Super User ChrisD46 Posted January 27, 2015 Super User Posted January 27, 2015 The above rod from Dobyns is wonderful (by most accounts) especially for smaller swim baits , swim jigs , spinner baits , etc. due to the forgiving tip , sensitivity and solid backbone . That said , my budget is currently in the $159 to $189 range and the Dobyns 734c Champion is $260 and a bit out of my reach ... Do you have any experience in a rod similar to the Dobyns 734c qualities ( forgiving tip , good sensitivity and solid backbone) that will better meet my budget ? This rod will primarily be for smaller swim jigs such as Keitech Impact FAT , Missile Shockwave , Gambler EZ and assorted 1/4oz. to 3/8oz. swim jigs . *I'm hopeful some of the name brand bait cast rod companies have something comparable in <$200 however if you feel nothing beats the Dobyns 734c Champion up to it's $260 price point - then let me hear that as well . Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted January 27, 2015 Super User Posted January 27, 2015 I like the 7'3" MH-F Kistler KLX for those techniques. It's lighter than the Champion, and I feel the KLX are quite a bit more sensitive. That particular rod is $209, but there's coupons out there to get you under $200. 1 Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted January 27, 2015 Super User Posted January 27, 2015 Keep an eye out on the auction site. Good deals come up somewhat often. You just have to be patient. I've purchased 3 dobyns over the past few months and all were good prices. Champ 733 new - $130 shipped Dx 704 used - $205 shipped Champ 703 used - $159 shipped Quote
BasshunterJGH Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 I like the 7'3" MH-F Kistler KLX for those techniques. It's lighter than the Champion, and I feel the KLX are quite a bit more sensitive. That particular rod is $209, but there's coupons out there to get you under $200. X2 on the kistler. Get on their mailing list and they'll alert you of any good deals. They got some great sales and coupons sometimes. Quote
DTack Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 Is there a reason you're not considering the Savvy from Dobyns? They have a 734c in that lineup as well, action is slightly slower. Quote
Batson Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 For that money get a custom!! You get to have it exactly built the way you want! 1 Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted January 27, 2015 Author Super User Posted January 27, 2015 Thanks for the replies for the auction as well as Kistler suggestion ...Basically I am game for any good rod suggestion I can get at TW (or comparable) . I would consider the Savvy if the feel and action are similar to the Champion . Perhaps slightly slower doesn't hurt if using braid. Again , applications are for finesse swimbaits in that 3.5 to 5 inch range (either on a weighted swimbait hook or up to a 1/2oz swimbait head) and swim jigs . Quote
Global Moderator Mike L Posted January 27, 2015 Global Moderator Posted January 27, 2015 Look into the Phenix M1 series. I bought a 7'2 mh/f that I intended to use as a plastics rod but to me it fishes more like m/f. I use it now as a designated spinnerbait/chatterbait, swim jig rod and for that it's perfect. Mike 1 Quote
Bass_Fanatic Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 Powell max 3d 734 is what your looking for Quote
Alpha Male Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 Pinnacle 7'3" mh-f. It's labeled a Carolina rig rod but it's currently my favorite mh rod. Quote
Tyler j Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 For that money get a custom!! You get to have it exactly built the way you want! X2 u can get a great rod for that price 1 Quote
SenkoGuru Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 http://www.alxrods.com/ The Zolo is a fantastic Rod. There are a lot of good suggestions on here. The Kistler KLX is great also but I worry a lot about Kistlers warranty. Quote
travis23 Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 Keep an eye out on the auction site. Good deals come up somewhat often. You just have to be patient. I've purchased 3 dobyns over the past few months and all were good prices. Champ 733 new - $130 shipped Dx 704 used - $205 shipped Champ 703 used - $159 shipped This would be your best bet. I scored a good deal a couple of days ago as well on a 705cbmf. Quote
JDJ Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 You might want to also consider a St Croix Avid AVC70MHF. Around $190 retail but discounted soon at the BPS Spring sale. Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted January 28, 2015 Author Super User Posted January 28, 2015 I appreciate the replies ... So far I am interested in the following for Skinny Dippers , Keitech Impact FAT , Gambler EZ (3.5" to 5") on either a weighted EWG hook or up to a 1/2oz. swimbait head : 1. Pennicle Perfecta 7'3" MH or H (not sure which is better for the application) 2. St. Croix Avid 7'0" MH 3. Powell Max 3D 7'3" H 4. Phoenix M1 7'2" MH or H (not sure which is best for my application) . 5 . Dobyns Savvy 734 I wanted to consider the Kistler - but handle length is just too short for me to be comfortable with . Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted January 28, 2015 Super User Posted January 28, 2015 I appreciate the replies ... So far I am interested in the following for Skinny Dippers , Keitech Impact FAT , Gambler EZ (3.5" to 5") on either a weighted EWG hook or up to a 1/2oz. swimbait head : 1. Pennicle Perfecta 7'3" MH or H (not sure which is better for the application) 2. St. Croix Avid 7'0" MH 3. Powell Max 3D 7'3" H 4. Phoenix M1 7'2" MH or H (not sure which is best for my application) . 5 . Dobyns Savvy 734 I wanted to consider the Kistler - but handle length is just too short for me to be comfortable with . The only rod on your list with a handle longer than the Kistler is the Perfecta. Quote
