Dobyns Jerkbait Rod

[smallies24/7]

Looking at a new jerkbait rod, and choosing between the 684CB and 685CB. I dont want a rod that is too soft, but I have also heard the 685 can be a little too stiff. Which one would you guys pick?

[MarkH024]

684 for 1/2 oz or smaller. 685 for 1/2-3/4 oz.

[smallies24/7]

Ill be using it mostly for Pointer 100s, Staysees, Vision 110s, Duo 100 and 110s. The main thing that concerns me is the Katsuage outbarb hooks on the Megabass are thin wire, so I was wondering for those of you that have used them, is the 685 too much rod for them?

[rippin-lips]

I have a 705cb in the fury series that was purchased for that technique. It's too much on the moderate side of its rating for me. I used my 703 prior and I actually like it better for that.

[Hi Salenity]

I'm not a Dobyns guy so I'm guessing but I'd get the 4, it should load up and throw better.

As far as the 110 goes I set the drag loose enough the hooks don't bend. I also use a net almost 100% of the time while using a 110.

[68camaro]

If you mostly throw 1/2 - 9/16 or less with occasional 3/4 I would go with the 684CB, unless you throw a lot of the higher sized baits.

 

I recently bought the 634CB to use as a dedicated Jerk rod. With this rod I think I can really work the bait and think power is fine (I don't have huge fish though and rarely throw baits over 1/2 oz, but I think up to 3/4 would be fine), plus the 6'3" size for me has worked out well since I bank fish. With the 6'3" I can get a really great vertical snap without hitting water.

 

My next rod may be a dedicated topwater and I am seriously thinking of getting another 634CB because this rod really allows me to work topwater baits (popping and walking the dog) nicely, I might get the 684CB though just to have a larger rod if I ever need it.

[A-Jay]

The below information is Gary Dobyns preference - it was taken from an article on another site. 

 

Dobyns throws jerkbaits on a seven-footer and he prefer graphite with a mod/fast action. His company, Dobyns Rods, makes both glass composite and graphite rods. He says, “The whole key of a jerkbait rod is that Mod/Fast action. First of all, you get to work the bait properly, but the biggest deal is the forgiveness you get with a lunging fish at boatside. You don’t pull the hooks out of the fish. The rod bends and it saves you lost fish, and that’s the whole deal with the Mod/Fast action.”

Dobyns uses both the 704CB and 705CB graphite models which are 7′ 0″ 4-power or 5-power crankbait rods. Dobyns makes casting rods in several different categories such as crankbait rods (CB), flipping sticks (FL), swimbait rods (SB) and other casting sticks ©. The power designation is different in each category; so a 4-power or 5-power in a flipping rod is far more powerful than the same power in a crankbait rod, and power ratings differ across other categories too.

 

Although he prefers the graphite models himself, Dobyns glass rods are phenomenal and the 704CB Glass composite rod is actually lighter than the 704CB graphite.

One major difference is that glass has more of a delayed feel. “A lot of guys are of the mindset that they want a fish to be able to grab a jerkbait, turn and load the rod before you feel it and glass does that,” explains Dobyns.

He adds, “Glass is even more forgiving than graphite while fighting a fish. The glass is softer, it loads (bends) farther back into the blank and it’s going to load slower. Overall, it is more forgiving than a graphite rod – and that’s the reason why glass has a huge following. Our sales are about 50/50 between glass and graphite.”

 

Gary says, “I throw most of my jerkbaits on a 704. Some I throw on a 705. If you are throwing a Pointer 128, you’re going to want a 705. A Pointer 100 can go either way. A 704 is a little light for it but it’s great for a 705. The StaySee 90, I think that 704 rod is tailor made for it. The Megabass Vision 110 with the 704, personally I love that combination; it has caught me so many fish lately it’s just unbelievable. If I am throwing the Vision 110 MAGNUM, then I like the 705. Those are pretty much the baits that I’ve been throwing lately – the Megabass and the Lucky Craft. They’re all just phenomenal baits.”

Dobyns feels that the gear ratio is probably the most important aspect of a reel for a jerkbait. If you use a slower 4.8:1 or 5.1:1 reel that some anglers prefer for cranking (crankbaits), you will find it tough to stay in touch with a jerkbait. Dobyns prefers a 6.3:1 gear ratio and specifically, he uses a Daiwa Zillion. “It’s just a brute of a reel, just a workhorse…and it has the perfect gear ratio for throwing a jerkbait. That’s pretty important,” he says.

Line size is important too. If you go too big, it starts taking away some of the action from the bait because of too much line drag in the water. Dobyns throws jerkbaits quite a bit with 8 lb P-Line CXX. “It’s really strong like a lot of other brands of 10 lb test. I throw a lot of 8 and a lot of 10. If I am on Clear Lake where big bass abound, tossing a bigger bait like a Pointer 128, I will go to 12 lb – but I never, ever throw a jerkbait on more than 12. Most of the time I’m throwing it on 8 and 10 because I get better action out of a jerkbait on thinner line,” explains Dobyns.

P-Line CXX is a low-stretch monofilament. “I’m not a big fluorocarbon fan,” admits Gary. “I have always used mono and I’ve had good luck with it. I don’t break fish off with it. A little stretch with a jerkbait is not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a little more forgiving when fighting fish.” He notes, “Some guys like fluorocarbon because they believe it’s going to sink and they’re going to get their bait down a little bit more. If they believe that and it works for them, great. I just have never seen that happen for me. The key is the line size – and thinner gets you more action and more depth.”

 

​Model               Length                     Description                         Line                     Lure

704CB                7′ 0″                      Medium. Mod/Fast Action   8-10 lb            StaySee 90, Vision 110, Pointer 100
705CB               7′ 0″ Med/Hvy.        Mod/Fast Action                  8-12 lb               Pointer 100, Pointer 128, Vision 110 MAGNUM
704CBGLASS   7′ 0″ Medium.          Fast Action*                       8-10 lb                   StaySee 90, Vision 110, Pointer 100
705CB GLASS  7′ 0″ Med/Hvy.         Fast Action*                      8-12 lb                     Pointer 100, Pointer 128, Vision 110 MAGNUM

 

A-Jay

[smallies24/7]

Great article A-Jay, much appreciated. Man I'm still split. I feel like the 684 will be slightly more stiff due to the shorter length, which might be the perfect blend. I've also heard the 685 is slightly more powerful than the 705. Choices choices...

[fishballer06]

I've got the 684CB and it's too soft/light for anything bigger than say 5/16 when it comes to jerkbaits. I'd suggest the 685 or don't get a cranking edition. I honestly prefer my fast action rods over the 684CB for jerkbaits. 

 

Don't get my wrong, the 684CB is an awesome squarebill/DT6/Wiggle Wart rod. Just too soft for my liking for jerkbaits.