Best Frog Rod In $150-$200 Range? Dobyns Vs. Powell Or Neither?

[Sheepdog]

I was all set to buy a Dobyns Savvy rod on TW's Labor Day sale. Just before, I had a buddy tell me Powell rods are better quality. Now I'm stumped. I just happened upon another post recently with quite a few complaint's about Dobyns finish quality. I'm looking for any suggestions between these two rods, or any others you might recommend over these two. Other considerations are micro guides vs. regular, heavy vs. mag heavy. This will also serve as a flippin' and pitchin' rod for me here in Utah, but mostly frogs. I've been throwing and having success on booyah pad crashers, live target frogs, and the jackall iobee frog, just so you have an idea what I'll be using it for mostly. I'm 5'10", and I'll be fishing from a boat and from shore, so I don't know if a 7'3" would be a bit long? Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated. I'm new to this site, and so far I'm very impressed! I'm also a little sad it took me so long to find!

 

One other side note, I've been using a 7' MH Fenwick Silverhawk, mod. fast action for frogging. I know whatever I get should be quite an improvement. I'm also using a Lew's Laser Pro reel in a 7.1:1. Thanks in advance for any help!

[UKCATSBASSER]

I use a diawa tatula frog Rod. I have it spooled with 50 pound braid. I also use the Rod for flipping pitching and Alabama rigs. It's rated 3/8 - 2 ounces. Pretty versatile.

[poisonokie]

I use the tatula flip rod with great results. It'll throw a 1/2 oz frog across the pond and set both hooks like nothin. I've never used the frog rod, but from what I can gather, they both excel at the same things. I know its my most versatile rod, and that's not what I was expecting.

[MidwestF1sh]

I have the Powell and love. I'm 5'10" and went from a rod similar to what you're using. It takes a little bit to get used to it but I really like it now. It can handle any cover I throw at it and it walks the frog easy. That was my first Powell rod and now I am switching all my rods to Powell. Its such a light rod so I can throw it all day even though its 7'3" heavy.

[Fisher-O-men]

I have the Powell and am happy with it.  Kinda wish it had more give in the tip to get more distance.  I would not recomend mini guides for frogging.  The stuff you pick up on the line, when fishing slop, clogs the tiny guides.

[MidwestF1sh]

I like the guides but agree. A little more tip wouldn't hurt but I got used to it.

[NathanW]

Be sure to thank your friend for talking you out of the Savvy. That rod is really unimpressive. The Fury is a better rod quite honestly. 

 

I love 13 rods but as of late have been more impressed by the Tatula. That rod has ridiculous power and its unbelievably light. I would definitely pick up more Tatula's over any other rod at any price. 

[poisonokie]

Yup, those tats deserve respect. The naysayers are just jealous.

[zeth]

I use a Phenix M-1 Heavy. WOrks for me. I got half a foot on you though.

[iabass8]

Be sure to thank your friend for talking you out of the Savvy. That rod is really unimpressive. The Fury is a better rod quite honestly. 

 

 

Weird. 

 

I've been using the 735 for frogs for years without any issues. Perfect tip and tons of backbone for frogs...

[kickerfish1]

Weird.

I've been using the 735 for frogs for years without any issues. Perfect tip and tons of backbone for frogs...

Me too and I don't see any reason to change.

[WPCfishing]

I bought a Dobyns Savvy from TW and sent it back 1 hour after

It arrived. YUNK!

I ended up buying two Kistlers. A 7' and s 7'3"..

The Magnesium's are Outstanding Quality rods.

The 7' weighs 5.1oz and the 7'3" is 5.4oz. Both rods

are well balanced.

Best deal I've ever gotten on a rod..

[bhoff]

I would have to say that the Savvy is not renowned as the most sensitive rod but does have certain things going for it (Balance, action, warranty etc.). If you could find a Champion 735 for less than $200 on the flea market or Ebay, that rod is a huge step up from the Savvy and is a very good rod for jigs and frogs.

[WPCfishing]

I would have to say that the Savvy is not renowned as the most sensitive rod but does have certain things going for it (Balance, action, warranty etc.). If you could find a Champion 735 for less than $200 on the flea market or Ebay, that rod is a huge step up from the Savvy and is a very good rod for jigs and frogs.

That company should be ashamed of themselves

for shipping a rod of such poor workmanship.

I don't think buying a used Dobyns is the answer. Not

when there are other rods available that are of fine quality

for $175.00. Personally I would never consider a Dobyns

again.

