Shimano expride or Dobyns champion extreme

[Dwbassin]

Looking for a flipping rod for 3/8 and 1/2 ounce jigs. Bought a dobyns 744 I believe and don’t really have confidence flipping heavy cover like thick lay downs with it. Ended up using that for swimbaits and t-rigs. I just want first hand opinions of those rod line ups. I know dobyns would be a 746 for me cause they run lighter usually. But I’ve heard zodias is comparable to them even surpassing with sensitivity. I only run dobyns right now they haven’t broke and I love them. Just torn on what would be exactly what I’m looking for. 

[JLewis134]

7'6 H Expride is a really nice rod for your application. I'm not fond of Dobyns personally. The Expride is a great series of rods.

[kayaking_kev]

Considering the Extreme's are $70 cheaper right now, I would go with a Dobyns. You can get an Xtasy 755c for $50 more than a 7'6 H Expride. I've heard great things about the Exprides and would like to get one myself in the future. How are the warranties on the Exprides?

[bunz559]

I have several XP, Extreme, Exprides and Orochi. Like you, I ran an only Dobyn's arsenal for the past few years. This passed year I started buying Exprides and Megbass rods to try something new. While the Japanese rods are lighter and slightly less bulky, I give sensitivity to my Extremes all day. I like them all, but the Extremes for what ever reason just seem to detect every rock, log, and bite better. I'd compare those Japanese rods more to the XP, which are also great rods. The toss up is sensitivity or ergonomics. 

 

For what you explained, I'd definitely step it up to a 745 or 746. I own both the 744 and 745 and they are very different in power. I use my 744 for light Texas rigs and mostly for spinner baits and 1/4 ounce Keitechs. My 745 is used for light pitching (1/4, 3/8, in a pinch 1/2) Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, and throwing big 10 inch worms. I'd say the 746 would be great for 1/2+ ounce weights. Would double up as a great frog rod too. 

 

 

[Dwbassin]

21 hours ago, bunz559 said:

I have several XP, Extreme, Exprides and Orochi. Like you, I ran an only Dobyn's arsenal for the past few years. This passed year I started buying Exprides and Megbass rods to try something new. While the Japanese rods are lighter and slightly less bulky, I give sensitivity to my Extremes all day. I like them all, but the Extremes for what ever reason just seem to detect every rock, log, and bite better. I'd compare those Japanese rods more to the XP, which are also great rods. The toss up is sensitivity or ergonomics. 

 

For what you explained, I'd definitely step it up to a 745 or 746. I own both the 744 and 745 and they are very different in power. I use my 744 for light Texas rigs and mostly for spinner baits and 1/4 ounce Keitechs. My 745 is used for light pitching (1/4, 3/8, in a pinch 1/2) Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, and throwing big 10 inch worms. I'd say the 746 would be great for 1/2+ ounce weights. Would double up as a great frog rod too. 

 

 

You answered perfectly what I wanted to find out. I’m thinking a 746 cause I throw into very heavy cover. I got a sierra 735 I’m gonna use as a frog/swim jig when I buy whatever flipping rod I get. My 744 extreme is used pretty much for exactly what you use it for too, fantastic rod just not enough power for serious flipping 

[WPCfishing]

I bought a 746 yesterday. The one thing I don’t like about Dobyns is their short reel seat. I have no idea why they insist on it. I put a Chonarch on it. Was only able to get two threads. Had to put my Lews tourney pro G on it. The shorter legs allowed for 3/4 of the threads. 
I’m thinking I should have looked at the Shimano or IMX Pro. 
The 746 is a bit heavier than I expected. I’m definitely doubting my decision to buy it.

[Matt_3479]

Unfortunately I’ve never fished or handled the extreme, but owned some sierra’s and fished the champions. They dobyns are nice rods, balance well but are heavier then I like. The imx pro’s I find more sensitive, but also a bit more technique specific. The exprides I find lighter and more sensitive then both. I’ve since sold my dobyns rods, and still have 2 imx pro’s and a couple exprides. Highly recommend the expride 

[Bandersnatch]

On 3/30/2020 at 2:35 AM, kayaking_kev said:

Considering the Extreme's are $70 cheaper right now, I would go with a Dobyns. You can get an Xtasy 755c for $50 more than a 7'6 H Expride. I've heard great things about the Exprides and would like to get one myself in the future. How are the warranties on the Exprides?

How can you get a xtasy for $50 more than the expride???? 

[kayaking_kev]

42 minutes ago, Chief250 said:

How can you get a xtasy for $50 more than the expride???? 

There was a 40% off sale then.

[GReb]

43 minutes ago, Chief250 said:

How can you get a xtasy for $50 more than the expride???? 

At the time of the post Dobyns was running 40% off everything 

[Bandersnatch]

6 minutes ago, GReb said:

At the time of the post Dobyns was running 40% off everything 

Oh, wow. Do they do that often or maybe a pandemic thing? 

[GReb]

6 minutes ago, Chief250 said:

Oh, wow. Do they do that often or maybe a pandemic thing? 

