Finding the Right Rod

[RMax]

In the near future, I will be making a trip up North to fish for Smallmouth, Walleye, Muskie, and other smaller species.  I already have my rod choice for most of these fish picked out, my topwater rod can double for muskie/pike and my UL covers the perch and big bluegill.  I can use my bass rods to cover smallmouth.  However, I have been looking to replace my spinning rod that I use for finesse techniques with a new, better rod.  It would be awesome if I could double this to cover walleye techniques such as Jig'n raps.  Would a Medium rod like the St Croix Eyecon be the correct selection? Other suggestions?  Should I avoid the Walleye specific rods and get a Dobyns Fury?  This rod would mainly be used for Senko, Ned Rig, Drop Shot and other finesse techniques year round.

[LCG]

Check out the st Croix 6'8" mxf. Mojo, avid, or avid x depending on your budget. 

 

Loving the mojo so far and I regularly fish the techniques you listed. 

[fishnkamp]

The rod you describe would be a 703SF in the Dobyns lineup.

However if you like your present rod, maybe look at a tiny bit different rod.  

Take a look at a Dobyns Sierra SA 704SF, it does not exist in the Fury line sorry.

It is the next step up in the lineup. Might make a super smallie/walleye/ largie rod.  

My wife fishes a Sierra SA 705SF for frogs, that is the next step up from the 704SF.  She absolutely loves it. It balances well, cast terrific and feel awesome in her hand.

 

If you did go this way you would "add to" rather than just "upgrade" a rod in your rod arsenal.

Since a lot of walleye and smallies eat the same food I would think this rod should work well for your multi species needs.  

It advertised as a good for jigs, floating worms, texas rigs, flukes and Sencos and other baits.

I would bet it would handle a crawler rig great since it suggests "light carolina rigs".  

That should be true of a jig and minnow too.

If you notice, the rod suggests using baits like poppers, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, so I would think your typical Rapala floater/diving minnows and the Jigging Raps should be good on it too.  These baits weigh between 5/16 to 7/8 of an ounce ( except for tiniest one which only weighs 1/8 of an ounce) and that falls in the 1/4 to 1 ounce rating.

[RMax]

16 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

The rod you describe would be a 703SF in the Dobyns lineup.

However if you like your present rod, maybe look at a tiny bit different rod.  

Take a look at a Dobyns Sierra SA 704SF, it does not exist in the Fury line sorry.

It is the next step up in the lineup. Might make a super smallie/walleye/ largie rod.  

My wife fishes a Sierra SA 705SF for frogs, that is the next step up from the 704SF.  She absolutely loves it. It balances well, cast terrific and feel awesome in her hand.

 

If you did go this way you would "add to" rather than just "upgrade" a rod in your rod arsenal.

Since a lot of walleye and smallies eat the same food I would think this rod should work well for your multi species needs.  

It advertised as a good for jigs, floating worms, texas rigs, flukes and Sencos and other baits.

I would bet it would handle a crawler rig great since it suggests "light carolina rigs".  

That should be true of a jig and minnow too.

If you notice, the rod suggests using baits like poppers, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, so I would think your typical Rapala floater/diving minnows and the Jigging Raps should be good on it too.  These baits weigh between 5/16 to 7/8 of an ounce ( except for tiniest one which only weighs 1/8 of an ounce) and that falls in the 1/4 to 1 ounce rating.

Thanks again fishnkamp.

[RMax]

16 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

The rod you describe would be a 703SF in the Dobyns lineup.

However if you like your present rod, maybe look at a tiny bit different rod.  

Take a look at a Dobyns Sierra SA 704SF, it does not exist in the Fury line sorry.

It is the next step up in the lineup. Might make a super smallie/walleye/ largie rod.  

My wife fishes a Sierra SA 705SF for frogs, that is the next step up from the 704SF.  She absolutely loves it. It balances well, cast terrific and feel awesome in her hand.

 

If you did go this way you would "add to" rather than just "upgrade" a rod in your rod arsenal.

Since a lot of walleye and smallies eat the same food I would think this rod should work well for your multi species needs.  

It advertised as a good for jigs, floating worms, texas rigs, flukes and Sencos and other baits.

I would bet it would handle a crawler rig great since it suggests "light carolina rigs".  

That should be true of a jig and minnow too.

If you notice, the rod suggests using baits like poppers, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, so I would think your typical Rapala floater/diving minnows and the Jigging Raps should be good on it too.  These baits weigh between 5/16 to 7/8 of an ounce ( except for tiniest one which only weighs 1/8 of an ounce) and that falls in the 1/4 to 1 ounce rating.

So as I look through the refurbished dobyns rods, I see a lot of 702S rods, some with Micro guides, some without.  Is a ML too light for these applications? I have always thought that my MH spinning rod felt too stiff when fishing finesse lures, which is why I am looking for a lighter rod.

[fishnkamp]

Sorry in my opinion the 702 in any Dobyns line will be too light.  Dobyns rods run a little lighter compared to some other brands rods.  If I wanted a medium action rod ( most closely to what I think you have but atouch lighter I would get a Fury FR703 SF, or a Sierra SA 703SF.

The rod I was suggesting would have been a step up in power. I was suggesting it because you would like to use the new rod for both bass and walleye.  This 704 will handle lighter baits but also some walleye specific techniques and baits.

[RMax]

29 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Sorry in my opinion the 702 in any Dobyns line will be too light.  Dobyns rods run a little lighter compared to some other brands rods.  If I wanted a medium action rod ( most closely to what I think you have but atouch lighter I would get a Fury FR703 SF, or a Sierra SA 703SF.

The rod I was suggesting would have been a step up in power. I was suggesting it because you would like to use the new rod for both bass and walleye.  This 704 will handle lighter baits but also some walleye specific techniques and baits.

The other rods I was really looking at would be the St Croix Eyecon/Premier for a Medium Fast rod. Any experience with these? Does St. Croix do anything like reselling refurbished rods?

[fishnkamp]

I used to fish some St Croix Premier rods. I really liked them originally until I was introduced to Irod Genesis rods, Dobyns rods and Powell rods. To me I became much more comfortable with these three brands and I sold off all of my ST Croix rods. 

 

As far as I know none of the large brand rods like St Croix, G Loomis, Shimano, Diawa etc have any type of a program like Dobyns does.

[WRB]

Don Iovino Major Craft finesse spinning rod is ideal for what you want to use it for.

Tom

[RMax]

22 hours ago, WRB said:

Don Iovino Major Craft finesse spinning rod is ideal for what you want to use it for.

Tom

Have you used this rod and can confirm its sensitivity?

[WRB]

4 minutes ago, RMax said:

Have you used this rod and can confirm its sensitivity?

I don't own this rod however have fished with it and consider the rod to equal or better regarding lure feedback and strike detection to both Dobyns and St Croix higher end rods, however does not have as good of customer service of either Dobyns or SC. Keep in mind this is $120 rod and very  good at that price point. You can find Dobyns Fury FR703S SH for $80 from Gary's shop reconditioned direct. Everything being considered the Iovino Finesse rod is my choice at the price point.

Tom