Dobyn’s fishing rods

[12poundbass]

It seems like these rods are very popular as I read posts all the time about Dobyns rods.
 

Can someone school me on them? I’m looking to upgrade my rod arsenal over time and the Fury lineup looks appealing. 

[flyfisher]

Not sure what you want to know exactly but I have 5, i think Fury rods, all bait casters.   I picked up one MH to try out and liked them enough to get some more.  I have 2MHF, 1 HF, 1 Mag Heavy and their M crabkbait rod.  All perform well for what I want them to do.  One of the MH is dedicated to being a jig rod and the H is pretty much a dedicated frog rod.  The Mag Heavy i throw big boot tail swimbaits mostly.  The crankbait rod is pretty self explanatory and the other MH i use an all around rod that I throw pretty much anything on.  I have tried lots of rods in the price range of the Fury and I think they are top of the heap.  

[MN Fisher]

So far I've only used two - a FR702SF for finesse and a FR705CB for cranks/jerks/ploppers/spooks.

 

I liked them so much  that this year I'm upgrading three more rods to Furys - Aird-X M/F spin to 703SF, Aird-X M/F casting to 703C and Laguna MH/F casting to 704C

[12poundbass]

1 minute ago, flyfisher said:

Not sure what you want to know exactly but I have 5, i think Fury rods, all bait casters.   I picked up one MH to try out and liked them enough to get some more.  I have 2MHF, 1 HF, 1 Mag Heavy and their M crabkbait rod.  All perform well for what I want them to do.  One of the MH is dedicated to being a jig rod and the H is pretty much a dedicated frog rod.  The Mag Heavy i throw big boot tail swimbaits mostly.  The crankbait rod is pretty self explanatory and the other MH i use an all around rod that I throw pretty much anything on.  I have tried lots of rods in the price range of the Fury and I think they are top of the heap.  

Thanks. I guess I’m just looking to see what everyone’s opinion is on them and what the ‘buzz’ is all about. I’ve never really fished a high end rod, would you say these fish more like a more expensive rod or just top of their class for the price range they’re in? 

[flyfisher]

2 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Thanks. I guess I’m just looking to see what everyone’s opinion is on them and what the ‘buzz’ is all about. I’ve never really fished a high end rod, would you say these fish more like a more expensive rod or just top of their class for the price range they’re in? 

Not sure as the most expensive rod I have fished with as far as conventional gear goes is around 250 and I wouldn't spend the extra over the fury to get it.

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Thanks. I guess I’m just looking to see what everyone’s opinion is on them and what the ‘buzz’ is all about. I’ve never really fished a high end rod, would you say these fish more like a more expensive rod or just top of their class for the price range they’re in? 

These are the top rods I've used - and as much as I've liked my Aird-X's, the Furys are much more sensitive and responsive. I'd say they're worth the cost...better if you can get them on sale (as I've done for all 5 of mine)

[Mike L]

Good timing, Keep the opinions coming. 
I’m looking for a new frog rod myself. ?
 

Got it down between the Siera/Fury or a Mojo

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

[LCG]

Having recently obtained a Fury 703c I think you are getting quality components and an interesting action that is new to me. Medium-Heavy that's probably more medium +, an action that's a fairly soft tip, but a pretty solid backbone. Cast 3/16-1/2oz well, rated to 3/4 but that might be a stretch. No catches yet, but I can see a place for this rod for squarebills and spinnerbaits. 

[12poundbass]

1 minute ago, flyfisher said:

Not sure as the most expensive rod I have fished with as far as conventional gear goes is around 250 and I wouldn't spend the extra over the fury to get it.

Ok. I’m not trying to compare them to a $400-600 high end rod, your $250 comparison is more what I was wondering. I might give them a try this year and see what I think. 
 

Thanks for the replies guys. 

