Dobyns Xtasy 755 first impressions

[HeddonFrog]

Southern Lake Michigan, First fish on the 755, a decent 3-12...on a 5XD. I know, it’s a jig rod but we weren’t jig fishing today and I wanted to get some time with it. I also really needed the extra length to get some casts way out there. The crank rod I brought was only 7’. It performed very well on a technique is wasn’t designed for and the typical Dobyns light tip section did well loading, casting and also keeping the smallie buttoned on the trebles. I think the TT Editors will love the 7-2 Med/Hvy as a search for the one candidate and Cal will be a pitching fool if he tests an X. I do think if they were to test this particular model, it will rack out a power lower than stated with a max lure rating of around 1oz. A 3/4oz Jack Hammer with a zako trailer (1-1/8oz total wgt) maxed the tip out. Again, I know this isn’t a horizontal reaction bait rod but I also think it would be great with a 1/2 bladed jig if you’re like myself and like fast action rods Vs cranking sticks to throw bladed jigs. The new DRX line is being advertised as a deep water bottom contact rod but my very limited first impression is it will be a more versatile line.

I tied on a 1/2oz and 3/4oz Dark Sleepers to both the 755 and my G-rod Pro Bass 7’ Med/Hvy to do a quick sensitivity check. The portion of southern Lake Michigan we were fishing is sand bottom and rip rap. Pretty d**n easy to tell the difference but there is some limited weed beds and whereas the Pro Bass (a very sensitive rod both in my mind and TT’s opinion) would just feel dead or mushy when I’d occasionally run into some errant patch of weeds but it was instantaneous “Weed” when I hit them with 755. It was hyper sensitive to rock, rubble, weed and sand with the 5XD. I really had fun reading the bottom with the XD...smooth rock, rough rock, concrete vs rock, dead weeds, fresh weeds. Even coarse sand, fine sand and when I was fishing the Dark Sleeper I could feel that little paddle tail kicking along. I know this feel will translate to jigs in a big way. I’ve referred to some of my other jig rods both past and present as either fishing by braille or they give me an actual visual picture of what’s down there. Basically sensitive enough to “see” and I loved how I was able to see with this rod. No bottom line yet, not nearly enough time to form an opinion. I usually sit down with what equipment I’ve acquired at the end of the year to decide “should it stay or should it go” I do know that It wasn’t just a utilitarian tool to catch fish...I had fun fishing it and look forward to fishing it again soon. I’ll even make time

 

Edit: It weighs 5.1oz on my scale.

 

I bought a Bantam MGL to go with the rod and a 7oz reel matches exceptionally well. The balance point is right on the locking nut. I didn’t fish it yesterday with the Bantam because I didn’t want to learn a new reel and rod on the fly. I used a Tat SV 6:3.1 with 30lb Suffix 832 with a 12’ leader of Kastking flouro coated mono

[Big-Bass]

Awesome review!  I have been hearing great things about these rods as well.  Is the cork as nice as everyone says it is?  Some say its the finest cork they have seen on a factory, non-custom built rod.

 

The Bantam seems like a great choice and/or an SV103 with the same sort of build/power to balance the rod.

[Stephen B]

17 minutes ago, HeddonFrog said:

Southern Lake Michigan, First fish on the 755, a decent 3-12...on a 5XD. I know, it’s a jig rod but we weren’t jig fishing today and I wanted to get some time with it. I also really needed the extra length to get some casts way out there. The crank rod I brought was only 7’. It performed very well on a technique is wasn’t designed for and the typical Dobyns light tip section did well loading, casting and also keeping the smallie buttoned on the trebles. I think the TT Editors will love the 7-2 Med/Hvy as a search for the one candidate and Cal will be a pitching fool if he tests an X. I do think if they were to test this particular model, it will rack out a power lower than stated with a max lure rating of around 1oz. A 3/4oz Jack Hammer with a zako trailer (1-1/8oz total wgt) maxed the tip out. Again, I know this isn’t a horizontal reaction bait rod but I also think it would be great with a 1/2 bladed jig if you’re like myself and like fast action rods Vs cranking sticks to throw bladed jigs. The new DRX line is being advertised as a deep water bottom contact rod but my very limited first impression is it will be a more versatile line.

