Dobyns Changing Their Lineup?

[Jon G]

Life's gotten in the way of a lot fishing the past month and I haven't been able to keep up with a lot going on since then. I was browsing TW today and noticed the Champion Extremes are pretty much completely gone. So that got me thinking, will there be a new Champion Extreme or better...... the Zeta will finally be coming out?

 

I went on Dobyns website and couldn't find anything except that they are adding a 744 in the Champion series this spring. Which is pretty interesting to me that there will be a 734 and a 744 in the Champion line.

 

So does anybody know if there will be a new Dobyns? I was thinking of picking up one of the new St Croix Legend Elites but if Dobyns come out with something new that Legend Elite is going to have to wait for a while.

[iabass8]

They just redesigned the extreme which is why you see them clearances. Theres a pic of one in the hot deals section over at TT. No idea about if its a new blank or not. Ive heard its not and ive heard it is with a faster action and better blank.

The new legend elite is something im picking up immediately when available.

[kickerfish1]

I agree. To me it looks like they redesigned everything as the blank appears to have the same carbon weave pattern going on the Megabass Orichi XX rods have. The rod as a whole looks outstanding and if the blank has feel close to the Megabass Orichi XX or better I will be adding one for sure. With the Dobyns warranty and customer service plan it would be a no brainer for me.

[Jon G]

I just looked at it at TT. Looks really nice. I very excited now. The rod/reel monkey has been behaving lately. I haven't bought a rod/reel since January. I think I'm going to hold off a while longer and I think my next pick ups are going to be a new DX744 and a 7'4 Heavy Legend Elite. 

 

[ClackerBuzz]

the new generation rods 'suck' and the previous generation will soon be selling for the price of your first born.  now if i could only do this at the casino

[*Hootie]

the new generation rods 'suck' and the previous generation will soon be selling for the price of your first born.  now if i could only do this at the casino

 

......?

 

Hootie

[Grantman83]

Seeing how quickly they blew out of TW even with the sale should show you how popular they are...

Making a great Rod even better

[Jon G]

Champion Extreme is my favorite rod series so I'm pretty pumped but I'm slightly disappointed for I was secretly hoping for the Zeta.

[kickerfish1]

Champion Extreme is my favorite rod series so I'm pretty pumped but I'm slightly disappointed for I was secretly hoping for the Zeta.

Would not mind seeing the Zeyta, however I am kind of moving past this for now. Considering they talked about this rod series years ago and it was supposed to be released but they ran into the proprietary blank material issue. Also the price point was probably about $500-600. Probably in the League of the NRX, Archangel, and high end Megabass rods.

I wonder if they are having second thoughts on just how well a rod of this price would sell and if they would use the same warranty policy.

I am guessing the NEW extreme series will be at least $25-50 higher than the current extreme rods.

[Jon G]

Would not mind seeing the Zeyta, however I am kind of moving past this for now. Considering they talked about this rod series years ago and it was supposed to be released but they ran into the proprietary blank material issue. Also the price point was probably about $500-600. Probably in the League of the NRX, Archangel, and high end Megabass rods.

I wonder if they are having second thoughts on just how well a rod of this price would sell and if they would use the same warranty policy.

I am guessing the NEW extreme series will be at least $25-50 higher than the current extreme rods.

It just always baffled me that even though they ran into the blank issue they just dropped it completely rather than designing a blank with different materials.

 

I can't imagine why it would be more than the current DX. Is there any news on what is different? From what I was able to tell it just looks like they changed the visual looks of the rod. Perhaps a better blank?

 

So many people complain that the DX isn't worth the money over the Orochi XX (even though a DX can be had for the same price from certain sellers) so I wonder if they are just trying to make it "worth" the extra $50.

[kickerfish1]

As far as the Zeyta goes my feelings are from a R & D standpoint there is a big financial outlay to going "all in" on a new rod that will feature some of the best or better components money can buy. I am guessing they sank a good chunk of money in that rod only to have to scrap the idea due to the proprietary issue. Also I am guessing they may have also had second thoughts about producing a $500 rod line. Most guys like them because of the price and all the options for rod lengths, handle configurations, techniques, etc. Certainly the Zeyta would be likely a slimmed down line containing one spinning rod and probably 5 casting. They may still get this rod line together in the future but in all honesty what percentage of anglers would buy a rod that would cost them $500+? Also how many of the guys that only fish Dobyns would want a rod that costs that much. Most tournament guys fish "mid priced" rods for the most part. If Archangel sells boom over the next few months perhaps they would rethink it but I just don't think the market is very strong rods that retail for over $500. My local Cabelas and BPS don't even have any NRX or GLX models in stock. If they do they typically get a rod or 2. Most people just don't dish out that kind of money for a rod. Think about how long it took Phenix to reduce the Production K2s.

