Rod Options And Opinions Again Folks

[rockchalk06]

I've done this twice now and have been more than blown away. Now I'm looking for another rod for a few specific techniques.

Here are my criteria for the rod:

Full cork grip

Super warranty

Min of 7' Max of 7'4

Great sensitivity

250 ish and below range

Here is what I am looking at so far:

Dobyns Champion 733 FH.

St. Croix Avid 7' MF

St. Croix Avid 7' MHXF

Loomis Mossyback BCR852

Loomis Mossyback BCR853

This rods gonna be used for Tubes w/ 1/4 oz weights, Rage Rig 1/4oz and the occasional 1/4oz pitching of plastics. I'll be using either 12# Tatsu or 40# Braid. More than likely will be running a Chronarch 50E or 200E7, but leaning on the 50

Thanks in advance and please if I've missed a quality rod that meets the above, by all means let me know!

[roadwarrior]

If you can find this "gently used" it might be around your pricing point.

Although it's an inch longer than you specified, the PERFECT rod for

you is the BCR893. I have mine saddled with a Curado 50E, spooled

with Tatsu #12.

 

p.s. I have the GLX MBR852C matched up with a Core 50MG which

might be my favorite rig. This is my dedicated swim jig gear, but it is

way too soft for soft plastics. I'm not sure that compares well with the

BCR version, but it might.

[kschultz76]

For 1/4 oz weights I think the MH Avid would be too heavy, it's min weight rating is 5/16 oz. now you might consider the 6'8" M/XF Avid, min lure weight of 1/4, and well suited to tubes and lighter Texas rugs. I have that taper in the LTB and love it for top water and lighter weight plastics like you're describing.

In your price range I'd really recommend the LTB series over the Avid, but I know you want full cork. Unfortunately a Legend Elite would put you well over $320 but would be fantastic.

I'd wonder if DVT or another builder could use the Croix SCIV blank of the LTB and make you a custom with full cork. That's one great thing about Croix is you can buy their naked blanks.

Good luck!

[Arv]

I don't have any experience with the Loomis line of rods, but I can give you my opinion on the Avid vs the Champion. The Avid is a nice rod. Its very sensitive I really like the action on the M/F. The humped handle near the reel seat did not bother me. However, I would choose a Dobyns Champion any day over the Avid. The Champion is super light and balances amazingly where as I felt the Avid was tip heavy compared to the Champion. Sensitivity is outstanding and it has a very crisp action. I had a 702c with a cu51e and it was by far the lightest/most balanced combo I had. Balance is huge for me with rods and of all the brands I've had, Dobyns has been the best in that category. I'm sure the 733 will suit you well for the applications you intend to use it for, but really any of those rods should serve you well.

[aavery2]

I own a few models very similar to the ones you listed.   I think you have been given some very good advice, from Arv and KShultz.    I own an Avid MH/F and find it tip heavy and too stiff to comfortably throw 1/4 oz baits.  I also own a Dobyns 703C and a 734C.  The Dobyns rods are among the best balanced rods in the business, sensitivity is as good as any other rod in this price range, their customer service and warranty are excellent, or so I have been told.     I use the 703C for throwing T-rigged plastics most often with a 3/16 oz pegged tungsten weight on 12lb Tatsu.  I switch between a Shimano Core 100 and an Abu Premier Gen 2 on this rod, both work equally well.

 

I have no experience with the Mossyback rods.

 

I believe a 3 or 4 power Dobyns Champion would be an excellent choice, and if you could find a gently used DX in your price range even better.

 

I also own several Falcon Cara's, they would meet all your requirements and are worthy of a look.

[rockchalk06]

If you can find this "gently used" it might be around your pricing point.

Although it's an inch longer than you specified, the PERFECT rod for

you is the BCR893. I have mine saddled with a Curado 50E, spooled

with Tatsu #12.

 

p.s. I have the GLX MBR852C matched up with a Core 50MG which

might be my favorite rig. This is my dedicated swim jig gear, but it is

way too soft for soft plastics. I'm not sure that compares well with the

BCR version, but it might.

That rod looks great, but not sure about that handle. It's 17" long

[kschultz76]

All the good things I'm hearing about the Dobyns rods really have me thinking hard about trying one even though I love my Croix's. I'm getting curious to give some other options a try. Dobyns are at the top of that list along with Megabass.

[rockchalk06]

I don't have any experience with the Loomis line of rods, but I can give you my opinion on the Avid vs the Champion. The Avid is a nice rod. Its very sensitive I really like the action on the M/F. The humped handle near the reel seat did not bother me. However, I would choose a Dobyns Champion any day over the Avid. The Champion is super light and balances amazingly where as I felt the Avid was tip heavy compared to the Champion. Sensitivity is outstanding and it has a very crisp action. I had a 702c with a cu51e and it was by far the lightest/most balanced combo I had. Balance is huge for me with rods and of all the brands I've had, Dobyns has been the best in that category. I'm sure the 733 will suit you well for the applications you intend to use it for, but really any of those rods should serve you well.

Thanks man. This is what I was looking for.

[kschultz76]

I would assume based on price the Dobyns champions would perform a notch above the Avids. It's about an $80 difference in price. But I know you can't always judge these things on price. However I'd think the LTB series of Croix's would be more comparable to the Champions.

[rockchalk06]

I would assume based on price the Dobyns champions would perform a notch above the Avids. It's about an $80 difference in price. But I know you can't always judge these things on price. However I'd think the LTB series of Croix's would be more comparable to the Champions.

I've heard the same. I can't get over the blue rod though. I know it's a superficial thing, but it's gotta look good to me.

[Arv]

I've heard the same. I can't get over the blue rod though. I know it's a superficial thing, but it's gotta look good to me.

And Dobyns rods look pretty awesome if you ask me

[kschultz76]

You mean the blue blanks on the LTBs? Huh I guess we all have different cosmetic tastes, I find the LTBs to be really sharp looking. It's not a bright obnoxious blue. But in the photos I've seen the Dobyns look sweet. I'm really interested in a 735c for a pitching, frogging, jig rod to be used with braid.

[rockchalk06]

And Dobyns rods look pretty awesome if you ask me

Yep! Like the DX better but I just bought one last week and would like to not go over 300 again lol

[rockchalk06]

You mean the blue blanks on the LTBs? Huh I guess we all have different cosmetic tastes, I find the LTBs to be really sharp looking. It's not a bright obnoxious blue. But in the photos I've seen the Dobyns look sweet. I'm really interested in a 735c for a pitching, frogging, jig rod to be used with braid.

Yes. I'm probably too picky, but the blue kinda turns me off

[lmbfisherman]

I only have experience with the Avids.  I sold all my MH Avids, because they were too stiff for my liking.  The best St. Croix's imo are the Medium/F rods.  I use a 6'6 M/F, very diverse rod and so the 7' M/F should be able to handle what you are looking to do with it.  I use mine mostly for topwater and jerkbaits, but I also use to use it for jigs and worms, never tubes..but I'm sure it would be perform to your task.  The medium to me rates between M - MH. 

 

The only experience I have with the Champion rods is holding them in store, I'm opposite of you..I don't like full cork.  Probably why it turned me off, but I compared with it at the time a 1st gen cumara.  It just didn't give me the comfort that I'm looking for, but it did have nice power/action that I liked.  Definitely don't go below, as the Savvy line really wasn't in the same "league".  I'm sure you will be fine with either. 

[tomustang]

MH avid is a bit much, for our rigs my wife used a 7'MF avid/50e while I used a 7'MF elite, my wife in third to started favoring her Pearl 6'8MXF and barely uses her 7'