Daiwa Tatula vs Dobyns Champion

[Cyacnba]

Hey guys,

I have a Daiwa Tatula 6'10" casting rod that I use as an all purpose rod, but I've been thinking about getting a Dobyns Champion as well, especially the 683C or 684C, as another all purpose but shorter rod. For those who have tried these rods, do you think the Dobyns are worth the extra $80? I know sensitivity is subjective, but what are your thoughts or experience in this aspect? I fish a lot of jigs and Texas rigged craws, so sensitive is huge for me.

Thanks

[iabass8]

wait for memorial day sale and get the DX. well worth it. 

[USMC22]

I've got both and love them. I wouldn't trade for something else and don't feel like I'm missing out by not having the next line up.

[Cyacnba]

23 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

wait for memorial day sale and get the DX. well worth it. 

Isn't the DX over $300? Would the sale be 15% off? My budget is $200, so I don't think I can afford a new Dobyns Champion DX.

[USMC22]

The DX is over $300, if you can wait for the Tackle Warehouse sale you'll save some coin. I really don't think you can go wrong with a champion series.... It's pretty much all I have and I never felt like I'm needing more... At some point it's diminishing returns on the more you pay versus value (bang for your buck). Just my opinion.

[Jrob78]

nevermind 

[Cyacnba]

I also forgot to include the Powell Max 3D 683 or 684C. I remember reading that the Powell rods were designed by the same person responsible for the Dobyns, so are the Champions lighter and more sensitive than the Powell and Tatula?

[Puggz]

How about a Tatula on a Dobyn's Champion??

 

[iabass8]

9 minutes ago, Cyacnba said:

I also forgot to include the Powell Max 3D 683 or 684C. I remember reading that the Powell rods were designed by the same person responsible for the Dobyns, so are the Champions lighter and more sensitive than the Powell and Tatula?

Gary helped with powell rods a long time ago before starting his own rod company.  He has not had anything to do with them for a long time now. Your splitting hairs on all 3. The performance will be subjective and not a definitive 1,2,3 best.  Try to handle them first.

[Cyacnba]

32 minutes ago, Puggz said:

How about a Tatula on a Dobyn's Champion??

 

I have a Type R, which balances pretty well with my Tatula rod.

 

25 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

Gary helped with powell rods a long time ago before starting his own rod company.  He has not had anything to do with them for a long time now. Your splitting hairs on all 3. The performance will be subjective and not a definitive 1,2,3 best.  Try to handle them first.

That's the issue. I would love to handle them beforehand, but there are no stores around the Boston area that carries them. So, I've always purchased my fishing equipment based on reviews and others' recommendations/experiences. 

[USMC22]

3 minutes ago, Cyacnba said:

I have a Type R, which balances pretty well with my Tatula rod.

 

That's the issue. I would love to handle them beforehand, but there are no stores around the Boston area that carries them. So, I've always purchased my fishing equipment based on reviews and others' recommendations/experiences. 

When are you looking to buy? Heard a rumor you have some bass fishing going on down there in Massachusetts? I have a 783C and 784C and a strong desire to catch fish... Just saying....

Sorry meant 683 and 684. 

Mobile editing not working tonight

[iabass8]

13 minutes ago, Cyacnba said:

I have a Type R, which balances pretty well with my Tatula rod.

 

That's the issue. I would love to handle them beforehand, but there are no stores around the Boston area that carries them. So, I've always purchased my fishing equipment based on reviews and others' recommendations/experiences. 

Take into consideration dobyns and powell use ecs reel seats and the tatula uses an acs. While some people do like acs seats, they are definitely a hate it or love it.  Ecs is a very comfortable seat to me and i have large hands. Comfort is one of the most important, yet overlookded aspect of choosing rods. 

[Jrob78]

28 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

Take into consideration dobyns and powell use ecs reel seats and the tatula uses an acs. While some people do like acs seats, they are definitely a hate it or love it.  Ecs is a very comfortable seat to me and i have large hands. Comfort is one of the most important, yet overlookded aspect of choosing rods. 

Actually, the Powell uses a proprietary split seat, similar to the SK2 and the Tatula uses that Daiwa seat similar to the Zillion and Steez.  The Tatula XT does use the ACS.

[iabass8]

2 minutes ago, Jrob78 said:

Actually, the Powell uses a proprietary split seat and the Tatula uses that Daiwa seat similar to the Zillion and Steez.  The Tatula XT does use the ACS.

Is the only difference the 1/2 exposed blank between the trigger and locking nut?