[Darth-Baiter]

I didn’t like the 703  much when I got it. It felt heavy. But as I got used it it, it became my favorite rod. I plan on buying another one soon. It’s my multitasker rod but usually sends the chatterbaits/jigs flying for the most part. (At the store) I picked up a Dobyns spinning rod the other day. Med-LT; it made me question buying my Phenix Maxim recently. It felt so great. I might grab it one day for  a second finesse rod, since I love fishing that style so much. . 

[Boomstick]

Well here's what you should know to get started. The 704C which is labeled as heavy is really your typical Med. Heavy rod, T-Rigs with ideally 1/4 or 3/8oz for best casting, 3/8oz or 1/2oz jigs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits etc.

 

The 703 is labeled Med. heavy, but is like a Medium + and the tip is a little less fast and closer to moderate fast. I wouldn't throw anything above 1/2oz total weight on a 703 but the upside is that it fishes treble hooked baits pretty decently as well as weightless or lightly weighted soft plastics. It makes a pretty versatile pairing with the 704.

 

The 735 (labeled Mag. Heavy) would be your typical heavy rod for flipping, pitching frogging, the 705CB would be your cranking rod and the 702SF would be your finesse rod, making a fairly complete 5 rod setup.

 

Also if there is any way you can swing it, I would also suggest stepping up to the Sierra, at least I think it's worth the extra cost.

 

[swhit140]

I would say that the Fury rods are probably one of the most popular rods for the price. They are a good quality rod for the price. I have a Fury 705CB that I use for crankbaits & Fury 735 that I use for frogging. I've used to have a couple Sierra rods also. The Sierra series are nice rods also. I also have 4 Champion XP rods . Dobyns rods are very nicely balanced and feel great in hand. 

 

If you want one of the most versatile rod model would be a 734.

If your looking for a quality lower entry/price rod, check out the Fury. 

[kayaking_kev]

It's hard to beat Dobyns as a total package. They have great balance that competes with any priced rod, they have a top notch warranty and customer service, and for being assembled in China, they have great build quality. And, I will always love the way Dobyns rods looks. They are lighter in hand than they are on the scales due to the great balance, and the sensitivity might not be #1, but it's sufficient and pretty subjective. Some love the softer tip action and some will hate it.

 

I've owned 14 Dobyns rods and I tend to stay away from the heavier powers, because they do get a bit heavier. My favorites are the 2 & 3 Power Casting rods and the 4 & 5 Power Cranking rod. The 5 and 6 Casting Powers all felt heavier than what I wanted with the exception of the Xtasy 755c, but I question if it was even a Heavy Power, much less Mag Heavy as rated, the diameter of the blank looked like a Medium.

The MH Xtasy 723c has basically turned into my finesse rods for throwing as light as 1/10 Ned Rigs, so the powers are off quite a bit.

 

If I had to rank the Dobyns I've owned it would go something like this.

 

Xtasy 723c

Xtasy 755c

Extreme HP 702c

Champion XP 704cb Glass

Champion XP 705cb Glass

Champion XP 734c

Champion XP 704sf

Kaden 744c

Fury 703c

Sierra 735c

Fury 663c

Fury 702sf

Champion XP 736cb Glass

Champion 634cb

 

I would personally try to get at least the Sierra series so it makes the Warranty a bit more worth it if you ever have to use it. But, I believe there's a big jump from the Champion XP to the Extreme HP, and I would personally choose my bottom contact and finesse rod from there and a crankbait rod from any of the other series. The Power rod would be the tough one for me to complete in an arsenal because like I said I feel that's where they get a bit too heavy for me, when the competition has much lighter options available. The Glass rods are nice, but the 5 power was my limit on them, the 736cb weighed in at 6 oz. and that wasn't going to cut it. Out of all those Dobyn rods I only have the Xtasy 723, Champion XP 704cb Glass, & Fury 663c left.

 

One more thing to add. Southern guys with bigger fish and baits are going to tell you the 4 power is the most versatile rod, but I think a lot of Northern guys who also fish for Smallmouth will find the 3 Power more versatile. I love the 3 Power.

