Choosing A New Rod - Help

[kschultz76]

I'll start out with laying out what's in my rod rack today:

 

Casting

St. Croix LTB 6'8" M/XF Topwater (used currently for topwater, lighter plastics)

St. Croix LTB 6'6" MH/F Jig n Worm (used currently for heavier trigs, crigs, jigs, spinnerbaits, topwater frogs, pitching)

St. Croix Legend Xtreme 7'2" MHM Crankbait rod (recoil guides)

 

Spinning

St. Croix LTB 6' 6" ML/F Splitshot (Currently my lightest finesse rod, dropshots)

St. Croix Legend Xtreme 6'8" M/XF (weightless Senko's, dropshots, shakeyheads, light trigs)

St. Croix Avid 6'6" M/F (multipurpose, lighter jerkbaits, lighter crankbaits, lighter topwater)

 

I'm looking to add another casting rod into the mix.  Hoping to find something that will kind of fill the gap between the LTB 6'8" M/XF and the LTB 6'6" MH/F.  I'm looking for something that if I was only taking 1 or 2 casting rods and 1 spinning rod due to space limitations on the boat could handle multiple presentations - heavier trigs, jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jerkbaits, topwater, and ptiching.  When not serving multipurpose duty I'd want something that would work for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jerkbaits, and some trigs that are too light for the LTB 6'6" MH/F, some pitching.  For anything ligth weight I'm a spinning gear kind of guy, so not looking to throw finesse on a casting rod.  In this scenario I'd be taking this new rod, my 7'2" Xtreme, and my 6'8" Xtreme spinning.

 

Obviously I love St. Croix, and am heavily considering an LTB or Legend Elite 7' M/F rod as it seems like an action that fits the bill.  However they're only rated up to 5/8, and was thinking I'd want something that would handle up to 3/4.  Anyone out there like Capt. Bob who can share experience with these sticks and if their weight limits can be pushed?  Or should I not worry about the lighter end and just go with the 7' MH/F?  My 6'6" is a stout stick, and not sure the tip would work well for multiple applications, and I fear its shorter length doesn't help here, but that's making me leary of the MH/F route.

 

I'm also considering a Dobyns Champion or Extreme.  Again on the fence if I would need a 3 or 4 power in Dobyns for what I want to do.  I'm consdiering in the Champion a 733 or 734, in the Extreme a 743 or 744. Everything I've heard about these rods is fantastic, just have never held one myself so not sure what to expect compared to my Croixs.  The 3 power seems to fit the bill handling 1/4-3/4.

 

I briefly considered a Megabass Orochi XX, but they all seem way to specialized to fill this role well.

 

Of course I'm trying to make this choice prior to the TW sale ending tomorrow.  I'd be thankful for any input/feedback folks have on these rods and weights I'm considering who have used them.  Should also note currenlty all my BC reels are BPS Pro Qualifers but I'm hoping to get a Tatula to try on this new rod at somepoint.  In the past I've fished more with my spinning gear, but really want to be come more proficient and versatile with casting gear.

 

Thanks!

[rockchalk06]

From my talk with Gary Dobyns last week, you'd be better off with a 4 power for those techniques. The 734 or the 744.

I was going for a 1/4oz rage rig, 1/4oz tube and fluke set up and he said the 733 for those. Anything heavier go to a 4 power.

[kschultz76]

Thanks for the feedback Rock, good to hear you got to talk to Gary Dobyns directly for input. That's one thing I like about the Dobyns 4 power specs, they are rated down to a 1/4 oz but the Croix's only down to 3/8 oz in a MH. A review of the 735 on Tackle Tour even indicated it handled lighter baits well.

[rockchalk06]

Thanks for the feedback Rock, good to hear you got to talk to Gary Dobyns directly for input. That's one thing I like about the Dobyns 4 power specs, they are rated down to a 1/4 oz but the Croix's only down to 3/8 oz in a MH. A review of the 735 on Tackle Tour even indicated it handled lighter baits well.

