Californiafisherman Posted February 17, 2013 Posted February 17, 2013 I'm looking for the Most sensitive rod in $170-$240 range. The two rods I'm currently looking at is the Dobyns Champion 703c and the Phenix recon 714. If you have used both of these which do you feel is more sensitive? I will be pairing the rod with a Lews tournament Pro btw. Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted February 17, 2013 Super User Posted February 17, 2013 For what it's worth BTD is having a 20% off sale for the majority of their store that includes the Dobyns Champion Extreme. That would be a tad over your price cap(around 260) but the DX744 is a thing of beauty for jigs and trigs. If you want to stay in the lesser part of that price range, I believe a few members on here have nothing but good things to say about the recon715 for jigs/tigs and it apparently fishes well above it's price point. Quote
Californiafisherman Posted February 17, 2013 Author Posted February 17, 2013 Lol my original price range was lower, but the 20% allowed me to consider the dobyns and I heard great things about how balanced and wonderful the champion series rods. I'm sure the extremes are nice but I don't think I can spend $260 on a rod. I've never held either of these rods so I'm going by from what I've read and heard about these rods. I know the recon is under 4oz how about the champion? Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 17, 2013 Super User Posted February 17, 2013 The top of the line in light weight wormed jigs rods is still Loomis NRX, not within your price range. Look into ALX and ask Alex about the rods he made for Oldscholl, NRX performance within your price range. Tom PS; Dobyn's rods are high quality, great customer service. Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted February 17, 2013 Super User Posted February 17, 2013 I believe the Champion (not the Extreme) 734 weights around 4.9oz. I don't know how well personally the recon balances but I read on a few TT threads that it is decent. The Dobyns rods balance incredibly well even at lengths exceeding 7'. Both companies seem to have a strong following. The recon is a rod that has always caught my attention though. Quote
Super User kickerfish1 Posted February 17, 2013 Super User Posted February 17, 2013 The recon utilizes a 36 ton blank. It is between a veritas (30 ton) and a Megabass x4 (40-45 ton). I have the 714 as a utility stick. It fishes a half power under ...more like 713.5 if that makes sense. It has a softer tip and solid and powerful butt section that kicks in the lower 2/3 of the blank. It is plenty sensitive for bottom and slack line presentations. I have mine paired with the 5.9 oz Johnny Morris carbonlite and the outfit is under 10 ounces. If phenix would have added a bit more weight ... say a 1/2 oz to the butt section it would balance better with lighter reels. I don't have the champion you are looking at but dobyns as a whole makes some of the best balanced rods out there. While the weight is a bit more they really float in your hand and you can't even tell. I would second the extremes but the champion series is more like the recon on sensitivity alone. The extremes are just magical and stunning rods. Sensitivity is better than the recon and champion but the price is slightly out of your budget but would be worth treating yourself to! You can't go wrong with either. If you want call Gary directly at dobyns and Vince at Phenix. They are very resourceful and can answer any question you would have. I am glad I did. 3 Quote
MrSwimJig Posted February 17, 2013 Posted February 17, 2013 I would also consider the Shimano Cumara rods. Quote
Crappiebasser Posted February 17, 2013 Posted February 17, 2013 I would also consider the Shimano Cumara rods. X2 I have always been a die hard St Croix fan but I have have 4 new Cumaras and will not buy another LTB. Quote
Super User aavery2 Posted February 17, 2013 Super User Posted February 17, 2013 I'm looking for the Most sensitiv rod in $170-$240 range. The two rods I'm currently lookin at is the Dobyns Champion 703c and the Phenix recon 714. If you have used both of these which do you feel is more sensitive? I will be pairing the rod with a Lews tournament Pro btw.I own the 703C it is a very nice rod, but in my opinion a little under powered for jigs 3/8 oz and over when you add the trailer. I would recommend stepping up to either the 734C or 735C. The 703C makes agreat spinnerbait and swimjig rod.The Dobyns rods are comparable in sensitivity and better in balance than many rods in this price range. Another rod you might take a look at is the Falcon Cara series, I own several and enjoy fishing with them. Quote
Arv Posted February 17, 2013 Posted February 17, 2013 I have a Dobyns Champ and a Phenix M1. I would say the Champ is more sensitive but the M1 is pretty close behind. I know that doesn't necessarily tell you specifically about the Recon, but from my experience and everything that I've read Phenix makes the best bang for your buck in the 180 dollar price range, IMO. Quote
Californiafisherman Posted February 17, 2013 Author Posted February 17, 2013 The new shimano cumaras look nice but I don't like how they made the grips so short. Is anybody having problems with that? Quote
BradGuenette Posted February 17, 2013 Posted February 17, 2013 Not happy with the new cumara grip, I returned the casting ones I bought and switched them over to the spinning rods, I hold my rod more in front of the reel so I found the grip or lack there of didn't bother me as much. Quote
dave Posted February 18, 2013 Posted February 18, 2013 You can have a custom rod made with spiral wrapped micro guides for that price range. Quote
jignfule Posted February 18, 2013 Posted February 18, 2013 In that price range G. Loomis MBR 844 IMX 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.