[Jrob78]

6 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

Is the only difference the 1/2 exposed blank between the trigger and locking nut?

Similar I guess.  I'm not a big fan, much prefer the ECS.

Tat

[iabass8]

5 minutes ago, Jrob78 said:

Similar I guess.  I'm not a big fan, much prefer the ECS.

Tat

ECS4LyFe

[Jrob78]

Word

[JGBassinAL]

Shelton's Clothing and Outdoors has the Powell Endurance 674 for $100. If you decide to go the Powell route then I would call them and buy one. It is a great stick and would serve you well for what you are wanting.

[Cyacnba]

3 hours ago, USMC22 said:

When are you looking to buy? Heard a rumor you have some bass fishing going on down there in Massachusetts? I have a 783C and 784C and a strong desire to catch fish... Just saying....

Sorry meant 683 and 684. 

Mobile editing not working tonight

Not sure, but if I were to find a good deal now, I'd buy one right away. 

Not sure how the fishing is in MA in general

, but around Boston, the Charles River is the only consistent option in my opinion. Local ponds are still kind of covered in ice. If you ever come to Boston, just let me know.

3 hours ago, iabass8 said:

Take into consideration dobyns and powell use ecs reel seats and the tatula uses an acs. While some people do like acs seats, they are definitely a hate it or love it.  Ecs is a very comfortable seat to me and i have large hands. Comfort is one of the most important, yet overlookded aspect of choosing rods. 

Thanks for letting me know. So far, I had no issues with the Tatula reel seat, and I hope it stays like that lol

[buzzed bait]

i have the same 6'10"MHF tatula and love it as an all around rod.  that said, i picked up a champion 682C a while back and really love this rod.  have used it for everything from jerkbaits, topwater, small spinnerbaits, senkos and even shakyheads.  

i would say spend the extra coin and get the champion, but of the 2 you listed i'd opt for the 683c.  going to have plenty of power for an all purpose rod and a soft enough tip to cast most any lure you'd want on casting gear.  

as a side note, if you call dobyns directly, they may cut you a deal.  i got the 682 for an incredible price (less than $150 shipped) because they said it featured some older cosmetics, whatever that means.  

 

[Cyacnba]

8 hours ago, buzzed bait said:

i have the same 6'10"MHF tatula and love it as an all around rod.  that said, i picked up a champion 682C a while back and really love this rod.  have used it for everything from jerkbaits, topwater, small spinnerbaits, senkos and even shakyheads.  

i would say spend the extra coin and get the champion, but of the 2 you listed i'd opt for the 683c.  going to have plenty of power for an all purpose rod and a soft enough tip to cast most any lure you'd want on casting gear.  

as a side note, if you call dobyns directly, they may cut you a deal.  i got the 682 for an incredible price (less than $150 shipped) because they said it featured some older cosmetics, whatever that means.  

 

Thanks! I actually gave them a call today, and the guy on the phone had a Champions 683C for $180 including shipping because it was a rod used as a demo or something like that. Not sure if it's a good deal, wish it was free shipping.

[iabass8]

26 minutes ago, Cyacnba said:

Thanks! I actually gave them a call today, and the guy on the phone had a Champions 683C for $180 including shipping because it was a rod used as a demo or something like that. Not sure if it's a good deal, wish it was free shipping.

I would wait it out just a hair longer for the champion. The Champion XP is just now being release and more and more models are coming in at TW. You will probably be able to get quite the discount in the next month. 

[Cyacnba]

2 hours ago, iabass8 said:

I would wait it out just a hair longer for the champion. The Champion XP is just now being release and more and more models are coming in at TW. You will probably be able to get quite the discount in the next month. 

How much cheaper can you find them when something like that happens?

I should probably ask on the flea market as well

[iabass8]

17 minutes ago, Cyacnba said:

How much cheaper can you find them when something like that happens?

I should probably ask on the flea market as well

Hard to say. Depends on the vendor. TW will eventually run them in their sale section. They seem to be getting quite a few of the new XP's in. I would contact Dobyns after the Classic in a couple weeks if I were you. 

[crankbank]

12 hours ago, iabass8 said:

Hard to say. Depends on the vendor. TW will eventually run them in their sale section. They seem to be getting quite a few of the new XP's in. I would contact Dobyns after the Classic in a couple weeks if I were you. 

Agreed- I will probably do the same as I am looking for a new Dobyn's.  

I have emailed Dobyn's quite a bit in the past and they are always incredibly friendly.