Couldn’t tell difference between my cheaper and more expensive rod….

[bgaviator]

So yesterday I took my new Dobyn’s Fury rod out to Sardis Lake spillway. This is the most expensive rod I’ve bought so far. It’s a medium heavy rod. I bought it cause I heard so many good things about it being one of the best rods for the price point. I thought it would be a noticeable step up from my cheaper Daiwa Aird-x. Now granted my AirdX is only a medium rod, and this Dobyn’s is a medium heavy. But I don’t think I could tell a difference at all between them. I couldn’t whip lures quite as far I don’t think with the Dobyn’s, but as far as sensitivity or anything else I couldn’t tell a difference. Makes me question why I spent $130 on that rod as opposed to only $60 for the Daiwa. Is there something wrong with me that I can’t tell the difference?  What do you typically get from a rod by spending more money?  I know there’s rods a ton more expensive than even the Dobyn’s. But I’m just not sure it’s worth it for a casual fisherman like myself to drop that kind of coin on expensive rods I’m not sure I can feel a difference with. Appreciate any input on the matter. 

[MN Fisher]

For techniques that don't require a ton of sensitivity - spinners/chatters/etc - I feel my Aird-X MH/F is very close to being as good as my Fury 704C.

 

Where the Fury does better is things like finesse or bottom contact - where you need to feel the lure more.

 

I have a mix of rods - probably going to keep the Aird-X for moving baits, but I've upgraded to Furys for things like finesse (702SF) weightless presentations like wacky or flukes (703SF/703C), bottom contacts like T-Rigs and Jigs (704C) and will probably add a 735C to my lineup for flip/pitch - but keep the Aird-X H/F for frogs and topwater.

[PaulVE64]

Well...

The Aird X is an ungodly great rod for even twice the money so the comparison on Value is skewed.

 

I think you will notice a difference when you get into the $250 + range. Counting pebbles on a 1/4 oz jig is a game changer.

 

BUT if you typically use cranbaits,  spinners and topwater there is less need for a sensitive tip. In fact i prefer a medium tip and they typically run under $60 for me.

[softwateronly]

I agree with MN Fisher and want to add that I feel like the big jump in "bottom contact feel" occurs in the next price jump; @$250.  For me that was the Expride.  The Fury rods I own and even the Champion rods, do best with moving baits.  For me, Dobyns are a touch heavy and a touch "muted" in feel, but they are balanced and have a great action for fighting and landing fish.

 

scott

[Captain Phil]

I recently bought a Shimano Zodias casting rod.  I have never paid more than $150 for a rod before this rod.  Most of my rods are over ten years old and cost about $50.  I use the Zodias rod for worm and Senko fishing.  This rod is amazing.   You can feel the quality just by holding it in your hand.  Fishing with it is like nothing I have ever experienced.  The lightness and sensitivity is well worth the extra money.  

[bgaviator]

Ok that makes sense that it becomes more noticeable with bottom contact stuff. I was just using crankbaits and grubs yesterday. I haven’t done any Texas rig stuff since the spring. Now, I did notice when I was using my grubs on a jig head with the Dobyn’s yesterday, I could feel when the jig head would hit a rock. It would startle me at first cause I thought it was a fish, but then I got used to what it felt like when i would run into a rock. 

7 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

I agree with MN Fisher and want to add that I feel like the big jump in "bottom contact feel" occurs in the next price jump; @$250.  For me that was the Expride.  The Fury rods I own and even the Champion rods, do best with moving baits.  For me, Dobyns are a touch heavy and a touch "muted" in feel, but they are balanced and have a great action for fighting and landing fish.

 

scott

Yes my Dobyn’s did a great job pulling in the big Drum and white bass I landed yesterday. 

[bulldog1935]

There are two things you pay more for in rods.  

Finish grade is one - the rod received higher-quality components, more detail and looks nicer.  

 

More important is probably the blank itself.  Higher grade blanks use helical reinforcing layers, and nano resins so there's actually less plastic and more strong fiber in the blank.  

The volume of material to get the same rod taper is smaller.  

The more expensive rod should be noticeable in lighter weight for faster action.  

[evo2s197]

Dobyns aren't as sensitive as comparable rods in the same price range, even if you go all the way up to the Xtasy rods, they still have a muted feel.

 

What you get is a balanced rod and a great warranty/replacement plan for accident prone individuals or manufacturer defects.

 

They excel mostly as a moving bait brand not necessarily bottom contact, but some people like them for everything.

[bgaviator]

14 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

I agree with MN Fisher and want to add that I feel like the big jump in "bottom contact feel" occurs in the next price jump; @$250.  For me that was the Expride.  The Fury rods I own and even the Champion rods, do best with moving baits.  For me, Dobyns are a touch heavy and a touch "muted" in feel, but they are balanced and have a great action for fighting and landing fish.

