Ned Rod Battle: Dobyns Vs St. Croix VS G Loomis

[larrymarketfishing]

Hi all! 

 

Hoping for some advice from anyone who has had experience with the Dobyns DC702SF, G Loomis GCX 7'1 M Jig and Worm rod, and St. Croix 7'1 M Victory rod. I'm trying to decide between these three for a dedicated Ned setup (also will occasionally drop shot and throw 3/16oz shaky heads as well). I'm a Dobyns guy and the DC702SF is my primary choice, but the rep at my local Scheels recommended the GCX considering they're at the same price point. I don't know a ton about Loomis rods, but I know the GCX is supposed to be a replacement to the E6X that I've heard not everyone liked very much. And considering the GCX is a considerable step down in price compared to their more sensitive rods, I'm wondering if it wouldn't be as sensitive as a Champion XP which is Dobyns' staple series. I also am considering the Victory rod from St. Croix mostly as a money-saving option, but I've heard very good things about that rod as well.

 

Thank you all in advance!

[Jig Man]

You evidently fish the Ned differently than I do.  I stay with light heads (1/8) and under, mostly (1/16).  I can’t imagine a medium rod working well for me.  
 

How do you fish it so that you need that much rod or lots of sensitivity?

[PourMyOwn]

I'm with Jig Man, I throw Neds on a ML.

[larrymarketfishing]

35 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

You evidently fish the Ned differently than I do.  I stay with light heads (1/8) and under, mostly (1/16).  I can’t imagine a medium rod working well for me.  
 

How do you fish it so that you need that much rod or lots of sensitivity?

The DC702 is a ML. The GCX doesn’t have a ML in their 7’1 model, and the Victory rod only has a ML in their 6’10 rod but I’d prefer a rod at least 7’.

[ChrisD46]

I have a Dobyns Sierra 702ML I bought for the Ned rig and I find it well balanced and sensitive enough to do what I want . Since the Ned rig is not a 100% drag on the bottom technique,  it opens up a variety of suitable rods . Now for football jigs -  having a Dobyns Champion series quality level sensitivity will be more appreciated. 

[DitchPanda]

I also have a Sierra 702 and is a great Ned rig rod.

[NathanDLTH]

Any medium light, 1/8 or under is my preference. 7’ and up for rod length. 

[Craig P]

I do not have those specific models you mentioned but I do run a Dobyns, several St Croix and an E6X.  I believe the earlier E6X were the ones people did not like but the later model was said to be better?  I cannot confirm that as I never owned an early one.  I will say that I absolutely love my E6X / MGL71 / 10# Sniper Assassin setup for Ned fishing.  I swear I feel when they just look at my bait.  Ok, a little over the top but the sensitivity is impressive and I credit this setup for landing me many fish that I may have missed using another setup.

 

FWIW, before I got into bass fishing a few years ago, I was a trout nut and I fished Gloomis for 20 years prior, I even built a few spin rods off of their blanks, when you could get them so I may be a little biased but it is a rod or blank that just feels like home to me over any other blank I've tried.

[WRB]

Braid with a leader has a big impact on rod and reel size selection.

If you plan use straight FC or Mono/Copolymer line the rod loaded up and cast differently.

So...what line and reel size do you plan to use.

Tom

[larrymarketfishing]

13 minutes ago, WRB said:

Braid with a leader has a big impact on rod and reel size selection.

If you plan use straight FC or Mono/Copolymer line the rod loaded up and cast differently.

So...what line and reel size do you plan to use.

Tom

15lb braid to 8lb fluoro. Reel is a 20 size Abu Garcia REVO spinning.

[WRB]

Definitely go with a 2 power ML fast rod. The Victory ML 6’10” is too whimpy to use for any type of jig imo.

Also look at Shimano spinning rods. 

Dobyns Kaden series are also a very good choice.

Tom

[tander]

I have been using a medium power rod with fast action rod about 4 years. Tried the ML and it was not for me. I only throw 1/16oz jigs with no problem. I am using 10# braid with 7# sniper leader. I think Ned also uses some medium power rods.

