensitivity alone this rod performs well above its price range and you will have a very hard time beating this rod in sensitivity at its price point. I've also had the chance to talk to the owner Vince Borges and with the techniques that the OP mentioned I feel the Recon 715 would be a great fit and would handle all those range of baits including the 3/4 ounce ones well. If you get the time, give Vince a call, call up Phenix Rods and ask for him he may not be available right away, but he'll call you back and will give you an honest comparison about what his rod has to offer.

Some cons to consider about the Phenix Recon series though are the hook keeper location, the logo wearing off, and it is a little tip heavy, but is so light it is hard to feel it is getting in the way of sensitivity or is very bothersome lilke I have experienced with other rods. Furthermore, the Recon has Foam grips, some people do not like Foam grip so just know that. I will say though that the gen 2 recons are supposed to have addressed all of these issues. They moved the location of the hook keeper, speed up the action and fixed the logo issue. It is yet to be determined how well Phenix corrected these issues since the rods have not been released yet, but if they are better than the gen1 recons then yuo should certainly consider them at this price point.

On the flip side, it is hard to argue against the Powell Endurance. Their tapers are also a little slower than stated so the Ex-Fast action of the 714 endurance will be closer to fast action. It certainly is not Loomis or definitely not St. Croix fast, but this is a good thing. You will find more versatility in a fast action rod since you are looking to do so many different techniques ent weights you willl want that type of action. Also, the endurance has a great warranty as does the Phenix. The attention to detail and craftsmanship of the Endurance is fantastic. Also, if you are looking to build a whole arsenal of rods around one brand, the powell has more sticks out there right now. The powell endurance also is a light rod, not as light as the Phenix, but very light in its own respect.

You really cannot go wrong with either rod in my opinion. Both rods have a lot to offer and are different in appearance and how they fish. I advise you to read some reviews on each rod to get a better grasp of the pros and cons of each. Either way, you are going to end up with a nice rod that will certainly satisfy you. Also, while you are looking check out the Phenix M1 series,.

Good luck!

[kickerfish1]

Outstanding post Mr. Skeletor!

[Arv]

I think we are talking about different rods here. The Recon 764 is a nice rod, but also is not the 715 that I was mentioning. The Recon 715 would have a more versatile length of 7'1'' and plays a little more closer to like a 4.5 powered rod than a true 5 power rod. Which I feel works good in this situation. You are correct about the actions of the recons being more mod-fast. Since you are fishing braid, I do not see this as being a problem at all because of what the recon has to offer. Furthermore, I should have been more specific and that is I was talking about the gen2 recons that are going to be released here soon.

They fixed the hook keeper location, made the actions truer to their rating and fixed. Note that the recons are extremely light and sensitive rods. That is why I told the OP to consider them. I've spoken with many experienced and competent individuals who say the sensitivity of this rod falls somewhere between a Loomis IMX and GLX (Sensitivity Wise). Talking sensitivity alone this rod performs well above its price range and you will have a very hard time beating this rod in sensitivity at its price point. I've also had the chance to talk to the owner Vince Borges and with the techniques that the OP mentioned I feel the Recon 715 would be a great fit and would handle all those range of baits including the 3/4 ounce ones well. If you get the time, give Vince a call, call up Phenix Rods and ask for him he may not be available right away, but he'll call you back and will give you an honest comparison about what his rod has to offer.

Some cons to consider about the Phenix Recon series though are the hook keeper location, the logo wearing off, and it is a little tip heavy, but is so light it is hard to feel it is getting in the way of sensitivity or is very bothersome lilke I have experienced with other rods. Furthermore, the Recon has Foam grips, some people do not like Foam grip so just know that. I will say though that the gen 2 recons are supposed to have addressed all of these issues. They moved the location of the hook keeper, speed up the action and fixed the logo issue. It is yet to be determined how well Phenix corrected these issues since the rods have not been released yet, but if they are better than the gen1 recons then yuo should certainly consider them at this price point.

On the flip side, it is hard to argue against the Powell Endurance. Their tapers are also a little slower than stated so the Ex-Fast action of the 714 endurance will be closer to fast action. It certainly is not Loomis or definitely not St. Croix fast, but this is a good thing. You will find more versatility in a fast action rod since you are looking to do so many different techniques ent weights you willl want that type of action. Also, the endurance has a great warranty as does the Phenix. The attention to detail and craftsmanship of the Endurance is fantastic. Also, if you are looking to build a whole arsenal of rods around one brand, the powell has more sticks out there right now. The powell endurance also is a light rod, not as light as the Phenix, but very light in its own respect.

You really cannot go wrong with either rod in my opinion. Both rods have a lot to offer and are different in appearance and how they fish. I advise you to read some reviews on each rod to get a better grasp of the pros and cons of each. Either way, you are going to end up with a nice rod that will certainly satisfy you. Also, while you are looking check out the Phenix M1 series,.

Good luck!

Skeletor! Thank you very much for all the information and insight! I already have a Powell Endurance crankbait casting rod and I have to agree with everything that has been said about it. It will be hard not to get another one especially with all the good things I've read on top of my own experience. However, it sounds like the Recon is exactly what I want out of this rod. I prefer cork, but foam does not bother me by any means. I fish a Mojo Bass for spinnerbaits which I find to be pretty tip heavy and it has not bothered this far. If the Recon is only a little tip heavy, I think it will be fine. The hook keeper is a bit odd... but fortunately I won't be fishing treble hooks on this rod so I think it will also be fine if I wind up getting the gen1. I'm looking to get one on black friday. Thanks again to everyone for their input. It seems that I've narrowed it down to two and it doesn't sound like I can go wrong with either which is never a bad situation.