[BassThumb]

I haven't fished with the Savvy 735, but I purchased two Savvy 734 on sale for my dad this spring, sight-unseen.

I'm quite happy with the quality of them. At $125, it's a very good buy. They're significantly better than a St Croix Avid, in my opinion, which is another rod in that class that I've used and owned for years.

However, best bet would be to wait until a sale and get a Dobyns Champion 736 for $200. That's my favorite frog rod. I prefer it over the Champ 735 or 766, two other good frog rods.

[WRB]

The San Joaquin delta and Clear lake are the 2 venues that test the mettle of frog rods out west.

In the price range you are asking about the IRod Gen 2 Fred's Magic is a popular choice with local tournament anglers. Dobyn's are popular in the Champion price range. I would also add Aaron's Edge Enigma 7'3" heavy if both frog and pitching is your goal.

Tom

[WPCfishing]

I haven't fished with the Savvy 735, but I purchased two Savvy 734 on sale for my dad this spring, sight-unseen.

I'm quite happy with the quality of them. At $125, it's a very good buy. They're significantly better than a St Croix Avid, in my opinion, which is another rod in that class that I've used and owned for years.

However, best bet would be to wait until a sale and get a Dobyns Champion 736 for $200. That's my favorite frog rod. I prefer it over the Champ 735 or 766, two other good frog rods.

My Lews rod is a monster on hook sets. It's fine for bombing casts but it suffers in accuracy because I like to throw unweighted double hooks. It keeps the toad up on the surface without the extra weight.

I had the two Kistlers on the lake today. The 7'er is a lot like my Lews so that ones going back. The 7'3 had a little bit of tip but still to heavy.. Again I have the Lews.

As for distance the Lews beat them both hands down, it's also easier to cast and it's definitely a better balanced rod.

I still think the Kristler is a great value... But not the right rods for me at this time. I may give the all purpose a try. It's a 1/4-1oz medium heavy 7' rod.

Or possibly give the Falcon LowRider a try.. I think the blanks are a higher quality and made in the USA.

[WPCfishing]

Ok so here my latest.. I ordered a Powell Max 3D 734.

I'll have it in hand Tuesday.

[MidwestF1sh]

Ok so here my latest.. I ordered a Powell Max 3D 734.

I'll have it in hand Tuesday.

I really like that rod along with the 723. Not to get too off topic but lets hear what you think of it when it arrives!

[Alpha Male]

I have a dobyns and a pinnacle and like them both.

[kickerfish1]

Ok so here my latest.. I ordered a Powell Max 3D 734.

I'll have it in hand Tuesday.

I think you have gone through more frog rods in a week than I have in my lifetime.

[WPCfishing]

I think you have gone through more frog rods in a week than I have in my lifetime.

 

I'm looking for a Toad rod. Toads are no where near the weight of a frog so I want some tip action for casting accuracy. The Dobyns rod was YUNK out of the tube. The Kistler Magnesium's are a very nice rod, well made and detailed at that. A great buy, but; to heavily tipped actions for toads in my space.

My Lews Rod will do the frogging for me. And for the record it would help if the sales guys at some of the dealers would take the time to school themselves on the different brands and models. Most of them are clueless... whats worse is they don't care.

[Big Bait Fishing]

I'm looking for a Toad rod. Toads are no where near the weight of a frog so I want some tip action for casting accuracy. The Dobyns rod was YUNK out of the tube. The Kistler Magnesium's are a very nice rod, well made and detailed at that. A great buy, but; to heavily tipped actions for toads in my space.

My Lews Rod will do the frogging for me. And for the record it would help if the sales guys at some of the dealers would take the time to school themselves on the different brands and models. Most of them are clueless... whats worse is they don't care.

what toads are you talking about that are '' no where near the weight of a frog ''

[WPCfishing]

what toads are you talking about that are '' no where near the weight of a frog ''

 

I like the Gambler Cane Toads best. The Stanley Ribbit is good but not anywhere near as good as the Gambler.

I like the Ribbit hollow body Toads a lot. It's like a frog but they're heavier and have the same legs as there toad. Very versatile.

Lunker Hunt and Terminator Frogs are decent, just add water... I like the Stanley hollow body toad better than all the hollow body frogs.

 

 

[Big Bait Fishing]

You need to try a Canyon Plastics 4.5" frog , they have a hollow cavity that makes for excellent hook ups , they weigh 3/4 oz. With a Owner Beast 6/0 Unweighted hook , they are easy to cast far !