[NavyToad]

The Dobyns DC 732SF and 733SF use old model/leftover Extreme series blanks. Gary Dobyns calls them “special”. I have them both and doubt I’ll ever buy another spinning rod. 
I’d look into the 732/733.

[Dumbbassanglr]

I own dobyns, st croix, loomis, Shimano and megabass. Get a megabass levante whipsnake. Most sensitive rod line at the price point.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

If your familiar with Dobyns and really like the power/action and feel of the rods then sticking with them is probably your best bet.  

[Bluebasser86]

I'd also vote for a ML rod for Neds. I use a St. Croix 6' 10" ML/XF LTB for mine. 

[Cody28]

On 10/30/2021 at 8:02 AM, Lawrence Mercado said:

The DC702 is a ML. The GCX doesn’t have a ML in their 7’1 model, and the Victory rod only has a ML in their 6’10 rod but I’d prefer a rod at least 7’.

There are lots more rods coming out in the victory series including a 7'3" MLXF action. I absolutely love this series so far. 

[Darth-Baiter]

I have the Kaden version of that Dobyns.  I felt the handle was too bulbous for my smaller office worker hands and I got hand fatigue.   Great rod tho and  I used it for shaky heads and Neds.  It was good for that. 
 

I took a lot of bass with that rod.  Including my PB. 
 

Dobyns really thought out their bait holder location.  
 

 

[RFSims]

Don't own a St Croix Victory, but do own Avid/Premier/ and Mojo spinning rods. I fish a ned rig quite often. Personally I don't care for the St Croix Medium/ fast blank for a Ned Rig. Great for a shakey head. The Medium Light Extra Fast blank is a superb Ned/Drop-shot rod. Again can't say about the Victory, but the Avid 6'9" MLXF is an excellent Ned rod and I would expect the 6'10" MLXF Victory would be also. I have fished a Ned with my 7' MF Premier, but the MLXF blank is so much better.

[Choporoz]

It may depend partly on how you deploy your Ned rig.   DX702SF is extremely sensitive.   It is an excellent drop shot rod.  It just isn't really built for casting.  Distance or accuracy.   But if you Ned mostly vertical or relatively short casts, you will like it.

[Cody28]

2 hours ago, RFSims said:

Don't own a St Croix Victory, but do own Avid/Premier/ and Mojo spinning rods. I fish a ned rig quite often. Personally I don't care for the St Croix Medium/ fast blank for a Ned Rig. Great for a shakey head. The Medium Light Extra Fast blank is a superb Ned/Drop-shot rod. Again can't say about the Victory, but the Avid 6'9" MLXF is an excellent Ned rod and I would expect the 6'10" MLXF Victory would be also. I have fished a Ned with my 7' MF Premier, but the MLXF blank is so much better.

As a whole, the Victory line up fishes much lighter/less stiff than the avid and mojo line ups. I read a whole forum on the spinning rods stating that the ML rods are very light and whippy. Might be worth looking for that post. 

[PotatoLake]

I own and use the 6’ 10” MLXF Victory rod for mostly Ned fishing. I typically fish Neds on lighter heads. The rod loads up awesome, nice soft tip, super sensitive for a 200 dollar rod. Frankly I’m in love with the rod and fish the Ned more than I’d care to because the rod is a joy to use.

[Cody28]

On 11/2/2021 at 9:54 AM, PotatoLake said:

I own and use the 6’ 10” MLXF Victory rod for mostly Ned fishing. I typically fish Neds on lighter heads. The rod loads up awesome, nice soft tip, super sensitive for a 200 dollar rod. Frankly I’m in love with the rod and fish the Ned more than I’d care to because the rod is a joy to use.

This post made me start looking into buying one but I’m so torn right now. I made a new thread just about the St. Croix victory spinning rods and most people are saying this rod is too soft for neds, but you seem to love it… idk what to do. 

[PotatoLake]

@Cody28 I went and read that post, don’t know what to tell you other than I didn’t find it too soft and have not had issues losing fish.

 

Go check out what Ned Kedhe uses for his Ned rods. You don’t need anything fancy and also any ml - m spinning rod will get the job done.

[The Bassman]

I prefer ML for my ned fishing. I'll use M during the warm months out of necessity due to vegetation.