Dobyns Seirra Spinning Rod

[Fishohio]

Hey guys, is anyone fishing the New Sierra Spinning rod? Lookin for a dropshot/shakeyhead and small plastic jerkbait rod. My son claimed my old M1 (reel seats starting to get bad) which gives me an excuse to get new rod !. Or does someone have a suggestion for a good all around rod for all these baits?

[PatrickKnight]

I have a 703 and it is one really sensitive stick. My only complaint is it is a bit to tip heavy with my 3000 size Stradic on it. I think it would be perfect with a 9.5 oz real on it.

[fishnkamp]

I love those Dobyns Sierra rods. My local tackle shop stocks almost all of them, so I have handled a bunch of them.  I fish one Champion 705C for my frogs and my friend Kris fishes 4 Fury rods including a FR703SF. So I have fooled with different Dobyns models.

 

I purchased a Sierra SA705 SF for my wife to fish big heavy jigs, carolina rigs and frogs.  I matched that rod with a Pflueger Supreme 35 size reel and it balances awesome, just above the middle of the spool.  Just to test it out, before I left the store I strung up the 30 pound test Power Pro Spectra and tied on one of the new Strike King 1/2 ounce Poppin Perch.  I let it down about 6 inches from the tip. I just barely jiggled the tip and you could feel the vibration from the lure in the palm of my hand. These are super sensitive and I love it. It is just a touch less sensitive compared to my Champion rod which cost about $70 more. I had the store owner mess with it and then we went outside and did some casting with it. She is going to love it

 

I intend to make my next rod purchase a SA 693SF.  I will use it for Sencos, light texas rigs ( 3/16 to 3/8) light jigs.

I am certain that rod would do what you want. I like the feel of the 6'9" long rod for tossing under docks and around structure.

Another option would be a a SA 703SF.  I realize they suggest the 2 power rods for dropshotting, shakeyheads etc.  I have held some 2 and 3 power rods and I think the 3 power would work best.

 

As Patrick said these rods feel best with a tiny bit heavier reel.  Take a good look at the reel we chose, the Pflueger Supremes offer a quality reliable reel with a high retrieve ratio of 6.2:1, 12 pounds of drag and a IPT of 33.8.  The reel weighs 8,8 ounces so by no means a light weight nor a heavy weight.

 

[Fishohio]

Thanks guys.

I went to Fishermen's Central a local tackle store and checked out quite a few rods by all different brands. (to many to list) Got the 702. I fish a lot of weightless baits in summer and the 702 just felt right to me. Put my Sustain 2500 on it and it balances very nice. Haven't got to fish it yet as the weather here in Ohio doesn't know what it's doing.

[CybrSlydr]

1 hour ago, Fishohio said:

Haven't got to fish it yet as the weather here in Ohio doesn't know what it's doing.

Amen to that!  Just as it gets to the weekend, cold fronts drop temps into the 30s and it rains for a week straight.  -sigh-

[Fishohio]

1 hour ago, CybrSlydr said:

Amen to that!  Just as it gets to the weekend, cold fronts drop temps into the 30s and it rains for a week straight.  -sigh-

 Yeah Got a lot of new gear to try out and the weather just crazy! Have been to my favorite pond, but really want to get the boat out.

[PatrickKnight]

Ohio weather is just stupid so far this year!!

[XpressJeff]

I have a 703 with a Stradic 3000.

 

Absolutely love it, not nose heavy at all! I have heard 2 or 3 folks say it's nose heavy!

 

You know what opinions are like?

[fishnkamp]

I have found the Dobyns spinning rods balance best with reels that weigh between 7.5 and 9 ounce. If you use some of the super light reels with composite frames and side plates then balance can become more noticeable.  I refer to reels like my Okuma RTX30, which weighs only 6.6 ounces.

 

My preference was to use a Pflueger Supreme instead. That felt better and weighs 8.8 ounces.  The  Supreme weighs about .5 of an ounce more than your Stradic, so I agree the rods balance very well with reels around that weight.  

[Jw1799]

I bought the 702 ssm model, for dropshot and Ned rig applications in the middle of March. 

 

I'm in Ohio as well and I've only had it out for maybe an hour or so but the balance and the feel of the rod is great.  It was too cold for any bites so I haven't felt how it feels with a fish on yet but otherwise it's appears to be great rod.  It can really cast even the smaller ned rigs out a mile.

[BassThumb]

I'm really curious about the 704 and 705SF. I'll be getting one this spring, sight-unseen, to be used as a dock skipping rod.

[fishnkamp]

My wife's new SA 705SF is really nice.  I purchased it so she can fish bigger jigs and frogs.  it feels dreat with a ho;;ow bodied frog and a SK Poppin Perch on it.