Ya I was surprised its was him. I picked his brain for 20 minutes. Here is what threw me for a loop. We both agreed on the DX 745 as my jig rod, but I was thinking of going with a DX 742 or DX 743 for my 1/4 oz stuff. He said neither will fit the bill like "He" would want. He said the 733 would be the better ticket. He said the 733 was one of the most popular rods for the rage rig.

I have 2 St. Criox's and love em to death, but there was such a major difference between the M and MH that neither felt like it was perfect. I wanted a full grip so the LTB was out.

[kickerfish1]

That's awesome you talked to Gary. It baffles me how many people want to take a guess or ask others what rod to get when they have the rod line picked out. I have called multiple times and the owners or rod designers are actually far more accessible than most think. Their suggestions have been spot on and never did I feel pressured. Usually at dobyns you get one of the family members. I am glad you had a positive experience and got a rod that should fish what you need it to!

[rockchalk06]

That's awesome you talked to Gary. It baffles me how many people want to take a guess or ask others what rod to get when they have the rod line picked out. I have called multiple times and the owners or rod designers are actually far more accessible than most think. Their suggestions have been spot on and never did I feel pressured. Usually at dobyns you get one of the family members. I am glad you had a positive experience and got a rod that should fish what you need it to!

Thanks. This will be the 2nd time I've purchased a rod sight unseen baised off of recommendations here and from a tech/designer of the rod. It goes against everything I do lol.

[kschultz76]

Kicker I've actually spoken to St Croix numerous times about my rod selection. I will be contacting Dobyns as well. The point of my post wasn't to negate talking to them directly. I like to find additional feedback from real world users, hopefully people who have experience the St Croix and Dobyns sticks I'm looking at. Rock was actually able to provide that, seems he had a hard time filling this gap in between a St Croix M and MH as well.

[kickerfish1]

Sorry, I wasn't attempting to single you or anyone else. Just more of a general statement or observation stemming from what Rockchalk had posted.

With many larger companies you have a full hierarchy of hoops to jump through before reaching those in the know about a said product. However with most rod manufacturers, there are fewer hoops if any and one can find out a great deal about the rods behaviors and components from the guys that helped build and construct them.

I have 5 rods in the dobyns lineup but I would not consider myself an expert especially to someone that fishes different waters and those with larger fish compared to what I see in the Midwest.

Best of luck with your decision and new rod! And if you do get Gary he will talk your ear off. A very nice and knowledgeable man to talk with.

[kschultz76]

Thanks Kicker, no offense taken. It was a good point, and honestly didn't occur to me to reach out to Dobyns directly until Rock and you brought it up. I had previously had great experience talking to people at St Croix so it should have occurred to me. I had a crazy day at work so couldn't call today during business hours. But I dropped them an email.

Love to hear about your experience with Dobyns rods and any recommendations. I live in NJ, fish a lot in PA and Nj waters. We don't have giant bass in my neck of the woods, largest fish I've ever pulled in was about 20 in maybe 2.5-3 lbs. Average fish for me is 14 inch I'd say. Some of the lakes I fish have some heavier weed beds and slop but not stuff you could walk on, and no heavy timber. Mostly fishing lighter and sparse cover. If you're fishing similar conditions your input might help.

[Dwight Hottle]

I have xc70mf and it will handle 3/4 oz baits with no problem. That sound like what you want for where you fish. The 7' mh takes you up to 3/4 oz rating but will handle 1 oz when you need it to.

[kickerfish1]

Message sent...

[bmlum415]

Try a dobyns champion extreme dx744. I think it will suit your needs well.

[sarcazmo]

ALX deputy.  Absolutely love mine.  Every bit the rod my dx744 is and cheaper to boot + us made.  Can do a search on the hydra NG blank to see what all the rod builders think of this blank.

 

 Another option would be KLX from kistler.

 

I love that Gary is available to talk to consumers about his products and his warranty is pretty exceptional.  Just wanted to mention I've also gotten the same treatment from Alex @ ALX rods.  Also talked to Trey Kistler directly about his rods.