 

Now as far as the NEW extreme rods I bet the price will go up at least 5-10%. Just about every redesigned rod line gets a bump in price. The Fenwick Elite Tech smallmouth rods went up when redesigned, the Gen 2 Phenix Recons went up $10 a rod, and the list goes on. I am guessing the blank is different just based upon the photos I am seeing. That carbon weave looks similar to the K2 blank and Orichi XX line of rods. Not sure how much better or the same it will be but I am guessing Gary and Richard wouldn't redesign a rod line and downgrade the amount of feel in the rod and the components used.

 

I like the Extreme series of rods but I am one of the guys that feels the Orichi XX line offers better and more pronounced feel. I don't feel any of the Dobyns rods are dead they just transmit bites differently and I like them for other reasons. Still have 5 Dobyns left and enjoy them a lot.

 

Even if a Zeyta is released at some point I think I will pass on the rod series. If I am spending $400 it will be on a Rep Sample NRX. If I am willing to spend slightly more it will be on a loaded custom rod. However if the new Extreme is improved and looks similar to what is pictured I will be getting one to try.

[benthinkin]

The blank on the new champion extremes is the same no change except for cosmetics. Got a chance to handle one, might be SLIGHTLY lighter or better balanced and the look good, I didn't see a need to change it from the old design but I guess manufactures have to change it up every so often to keep us interested.

[kickerfish1]

I still find it nearly impossible to believe the blanks are the same. Look at these photos. Once you move past the color of them the finishing of them doesn't even look the same.

Current Extreme

New Extreme photo on TT

Orichi XX blank showing the carbon weave pattern

I will have to wait until the new production extremes but the shelves before deciding...

[kickerfish1]

Good eye on those Grant. Tried to add one and didn't see the image change between the current and "new" version? If the price is the same for now that would be a good change over what we typically see. Still going to wait this one out and see what folks think and confirmation on the blank and components.

[RoLo]

I'm not aware of the upgrades coming to the Dobyns lineup, but I hope they revamp their guide wraps.

For the past couple years I've been taking 7 outfits on the boat, and my wife takes another 8 (15 outfits in all).

Over that period of time, we've had 4 guide rings come undone, and every one was from a Dobyn's rod  

 

Roger

[Dwight Hottle]

I'm not aware of the upgrades coming to the Dobyns lineup, but I hope they revamp their guide wraps.

For the past couple years I've been taking 7 outfits on the boat, and my wife takes another 8 (15 outfits in all).

Over that period of time, we've had 4 guide rings come undone, and every one was from a Dobyn's rod

Roger

Roger I do not own a Dobyn rod but my Florida fishing buddy has several and he has had the same problem. He does use rod sleves and is careful with his equipment.

[RoLo]

Roger I do not own a Dobyn rod but my Florida fishing buddy has several and he has had the same problem. He does use rod sleves and is careful with his equipment.

 

Thanks Dwight, I was beginning to think it was only me, and hesitated to mention it.

 

I can't be accused of pampering my gear, but all my outfits are subjected to the same abuse,

but only the Dobyns rods are complaining.   

 

Roger

[BassThumb]

I just received two of the newer Extreme versions direct from Dobyns as part of their warranty replacement plan. It's been my worst year ever for rod breakage (entirely my fault).

I got a new 745c and 744c, both full handle. They don't fish any different than the old ones, as far as I'm concerned. I have both an old and a new 745c, and I was going back and forth yesterday tossing a 1/2 oz jig on them. Same reels (Curado E), same line (Tatsu 20). They're equal in my book, though it wouldn't surrpise me if the new version is an 1/8 oz lighter maybe. That won't put any more fish in the boat.

The both look good, but I don't buy rods for their looks really. If you were to put my feet to the fire on the matter, I'd probably prefer the look of the older one by a slim margin, but the new one looks sharp, too.

[sarcazmo]

I hope its a new blank.  I've always thought the DX series of rods was way overpriced and over rated.  Balance was good, but sensitivity was definitely not what I expected from a rod at that price point.

[kickerfish1]

Well if the blank and guides are the same, the amount feel provided is the same, with only cosmetic changes I will pass. Would have much rather paid an $20-30 per rod than buy pretty much the same thing with a few cosmetic differences. Oh well, probably just have a custom built...