 

scott

The Expride is probably next on my purchase list!

[WRB]

46 minutes ago, bgaviator said:

So yesterday I took my new Dobyn’s Fury rod out to Sardis Lake spillway. This is the most expensive rod I’ve bought so far. It’s a medium heavy rod. I bought it cause I heard so many good things about it being one of the best rods for the price point. I thought it would be a noticeable step up from my cheaper Daiwa Aird-x. Now granted my AirdX is only a medium rod, and this Dobyn’s is a medium heavy. But I don’t think I could tell a difference at all between them. I couldn’t whip lures quite as far I don’t think with the Dobyn’s, but as far as sensitivity or anything else I couldn’t tell a difference. Makes me question why I spent $130 on that rod as opposed to only $60 for the Daiwa. Is there something wrong with me that I can’t tell the difference?  What do you typically get from a rod by spending more money?  I know there’s rods a ton more expensive than even the Dobyn’s. But I’m just not sure it’s worth it for a casual fisherman like myself to drop that kind of coin on expensive rods I’m not sure I can feel a difference with. Appreciate any input on the matter. 

Whip cast? Is this a spinning rod?

Tom

[MN Fisher]

13 minutes ago, WRB said:

Whip cast? Is this a spinning rod?

Tom

Fury doesn't have a MH spinning - the 703SF is the highest and it's a Medium.

 

Sierra has a MH and a H in spinning though.

[TOXIC]

I got into a somewhat heated conversation on this site about the value of higher end rods.  I still think there is a limit to what the human hand can feel and how that equates to cost but I will say this…..sensitivity is an acquired feeling.  The more you fish and educate your hands, the more value there will be in stepping up to more sensitive/expensive rods.  

[Dwight Hottle]

1 hour ago, bgaviator said:

I thought it would be a noticeable step up from my cheaper Daiwa Aird-x. Now granted my AirdX is only a medium rod, and this Dobyn’s is a medium heavy. But I don’t think I could tell a difference at all between them. I couldn’t whip lures quite as far I don’t think with the Dobyn’s, but as far as sensitivity or anything else I couldn’t tell a difference. Makes me question why I spent $130 on that rod as opposed to only $60 for the Daiwa. Is there something wrong with me that I can’t tell the difference?  What do you typically get from a rod by spending more money?  I know there’s rods a ton more expensive than even the Dobyn’s. But I’m just not sure it’s worth it for a casual fisherman like myself to drop that kind of coin on expensive rods I’m not sure I can feel a difference with. Appreciate any input on the matter. 

 

The castability of a medium rod will be better than a medium heavy for most lures because of its flex. To notice a difference in sensitivity you probable need to step up to $200 range & above. Also I don't think the dobyns fury is noted for being a sensitive rod in the first place. 

[Cgolf]

28 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

I got into a somewhat heated conversation on this site about the value of higher end rods.  I still think there is a limit to what the human hand can feel and how that equates to cost but I will say this…..sensitivity is an acquired feeling.  The more you fish and educate your hands, the more value there will be in stepping up to more sensitive/expensive rods.  

I think that there is definitely a point of diminishing returns. Stepping up to a St Croix Avid X saw a big difference in sensitivity. Saw the similar difference when I got a couple of Dobyns sierras. Sleeper rods though are my St Croix premier and Eycon spins. The point of this though is I have to assume the jump in sensitivity is rather huge between 50 and say 200. Jumping from 200 to say 400 the sensitivity jump would be a lot less and you are paying for a lighter prettier rod which for me matters little so I stick to the 200 range. Also had a heated discussion on this a while back, it is a touchy subject for some. 
 

To the op I try to shop sales, especially for Dobyns. I got my Sierras for 115 and 97 each the last two years. The price point around 100 is hit or miss. The St Croix rods I mentioned above perform well for me, but there are a lot of just ok rods too. Unfortunately the only way to figure out the good vs the bad is to either buy and try or borrow someone’s for a few casts. Asking on here can be helpful, but we all have a different feel for what we want out of a rod so deciphering the replies to figure out if is what you really want is difficult.  One suggestion for long term is to try and stick to a couple of brands, so you can learn their characteristics which makes future purchases easier. 
 

 

[ironbjorn]

I personally have no complaints about the sensitivity of Dobyns.

[T-Billy]

I'm happy with my Dobyns Sierra and Kaden rods, but my Ark Tharp rods are every bit their equal performance wise for $50 less.  There are more rods from both companies in my future. 

[Catt]

3 hours ago, TOXIC said:

 I still think there is a limit to what the human hand can feel

 

And how much the brain comprehends what's being felt.

 

I work with some very high end sound equipment that produces better sound than the human ear is capable of.

