Kaden or Champ XP

[PBBrandon]

Looking for a good MH moving bait rod for spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, and chatterbaits mainly. I have a MHF 7’ JM Patriot but it fishes more like a medium. Looking to get a 4 power Dobyns but I can’t decide whether to get the Kaden 714 or the Champion XP 734. I currently use a Fury 734 but I want something a little lighter weight. The Kaden is $125 at TW right now and the XP would be $189. Is the XP worth the extra 65 bucks or would the Kaden be almost as good? I have a 712s Kaden and like it but was wondering how much better the XP is. Thank you

[Deebo]

I really enjoy the 734c in the champ xp. It is on the moderate side of fast, yet still has good power once it locks up. Use mine for chatter baits,swim jigs, lipless quite often. I prefer a little faster tip for spinner baits but that's just a preference thing. 

[Boomstick]

The 734C is a little more mod fast than fast and is perfect for moving baits. You could consider the Sierra line as well if you don't want to pony up for the Champ, it's not too big of a difference.

[lunkerboss923]

734c is versatile across the board. Great spook rod. As far as moving baits. I like a MHMF rod. I use a Kaden 735cb. I run chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, 1.5 squarebills, traps and moderate divers. I suppose another versatile rod specific moving bait rod may be the 703 to 733. The 734 is going to allow you to carry one rod and do everything from Texas rigs to squarebills. 

[TcRoc]

Champ xp734 is what I would go with as the price on TW right now is great. Chatter is always tied on to

my 734 but plan on taking a little more advantage of the versatility this season 

[softwateronly]

11 hours ago, TcRoc said:

Champ xp734 is what I would go with as the price on TW right now is great. Chatter is always tied on to

my 734 but plan on taking a little more advantage of the versatility this season 

 

X2

 

I don't have any experience with the Kaden, but the DC734c is a dream to fish moving baits.  It does lean more mod/fast, but that makes it very versatile and the power is there when you get to it.  Swim jigs, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, showerblow/spooks, dark sleepers, and finesse jigs are the baits that cycle through the year.

 

scott  

[scbassin]

I agree on what has been said above about the Champion XP DC734 C. I have a couple of them & rotate spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, chatterbaits, & weighted swim baits thru them. This rod is a excellent fit for these baits, you will not go wrong with this rod especially at the price you can get one for during the black Friday sales.

 

 

 

[dgkasper58]

I love my 764cb for ripping lipless out of grass.  definitely a 4 power as dobyns is a little lighter tip.

 

Don't forget the kadens blank runs "faster" too

[AverageJoeP]

On 12/19/2021 at 9:23 PM, Deebo said:

I really enjoy the 734c in the champ xp. It is on the moderate side of fast, yet still has good power once it locks up. Use mine for chatter baits,swim jigs, lipless quite often. I prefer a little faster tip for spinner baits but that's just a preference thing. 

What line do you run on this rod?

[softwateronly]

8 hours ago, AverageJoeP said:

What line do you run on this rod?

 

Not @Deebo but I fish the same baits with this rod.  I prefer 40lb power pro v2 to 10 or 15lb maxima mono depending on where/what I'm fishing.  The zebra muscles can really ruin a good fight.  Everyone is certainly entitled to their preferences but I think the soft tipped Dobyns rods do really well with braid to leader.

 

scott

[Deebo]

8 hours ago, AverageJoeP said:

What line do you run on this rod?

I have 12lb yozuri hybrid on it as it's usually on moving baits. I have to haul on it to break the line even at the 12lb rating. 

[PBBrandon]

Thank y’all for your help! Went ahead and ordered a Champ XP 734c split grip. Gonna throw my 7.4:1 Curado K on it and that will be my workhorse combo now

[zelmo]

Which Dobyns would work best for hard jerkbaits like the 100 pointer?

[scbassin]

Zelmo , I use the Champion XP  DC 705 CB for jerkbaits & find it to be a excellent rod for that purpose. They do make that same in a glass version it's the DC 705 CB Glass. I prefer the graphite rod over the glass. They are on sale now at T/W & ALF