Help Me Pick Out A New Rod

[Rudy1922]

 I'm looking for a bait casting rod for 3/8 oz. spinner baits & weighted swimming Senkos. All I have ever used are spinning reels but using them for baits I have to throw out and retrieve sort of quickly is becoming a pain. So I decided to move to Bait casting reels. I own 2 St Croix LTB Spinning rods and think they are great but I'm willing to try something else.

 

 I narrowed the choices to the St. Croix LTB TBC71MF (1/4 - 5/8 oz.) or the Dobyns Champion 733C S/H (1/4 - 3/4 oz.) Med/Hvy.  Or should I go heavier and go with the St. Croix LTB TBC71MHF (3/8 -1 oz) or Dobyns Champion 734C S/H (1/4 - 1 oz.) and maybe be able to use a Carolina Rig with it sometimes?

 

Thanks for the help and BTW I'm thinking about getting the Shimano Chronarch CH201E6.

[Cgrinder]

733C

[NorcalBassin]

I have a few LTB's and a couple Champions, and I have to say I really like both lines but would give a small edge to the LTB. The 71MF will be an incredibly versatile rod and fit your needs well. Regardless, you will not "lose" with any of those options.

[David P]

Dobyns 733C, but if you end up wanting to fish jigs, or 1/2oz spinnerbaits, or even buzzbaits, spooks, t-rig, carolina rig, etc.... The 734 might be a better choice.. Just depends how you like to fish,they're very similar rods, but I personally like a bit more power so the 734 works better as an all around rod for me.

[Rudy1922]

Thanks for the help. The 734 is starting to look like a better choice for me.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

I need to get a dobyns

[motodmast]

yes the 734 will be the rod you want, perfect for what you want to do.

[Craiger12]

As stated above, the Dobyns 733C or 734C is the rod you want. I love my 733C for 3/8oz and 1/2oz spinnerbaits. If around heavier cover you might go with the 734C. I believe the 733C is the ultimate 3/8oz spinnerbait rod.

[LMB ANGLER]

you can get a spinning reel with fast gear ratio.

[Rudy1922]

you can get a spinning reel with fast gear ratio.

I've been using my St. Croix TBS71MF and Shimano Stradic FJ 2500 with 10 lbs Spiderwire Stealth and 8 lbs leader. It's great for any bait that weighs a total of 1/2 oz. but when I hit the 5/8 oz. range my index finger starts to hurt after a couple hours.  

 

So my plan is to get 733C for 3/8 oz. Spinnerbaits and use mono. For Swimming Senkos with a 1/4 oz weight (total weight approx. 5/8 oz.) and 3/8 oz. Jigs with a trailer (total weight approx. 5/8 oz.) I will use the 734C with some braid and a leader. What do you guys think?

 

or I might just stick with St. Croix 

[bigfishbk86]

Go with the 734, plenty of tip for throwing 3/8oz spinnerbaits, but will handle larger baits as well.

[bmlum415]

734 c

[rockchalk06]

That 733 is perfect for 3/8oz. For 1/4oz weighted tubes, 3/8oz spinnerbaits and jigs, it feels perfect.

[skeletor6]

Do you want to be a legend, or a champion? 

 

I would seriously consider mixing it up and getting the Dobyns. I did not enjoy my LTB casting rod, found it unbalanced and very strict on what weight it would load well. This was an XF model, so this would be less of an issue with a Fast action LTB. Dobyns are known for how well they balance and are more JDM style in their actions and appearance. I enjoy fishing different makes and models of rods. Half the fun is the experience.

 

I have to agree, get the 734. Posted a while back, spinnerbait weights are typically heavier than what is stated. A 3/8oz spinnerbait might be closer to a half ounce or so. Add a trailer to it and you are really pressing that upper weight range. I can say a 1/2oz spinnerbait with a 4''' lake fork hyperworm trailer requires me to use a Heavy powered Fast action rod (844 IMX)

[Rudy1922]

I'm going with the 734c or I might go crazy and get the DX744. One last question. Any issues with line to line knots with the Champion or Extreme? I plan on using 30 lbs braid tied to a 10 lbs leader for jigs (o to very light cover) and weighted swimming senkos. If I like the 734c I'll get the 733c for 3/8 oz spinning baits. Thanks for all your help.

[LMB ANGLER]

st croix has lifetime warranty, im not sure if dobyns rods has...