Anyone fished a M/F Avid and a MH/F Dobyns?

[WRangler506]

CASTING RODS:  The Avid M/F is rated at 1/4 to 5/8, the Dobyns MH/F is rated at 1/4 to 3/4. Im wondering if they feel similar? I have a Dobyns Champion for Crankbaits (705CB) that I have only used in the yard so far and really like it. The rod balances VERY well, and casts lighter baits pretty good. I dont fish heavy cover, mainly smallmouth and walleye.

 

In the store I just handled the Avid M/F and really liked it, but the MH/F Avid is just too stout for me, and a little tip heavy. I'm wondering if I should buy the Dobyns Champion MH/F (sight unseen) or the Avid X M/F. I have no ability to see the Dobyns in person.

 

The Cabelas ZX jig and worm MH/F actually seemed very good, very similar to the M/F Avid, but slightly stiffer.

 

The Fenwick ETB MH/F feels great, balances great, but feels to "moderate" for bottom contact to me.

[Angry John]

In casting i have used a 4 power dobyns and a mf and mhf in St croix.  The actions are faster in St croix, and I like them better when a line other than braid is used.  Only used an avid x in spinning but the running guides are a lot smaller and if you fish a lot of cold weather or braid to leader I would go regular and not x.  

[fishballer06]

What are you planning on using this said rod for? 

 

I personally own two of the St. Croix Avid 7' Medium - Fast action rods, and I also own the 7'1" St. Croix LTB Medium-Fast action rod as well. If you can't tell, I love this style of rod and I find it very versatile for my needs.

[WRangler506]

1 hour ago, fishballer06 said:

What are you planning on using this said rod for? 

 

I personally own two of the St. Croix Avid 7' Medium - Fast action rods, and I also own the 7'1" St. Croix LTB Medium-Fast action rod as well. If you can't tell, I love this style of rod and I find it very versatile for my needs.

Mostly just trying to use the most common baits Im already throwing with ML/F and M/F spinning gear. Trying to get a versatile (to me) casting setup. Id say mainly smallies and walleye, open water.

Tubes, finesse jigs, tubes, small spinners and cranks probably also. 1/4 to 3/8 mainly, maybe a 1/2 ounce max.

 

IF I find myself maxing it out in terms of lure weight, I have no issue finding a MH later, I just don't see myself using that weight much. I am NOT a fan of using an overpowered rod.

 

What techniques do you like with yours, and does the Avid feels different to the LTB?

Thanks

[fishballer06]

It's an extremely versatile rod. I really like it for weedless 3.8" keitech's, and also 1/4oz Fishhead spins with a keitech on them. It's also great for 1/4oz buzzbaits and smaller poppers on topwater. As for plastics and jigs, it's great for 1/8, 1/4, 5/16oz stuff. It would work well for tubes for you as well. It's also great for Senko's and Neko rigging. In the moving bait category. It works well for 1/4oz traps, smaller squarebills, and my favorite with it is a baby 1-.

[WRangler506]

16 minutes ago, fishballer06 said:

It's an extremely versatile rod. I really like it for weedless 3.8" keitech's, and also 1/4oz Fishhead spins with a keitech on them. It's also great for 1/4oz buzzbaits and smaller poppers on topwater. As for plastics and jigs, it's great for 1/8, 1/4, 5/16oz stuff. It would work well for tubes for you as well. It's also great for Senko's and Neko rigging. In the moving bait category. It works well for 1/4oz traps, smaller squarebills, and my favorite with it is a baby 1-.

Thanks for the help. I think Im going to like this rod. Are you using Sniper on it?

I think Im going to try Sniper or Tatsu 12lb on it.

On 5/14/2018 at 10:10 AM, Angry John said:

In casting i have used a 4 power dobyns and a mf and mhf in St croix.  The actions are faster in St croix, and I like them better when a line other than braid is used.  Only used an avid x in spinning but the running guides are a lot smaller and if you fish a lot of cold weather or braid to leader I would go regular and not x.  

Is the 4 power Dobyns you mention, is that their MH power?

How did it compare to the Avid M and MH? Im guessing in between.

Thanks

[Smallieseeker]

I have a dobyns 704 rod in the champion extreme line up and love it. I have no complaints except for I wish I would have gotten the 7’4” version. I would say it’s a pretty versatile rod too. I have thrown smaller jigs (1/4-3/8oz) weightless senkos, Texas rigs, shakey heads, spinnerbaits, bladed jigs with out any problems. Never thrown a treble hook lure on it so I can not comment on how it does there. I know you mentioned you was looking at the champion line up but I don’t think their actions would be that far off from each other. 

[Angry John]

It's not even close between ratings.  It to me is like a half power difference between 703, mf, 704 mhf.  I wish I had ccs data to support my statement and a few builders may.  It's a speed and power difference I feel.  My dobyns is a dx743 and I fished a friend's 744.  The 743 works best in tube's and things with exposed hooks.  Even with braid I don't prefer it for Texas rigs.  On the other hand it makes for a very expensive crank bait rod that works great.

[WRangler506]

Thanks for the info guys. Im gathering that the Dobyns MH is probably just above the St Croix Medium, but still quite a bit below the StC MH. Thats good, I think thats what Im looking for, but I will probably order the Avid since I think I will like it.

 

The Cabelas ZX Jig/Worm labeled rod is a MH/XF, and the action felt very similar to the M/F Avid to me. It was slightly stronger in power than the M/F Avid also.

