Dobyns Champion XP 683 or 684 for all around casting rod?

[larrymarketfishing]

Hi, all. New to the forum, very sorry if this has been answered already but I can't seem to find a solid answer anywhere.

 

I'm trying to decide between the Dobyns Champion XP 683 or 684 as my kind of all-around casting rod. I'll be primarily throwing smaller topwaters like 1/2oz walking baits, 75 and 90 ploppers, 3/8oz-1/2oz jigs, and 3/8oz spinnerbaits. I also fish primarily on small river systems on my kayak up here in MN, so I wanted to stick with a slightly shorter rod so I can cast a little more accurately in tight spaces. I've come across a lot of forums that say the power on Dobyns rods are actually one step less than they're advertised. I have a 1oz Chug'n Spook and a 110 Plopper that both weigh 1oz, so I was curious for you guys that are seasoned Dobyns owners if the 683 would handle these slightly heavier lures just fine (the 683 has a lure weight of 1/4oz-3/4oz), or if I should move up to a 684 (1/4oz-1oz). My only concern is with the 683 is that if it really fishes more like a medium, that I can't rip my jigs and spinnerbaits out of the weeds as easily as I probably could with the 684, but with the 684 I'm more or less concerned the tip isn't as soft as the 683's that when I get a bite on a topwater those treble hooks don't get ripped right outta their mouths. 

 

Any thoughts and advice would be very much appreciated! Thanks, everyone!

[MN Fisher]

If you're tossing 1oz lures - go with a 4-power Dobyns.

 

Don't 'heave-ho' when setting treble lures...an easy sweep should be more than enough with good, sharp hooks.

[LCG]

I recently picked up a Fury 703c and while I have only been out with it once and no fish catches on it, I would say it cast the lower to mid end well. It's rated 1/4-3-4, I went up to 1/2oz lures and it did well. I wouldn't personally throw much higher though. I wouldn't tie on a 3/8-1/2oz chatterbait on it, seems a bit too light to me. I would say their 3 power rod is very good at 1/4-3/8oz and good with 3/16-1/2oz. I know it's minimal experience, but call it first impressions.

[waymont]

No doubt about it, get the 684 for the baits you are describing.

[GReb]

I use 683 for jerkbaits, flukes, senkos, shakyhead, small traps, etc. You need the 684

[NJBasstard]

If your willing to go a couple inches longer the 610-4 will be a good fit and has a little more tip action than the 684. Either way I'd go with a 4 power.

[scbassin]

I have the DC 610 4C. I bought to skip under docks but I tried fishing other methods.  I had such good success with it I sent Dobyns Rods an e-mail telling them about it. I received a reply that they have had much imput on how versatile this rod is..  In my opinion this is the rod you are looking for.   

[Boomstick]

As others said, I wouldn't throw a 1/2oz jig on a Dobyns 3 power, and unless it's a finesse 3/8oz jig I would still prefer the 4 power.

 

For a point of reference, you can fish a 5" senko with a 1/8oz weight on both rods, but the 4 power works best with 1/4oz and on the 3 power you can fish it weightless almost as comfortably.

Both rods compliment each other very nicely. The tip on the 4 power at least in the Sierra and Fury line is a little stiffer and on the 3 power is a little slower so you can fish treble hooks as well as weightless soft plastics on that.

[larrymarketfishing]

Thanks for the input, everyone! So I realized I was trying to combine techniques that are on the complete opposite sides of the fishing spectrum into one rod, so I ended up going with the Champion XP 683 to fish my lighter applications, and I also actually ordered a Sierra 684 for my jigs, spinners, and heavier 1oz topwaters. I was kinda looking for an excuse to buy a third reel anyway (I ended up getting a Daiwa Tatula CT), so hopefully I made the right choices!