NFC X-ray DS721

[dv616]

This is just an absolutely fantastic drop shot rod for how I fish it.  Nose hooked baits with the #2 Lunker City VGB hook.  It has the perfect flex for cushioning runs by fish so the hook does not pull out, even if the fish are skin hooked.  I usually cast and work a drop shot back to the boat, not fished vertically.  So, for me, this rod maxes out at a 1/4 weight, I usually use a 3/16 oz weight.  The pike was a nice one, very thick and heavy body weight even though it has numerous tumors.  6# line and a drop shot hooked pike is a little nerve racking to get to the net.  Smallmouths were all 17-18”.  All very healthy fish.   Probably not the ideal rod for fishing dropshots deep and vertical though, but I have never done the Great Lakes smallmouth thing (hopefully eventually).

 

 

[BassinBrett]

How is the ds721 holding up?  Any down sides?

[dv616]

I think the 3/16th oz sinker is the sweet spot for that rod, 1/4 is a little heavy for the light tip.  It has held up fine so far.  It was one of the first X-ray rods I built when they were first released and no problems yet.  It seems keep fish pinned really well.  

[1984isNOW]

I'm feeling a lot better about having this blank in my basement waiting for a build, gonna make it my BFS build

[BassinBrett]

I just got one myself for a BFS build. I will be gluing the grip and realest on tonight.   So far it seem like a good blank for American style BFS.

[1984isNOW]

Keep me posted on the build bro, components and performance of finished product...

[dv616]

I do cast my drop shot rigs, more than fish vertical.  So, I think it will work for a BFS rod.  It does have a light, fast tip.  My P700 X-ray BFS rod is more moderate and not as light of a tip.  I do like the P700.  Mainly using that for Ned rig type stuff.  

[BassinBrett]

I built the DS 721 as a BFS rod and I took it out for a few minutes this morning.  I had 8 pound florocarbon on the reel so it is not dialed in yet.  So far I think it is going be a good BFS rod.  I I tried casting 1/8 to 1/4 oz lures and it is sling the 1/4 well.  I hope changing to 6 pound line will help it cast the lighter lures.  I bet it would make a great drop shot rod.  
 

I think the Ds 721 is like a medium heavy traditional bass casting  for bfs.  It is going to a good all around bfs rod.  

[Jrabbit82]

I built a spinning rod on the DS-710 X-Ray C6O2 and really like it.  

 

I also have the DS-721 that I’m going to build for a crappie rod.  Glad you guys like it 

[spoonplugger1]

The SJ703 is getting good press as a BFS rod.

[1984isNOW]

I've heard the SJ703 is too beefy for BFS, great for lighter stuff, but BFS is basically 1/16oz and less

[Jrabbit82]

14 hours ago, 1984isNOW said:

I've heard the SJ703 is too beefy for BFS, great for lighter stuff, but BFS is basically 1/16oz and less

  Just finished my 703 Carbon Air.  I’ll be taking it out Friday.  All my test casts before applying thread finish, I didn’t have any issues.  1/16 oz or less, now that might be an issue.  I don’t do much BFS fishing.  I’ll use it for bottom contact type baits.  Even crappie at times probably 

[1984isNOW]

4 hours ago, Jrabbit82 said:

l b

Keep us posted

[Jrabbit82]

On 10/23/2024 at 3:05 PM, 1984isNOW said:

Keep us posted

I debated BFS bait caster or spinning rod.  I went with spinning build.  Fuji Torzite KR Concept guide train 16H, 8H, and 5.5M).  I splurged on the guides.  I only splurge on the guides if building on a C6O2 blank.  
 

My FIL borrowed it for tournament use.  I asked what line he planned to throw. He told me 12lb fluro. I tried telling him 12lb fluro wouldn’t work well at all on this guide train and I recommended to use braid or 8-10lb fluro. He didn’t listen. 12lb fluro is definitely a no go.  I didn’t build it for that.  lol.  I think he’s starting to realize these things now.  

 

 

I have my 21 Zillion SV TW on my 703 C6O2.  Let me know how light of baits you want me to try and I will tomorrow.  I’ll start with 1/16th and work down If I miss the reply.  

[1984isNOW]

That sounds good to me man, looking forward to your results. 

 

@Jrabbit82Any relation to B Rabbit?

[Jrabbit82]

On 10/25/2024 at 12:03 PM, 1984isNOW said:

That sounds good to me man, looking forward to your results. 

 

@Jrabbit82Any relation to B Rabbit?

Might be related, who knows 😂

[1984isNOW]

Any thoughts to share after putting time in on the water with it?

[Jrabbit82]

2 hours ago, 1984isNOW said:

Any thoughts to share after putting time in on the water with it?

Just got home off the lake.  I didn’t end up casting as light as I wanted to. Sorry, I failed you. I  went out with my FIL and we fished for bass, sand bass, and crappie.  It was a slower type of day. I think I caught 5-6 total fish.   Of all the rods I used, The SJ-703 C6O2 with the Daiwa 21 Zillion SV TW was probably my favorite.  Caught several decent sand bass and a~2lb largemouth on it.  Its casts so good and smooth.  I was mainly using a smaller soft plastic swimbait.  

 

I think I like the SJ-703 C6O2 more than the MB-725 C6O2.  I didn’t use the 725 much though. 

 

My DS-710 C6O2 spinning rod was d**n good too.  It will launch a small crappie jig.  IP on it is similar to the SJ-703. 

 

I hope I can get out again soon to fish them more.  We were on a time limit today.  Had to get back by lunch.  Cold front moved in friday night, so it was 42 degrees when we launched the boat this morning. 

We didn’t go fishing friday. Cold front and north winds gusting 30-40 friday. We held off until today.