[J Francho]

25 minutes ago, WRangler506 said:

Im gathering that the Dobyns MH is probably just above the St Croix Medium, but still quite a bit below the StC MH.

That's pretty much it.

[WRangler506]

42 minutes ago, J Francho said:

That's pretty much it.

I guess the only thing left to wonder since I cant feel the Dobyns in person, is a Dobyns Fast action noticeably slower than a St croix fast action? Most other rods seem be not quite as fast as the labeled StC rods. Im not saying one is better, just trying to get a feel for how it would compare, so I know which one fits me best.

 

If it is the Dobyns MH/F might be more versatile for me rather than this dedicated Dobyns crankbait rod.

[J Francho]

I can't really comment on that, although X-FAST side by side were very similar. 

[fishballer06]

23 hours ago, WRangler506 said:

Thanks for the help. I think Im going to like this rod. Are you using Sniper on it?

I think Im going to try Sniper or Tatsu 12lb on it.

I run almost all Sniper. If it's something else, it's going to be Tatsu or Pline Tactical. 

 

And I run 14 or 16lb. I only use 12lb. for cranks. I prefer to be safer than sorry.

[WRangler506]

11 minutes ago, fishballer06 said:

I run almost all Sniper. If it's something else, it's going to be Tatsu or Pline Tactical. 

 

And I run 14 or 16lb. I only use 12lb. for cranks. I prefer to be safer than sorry.

Thanks for the info. This will be my first try at FC, so I figured it might be cheaper to buy one and done. If Tatsu doesnt work for me, no FC will work for me I figure. PLus I found it on sale.

 

My only spinning rod with FC has 8lb Vanish on it. Now I know why I don't like it after reading all the bad reviews on it.

[fishballer06]

Vanish needs to vanish off the market...

[bunz559]

In the Dobyns Champion XP series, the MH would be the 733c. It's a great rod and I use it for all kinds of applications. Super versatile. It'll handle light finesse jigs, senkos, texas rigs, light c-rigs, and jerkbaits. It's probably one of my most used rods. 

[WRangler506]

4 hours ago, bunz559 said:

In the Dobyns Champion XP series, the MH would be the 733c. It's a great rod and I use it for all kinds of applications. Super versatile. It'll handle light finesse jigs, senkos, texas rigs, light c-rigs, and jerkbaits. It's probably one of my most used rods. 

Im kind of wishing I didnt buy this Champion 705CB. I probably would have been better off with a Fury 705, and then the 733 and/or 734 in the champion line. Those 3 rods seem to get at least half of the good Dobyns reviews I see. 

[Angry John]

39 minutes ago, WRangler506 said:

Im kind of wishing I didnt buy this Champion 705CB. I probably would have been better off with a Fury 705, and then the 733 and/or 734 in the champion line. Those 3 rods seem to get at least half of the good Dobyns reviews I see. 

Of those you list the champion 734 would be first choice.

[bunz559]

2 hours ago, WRangler506 said:

Im kind of wishing I didnt buy this Champion 705CB. I probably would have been better off with a Fury 705, and then the 733 and/or 734 in the champion line. Those 3 rods seem to get at least half of the good Dobyns reviews I see. 

The 705cb is not a bad choice. I have one of those as well. I use it for squarebills, lipless, jerkbaits, and small top waters. It has its perks in treble hooked baits. But yes, the 733 and 734 are great rods, with great reviews, and have great versatility. Probably not ideal for cranks, not that it wont throw them, but it'll still handle them just fine. 

[Robert Riley]

The Dobyn's are definitely over-powered. I've got a Savvy 703 and I've used a 704, The 704 is definitely more of a MH than the 703. If you want to throw some lighter lure, the 7' M avid is probably the way to go, it's more of a stiffer tip, but it's definitely lighter. So it's a bit of a toss-up depending on what you want. But I'd prefer the Avid over my Savvy for sure, and the Champion is pretty similar to the Avid. I would say the Doybn's balances better and the avid has the better cork. Take it for what it is worth, but that is my experience with similar rods. 

[WRangler506]

I REALLY appreciate all the info guys! Thank you for your replies.

 

I think Ill keep the Champion 705CB, it does have the full handle I want to try, which the fury doesnt. Its already in the garage so easier to keep it. Just need to pick line for it....

 

Ill try the Avid X 7ft M/F (with Tatsu 12lb). It sounds like that rod will be what I want. Later, if I finding myself wanting to go heavier, I can get the 704 or 734 that everyone seems to like.

 

 

7 hours ago, bunz559 said:

The 705cb is not a bad choice. I have one of those as well. I use it for squarebills, lipless, jerkbaits, and small top waters. It has its perks in treble hooked baits.

What line are you running on it, and have you tried spinnerbaits on it?

[bunz559]

4 hours ago, WRangler506 said:

What line are you running on it, and have you tried spinnerbaits on it?

I use Sunline Sniper 12lb at the moment. And Yes, I've thrown smaller spinnerbaits on it as well, 3/8 and 1/4oz. Anything heavier and I feel it's a bit too heavy (considering you're adding a trailer to the spinner bait as well). While the 705 and 735 are rated for the same lure weights, I feel the 735 has a bit more backbone when casting heavier lures. I would stick to 1/2oz and below on the 705. Just my preference and experience owning both rods.