Bladed Jig Rod (Dobyns/Powell)

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

Considering trying out a new rod for bladed jigs. I’m currently throwing them on a Powell Endurance 755CB-Glass with a Daiwa Tatula CT and 14-16# FC. I throw 3/8oz Jackhammers with either a Razor Shad or a fluke style trailer probably 95% of the time, and this setup is great, but I’ve been going to the 1/2oz a little more often. IMO the Powell doesn’t seem like enough rod for long casts in the grass with a 1/2oz… much less a 3/4oz. Had my eye on the Dobyns DC736 Glass and I’ve heard and read nothing but good things about it. Just wanted to see if anyone had experience with both for comparison. Thanks guys!!

[A-Jay]

I've been using the old Quantum KVD composite cranking rods for 3/8 & 1/2 oz Jackhammers and have been very happy.  Specifically the 7'1" and 7'4" MH Mod.

But last week I took a flyer on a couple of Tackleware House exclusives - mostly for the 1/2 baits.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-DAIWAROD.html?from=basres

" Inspired by the Evergreen Heracles Leopard rod, the Daiwa DX Type-H Glass Reaction Rod is built with an advanced GLATECH construction, which combines high-density, uni-directional fiberglass with HVF graphite material to give anglers the very best of both worlds."

 

For that price ( and the military discount) I might get a couple more. 

Been on the water with them once.

So far I really Like them.

 

Paired them with the Daiwa Tatula Elite Casting Reel 6.3:1 -

Jury's still out on the reels.

 

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

I was checking that rod out earlier this week. If the 7’3 H DX is anything like the Tatula 7’4 H Glass… I have the 7’2 MH Glass Tatula and I love it for 1/4oz Red Eye Shad and 3/8oz Yo-Zuri Rattlin Vibes, but I didn't like the feel or the balance of the 7’4 H. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Alpha Angler Chatterbound was a game changer for me.   They bite it, they usually come in the boat with that rod.   I had tons of problems before it.  

[A-Jay]

6 minutes ago, Big_Easy_Bassin said:

I was checking that rod out earlier this week. If the 7’3 H DX is anything like the Tatula 7’4 H Glass… I have the 7’2 MH Glass Tatula and I love it for 1/4oz Red Eye Shad and 3/8oz Yo-Zuri Rattlin Vibes, but I didn't like the feel or the balance of the 7’4 H. 

I can't say, like I said.

I took a flyer on this stick.

I'm glad I did though.

A-Jay

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

How is the balance with the Tatula Elite? I have a Tat CT and a 100 with no homes. I’m guessing they’d balance similarly to the Elite. 

[A-Jay]

The DX is not exactly a feather weight stick (which is why I like it)

so anything @ 7 oz seems good. 

btw the full cork handle is sweet & just the right length IMO.  

Allows for a sweeper style hookset like a swimbait but with a jackhammer.

A-Jay

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

I have spoiled myself a good bit with my Powell’s. Their rods (especially the glass and composite models) seem wayyyyy lighter than everything else lol. 

[A-Jay]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I am not a fan of super light gear.

A-Jay

[Darth-Baiter]

I love light gear. Light in mass. Not light in backbone. 

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

Agreed!! ??

[T-Billy]

I have the 7'4 Tatula H glass. I don't care for the weight or balance either. I went through a bunch of rods for chatterbaits, finally found what I was looking for in the Ark Invoker Pro 7'4" H MF composite. I like it so much I now have four of them. 

 

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

I’ve been through a ton of rods too trying to find the right one for me and the bladed jig. I actually used the Tatula 7’2 MH Glass for 3/8oz jackhammers until I got the Powell. I picked up a used Powell Diesel 755 Glass and loved it, but I wasn’t paying attention and got it hung up under a cleat on the boat while retying and broke it. Luckily I found a great deal on a used 755 Glass Endurance the next day. The Endurance is great for 3/8oz and the 1/2oz MiniMax, it just doesn’t feel like enough power for a full size 1/2oz on a long cast, especially with the heavy grass we have down here in SE Louisiana. I tried the B-Hittay from the Ark Tharp Series a while back… didn’t care for that one either. I wish Powell had a shorter 6 power cranking rod in the lineup!!! ??‍♂️

[A-Jay]

I know I'm all old and stuff but even still,

it's pretty hard for me to call a 7 oz reel mounted on a 5 oz rod,

heavy.

A-Jay

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

I keep seeing these new sub 6oz reels coming out and I can’t imagine having anything lighter than what I have and maintaining balance with the rod. 

[T-Billy]

@Big_Easy_Bassin, I didn't care for the B-Hittay for chatterbaits either. I like it ok for lipless, but even there, I prefer the 7' grinder. The B-Hit is my least favorite in the Tharp lineup, and I have most of them. The H Invoker is quite a bit stouter while still having a soft tip. I use it for all my single hook moving baits.

 

[Darth-Baiter]

Next time I see you, remind me. I have a jar of pickles I can’t get open. 

[A-Jay]

Get in line

A-Jay

[Scott804]

I have heard a lot of people like the 736 glass. That is what I would probably go with. Currently I use a Evergreen Combat Stick - Jackhammer Special, 7'3 Heavy Glass, Regular tip, 1/2oz - 2oz. Which seems to be very similar specs and from what I have heard of the 736 it all sounds the same as how the combat stick performs. Stout glass rods are awesome for what your normal day of bladed jig fishing might entail, same rod specs usually are good for spooks/showerblows/ploppers too. 

[Darth-Baiter]

touche!!!!  hahahah..

[Columbia Craw]

I had a 736CB Glass, which is a composite rod.  I also have the Kaden 735CB which I prefer. It’s all graphite but still moderate with power.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

For the folks losing fish on bladed jigs, do you feel like you’re not getting a good look set or jig is being thrown after the fact? I fish them like a swimjig. Sharp hook, solid set whenever I feel anything different. Mh/fast, Hvy/f if cover and bait size dictate. 

[casts_by_fly]

I've lost them both ways over the past 2-3 years.  This spring I had one that I definitely pulled the hook out (30 lb braid, fast action, MH power) horsing a 4# fish.  Different lake, same sized fish 2 years before I didn't get a good hookset as the fish hit it at it hit the water and came quartering at me (7' H/MF/17 mono).  When i turned him directly to me he opened his mouth and it was gone.  I think (but this is anecdotal not factual) that I've had better hooksets and not lost a fish when there's been more slack in my line (yoyo-ing or popping through grass for instance) compared to a direct retrieve, but I might be fitting my memories to what I want to believe.

[FrnkNsteen]

I have a couple of the 736CB Glass. I'm currently running them with a couple clean old Calcutta 101 lefties loaded with straight braid. 

 

I like the combination because the braid gives me good feedback and hooksets, but the glass rod dulls some of the vibration so it isn't hand numbing. 

 

I'm typically running a Jackhammer or Thundercricket on one and a Siebert Fogy on the other depending on how much thump I want. I like them because you can see that tip picking up all the vibration, but if anything even swims by or swipes at it enough to disturb the shake you can notice a difference.

[Aaron_H]

 

I've fished them on a few different rods, mostly MH/F and MH/XF, 30lb braid to 15lb mono leader. The overwhelming majority of fish I lost on chatterbaits on these setups would throw the lure on the jump. I think the braid was just too unforgiving in that aspect and the rod would come unloaded on those wide headshakes during a jump, get slack and throw the bait. I have since switched to straight 15lb mono on the same MH/F combo and my landing ratio has dramatically increased. Still lose 'em here and there but far less often and the jumps aren't nearly as worrisome.