Batson Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 X2 u can get a great rod for that price Seriously.. For the money, you can build your ultimate custom rod!! And you can have almost 2 rods built!! Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted January 28, 2015 Author Super User Posted January 28, 2015 According to the web site I saw - Kistler rods handle length were approx. 10 inches while others I listed were 13 ~ 14 inches ...Also not real fond of Kistler's limited warrantee . I'm sure though Kistler is a fine rod company with many fans ...As they say " your mileage may vary" . Quote
Super User Tywithay Posted January 28, 2015 Super User Posted January 28, 2015 According to the web site I saw - Kistler rods handle length were approx. 10 inches while others I listed were 13 ~ 14 inches ...Also not real fond of Kistler's limited warrantee . I'm sure though Kistler is a fine rod company with many fans ...As they say " your mileage may vary" .Kistler measures from the bottom of the reel seat. So add 4.5" to that. TW measures to the top of the foregrip. The Avid, for instance, has about a 2.5" foregrip, plus a few inches for the reel seat; means the handle itself is 8-9". Quote
Alpha Male Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 I had the tip of my perfecta break and I had to ship them the part of the rod with the specs on it (7" section) and it cost 2$ and pay the return shipping and there was no questions asked. Full lifetime warranty. Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted January 28, 2015 Author Super User Posted January 28, 2015 Kistler measures from the bottom of the reel seat. So add 4.5" to that. TW measures to the top of the foregrip. The Avid, for instance, has about a 2.5" foregrip, plus a few inches for the reel seat; means the handle itself is 8-9". Thanks for the update - I stand to be corrected on the Kistler grip lengths ! Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted January 28, 2015 Author Super User Posted January 28, 2015 I had the tip of my perfecta break and I had to ship them the part of the rod with the specs on it (7" section) and it cost 2$ and pay the return shipping and there was no questions asked. Full lifetime warranty. Good to know ! Quote
SenkoGuru Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 In My humble opinion the best two from your list are the Pennicle Perfecta and the Powell 3D. If I was choosing from that same list it would be one of those two rods. Please let us know which you choose and then after fishing with it let us know how much you like it. I always enjoy hearing what others think of the fishing equipment they use. Good Luck. 1 Quote
Bass_Fanatic Posted January 29, 2015 Posted January 29, 2015 I appreciate the replies ... So far I am interested in the following for Skinny Dippers , Keitech Impact FAT , Gambler EZ (3.5" to 5") on either a weighted EWG hook or up to a 1/2oz. swimbait head : 1. Pennicle Perfecta 7'3" MH or H (not sure which is better for the application) 2. St. Croix Avid 7'0" MH 3. Powell Max 3D 7'3" H 4. Phoenix M1 7'2" MH or H (not sure which is best for my application) . 5 . Dobyns Savvy 734 I wanted to consider the Kistler - but handle length is just too short for me to be comfortable with . I have owned that st. Cross, powell, and dobyns. The dobyns is great for moving baits, but lacks sensitivity in my hands. The croix was sensitive, but man that rod just felt horrible in my hands. Super tip heavy. The powell fishes like a dream. Very similar to the dobyns champion 734 IMO. Stiffer tip than the savvy and more sensitive to me. Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted January 29, 2015 Author Super User Posted January 29, 2015 In My humble opinion the best two from your list are the Pennicle Perfecta and the Powell 3D. If I was choosing from that same list it would be one of those two rods. Please let us know which you choose and then after fishing with it let us know how much you like it. I always enjoy hearing what others think of the fishing equipment they use. Good Luck. I agree ... after a lot of research , the Pennicle Perfecta and the Powell 3D Max appear to have the best specs and performance for what I'm looking for . With upcoming Spring sales coming I will buy one or the other (unless I am swayed to consider a new rod not on my list ) . Quote
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