I tied on a 1/2oz and 3/4oz Dark Sleepers to both the 755 and my G-rod Pro Bass 7’ Med/Hvy to do a quick sensitivity check. The portion of southern Lake Michigan we were fishing is sand bottom and rip rap. Pretty d**n easy to tell the difference but there is some limited weed beds and whereas the Pro Bass (a very sensitive rod both in my mind and TT’s opinion) would just feel dead or mushy when I’d occasionally run into some errant patch of weeds but it was instantaneous “Weed” when I hit them with 755. It was hyper sensitive to rock, rubble, weed and sand with the 5XD. I really had fun reading the bottom with the XD...smooth rock, rough rock, concrete vs rock, dead weeds, fresh weeds. Even coarse sand, fine sand and when I was fishing the Dark Sleeper I could feel that little paddle tail kicking along. I know this feel will translate to jigs in a big way. I’ve referred to some of my other jig rods both past and present as either fishing by braille or they give me an actual visual picture of what’s down there. Basically sensitive enough to “see” and I loved how I was able to see with this rod. No bottom line yet, not nearly enough time to form an opinion. I usually sit down with what equipment I’ve acquired at the end of the year to decide “should it stay or should it go” I do know that It wasn’t just a utilitarian tool to catch fish...I had fun fishing it and look forward to fishing it again soon. I’ll even make time

 

I bought a Bantam MGL to go with the rod and a 7oz reel matches exceptionally well. The balance point is right on the locking nut. I didn’t fish it yesterday with the Bantam because I didn’t want to learn a new reel and rod on the fly. I used a Tat SV 6:3.1 with 30lb Suffix 832 with a 12’ leader of Kastking flouro coated mono

Great review. I appreciate that write up. Very well done!

[Janderson45]

I’ve been eyeing these as soon as they were announced... I own a few Champion Extreme HPs, if these new Dobyns sticks are worth the price increase over the HPs they must be approaching the NRX in terms of blank sensitivity.  My Champion HPs are already (arguably) the most sensitive rods I own, I’m expecting nothing less than mind blowing performance out of these new Xtasy offerings.  I don’t see myself springing for until Christmas time, but will be sure to report back when I get my hands on one.  I’ll probably go with a lighter power than you did and pair it with a Chronarch MGL.  

[Backroad Angler]

Awesome review and nice fish!

[HeddonFrog]

15 hours ago, Big-Bass said:

Awesome review!  I have been hearing great things about these rods as well.  Is the cork as nice as everyone says it is?  Some say its the finest cork they have seen on a factory, non-custom built rod.

 

The Bantam seems like a great choice and/or an SV103 with the same sort of build/power to balance the rod.

It’s very nice. It’s up there with the best I’ve seen custom or high end factory. Very little filler but there is some. Feels like they hand sand it with 1600 grit, because it’s exactly how my cork feels after I sand it. 

[HeddonFrog]

15 hours ago, Janderson45 said:

I’ve been eyeing these as soon as they were announced... I own a few Champion Extreme HPs, if these new Dobyns sticks are worth the price increase over the HPs they must be approaching the NRX in terms of blank sensitivity.  My Champion HPs are already (arguably) the most sensitive rods I own, I’m expecting nothing less than mind blowing performance out of these new Xtasy offerings.  I don’t see myself springing for until Christmas time, but will be sure to report back when I get my hands on one.  I’ll probably go with a lighter power than you did and pair it with a Chronarch MGL.  

Until I tie a jig on I won’t know how it stacks up sensitivity wise against the GLX/NRX, Helium III or my G-rod but I know with the limited time I fished it, it’s one of those rods that floats in your hand and I’m pretty sure it’s going to have that little extra magic that has some of us making that leap from $300/$400 range to 500+ 

 

Im not a fanatical Dobyns owner. There’s some serious cool-aid drinkers out there...which in turn created Dobyns haters. I’m pretty neutral about rod brands because I love having rods from many different companies. So my immediate neutral stance impressions when out of the tube was I thought its a decent looking rod but also pretty pedestrian and conservative for being $500+ I personally don’t care how it looks as long as it ends up being magical to fish. Will definitely not convert any JDM guys...even if they fish it and think it’s the GOAT jig rod. I personally don’t get that but it is what it is. On other boards guys were mentioning the wraps were all out of alignment in the TW web photos. No issues on mine, which is why I posted pics of my guides. I apologize the pics came out blurry after resizing them 

 

This is a typical Dobyns when it comes to power. I actually learned on this site that whatever power rod you think you want buy 1 power up. Hence why I got the Mag and it definitely feels more like a 4 power GLX/NRX. Maybe a 4.5 but that’s about it. I’m pretty sure the 754 is going to be a big seller if that’s what you’re leaning towards. Can’t wait to hear your feedback 

 

 

15 hours ago, JoshFromBolo said:

Awesome review and nice fish!

