Dobyns swimbait 794.5

[5by3]

Anyone own the dobyns champion 794.5? I’ve heard it’s a good a-rig rod, but can it also handle 2-3oz glides and line-through swimbaits?

[UmairF]

Hey I just got this rod gonna try it out in the next few weeks. I’ll let you know how it fishes and hopefully get some bass on the other end of it too!

 

Got this rod for 6” magdrafts, swaver 168, chad shad 180, and gantarel jrs. Spoke to the folks at Dobyns and said that the 794.5would be perfect for all those baits and some more within that 1-3.5/4 oz range.

 

Read some reviews on TW for this rod lineup and almost all said that they would hesitate throwing anything at the upper range of the recommended weight. The baits I listed above range from around 1-2.75 oz and the 794.5 has a lure rating of 1-4 oz so hopefully it’s the perfect balance of what I’m looking for.

 

This is also a newer model and has a full cork grip (which I personally prefer over EVA). It’s a swimbait/glidebait/AR rod so seems pretty versatile.

 

Can’t remember the guy’s name that I spoke to from Dobyn’s (super helpful btw) but he said that he loves this new addition and uses it to throw pretty much everything I just listed. He said it’s pretty parabolic and emphasised it’s strong suit is treble hook baits but a magdraft freestyle would be a great fit on it as well. Not really venturing into the larger swimbaits atm since the largest we get in my neck of the woods is probably around 6lbs but that’s rare at times. (In the Chicagoland area and southern WI lakes).

 

On paper, super stoked to use this rod. In general based on all the feedback I’ve seen, won’t be throwing anything over 3oz on it. Not super well-versed with swimbaits/glidebaits in this lure rating but am going to superglue the technique to my hand all pre-spawn/spawn if the conditions seem right.

 

Oh and if you’re curious, I’m pairing it with a 2023 Lexa 6.1:1. Mot sure about line yet. Will probably go 20lb fluoro but might need a good amount of backing since it’s a 300 sized reel and I don’t want to keep getting super expensive fluorocarbon spools every so often.

 

If anyone else is using this rod or has gotten it out on the water already I’m curious to see what you think about it as well!

 

-Umair

[UmairF]

Update: unfortunately I didn’t get to use this setup as much this season as I wanted to. I fish as a co-angler and got super busy with my tournament schedule. A big bait rod is not the most ideal to bring on the back of someone’s boat! 😂

 

I did spend some time chucking baits from shore throughout the year. I do regret getting a 300 sized reel. I feel like it’s majority of the reason I don’t enjoy casting this setup. Something like a Tranx 200 would feel way better. Don’t have the largest hands in the world so palming that 300 sized reel feels cumbersome to me. Will see if I can trade someone the 2023 Lexa 300 with a Tranx A 200.

 

As far as the rod goes, Dobyn’s rating system just always seemed out of whack to me. I know there’s a huge following for it, but I’ve owned a few of them and started to shift over to other brands. Before I get any hate, I used the heck out of my Champ XP 734C and loved it for chatterbaits. Their customer support is great and really back their product and provide helpful advice. That being said, considering Dobyn’s power rating are a little ambitious to me, I think the 794.5 was the right choice for the treble hook baits I’m throwing. It has a good amount of give in the tip and a solid backbone. I still have to catch a fish on it but have casted it a good amount to say this. Hopeful to see how to rod performs with a fish on next season and I can provide a complete update after that.

 

Definitely need to lock this one rod in my hand all day next year (and get a fish on the other end of it somehow lol). I see so many people catching largemouth on these big baits from shore. Always fascinated me but I have no idea how to differentiate my approach from throwing the usual baits in the arsenal. I know how to work my glides and swimbaits, just don’t know where to target fish especially from shore yet.

 

Any help would be appreciated!

Umair

[Bigbox99]

I use all those baits and I throw them in the same areas I catch my fish on normal baits.  Too many people think you need to tie on a swimbait then turn your back your fish and go cast glides out in the middle of the lake.   Stick to where you know the fish are and have been catching them.