Dobyns vs st. croix

[Donutking]

What do you think is better the st. Croix legend tournament bass or the dobyns champion xp? please say what you think is better and why you think it's better.

[Donutking]

And also, does anyone know anything about favorite rods? More specifically their rush rods. It's hard to find unsponsored reriews.

[David P]

 I owned a few Legends and a few Loomis GLX rods before I made the switch over to all Dobyns. 

  I switched to Dobyns in the end because of the wide range of rod lengths and actions available, they felt a little more "refined" (I liked the reel seat better and the threads above the lock down hood better), they were based in California where I lived, and their customer service was the best I had experienced from any fishing company. I loved calling and speaking to Gary or his son directly!

 

 

[kickerfish1]

Dobyns Champion. Never been impressed with anything St Croix.

[iabass8]

I would go Champion.

The champion has a more comfortable reel seat, balances better, and has a better variety of rod choices. 

The LTB blank is a touch better but it uses the worlds most uncomfortable reel seat known to man. Some like. Lots hate it. 

Build quality is a toss up. You'll hear good/bad about both. 

[Donutking]

3 hours ago, iabass8 said:

I would go Champion.

The champion has a more comfortable reel seat, balances better, and has a better variety of rod choices. 

The LTB blank is a touch better but it uses the worlds most uncomfortable reel seat known to man. Some like. Lots hate it. 

Build quality is a toss up. You'll hear good/bad about both. 

In your opinion why do you think the seat is bad?

[iabass8]

34 minutes ago, Donutking said:

In your opinion why do you think the seat is bad?

It's extremely uncomfortable. It digs into your fingers and it's sharp.  

[stk44]

@iabass8 is right. Don't get me wrong, I love my LTB, but the reel seat is not the best. I have the Champ in 705 and I can comfortably pitch and winch bass out of cover comfortably for extended periods of time. I will say that's the only downside of the LTB.

The XP's also have the upgraded guides which I wish I would have waited for on my pitching rod. If I had to pick one over the other I would go with the Champ XP but not by much. 

[Donutking]

 

Quote

Don't get me wrong, I love my LTB, but the reel seat is not the best. I have the Champ in 705 and I can comfortably pitch and winch bass out of cover comfortably for extended periods of time. I will say that's the only downside of the LTB.

The XP's also have the upgraded guides which I wish I would have waited for on my pitching rod. If I had to pick one over the other I would go with the Champ XP but not by much. 

 I'm trying to just get one all around rod that Im going to pair with a chronarch ci4. what ways would you say the st. Croix wins, if any

[Max Teas]

i'm trying to figure out about the favorite rods as well, nobody has a good unsponsored review on it. But to answer your question i would go dobyns, st croix reel seat is very uncomfortable.

[rangerjockey]

I never could fall in love with Dobyns, but that's not to say you wouldn't like them. Both are good rods . Just have to decide what works best for you. I would think the LTB is overdue for a update, Wouldn't be surprised it that happens.

 There's a bunch of good rods in that price range. The KLX comes to mind.

[stk44]

10 hours ago, Donutking said:

 

 I'm trying to just get one all around rod that Im going to pair with a chronarch ci4. what ways would you say the st. Croix wins, if any

They are both great rods. I have a 6'8 MF LTB, it is really sensitive and I love the rod. IMO, the LTB seems a bit more sensitive, but that is just my opinion. The reel seat leaves something to be desired though.. I often find myself trying to grip the seat differently or palming the reel if I fish with the LTB all day. 

The champ XP is now upgraded with the Fuji guides which are phenomenal. And it is really comfortable. 

 

 

 

[DaveT63]

If you can afford another roughly $100, the St Croix Legend Elite line is exceptional.  If you keep your eyes open, you might be able to find a lightly used one for the price of the LTB or Dobyns.

 

[BigGame0892]

On 12/11/2016 at 3:49 AM, David P said:

their customer service was the best I had experienced from any fishing company. I loved calling and speaking to Gary or his son directly!

Without a doubt, one of the best reasons to go with Dobyns.

[WIGuide]

Although I haven't fished a Dobyns, I will chime in on the LTB reel seat. If you palm your reels, I doubt you'll have a problem with them. That was the way they were designed to be held and if you hold your reel a different way, it might not be the reel seat for you. As far as the spinning reel seats go, again if you put your fingers where the grooves are it's very comfortable. My dad was having issues with his being uncomfortable until I noticed how he was holding it. Once he moved his hand he thought it was great. 

I can definitely see where some wouldn't like either, but I think a lot of the comfort of them depends on how you hold the rod. 

[J Francho]

Champion Extreme always felt a touch crisper than LTBs, that I do love.  Dobyns reel seats are the best in the biz.  No stupid threads digging up you finger.

[Angry John]

I only have one LTB but I have a bunch of avids, legend elites and three dobyns extremes.  I like the action of the blank on my st Croix rods.  I have both the three power spinning and casting 743 xp rods.  I like the medium 7 foot casting rods by st Croix more.  The action seems faster and the blank a little more sensitive.  I love the handles and style of the dobyns rods.  They are both great rods and both have the best support.  Hard to loose between the two.

[stk44]

2 hours ago, WIGuide said:

Although I haven't fished a Dobyns, I will chime in on the LTB reel seat. If you palm your reels, I doubt you'll have a problem with them. That was the way they were designed to be held and if you hold your reel a different way, it might not be the reel seat for you. As far as the spinning reel seats go, again if you put your fingers where the grooves are it's very comfortable. My dad was having issues with his being uncomfortable until I noticed how he was holding it. Once he moved his hand he thought it was great. 

I can definitely see where some wouldn't like either, but I think a lot of the comfort of them depends on how you hold the rod. 

Very good point. I switch up from palming, between 2nd and 3rd finger w/ thumb over reel, and between 3rd and 4th finger w/ thumb over reel. I will say that using the latter is not very comfortable on the LTB, especially while wearing a ring.

 

[Columbia Craw]

St. Croix makes a fine rod.  I had three casting models and I do not care for the reel seat as well.  Worse for me was the tiny cork grip.  The heel on the palm of my hand sat on the blank.  The blank on my LTB jerkbait rod was nice. My Champion XP 684C is just as nice and much more comfortable to fish. 

[Zippyduck Krimm]

If you want one rod it has to be the dx 734 best all around rod. Can handle senkos and 3/4 oz jigs and everything in between.