[Junk Fisherman]

I own 5 of their spinning rods and had several other spinning rods from them that I either sold or broke.  Their 2 power is the ideal bass fishing finesse power.  I do use a 1 power for light Neds and a 3 power for heavy tubes and stupid tubes but the 2 power is the most versatile IMO.  

 

In terms of their baitcasters, I use a 3 power for worming, senkos, light pitching, lighter swimbaits.  The 4 is what I use for pitching plastics and 3/8 oz jigs.  I use a 5 power for football head jigs, C-rigs, and frogs.

 

I have only owned Champion XP and HP.  Personally, I don't think the HP is worth an extra $100.  I think the XP is the sweetspot with price and performance.  I made the switch to Dobyns 5 or so years ago.  I was using a Champion and an Avid using the same presentation and the Champion was much more sensitive overall.  I now own 9 Dobyns and have sold all my Croixs.  

[Fishlegs]

I got a great black Friday deal on a Dobyn's Fury 703c, and I have a question. The weather has prevented me from actually being able to fish with it, but I have taken it out in the yard to see how it feels. It is very light, and casts great, but I'm underwhelmed by the sensitivity.

 

I like to test my rods by casting a practice plug into the grass across the street, pulling it out of the grass, into the street, and up my driveway. I have always felt a distinct difference when the plug is in the grass, vs asphalt, vs aggregate. The difference feels much more subtle with the Dobyn's than it does with my Fenwick HMG, H2O Xpress Tac-40, and even my Daiwa Aird-X feels more sensitive to the different surfaces.

 

I really want to love the Dobyn's because of the praise it gets for its sensitivity online, but so far it's just meh for me. I'm not trying to bash a rod that seems to be universally loved. I'm just surprised. I wonder if I should swap it out. It's still within the return/exchange window, and I didn't remove the stickers/plastic from the handle. Could I have gotten a dud? Thoughts?

[FishinBuck07]

I have 3 or 4 of the Fury rods, and 3 of the Kaden line.  The Fury rods for the money are great rods, well balanced, my arms don't get tired holding them fishing all day.  I like that they are a little lighter than the power they say they are, some rods with the same power rating are way too stiff in my mind.  For the way I fish they do great because I feel with the lighter power they have a little more forgiveness to them when fighting a fish and keep them pinned better, I believe!  They have great customer service and a very good warranty.  I really like that they have a whole line up to cover all the techniques, I like the same feel when I am using my rods, again probably just me.

[LCG]

2 hours ago, Fishlegs said:

I got a great black Friday deal on a Dobyn's Fury 703c, and I have a question. The weather has prevented me from actually being able to fish with it, but I have taken it out in the yard to see how it feels. It is very light, and casts great, but I'm underwhelmed by the sensitivity.

 

I like to test my rods by casting a practice plug into the grass across the street, pulling it out of the grass, into the street, and up my driveway. I have always felt a distinct difference when the plug is in the grass, vs asphalt, vs aggregate. The difference feels much more subtle with the Dobyn's than it does with my Fenwick HMG, H2O Xpress Tac-40, and even my Daiwa Aird-X feels more sensitive to the different surfaces.

 

I really want to love the Dobyn's because of the praise it gets for its sensitivity online, but so far it's just meh for me. I'm not trying to bash a rod that seems to be universally loved. I'm just surprised. I wonder if I should swap it out. It's still within the return/exchange window, and I didn't remove the stickers/plastic from the handle. Could I have gotten a dud? Thoughts?

I wouldn't say they are the most sensitive rod I have ever handled, but it depends on what you are going to use it for. I got mine to throw spinnerbaits and squarebills, so sensitivity is not paramount. My texas rig combo and finesse spinning set up needs to be sensitive. 

 

Personally, I need more time on the water with the rod and a few catches before I pass judgment. But I like the feel and casting of the rod so far. 

[Randy Price]

Earlier this summer (based on praise from this site) I purchased a Fury 703C.  Just for clarity I'm normally a St. Croix guy.  I fished the next weekend pretty hard with the 703C and was disappointed with the rods sensitivity.  I thought it was well made and looked nice but for the money didn't think it was near as nice as the Mojo Bass series that was just $ 10-20.00 more.  To me the Fury line was more like the Triumph line from SC.  IMO for the $$ the Mojo Bass series is a nice rod.  If you can swing it the AVID series are very nice but then you're getting into the $ 200-220.00 range, however, you are also getting an American made rod with a 15 year warranty.