 

4 hours ago, PaulVE64 said:

I think you will notice a difference when you get into the $250 + range.

 

I find the difference at the $150+ range.

 

5 hours ago, bgaviator said:

Dobyn’s Fury rod

 

I find Dobyns doesn't do anything exceptional well but they don't do anything bad either, kinda middle of the road.

 

I've come to the conclusion that Daiwa Tatula is the most sensitive rod in the $150-250 range.

[leinad]

have 3 dobyn furys s  661,662 and 703 and i'll tell ya , for me the 661 is a blast to land 4-5 lb river smallies love the action and the way it plays those fish. i use all 3 for my finesse presentations and am quite happy with their sensitivity . my only comparison is to a 13 fishing muse 6'10" ml s and i will say that is a slightly nicer rod ( sensitivity )but $65 more.

[NoShoes]

4 hours ago, TOXIC said:

I got into a somewhat heated conversation on this site about the value of higher end rods.  I still think there is a limit to what the human hand can feel and how that equates to cost but I will say this…..sensitivity is an acquired feeling.  The more you fish and educate your hands, the more value there will be in stepping up to more sensitive/expensive rods.  

i agree. If you feel like you’re feeling bites on a cheaper rod, going to a better rod will amplify it (to a point). 

[dodgeguy]

5 hours ago, evo2s197 said:

Dobyns aren't as sensitive as comparable rods in the same price range, even if you go all the way up to the Xtasy rods, they still have a muted feel.

 

What you get is a balanced rod and a great warranty/replacement plan for accident prone individuals or manufacturer defects.

 

They excel mostly as a moving bait brand not necessarily bottom contact, but some people like them for everything.

Not. My Sierra microguide is plenty sensitive and I'm 62 with nerve damage in my hands.

6 hours ago, bgaviator said:

So yesterday I took my new Dobyn’s Fury rod out to Sardis Lake spillway. This is the most expensive rod I’ve bought so far. It’s a medium heavy rod. I bought it cause I heard so many good things about it being one of the best rods for the price point. I thought it would be a noticeable step up from my cheaper Daiwa Aird-x. Now granted my AirdX is only a medium rod, and this Dobyn’s is a medium heavy. But I don’t think I could tell a difference at all between them. I couldn’t whip lures quite as far I don’t think with the Dobyn’s, but as far as sensitivity or anything else I couldn’t tell a difference. Makes me question why I spent $130 on that rod as opposed to only $60 for the Daiwa. Is there something wrong with me that I can’t tell the difference?  What do you typically get from a rod by spending more money?  I know there’s rods a ton more expensive than even the Dobyn’s. But I’m just not sure it’s worth it for a casual fisherman like myself to drop that kind of coin on expensive rods I’m not sure I can feel a difference with. Appreciate any input on the matter. 

What line are you using ? Mono ? Flouro ? Braid ? If you are using any mono other than Sufix Advance its like fishing with a rubber band. Flouro and braid are much more sensitive.

[NoShoes]

4 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Not. My Sierra microguide is plenty sensitive and I'm 62 with nerve damage in my hands.

What line are you using ? Mono ? Flouro ? Braid ? If you are using any mono other than Sufix Advance its like fishing with a rubber band. Flouro and braid are much more sensitive.

 Absolutely in love with my Sierra micro guides. Fantastic rods. 

[evo2s197]

7 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

Not. My Sierra microguide is plenty sensitive and I'm 62 with nerve damage in my hands.

Compared to even a cheaper rod than a Sierra say like a Colt or Fury I would hope so.

 

If you fished a superior brand, I bet you would think your nerve damaged has-been cured, just saying.

[Cgolf]

13 minutes ago, evo2s197 said:

Compared to even a cheaper rod than a Sierra say like a Colt or Fury I would hope so.

 

If you fished a superior brand, I bet you would think your nerve damaged has-been cured, just saying.

Very curious on the hate for Dobyns. Mine are every bit as good as my St Croix stuff, no complaints for me. My cap is the approximate 200 range so I will never play in the premium range. 

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, cgolf said:

Very curious on the hate for Dobyns. Mine are every bit as good as my St Croix stuff, no complaints for me. My cap is the approximate 200 range so I will never play in the premium range. 

My cap is even lower than that - I think a Sierra or maybe a Kaden would be as high as I could go budgetarily speaking.

 

I'm very happy with my Dobyns Fury rods - just wished they had more options, like Mod action in things other than the CB rod.

[evo2s197]

St croix rods are awesome, I have some Legend Xtreme AGS great rods.

 

My favorite dobyns is probably a Dobyns Extreme HP lure retriever, I cut the blank at the locknot after using it once and feeling meh about it then paired it with a Calcutta Conquest, it's been the most useful in this configuration, knocks those lures free in a hurry and I can feel every thump of the hound dog banging my lure free.