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

[WPCfishing]

I'll check them out. Thx for the tip.

[Cgrinder]

Zodias 7'2" H. Extremely nice rods for the price.

[Primus]

anybody have any experience with this rod line from Cabela's, I noticed they offer a 7' 3" frog rod ?

 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/fishing-rods/casting-rods%7C/pc/104793480/c/104764680/sc/104823180/cabela-s-tournament-zx-bass-casting-rods/1619298.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fcasting-rods%2Fcabelas%2F_%2FN-1102351%2B1000002949%2FNe-1000002949%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104823180%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU

[WPCfishing]

anybody have any experience with this rod line from Cabela's, I noticed they offer a 7' 3" frog rod ?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/fishing/fishing-rods/casting-rods%7C/pc/104793480/c/104764680/sc/104823180/cabela-s-tournament-zx-bass-casting-rods/1619298.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fcasting-rods%2Fcabelas%2F_%2FN-1102351%2B1000002949%2FNe-1000002949%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104823180%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU

I haven't seen that one but I can tell you a bit about my new 764 Mag. I weighed the rod, right out of the plastic. I remove the hang tag and hung it. 5.4oz.. Not bad for a 7'6"

Magnum rod. It's balanced well for its length. The military green color is very cool and tough looking. Fugi guides are lined up perfectly with the spit K2 reel seat and the cork is very very nice... You can visually see the quality of the rod at a first look.

So I went fishing with it today.. First thing I noticed and felt was the tip of the rod. It will work with you while remaining at ready. It's not a broom stick tip. The rod easily casts accurately because of it.

Distance was very good with a toad great with a Ribbit frog.

I caught my first bass about 30 minutes in. A 5 plus..

The rod was right on par with what Keith had told me, so excellent. I nailed the hook set and battled him through some heavy junk while reeling him in. The reel I had on it was a Lews Tourney Pro with carbonex drag washers and 65lb Power Pro. My only concern is the SK2 reel seat and the narrow cork grip.. Fatigue. 

 

[MidwestF1sh]

Good to hear you like you're new rod! Powell is a very impressive company and I feel like they don't get as much attention as they deserve. Next spring I plan on picking up another 723,734,775 and maybe try the 714. The mag rods have such a strong backbones but like you mentioned still have the tip to cast and work the bait.

[WPCfishing]

Good to hear you like you're new rod! Powell is a very impressive company and I feel like they don't get as much attention as they deserve. Next spring I plan on picking up another 723,734,775 and maybe try the 714. The mag rods have such a strong backbones but like you mentioned still have the tip to cast and work the bait.

 

Here's a close up pic...I put my Lews Mag reel on it. I'm going to give it a go tomorrow. It feels a lot different with the Mag reel on it. The reel seat is very small....

 

[massrob]

I use a tatula frog rod and I love it. The only thing I don't like about it is in front of the reel seat. I have a couple rods that have a fore grip in front and I really like having that much more comfortable. And it gives me a reason to buy another frog rod haha. It seems to me anything in this price range is generally good quality.

[WPCfishing]

The 734 will see some use tomorrow.

[WPCfishing]

Good to hear you like you're new rod! Powell is a very impressive company and I feel like they don't get as much attention as they deserve. Next spring I plan on picking up another 723,734,775 and maybe try the 714. The mag rods have such a strong backbones but like you mentioned still have the tip to cast and work the bait.

A lot of the guys in the forum are Dobyns fans. Of course

that's subject to change. I'm not sure if any of them have

handled a Powell.

[DTack]

A lot of the guys in the forum are Dobyns fans. Of course

that's subject to change. I'm not sure if any of them have

handled a Powell.

Actually was on staff with Powell for about 3 years. They were just fine, I guess we all want different things.

[MidwestF1sh]

Actually was on staff with Powell for about 3 years. They were just fine, I guess we all want different things.

How'd you land that gig?? Just curious what rods you use now?

[DTack]

How'd you land that gig?? Just curious what rods you use now?

Through mutual friends. I use Dobyns rods now.

[WPCfishing]

Ok so here's an update. I've been using the 76M Mag for a of couple days. It's a fine rod but.... The sk2 reel seat is small and the grip diameter is narrow. Its just to refined for a long Mag Rod. It will wear you out after a while. "It's tough to be using a 76 mag rod with that tiny reel seat". I think Powell needs to look for a more conventional offering. The SK2 is fine on the smaller lighter rods like the 683. As of now it looks to me on paper and in pic the ALX is really the way to go at the $200.00 +- price range. Plus, I like the idea of an American Made Blank. I'm going to order one and see how it feels and acts. 

[kickerfish1]

Just in this thread alone you have seem to have bought Dobyns, Kistlers, and Powell's. For one reason or another the rods weren't the right fit or not what you are looking for. Now you feel that the ALX rod is the answer. Do you realize the grade of cork used in their rods is very average at best? Also the blanks are slightly slower as well. It isn't a bad thing but something to think about. I would say order one and see what you think. I have an ALX maestro spinning rod that was purchased as an all around spinning rod. I like it even though the action is a bit slower and the cork seems to have more pits in it. Only fished the rod about 6 times but have landed over 100 bass on it up to 6 pounds.

You can search high and low for a frog rod that is "perfect" and probably never find one for under $200. It almost sounds like a custom rod may be the only way to accomplish what you want considering build quality and handle design seems to be your biggest gripes.

[WPCfishing]

Just in this thread alone you have seem to have bought Dobyns, Kistlers, and Powell's. For one reason or another the rods weren't the right fit or not what you are looking for. Now you feel that the ALX rod is the answer. Do you realize the grade of cork used in their rods is very average at best? Also the blanks are slightly slower as well. It isn't a bad thing but something to think about. I would say order one and see what you think. I have an ALX maestro spinning rod that was purchased as an all around spinning rod. I like it even though the action is a bit slower and the cork seems to have more pits in it. Only fished the rod about 6 times but have landed over 100 bass on it up to 6 pounds.

You can search high and low for a frog rod that is "perfect" and probably never find one for under $200. It almost sounds like a custom rod may be the only way to accomplish what you want considering build quality and handle design seems to be your biggest gripes.

 

I'd hardly call them gripes. I know I'm not 100% satisfied thus far. I'm also having a rod built so you're right on, Ralph Craft and I are working on one.  I may even start the rod shop I've been thinking about. 

I've never just settled for anything.. and it doesn't mean a higher price tag is the answer.

 

Yes, I did order a Toad Face rod. No way to look at anything around here. We don't have any other choice do we.. Some folks will settle for pictures, specs and verbal gymnastics if they want to. I won't.