Thanks brother

[BlackIce3758]

Nice write up for sure. I myself own the 754c and I love it. I overnight'd it from t.w. as soon as it was available.  Probably the 2nd day it was posted. I also own the 894 and 893c NRX jwr's and love them too. The sensitivity with the Xtasy line is definitely up there. The weight isnt quite what an NRX is but it's close enough to love it anyways. I've got my Xtasy rod paired with a tat sv 8.1:1 for jigs because that's mostly all I throw year round. I mainly use my 893c / alderbaran 50 for light plastics and 1/4oz jigs, the 894 / bantam combo for 3/8 - 3/4oz jigs and topwaters and the dobyns  Xtasy 754c  is almost kind of in the middle of both NRXs. It feels so nice paired with the Tat sv. My 1st dobyns buy was a DX 743c i paired with a tat sv 8.1:1. Something about dobyns and the sv reels just makes sense. I am now, however,  curious on how my bantam will work on the new Xtasy rod. My intentions we to keep the rod light with a somewhat lightish reel but the swing weight might be really nice when the jig bit is on. I may play around with the bantam / Xtasy combo and swap out the sv... unfortunately this year is coming to an end faster than I hoped out here in New England. If anyone is considering either the NRX or the Xtasy rods, you really cant go wrong. If you don't mind the price tag of these higher end rods, they are well worth the extra money. So much fun to throw all day long. It's hard to put them down

1 minute ago, BlackIce3758 said:

Nice write up for sure. I myself own the 754c and I love it. I overnight'd it from t.w. as soon as it was available.  Probably the 2nd day it was posted. I also own the 894 and 893c NRX jwr's and love them too. The sensitivity with the Xtasy line is definitely up there. The weight isnt quite what an NRX is but it's close enough to love it anyways. I've got my Xtasy rod paired with a tat sv 8.1:1 for jigs because that's mostly all I throw year round. I mainly use my 893c / alderbaran 50 for light plastics and 1/4oz jigs, the 894 / bantam combo for 3/8 - 3/4oz jigs and topwaters and the dobyns  Xtasy 754c  is almost kind of in the middle of both NRXs. It feels so nice paired with the Tat sv. My 1st dobyns buy was a DX 743c i paired with a tat sv 8.1:1. Something about dobyns and the sv reels just makes sense. I am now, however,  curious on how my bantam will work on the new Xtasy rod. My intentions we to keep the rod light with a somewhat lightish reel but the swing weight might be really nice when the jig bit is on. I may play around with the bantam / Xtasy combo and swap out the sv... unfortunately this year is coming to an end faster than I hoped out here in New England. If anyone is considering either the NRX or the Xtasy rods, you really cant go wrong. If you don't mind the price tag of these higher end rods, they are well worth the extra money. So much fun to throw all day long. It's hard to put them down

[fishballer06]

Beautiful combo! Thanks for the write up.

[HeddonFrog]

Your Tat SV weighs 7.2ozs (I own 4, it’s a love hate relationship) to the Bantams 7.6, barely indistinguishable. If you’re looking for a lighter set-up a Chronarch/Metanium MGL might be a better choice. I think going lighter than 6.5ozs will throw the balance off. As I mentioned my Bantam puts the balance point right on the lock nut and I’m really diggin’ how it floats. 

 

————————

 

I fished my DRX & Bantam rig for about 4hrs for what it was intended for on Thursday October 25th. I fished jigs from 1/4oz to 1oz in 12’ to 23’ of water. I’d still give my 844 NRX the nod in ultimate sensitivity by just a hair but overall I like fishing the 755 more. I absolutely love the length whether fishing from the boat or just kicking around on shore. It allows great distance and extremely accurate casts & pitches. I also see why a lot of guys use long “casting” rods now. I’m very late to the length party for casting rods. This is my first non-flipping stick over 7-3. Even as a mag-hvy and at 7-5 it has that precision scalpel like feel to it but unlike any high-end Loomis rod, that to me always feels dainty & fragile...this feels powerful. It’s a strange feeling of light, crisp and balanced while at the same time feeling powerful and virtually indestructible. I hope that makes sense. I have some G-rod Pro Bass rods and they are the most powerful rods I’ve ever owned but even my 7’ MH which only weighs 4.5oz lacks that precision surgical feel to it. If my G-rods are my baseline for power at a 10 I score the DRX as an 8. If my NRX’s are my baseline for sensitivity at a 10 the DRX to me is a 9. Keep in mind I only rate the NRX’s as a 5 in power.  So it has great sensitivity, excellent casting abilities and is powerful...I would have no reservations using this to cast spoons for 20-25lb Kings. 

