Dobyns Fury 702 vs 703

[Junk Fisherman]

13 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

I went from a 702 to a 693. The 2 power is more like anyone else's light.

 

In Ned's own words, it's a no feel bait (and he uses a medium powered rod). You're not supposed to feel connected to the bait.

 

It doesn't feel "no feel" because of the rod; it feels "no feel" because it's supposed to.

 

https://zmanfishing.com/cms/chatter/conversation-ned-kehde

 

I've read that article a couple times before.  It helped me realize that I was using too big of a hook on the first round of Ned jigs I made.  I did try the #4 hooks like he suggested but I prefer a #2.  In regards to our conversation, Ned speaks of feeling any resistance the lure encounters.  Sure, as the lure is in the water column you're not "feeling it" but you feel it on the bottom, when it comes into contact with vegetation, rocks, or wood, or if it gets bit.    I have a 763 Champion and would never use that rod for a Ned rig since I would not feel a 1/16th jig and a TRD.  Sure, I could watch my line but I love the feel of the lure I get with my Steez and 741.

 

And I won't categorize their 1, 2, and 3 powers compared to all other rods since I have only used 3 spinning rods brands over the last 10 years and the Daiwa I have used is an outlier with a 1/16 to 3/4 lure weight.  Dobyns's 2 power is very similar to St Croix's medium light.  

[Drop shot-1]

I think the biggest think I've learned from using ML vs Med and I have tried several different rods (spinning).  I get the whole part of letting the fish move around more with a bendy rod, but if that fish is thrashing around bending the rod, pulling the rod. You're not in control of it. I use the Owner Drop shot hook 1/0 moved to the 2/0. barely a difference but no fish is going to bend that hook with med tackle. I don't care about the small fish. I care about the big fish. This strategy will put more fish in the boat. For neko its a toss up. you can use varying hooks. Again same thing. Who cares about the small fish, its the bigger fish. NEKO drop shot. I like a good light med rod. 

The biggest takeaway is that slight bit of weight from a med but overall more power from a med. Some longer DS rods like a dobyns 702 have a good backbone that will give you some strength while fighting or some 732 rods are good, but smaller rods 6'10 I dont like them theyre too short and you cant get enough leverage. If youre going to go ML go with a 7 or longer rod, nothing shorter. Smallmouth will run you with any reel you have. . If you are fishing in very open water with no cover around then use the ML, but if you need to get that fish away from cover then use the med. This would apply to drop shot mainly. If you hook a big 4 pounder with light fluoro 6-8 (8 pound you pretty safe, but 6 you're not) you are NOT going to turn it with a ml rod very easy, its going to pull that drag and have a slight advantage. And because its pulling drag it gets momentum. If you have a med rod you can a bit of pressure and still maintain line health with your drag set right. I have used both even out here in Socal where its deep I prefer a med rod. Unless its shallow and im fishing an exposed hook, which I never do. I will occasionally use an open hook. If you can find a quality med rod that is light i dont think the rod action is that important. The tip on a med is still going to give, but not bend like a noodle.  Ive used fast and x fast. I actually liked xfast a lot and noticed how much more control i had.  but the biggest thing Ive change is using 7foot plus rods. Makes a huge difference getting in control quicker and landing fish, and the longer rod gives the limberness necessary to play the fish even with a med rod. I went up a hook size for drop shot and it works for me to go a bit heavier. i want to fish the biggest hook I can get away with and that usually means moving away from a med light. I recommend at least a seven foot rod too. To each their own. Most pros are not using med light spinning tackle. A Lot of them are actually using m/MH spinning rods, because they can pin the fish better. Those med light rods bend too much. I think it's unnecessary. And if you have your drag too low you're not going to bend that rod anyway. just my 2 cents. 

Daiwa Tatula 4000 picks up 40 inches of line. Owner Downshot 2/0 hook 6 inch robo. With a good 7 foot med fast. or xf rod with the drag just right will put big fish in the boat and not rip the hook. Key is the correct drag, you will not break of any fish and if you do then thats how it goes. this took me a while to get under control. ANything smaller is micro finesse. normal ML rod is too finessy. im not that desperate. if the fish is big enough regardless of rod strength and the drag is too tight he'll pop it. and most of the fish ive seen lost isnt because of the rod its because of the drag! unless the fish is substantial a med can handle those headshakes with enough give.