New Plastics/jig Rod

[Mike2841]

I'm In the market for a new rod for plastics and light jigs. I'm looking for rods around 200-250.

Right now I'm looking at:

Phenix M1

Phenix bass recon 2

Dobyns champion

13 ***

St croix ltb

Does anyone have any input on these rods, pros/cons.

[motodmast]

i have 13 *** 7'3 MH, excellent for what you want. its a better rod than the dobyns champion, more comparable to the champion extreme

[iabass8]

During black friday sales, the dobyns chamption extreme dx744 will be right at the 250 mark in your price range. fantastic plastics rod.

[Mike2841]

How much of a difference is there between the champion and extreme

[iabass8]

The champion is no slouch. It is often overlooked because it has such a strong following for their crankbait rods within the champion series. the sensitivity is there but not on the same level as the extreme. the extreme also has a faster tip than the champion when comparing similar rods i.e champ 734 vs dx 744. The difference isn't as drastic going from the champion to the chamption extreme as it is when jumping from the savvy to the champion.  If you're looking to save money and having a hard time justifying the higher price tag, you won't be disappointed in the champion 734

[Arv]

I don't think you could go wrong with any of those. I would lean towards the Champion, but, IMO, the M1 is not too far behind for a bit less money. I haven't used the *** or the Recon but I hear awesome things. I do like St. Croix rods, but they are tip heavy from my experience so I don't like them as much as some of the others. Like iabass said, if you can wait till black friday sales, you can get those rods for considerably less.

[ww2farmer]

I have only had and fished one of the rods you ask about, the St Croix LTB. I see you want a rod for plastics/light jigs, if you end up going with a LTB, get the M power/fast action, or M/XF action. I have had both the 7' M/F, and 7' MH/F, and the MH is very stout, and fishes better on the UPPER end of it's rating (3/8-1oz) than it does the lower end. The M/F is a very versatile rod, and except for punching/flipping thick cover, it does a lot of things well, and will fish 1/4-3/8 oz. jigs better than the MH IMHO.

[rockchalk06]

How much of a difference is there between the champion and extreme

The Champion is top notch all the way. Sensitivity wise, it's very very close to the Extreme. The Extreme some nicer hardware and a tad more sensitivity.

[rockchalk06]

The Champion is also Dobyns #1 seller. I bought my 733 at TW last sell they had and it was 214 shipped.

[alexandboi]

Can't say much about the others since I've never really fished them, but I own a recon2 715 and its a great rod. Incredibly light and pretty sensitive too. Although it does have a softer tip so I do not use it for jigs often, however it does great with plastics. It also makes a great all purpose rod, not to mention the rod looks amazing too. When I can only take one rod with me that's the rod I choose.

[JeziHogg]

If your thinking about getting the Extreme, I'd recommend the St Croix Legend Xtreme.

[WRB]

Not on your list; take a ALX rods, Zola-B off the self OBC-4-85F @ $185. 7'1" jig/worm rod.

Tom

[Khong]

If you want quality, I'd go with St.Croix LTB or Extreme just because of the guide that they are putting on there are better than any other rods out there today.  If you want sensitivity, I would recommend a Duckett rod.  Man, those rod are super sensitive.  Duckett rod are only $150 too.   

[Cgrinder]

You should consider the Cumara A. 7'2" MXF would do you nicely.

[Mike2841]

Thanks for all of the input everybody, i think I'm going to get the champion.  I'm going to be throwing a lot of senkos, zoom super flukes, rage craws, etc, and 3/8 jigs.  I'm looking at either the 733 or 734.  For anyone who uses the dobyns rods what are the "sweet spots" in terms of lure weights for these two powers?

[rockchalk06]

I can't comment on the 734 as I haven't gotten it yet, but I have the 733. The sweet spot seems to be around 3/8-1/2 oz. I've run plastics right at 3/8 that felt great. I've currently got a North Star 1/2 oz hair jig with a little trailer tied on, and it feels great too. I'd almost go to saying the 1/2oz feels better. I really think anywhere in between would be perfect.

[WRB]

Thanks for all of the input everybody, i think I'm going to get the champion. I'm going to be throwing a lot of senkos, zoom super flukes, rage craws, etc, and 3/8 jigs. I'm looking at either the 733 or 734. For anyone who uses the dobyns rods what are the "sweet spots" in terms of lure weights for these two powers?

The 3 power works OK for jigs/worms with standard wire dia (.040-.046D) hooks. The 4 power is better suited for standard weedless jig with fiber gaurds and hooks with standard wire diameter or larger wire up to .060D.

Consider a 5 power if you plan to fish heavier cover and hooks with wire diameter exceeding .060D or 5/0 sizes. 734 = 7 foot 3" , 4 power. All 3 powers, 3, 4 and 5 will cast a 1/2 oz jig very well, the 3 power will cast worms, flukes a little easier, however doesn't have the power to get good hook sets with the heavier hooks.

I use both 3 and 4 power with worms and lighter jigs, 5 power for 1/2 + jigs with larger hooks.

God luck with your new rod, you can always call and talk to Gary Dobyn's.

Tom

Tom