Dobyn's Glass crankbait rod - what to do?

[BigGame0892]

Hey guys, I'm looking for your suggestions here.  I have a Dobyn's 705 CB glass crankbait rod that I absolutely love and has won me more than a bit of cash.  However, one thing I've always hated about this thing is the trouble I've had with the guides.  Dobyns used to use Kigan guides on their rods like this one, and I have had inserts fall out on two different occasions and now I've just lost an entire eyelet.  For reference, in 10 years of tournament fishing I have never had an issue with an eyelet or guide on any other rod.  I've had a rod snap once, but nothing with guides - I'm pretty careful with my equipment.  Currently, I don't have anyone nearby that I trust to replace the missing eyelet and I lack the know how myself.

 

Shipping it to just get an eyelet replaced seems like it would be rather expensive and not cost efficient.  Should I use Dobyns No-Hassle replacement policy ($70 plus the cost of shipping rod to me)?  Or, should I just sell my rod "As-is" on the Flea market or something and buy something else?

 

Looking for any and all reasonable suggestions.  Thanks guys.

[Tim Kelly]

If you really like the rod, get the guides replaced and keep it. Hard to imagine there's nobody local to you who would do it, it's not rocket science. If you're in a local bass club there might be someone there who builds their own rods who could do it for you. 

[fishnkamp]

I did some looking in your area.  But if you wanted to get all of the rod guides replaced call these guys for an estimate,  http://therodshopkc.com/  They are located in the northern part of Kansas City MO.  that is about 2 hours from you.  You could call for an estimate. Just choose the guides you would like to have on them. i am sure they can do it for you. 

Shipping to MO should be less than California.   Here is an alternative to the first location.    http://www.fitzfishing.net/store-location

 

 

[BigGame0892]

Thanks, I have some emails out to another shop in KC as well already.  I used to have a guy in KC that has actually repaired this same rod twice now (the guides where the inserts popped out), but I've lost touch with him since I moved. 

 

I know it seems crazy, but I'm kinda questioning the Dobyns quality at this point.  Seems they made a big mistake with these guides and evidenced by the fact that now they are using Fuji Alconites on the current Champion XP line.  That's why I was wondering if I should just do a replacement instead of possibly continuing to deal with these guide problems.

 

No hassle rod replacement would be $90 ($70 warranty and $20 shipping).  I'm thinking that if I went ahead and replaced all the guides on the rod I already have and ship back and forth - I might be set back about the same amount.

[fishnkamp]

The only way to repair this rod correctly is to replace every guide. I am curious if the problem is just the older Kigan guides. I have seen these used on other rods with little trouble.

It is sorta like the guides on an Abu Garcia Veritas rod. I have several friends that have had the guides loose their inserts. In the same time I have had no trouble. Kinda weird.  Give your local guys a call and get the estimate then you can make a responsible decision.  Consider which way ix better for you, spend $90 for a NEW rod or whatever they want to install all new guides on yours.  The new rod is going to be cheaper in my mind, and you will get it back quicker.  

I just got a Champion DC 705C and I can not wait till I can toss a frog.  My wife's new frog rod got ordered today. She only uses spinning so I ordered a Sierra SA705SF. I can not wait till it gets here next week.

Good Luck and let us know how you make out.

[BigGame0892]

Cool, thanks fishnkamp.

 

2 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

The only way to repair this rod correctly is to replace every guide.

 

I guess I knew that, but hadn't really thought about it.  The first two guides have been replaced with Fuji Aluminum Oxides for quite some time, so the guides have been mismatched awhile now.  Never really noticed any performance issues.

 

4 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

I am curious if the problem is just the older Kigan guides. I have seen these used on other rods with little trouble.

 

I have the first insert fall out very early on and the second followed shortly after.  Never seemed to be any real rhyme or reason - especially since the bottom guides are the least likely to be damaged in my opinion.

 

Seems like having Dobyns replace it is going to be the way to go at this point.  I find it interesting that Dobyns keeps stressing that the Fuji Alconites are "durable" in their advertising for the Champion XPs.  Maybe there is something to that and other folks had similar problems with the Kigans.

[fishnkamp]

It is interesting that Gary is still using Kigan guides on the micro Savvy series and does not mention what guides are on the Fury lineup. If he had that much trouble with those guides he would have dumped them before the warranty killed him. I can not think who it was, but he is not the only rod manufacturer that I remember seeing those guides on.

I am willing to bet that it was an early design or bad batch you just happened to get on your rod.  I know there was an issue with some rod seats so he changes manufacturer on that early on as well.

 

With the mark up being as little as a rod has on, it he could not afford to use poor components and stake his reputation and business on them.  Give Gary or his son Richard a call out there and see if there was an issue, I would not be surprised they helped you out with it.

[BigGame0892]

Yeah, I'm going to do that today.  I've talked to Gary and Richard before when I was getting my old club a discount on a joint purchase - very easy people to work with!  Hopefully we can get something worked out before my tournament next weekend.

[blckshirt98]

If you do get the guides re-wrapped locally, maybe look into getting a spiral wrap.  I know some people say this makes little difference and it's a fad, but I have one glass crankbait rod spiral wrapped and would never switch back.

[BigGame0892]

Thanks everyone.  At this point I've just elected to use the Dobyn's No Hassle replacement policy and get a new one with the new Fuji Alconite guides.  I'm confident that it will work out great.