Dobyns Extreme HP vs XP

[Junk Fisherman]

I bought the 701 and 702  XP rods a couple years ago and I love them.  So I ordered a 741 and 742 Extreme HP and I am surprised that they feel quite a bit heavier than the XPs.  Granted they are 4" longer but I didn't think I'd feel that in terms of weight.  I went to the Dobyns website and they don't list rod weights.  Contemplating returning them.  Any thoughts?

[iabass8]

There is no such thing as a Champ Extreme XP. The new Champion line is called the Champion XP. The new Extreme is called the HP. The previous generation was just called "champion extreme" and "champion"

The new Extreme HP, weight wise, feels the same as the previous version to me but balance a little better. The new extreme blanks are also faster in action than the previous versions. 

I'm assuming you are referring to the spinning rods being you ordered the 741 and that isn't offered in a casting model. I have the 742c HP and love it. Feels better than the prior 742. I currently have the 742c, 743c, and 745c in the HP and also had the previous extreme. They don't feel heavier to me and I'm OCD about that stuff. They feel better in hand. Maybe the spinning rods are different.

[David P]

As stated above, the XP is the new Champion and was not offered years ago. 

 

   Having said that, there is no comparison between 7ft and 7'4 spinning rods. They are built entirely differently, and for very different things. 

   The 702 for example is an absolute finnesse rod, for drop shotting, split shot, darter head, etc. 

  the 742 is much more stout, the blank is thicker and it's an entirely different beast. It's much more suited for senkos and shakey head where you need more back bone and a slightly more stout rod. 

 

 I have always owned both 702dx and 742dx (both extremes). As they are both suited for entirely different techniques. If you were looking for a slightly longer version of the 702 yet identical in every other way, I'm sorry you are disappointed. The 741 is more comparable to the 702 although still not quite a fair comparison. 

 

  Disclosure: I still own my Extreme spinning rods and have not played with the new HP versions of the spinning rods. Everything above is from experience with the extreme rods before they made the minor tweaks to the HP. 

[Junk Fisherman]

4 hours ago, David P said:

As stated above, the XP is the new Champion and was not offered years ago. 

 

   Having said that, there is no comparison between 7ft and 7'4 spinning rods. They are built entirely differently, and for very different things. 

   The 702 for example is an absolute finnesse rod, for drop shotting, split shot, darter head, etc. 

  the 742 is much more stout, the blank is thicker and it's an entirely different beast. It's much more suited for senkos and shakey head where you need more back bone and a slightly more stout rod. 

 

 I have always owned both 702dx and 742dx (both extremes). As they are both suited for entirely different techniques. If you were looking for a slightly longer version of the 702 yet identical in every other way, I'm sorry you are disappointed. The 741 is more comparable to the 702 although still not quite a fair comparison. 

 

  Disclosure: I still own my Extreme spinning rods and have not played with the new HP versions of the spinning rods. Everything above is from experience with the extreme rods before they made the minor tweaks to the HP. 

Thanks for the explanation.  I was just going off the specs for the rods which are identical on the 701/741 and 702/742.  Too bad I couldn't feel them in the store but I ordered them.

 

 

[David P]

Have you tried mounting a reel on it yet and fishing it or messing around with it in the backyard?

   Longer rods feel more tip heavy without a reel, but a properly sized reel will definitely help with it feeling heavier. 

  

[Junk Fisherman]

I have put a reel on them but I haven't used them.  They just feel heavier in my hand than the 701/702.  Those are split grip rods while the 741/742 are full handle.  I do prefer the split grip.  I think I am just going to exchange them for a 701 and 702 HP.  

I 

[Junk Fisherman]

Got the 701 ad 702 HPs today and WOW.  They feel great.  A lot lighter than the 741 and 742.  Looking forward to get on the water in March to try them out.