Ark compared to Dobyns

[MDbassin]

Never fished an ark rod. The reinforcer rods look real good and I like the lengths and actions they offer. I'm familiar mostly with dobyns and st.croix tho.  How does the reinforcer compare to other $350 rods  like the Champion Extreme HP from dobyns? Or just in general how does ark fish do they tend to over or under rate there rods.... does a MH fish like a MH? And what's with the "Regular" action? They have XF, F, MF, Mod throughout there lineup but what is regular.

[RichF]

I don't have a Reinforcer but I did buy 3 Snipers when TW had them on closeout last year; the 7'0 and 7'6 MH XF and the 7'6 H F.  I would say they are on the stout side, a little above most manufactures' MH ratings.  I didn't get a chance to use them a ton but I like them.  I don't think they were worth the $200 msrp though. The tapers are pretty true, at least for the Snipers I have.  The extra fasts are pretty dang fast and the fast bends where it should.  I think the regular taper is more of a moderate taper, but I could be wrong.  

 

To be honest, I think you're going to have a hard time finding reviews on the Reinforcer.  Granted, it is very new.  I just don't see it selling really well at that price point.  There are too many other established brands out there with really nice sticks in that range.  To be fair, I do like my Arks and plan to check out the Invoker Pros when I revamp my cranking setups.  They also have a good replacement plan which is always a bonus.

 

 

[Efishin]

I like Ark better 

[Ricardo Borralho]

Hello

I'm thinking about buying 2 rods for jigs and texas rig. I'm torn between reinforcer and champion extreme . What is your opinion ? sensitivity, guides, blank quality. ???

thanks

[T-Billy]

I can't speak on the reinforcer or champ as they're above what I'm interested in spending, but in the sub $200 rods, that ARK 40T Torray blank beats the Kaden or Sierra IMO, and flat out smokes the Fury. I'm up to 4 Tharps, and have a Lancer Pro on the way. I have a couple Kadens, a Sierra, and a Fury. I like Dobyns, but feel like ARK offers more rod for the $$$.

I've found the ARK ratings to be spot on, both in power and taper, though this is subjective. 

ARK's R rating is their term for mod/mod fast. I love the way my Tharps fish. The tapers seem just right to me. Since Tharp is involved with ARK's design and R&D, I would expect this to be the case with the Reinforcer as well, but I don't intend to shell out the $$$ to find out. 

 

 

[scbassin]

The sensitivity is outstanding. The rod is well balance! The Extreme Series rods feature Toray high modulus graphite blanks, Fuji guides, Kevlar wrapping, Fuji reel seats and hoods and AAA-grade Portugal cork grips. These rods are made for “feel” techniques. I have several of this rods & in the next week I'll be ordering a Champion Extreme HP DX 745C FH for Carolina Rigs. The quality of these rods is outstanding which will keep me adding to my collection.  Dobyns Rods has one of the best warranties going, check it out.

I have not fished a ARK rod  so can't comment on them. 

I will mention that I also have several rods in each of the Sierra & Champion XP series. Which great rods at their price point.

I do not work for Dobyns Rods. A few years ago I bought a couple for my grandson & myself & discovered what a great product they are & the rest is history.

[WRB]

I remember meeting Gary Dobyns  at the 2009 Bass A Thon in Anaheim. Sitting Iovino and Sam Posey having lunch Gary sat down with us. Gary had set a deal with Lamiglas and Posey was the west coast rep, everyone knows Don.

The discussion was Gary’s line of application specific rods he was offering, a pioneer concept not yet exploited. Iovino was very supportive and could see the need. I remember thinking my only application specific rods was a custom crank bait using a Fenwick salt water popping blank and a 8’ Swimbait rod. To me at that time a bass rods were Lamiglas custom jig & worm rods I used for everything else and a medium Iovino Phoenix split shot rod.

So I did have a few application specific rods without realizing it.

A start up in 2009 took balls and Dobyns made it work with outstanding customer service, personality and his success as a bass angler. 

There is more to Dobyns rods then the product and the product is good!

Tom

[Ricardo Borralho]

On 10/24/2021 at 7:15 PM, WRB said:

I remember meeting Gary Dobyns  at the 2009 Bass A Thon in Anaheim. Sitting Iovino and Sam Posey having lunch Gary sat down with us. Gary had set a deal with Lamiglas and Posey was the west coast rep, everyone knows Don.

The discussion was Gary’s line of application specific rods he was offering, a pioneer concept not yet exploited. Iovino was very supportive and could see the need. I remember thinking my only application specific rods was a custom crank bait using a Fenwick salt water popping blank and a 8’ Swimbait rod. To me at that time a bass rods were Lamiglas custom jig & worm rods I used for everything else and a medium Iovino Phoenix split shot rod.

So I did have a few application specific rods without realizing it.

A start up in 2009 took balls and Dobyns made it work with outstanding customer service, personality and his success as a bass angler. 

There is more to Dobyns rods then the product and the product is good!

Tom

 Ark reinforcer is 46 Ton . champion extreme is 45? 50?

[T-Billy]

18 hours ago, Ricardo Borralho said:

 Ark reinforcer is 46 Ton . champion extreme is 45? 50?

Call Dobyns and ask. 1 (903) 919-8028 Friendly knowledgable staff who will be happy to answer all your questions. You might even get to talk to Gary himself.

 

[dodgeguy]

18 hours ago, Ricardo Borralho said:

 Ark reinforcer is 46 Ton . champion extreme is 45? 50?

Does it matter ? There are all sorts of thongs that go into a great rod. You give the same graphite to one blank maker and it's junk. Another makes a masterpiece.

[Ricardo Borralho]

On 10/26/2021 at 11:06 PM, dodgeguy said:

Does it matter ? There are all sorts of thongs that go into a great rod. You give the same graphite to one blank maker and it's junk. Another makes a masterpiece.

What's your choice?

[dodgeguy]

I've never touched an Ark rod. I have fished some friends Dobyns and have purchased a few also .I love the Dobyns rods. The company also has a great reputation for customer service. I also own a lot of BPS Johnny Morris rods which are really hard to beat in their price points.I do think I am going Dobyns from now on..