[Fishlegs]

I agree that the Fury is a nice looking rod, and it feels very nice in my hand. I'm just questioning my own judgement on the sensitivity since so many talk about how sensitive it feels to them. I really want to get it in the water to get a more informed opinion, but our local news said it was colder here in Alabama than it is in Anchorage, Alaska today so I think I'll wait. lol

[Emiliano]

I  own same Fury casting model and I think that for the retail price they are worth it, I love the balance the Fury series has more than the light weight.

I agree that compared to other rods their rated power is more than the actually it is. So a Heavy Dobyns it is much like a MH, Fury series has a lot of backbone and a kind of soft but sensitive tip that gradually transmits the power to the 3/4 of the blank.

So if you are used to fish with stiff and nervous rods Fury series it's not what you may want.

I love my 705CB, great crankbait rod, I find the most versatile for jig, Texas rig and plastic baits in general it is the 734C.

 

I very like them but for jerkbaits specific technique for example I didn't find any rod in the Dobyns with the specs I need, I prefer a stiff tip but a medium power that can just flex near the middle section, so I found St Mojo 6'8 SCIII, the second gen, a good option for its price.

[WRB]

What makes Dobyns rods special is Gary Dobyns the Owner.

Gary is a true ambassador for bass anglers. Gary goes out of his way to help anglers with product questions and if you need help finding a bass boat at a discount, whatever he is always helpful.

Call and discuss your needs, Dobyns usually has some good deals available.

Tom

[NoShoes]

Fury is plenty sensitive enough. 

[ike8120]

I have 5 of them in spinning and baitcasting. Budget friendly and a decent rod.

[Mike L]

2 hours ago, Jim Van Ryn said:

Hi Mike - I have been using the Dobyns Champ 735c as my frog rod for many years. It is absolutely the best Frog Rod I have used. Enough tip to cast and then tons of backbone to horse them out. The Fury and Sierra 735's are very similar to the Champ that I use.

 

Jim Van Ryn

X Zone Lures

Thanks Jim!

And everyone else who responded with their comments. 

I pulled the trigger just yesterday on the Siera 735C. 
 

I’m hoping it can double as heavy cover/punch rod in a pitch, but if not that’s ok. 
 

 

 

Mike

[Fishingmickey]

On 11/29/2020 at 7:45 PM, Mike L said:

Good timing, Keep the opinions coming. 
I’m looking for a new frog rod myself. ?
 

Got it down between the Siera/Fury or a Mojo

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

Mike,

     I have several of both the Sierra and Mojo Bass.  Sierra's in MH and H and Mojo's in M, MH and a M spinning. I really like all of them. I feel the Mojo is probably one of the best bang for the buck rods out there.  The Sierra's are light and very nice rods for thier price point. 

On 11/29/2020 at 8:22 PM, Boomstick said:

Well here's what you should know to get started. The 704C which is labeled as heavy is really your typical Med. Heavy rod, T-Rigs with ideally 1/4 or 3/8oz for best casting, 3/8oz or 1/2oz jigs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits etc.

 

The 703 is labeled Med. heavy, but is like a Medium + and the tip is a little less fast and closer to moderate fast. I wouldn't throw anything above 1/2oz total weight on a 703 but the upside is that it fishes treble hooked baits pretty decently as well as weightless or lightly weighted soft plastics. It makes a pretty versatile pairing with the 704.

 

The 735 (labeled Mag. Heavy) would be your typical heavy rod for flipping, pitching frogging, the 705CB would be your cranking rod and the 702SF would be your finesse rod, making a fairly complete 5 rod setup.

 

Also if there is any way you can swing it, I would also suggest stepping up to the Sierra, at least I think it's worth the extra cost.

 

X2