Dobyns Savvy 7'6" Flippin' Stick

[ipeeinmywetsuit]

Anyone have this rod? I am wondering what reel you have it paired up with and if it balances nicely or not.

[*Hootie]

I don't have the flippin' stick, but I do have 4 savvy rods. They balance very nicely with my Lews Tournament Speed Spool reels.

Hootie

[ipeeinmywetsuit]

Which Savvy's do you own? I am thinking the 766Flip is best for a punching/flipping/small wake bait rod. I might go with the 735C and just not be able to punch. I want to know if they will pair up with something like a chronarch or a revo s 3rd gen. 

[Hoppysjignpig]

I am also looking at this rod! How does it compare

To other flippin rods?

[kickerfish1]

Dobyns rods are known for their balance. I have 5 and love em. Depending upon the rod a certain weight reel will balance better. I would say a 7.5-8 oz reel will balance better on the 766. While I don't have that particular rod I have a 734 with an 8oz reel and it balances nicely while I have 6.9oz reel on the 703 and it balances well. Without testing a reel on this rod in store it may be a tough call. Personally I would NOT opt for a super light reel for this particular legnth and power of rod.

[ipeeinmywetsuit]

Yeah I have yet to try a shimano chronarch but I am worried it doesn't have enough drag for the punching matted grass etc. It is on the heavier side though. I think the revo-s is a bit lighter with the 22lbs of drag. Theres not many more options in 200 sized reels and I don't want to go up to a 300 size.

[Hoppysjignpig]

definitely don't get a 300 size reel...but go with your gut feeling on what reel/brand. a lot of guys that spend a tremendous amount of time punchin do use revo's since they are well known workhorses that way. I spend a very high % of my time on the water these days punchin...and have had my drag slip on a couple occasions using an e7...but this coming season i'll try the e7 with carbontex washers & run them dry and see...if i get slippage again then its a revo stx for me...the lews super duty is another option also with 14# of drag and a 95mm handle stock which will give you more leverage pullin them out of garbage.

[Hoppysjignpig]

Is this rod really worth the money difference

from the Abu veritas rod? Thanks

[Hoppysjignpig]

Is the champion that much better than the savy?

[BradGuenette]

Make the step up to a DX it will be the best rod you've ever owned. I could never part with mine. To me the savy series felt dead

[kickerfish1]

I have a a few savy series rods, one champion, and 2 extremes. The differences in price and performance and is very noticeable to me. Also it may be worth noting that for example a 703 savy does not fish the same as the champion and champion extrme counterparts while the rods are rated the same and for the same techniques. The champion and extreme line have faster and more crisp actions. They can really launch baits further. I did a side by side comparison of a savy 703 with a curado 50e with 12# invisix and a 703 extreme with the same exact reel and line. The extreme was casting further and the sensitivity was quite noticeable and the balance felt a touch better.

To sum it up you get what you pay for in the dobyns series. Personally the savy series is solid but not stunning. I like the savy rods for frogs, swimbaits, topwaters, and spinnerbaits. The champion and extreme are the way to go for bottom contact baits and weightless baits where detecting a light bite may be needed.

One last thought... THUT is having a dobyns trade in offer going on right now. If you have a Powell, Loomis, St. Croix, etc that you aren't using you can use the rod as a trade in to apply towards a champion or extreme rod. Visit their website for full details.

[BrettD]

I have the champion 766 paired with a lews tourney pro and its probably the best balanced flippin set up I have ever had. I was really suprised how well balanced it is for a flipping stick