—————

Bait handling. I was worried it would not handle baits to its max of 1-1/2oz, I shouldn’t have. I tied on a 1oz tungsten jig (weighs 1-1/8 w/hook & skirt) and a magnum rage bug (1/2oz) so I went just over and had no problems working the jig (down to 22’) properly nor did it feel like I was overloading the tip while casting. Again, just by holding it and due to that lighter tip you don’t realize it’s actually a powerful rod. I also fished it with 1/4 & 3/8oz jigs and Jumbo Pork and it was just as impressive or more so, on the lower end of its lure weight spectrum. A lot of heavy and most all Mag-hvy rods just don’t like casting light baits...the DRX has no problems with the lighter stuff and is still as much a pleasure to throw them as the 1/2 & 3/4oz baits. It has a very wide sweet-spot. 

 

That segues me to an actual statement that no ones probably going to heed. For most people who never throw baits over 1oz, buy the heavy 4 power not the Med/Hvy 3...if you’re a medium casting rod lover, I’m pretty sure the 3 will satisfy what you’re looking for. The 4 will do everything a med/hvy will plus it will more than likely cover most of what a standard medium power will but it will obviously also handle some of your heavier baits. I’m definitely getting a 754 because I’m pretty sure it’s going to end up being one of the most versatile rods I’ve ever owned. I almost ready to say that about the 755. 

 

Here’s my first nice one jigging in 20’ 

 

[Big-Bass]

I have the chance to pick up an Xtasy for $385 or an Champion HP for $259.  Should I just get the 754 Xtasy over the 744 HP?  That's basically 30% off of either model.  Thank you!

[BlackIce3758]

On 12/8/2018 at 7:15 PM, Big-Bass said:

I have the chance to pick up an Xtasy for $385 or an Champion HP for $259.  Should I just get the 754 Xtasy over the 744 HP?  That's basically 30% off of either model.  Thank you!

I'm sure the time has passed but if you still have the option, I would buck up and get the Xtasy.. just keep in mind you might have a hard time picking up anything else for a while after you've tied on your reel of choice. 

[Big-Bass]

15 hours ago, BlackIce3758 said:

I'm sure the time has passed but if you still have the option, I would buck up and get the Xtasy.. just keep in mind you might have a hard time picking up anything else for a while after you've tied on your reel of choice. 

Oh I picked the rod up...it's beautiful!!!  However, I can't get out on the water due to the weather.  I am planning on putting a tricked out SV103XS on it.  It should be really, really, nice!  I have talked to Gary Dobyns personally about the rod, also spoke with guys who use NRX rods and many have said that they like the Xtasy better than the NRX.  Especially from a balance standpoint.  

[BlackIce3758]

6 hours ago, Big-Bass said:

Oh I picked the rod up...it's beautiful!!!  However, I can't get out on the water due to the weather.  I am planning on putting a tricked out SV103XS on it.  It should be really, really, nice!  I have talked to Gary Dobyns personally about the rod, also spoke with guys who use NRX rods and many have said that they like the Xtasy better than the NRX.  Especially from a balance standpoint.  

I own 2 NRX rods myself. The 893c jwr and 894c jwr. I actually bought them prior to the Xtasy rod and love them without a doubt. But there's just something about the dobyns Xtasy rod. It's very very accurate when casting and the cork is unreal. Its wicked soft. Best cork I've ever held. It's pretty close to the weight of my 894c nrx but not quite as light as the 893c I own.. I bought it towards the end of last year so to he honest, I havent had a ton of time on the water. I've got more time on the water with my NRXs. I'll be interested to see how the Xtasy rod feels after I find out which baitcaster disappears in hand. I just bought a Metanium mgl. That may be the reel of choice  for 2019 but maybe not. The bantam mgl might be used too. I'm not sure yet. The rod felt great with the heavy breaking tat sv though. I was skipping jigs for the 1st time ever with the sv103/Xtasy combo towards the end of last year and loved every second of the experience so. Happy to hear you ended up getting one. Let's see some pics of the sv after the upgrades on your Xtasy rod ifyou get a chance to take some!

[freelancer27]

HI guys,

thinking of adding the 754 or the 755 to the arsenal with the crazy deals that are going on right now.

I currently have a ZBONE 7'6 MH (1/4-1oz) and a Steez AGS 7'9XH that I use for my bottom contact techniques. The ZBONE I use mainly for worming and smaller (up to 3/8oz) Texas rigged plastics while the Steez is used for the heavier (3/4oz -1.5oz) Jigs and pegged plastics.

So, I am looking for something in between. A dedicated jig rod for 1/2oz Jigs that I would use mostly in open water (with some medium cover pitching every now and there, for the heavy stuff I would use the AGS). So, wondering which of the two (754 / 755) would fit my needs best.


Thanks for the feedback.

Cheers,
Seb.