Just for the virus. Doubt you’ll see it again 

[Cityangler7]

On 3/29/2020 at 11:04 PM, Dwbassin said:

Looking for a flipping rod for 3/8 and 1/2 ounce jigs. Bought a dobyns 744 I believe and don’t really have confidence flipping heavy cover like thick lay downs with it. Ended up using that for swimbaits and t-rigs. I just want first hand opinions of those rod line ups. I know dobyns would be a 746 for me cause they run lighter usually. But I’ve heard zodias is comparable to them even surpassing with sensitivity. I only run dobyns right now they haven’t broke and I love them. Just torn on what would be exactly what I’m looking for. 

Hey I'm very happy with my DX 795 Flip, for flipping an pitching. I throw up to 1.5oz jigs on it and find it more than enough rod for heavy cover.

[WPCfishing]

Well I’m going to cast some toads, frogs and jigs with it tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll like the rod more than I do now. It’s does feel better in the hand with the reel on it. I’ve done the simple tip test. It is softer than a few of my other rods, which I like. I know the rod has a load of back bone for big hook sets in heavy cover so that’s a positive. I’ll post my experience with the rod tomorrow night. 

[Ogandrews]

My main flipping stick is a champion xp 766 and i like it for what it is. It’s got way more than enough power for the heaviest punching you could do but still doesn’t have a super fast action which is great imo for flipping and punching. Not the lightest rod but it’s not heavy, only thing I’m surprised with is that it’s definitely less sensitive than a couple sierras j have even when throwing straight braid. It’s a great rod, but I’ll end up replacing it with an expride at some point most likely.

[RoLo]

 

I like the Dobyns Champion more than most blanks,

but I like Shimano Expride more than the Champion.

 

Roger

[Tywithay]

On 6/4/2020 at 12:41 AM, Ogandrews said:

My main flipping stick is a champion xp 766 and i like it for what it is. It’s got way more than enough power for the heaviest punching you could do but still doesn’t have a super fast action which is great imo for flipping and punching. Not the lightest rod but it’s not heavy, only thing I’m surprised with is that it’s definitely less sensitive than a couple sierras j have even when throwing straight braid. It’s a great rod, but I’ll end up replacing it with an expride at some point most likely.

I had that 766 and my honest first thought when I first used it was, "this is a really nice $150 rod." Just sucks they charge $260 for it. I really like the few Dobyns that I've owned, but I don't think they offer much bang for your buck compared to some other rods on the market. 

[Ogandrews]

5 hours ago, Tywithay said:

I had that 766 and my honest first thought when I first used it was, "this is a really nice $150 rod." Just sucks they charge $260 for it. I really like the few Dobyns that I've owned, but I don't think they offer much bang for your buck compared to some other rods on the market. 

I think it depends on the rod you get. I have a champion xp 734 as well and that rod is light, super sensitive and super well balanced. The sierras I have are incredible bang for the buck i think but then again I haven’t owned any zodias’s.  Especially the 733 and the 735 Sierra are so well balanced that it barely feels like you’ve got anything in your hands. Really hoping the champion 736 i bought is balanced and light like the couple good ones I’ve bought, not the 766.

[WPCfishing]

On 6/3/2020 at 11:43 PM, WPCfishing said:

Well I’m going to cast some toads, frogs and jigs with it tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll like the rod more than I do now. It’s does feel better in the hand with the reel on it. I’ve done the simple tip test. It is softer than a few of my other rods, which I like. I know the rod has a load of back bone for big hook sets in heavy cover so that’s a positive. I’ll post my experience with the rod tomorrow night. 

So I get the rod a good workout. The more I casted the better it felt. I could easily bomb cast but more importantly I could hit spots I wanted to. Although it is a rod with a boat load of back bone there’s a tip that makes this rod fantastic for me. 
Another finding was the overall length. It’s like 7’6” with a shorter handle. For me this is an asset. Long handles force me to keep the rod out more than I’m comfortable with. 
As far as quality goes this Rod is very well made. The cork is excellent as are the guides. 
I’m considering the 4 and the 5 now. 
 

[Drop shot-1]

On 3/31/2020 at 11:33 AM, bunz559 said:

I have several XP, Extreme, Exprides and Orochi. Like you, I ran an only Dobyn's arsenal for the past few years. This passed year I started buying Exprides and Megbass rods to try something new. While the Japanese rods are lighter and slightly less bulky, I give sensitivity to my Extremes all day. I like them all, but the Extremes for what ever reason just seem to detect every rock, log, and bite better. I'd compare those Japanese rods more to the XP, which are also great rods. The toss up is sensitivity or ergonomics. 

 

For what you explained, I'd definitely step it up to a 745 or 746. I own both the 744 and 745 and they are very different in power. I use my 744 for light Texas rigs and mostly for spinner baits and 1/4 ounce Keitechs. My 745 is used for light pitching (1/4, 3/8, in a pinch 1/2) Texas rigs, Carolina rigs, and throwing big 10 inch worms. I'd say the 746 would be great for 1/2+ ounce weights. Would double up as a great frog rod too. 

 

 

With the 744 DX work for weightles stick baits with like a 3/0 hook?

[dodgeguy]

33 minutes ago, Drop shot-1 said:

With the 744 DX work for weightles stick baits with like a 3/0 hook?

Yes.