Dobyns or Powell?

[Brady Linker]

I am looking into getting a baitcasting setup, and was wondering what rod would be better than the other the Powell Inferno or the Dobyns Fury. Both would be paired with a new Lews Speed Spool lfs, any thoughts?

[Rbm18]

I can't speak for the inferno but I have a 704 fury and I really like it . Its a very nice rod in the $100 range.

[Brady Linker]

From the reviews I have seen the furys seem to be very nice.

[Sheepdog]

I had essentially the same question about a year ago. You can check my previous posts. My two cents... You're definitely on the right track if you have it narrowed down to these two companies. However, I feel you get a little more bang for your buck from Powell. I'm not a sponsored fisherman, so all my gear comes out of my own hard earned money. I own four Powell spinning rods, and five Powell casting rods(soon to be six). Depending which rod you are looking for,  I might encourage you to at least hold off until Black Friday for some smokin deals. There were also some Powell rods on one of the days of Christmas specials at TW last year. I got several Max 3D's for the price of Infernos last year. Just a thought. I've heard some less than stellar reviews on Dobyns customer service in the last year as well. I've never personally had to deal with Powell customer service, but I've only heard good things there. Good luck with your decision, and ultimately, I think you'll be happy either way. Tight lines!

[fishnkamp]

I own both  would go Dobyns first Powell second.

[crypt]

9 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

I own both  would go Dobyns first Powell second.

see above......

[Sheepdog]

I'll give you a plus one on the Lew's for casting reel. All my baitcasters but one are Lew's. Love 'em!

[CrustyMono]

go with the fury unless you can find a powell max 3d for the same price.

[rangerjockey]

I 've fished both a bunch , If I had pick one it would be Powell.

[WRB]

If you didn't have a customer service issue with Dobyns why dish them? Gary and his son run this small business and take their customer service personally and know few if any other rod company that compares to Gary's commitment to his name sake company and anyone can always call and talk to him.

Tom

[new2BC4bass]

If you had asked this question 5-7 years ago...or so, you would have been castrated and hung up to dry.  There would have only been one correct answer.   

I have one from each company...a 723C Endurance and a Champion 704CB Glass.  I'd have more from each company if I were well off.  I like both rods a lot.

Powell has a reputation for making quality rods at an affordable price.  Dobyns are especially well known for balancing well. Because they balance well some have thought they were lighter than other makes of rods.  Not necessarily true.

[Columbia Craw]

Try to put both rods side by side if you have a retailer that carries both.  My God-son did just that at Sportman's Warehouse. I also encourage you to go to each company's web site and read the warranty/return policy for each. Then when you think you have a model in mind, but want an informed opinion, call each company and see what response you get. When your done, you should be confident in your choice.  

[d-camarena]

7 hours ago, Sheepdog said:

I'll give you a plus one on the Lew's for casting reel. All my baitcasters but one are Lew's. Love 'em!

No disrespect to you or Mr. Dobyns but sheepdog didnt say anything wrong. I have never had and have never used a powell but i did have a dobyns once. It was an awesome rod. One day it broke on a fish and i wasnt upset by that. It had caught hundreds of fish. But i was a little upset at their customer service. Not enough to talk bad about them on here but enough to put me off from buying another. 

[Sheepdog]

On November 4, 2016 at 2:06 PM, WRB said:

If you didn't have a customer service issue with Dobyns why dish them? Gary and his son run this small business and take their customer service personally and know few if any other rod company that compares to Gary's commitment to his name sake company and anyone can always call and talk to him.

Tom

Not sure if you're referring to me here, but I was only stating what my research turned up. These were my two companies of choice, I narrowed it down to one based on what reviews and opinions are out there. And they're still out there if you look, here and elsewhere. TJ81's negative experience is one in particular I would refer to, besides others you will find here on BR(particularly on lower end models, like the fury). Not trying to "dish", in fact, my bottom line was "I think you'll be happy either way". I couldn't happier with my experience with Powell so far. I fish the Inferno, Max 3D, and TiMax. But I'll reiterate, you won't go wrong if you've narrowed it down to these two companies. Tight lines!

[JigMaster4]

I would get a Fenwick HMG

[pigeonlake]

what is the weight like on the powells.  eg how much lighter is the max compared to the inferno..   And how would either stack up to the dobyns fury as far as being light.   

[Brady Linker]

For the extra 10 dollars or so would the St.Croix Mojo Bass be even better?

[fishnkamp]

No, in my opinion even the new Mojo blank is not a better choice than the Dobyns. I really like the Avid X rods but the Mojo rods do not excite me. I think the Dobyns is nicer overall.  The difference between a Dobyns Sierra verses a Max 3D is not much in feel or quality. They are essentially the same price. For the money I prefer the Dobyns a little more. I like the feel and balance a bit better. However I would consider either rod if I was about to plunk my money down. There is no bad choice here between them. I love the Fury series and I believe they fish much more like a $200 rod than a rod that costs $110. The Inferno is a nice rod, but it feels more like other $100 rods. 

[WdyCrankbait]

Powell all the way.  I have 5 of them and do not wish, or want to own any other rod from a different company.

[GreenGhostMan]

I'm in the process of getting some new rods in the $100 range and have been narrowing it down the last few weeks.  Just last weekend I was at a store that had the Furys right next to the Powell Infernos.  I haven't fished either, but just by looking at them and handling them in store, I eliminated the Powells.  Fury rods felt more balanced, more solid, and looked better made to me.  Pretty much every attribute you could gather from handling them in store, the Fury seemed better.  Everything is relative though.  Someone could come right behind me and have the opposite reaction.

[bradco]

I have several of each rod(Fury & Inferno). I personally like the infernos a little better, especially the 705CB. Both rods are great for price point!!

[Robert Riley]

On 11/4/2016 at 2:35 PM, crypt said:

see above......

I would go with a Dobyns then Powell too.

I've never had a less than stellar experience with Dobyns customer service. In fact I think it's one of their best attributes.

Didn't Gary Dobyns help launch Powell or something like that? 

 

[thunderblack]

Both companies make great rods. Either is a winner.