dk2429 Posted January 1 Posted January 1 Going to get myself a late Christmas present. Rod for lighter Texas rigs, 3/16oz up to maybe 5/16oz with a Zoom plastic (baby brush hog, 6" lizard, trick worm, etc...) Pairing with a Lews Hypermag 8.3:1 I'm hung up on a Kistler Helium 7'3 MH/F or a Dobyns Champ Extreme DX744. Does anybody have experience with both and can tell me which one is more sensitive? I'm not looking for versatility or anything like that. I want lightweight and the best sensitivity for the Texas rigs I specified. 1 Quote
rangerjockey Posted January 1 Posted January 1 Back when Kistler used the NFC blanks I would have gone that way. Now, I'm not so sure but probably still lean that way. I've fished both and still have Still have a 704 Extreme. I use it for a slab spoon rod so it's not a technique that requires a load of sensitivity. Quote
Super User Catt Posted January 1 Super User Posted January 1 Kistler Helium HE703LM Lite-Medium-Heavy Fast 3/16 - 5/8 oz 5 Quote
JN94 Posted January 2 Posted January 2 The Heliums are insanely light if that's what you're looking for Quote
Super User senile1 Posted January 2 Super User Posted January 2 These are both good rods but I am in the Kistler camp as well. Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted January 2 Super User Posted January 2 I'm with @Catt. I have both spinning and casting Helium LMH rods and they're perfect for what you're looking for. My swimbait rod is the only Dobyns I have experience with. I own Kistlers going back 10 years. The current Helium line is really sensitive and well worth its price. I suppose it comes down to which feels better in your hands. If you can handle both, go with your gut. I called Kistler once to pay an invoice on a custom rod and Trey himself answered the phone. He took a couple minutes to talk to me about my build. That was a nice touch you won't likely find with most other rod manufacturers. Good luck choosing your rod. 2 Quote
dk2429 Posted January 2 Author Posted January 2 Thank y’all for the replies After the recent news on what happened at Dobyns yesterday and the comments on this thread, I’m going to go pick up a Helium or Zbone. Just need to take off work a little early to make it up to their shop before they close. Y’all think the 7’3 MH/F is a good option for those lighter trigs? 2 Quote
Super User Catt Posted January 2 Super User Posted January 2 1 hour ago, dk2429 said: Y’all think the 7’3 MH/F is a good option for those lighter trigs? On 1/1/2025 at 8:12 AM, Catt said: Kistler Helium HE703LM Lite-Medium-Heavy Fast 3/16 - 5/8 oz 1 Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted January 2 Super User Posted January 2 3/16 is the sweet spot for the LMH. 1/8 is also very good. 5/8 weight with any med/lg size plastic is slightly on the high end, imo. MHF handles 5/8 well. (I have 2 LMH, and 2 MH, 1 HF Heliums) 1 Quote
dk2429 Posted January 2 Author Posted January 2 1 hour ago, Catt said: Sorry, I skipped over that somehow Does this apply for the 7’3 too? I’d prefer that over 7ft. I figured the extra length on the 7’3 might constitute the regular medium heavy rather than the light MH. Not sure though, never have had a Kistler in my hand. 1 Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted January 2 Super User Posted January 2 I have an NFC 6'9" LMH, and a newer than NFC 7'3" LMH. The former is far more sensitive. Not sure if it is all because of the blank, or if the 7'3" length makes a lot of the difference. Regardless, they both begin to feel overwhelmed when I load much more than 1/2 oz Quote
Super User Catt Posted January 2 Super User Posted January 2 On 12/31/2024 at 9:47 PM, dk2429 said: Rod for lighter Texas rigs, 3/16oz up to maybe 5/16oz That perfectly fits the Lite Medium Heavy, I would add it handles weightless plastics like a Wacky Rigged Trick Worm. The 7' 3" Medium Heavy if better suited for 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 oz with biggest plastics. It's also a great jig rod It comes down to personal preference 2 Quote
Bandersnatch Posted January 2 Posted January 2 Neither, kistler when they had nfc, now take your money elsewhere Quote
softwateronly Posted January 2 Posted January 2 I'm not familiar with Kistler, and am not impressed with Dobyns sensitivity in the fury and champ series. I like the Xtasy's sensitivity but at that price point it's not remarkable in comparison to other manufacturers. scott ps - Don't want to be all negative, I do love Dobyns actions and balance, just lacks a little in sensitivity. 3 Quote
PBBrandon Posted January 2 Posted January 2 Yeah with Dobyns, they have great actions and balance throughout their rod lines. As far as sensitivity, from the Fury to the Champ XP there are better options at those price points. Probably the best moving bait rods in their class. When you get to the DX and DRX lines, they really come alive. I have a DX743c and a DRX755c and love them for bottom contact. The Kaden line is also decently sensitive for the price as well thanks to their faster action Quote
Super User NorthernBasser Posted January 2 Super User Posted January 2 9 hours ago, dk2429 said: Thank y’all for the replies After the recent news on what happened at Dobyns yesterday and the comments on this thread, I’m going to go pick up a Helium or Zbone. Just need to take off work a little early to make it up to their shop before they close. Y’all think the 7’3 MH/F is a good option for those lighter trigs? Make sure they honor their online pricing. Quote
TimTheGearNerd Posted January 4 Posted January 4 I was a big fan of both companies. bottom line, the Helium is more sensitive and lighter. I’d go with Helium for your purpose especially if you see that sweet deal they had for under $100 bucks. I own a 7’2 MH Fast helium. I have a handful of dobyns mostly XP and HP. I have a DX745 which is closest to what you’re considering. It’s heavier but well balanced so weight isn’t really a factor and it’s got more aesthetics and a great tip for versatility. This is always true about Dobyns. As some have said, I don’t know what’s going on with Dobyns the company so I’d be careful when getting these rods and just purchase the rod and don’t expect any backing from the company or warranty. I can answer any specific questions you have. Quote
Delaware Valley Tackle Posted January 4 Posted January 4 It’s perfectly reasonable to have a brand preference, but to say unequivocally that any brand rods are more sensitive than another is impossible. Read opinions and weigh them. Then go with your gut and own experience. 6 Quote
GReb Posted January 6 Posted January 6 I haven’t fished a non NFC Kistler but those were very sensitive to me. Have heard mixed reviews on then Toray blanks. Dobyns never impressed me. I’ve bought probably 5 and sold them all. Just not a good fit for me personally. If you want a very good, sensitive rod in that price range look at the Falcon Cara or Shimano Expride. I also really like the ALX Zolo. Just my experience… Quote
Super User WRB Posted January 6 Super User Posted January 6 The topic of rod “sensitivity” is BS! Anyone discussing this topic ever detected a jig strike at 40+yards / 120’ long cast? What rod can do that? The answer is none! The angler holding the rod that made the cast detects strikes, not the rod! The rod simply casts the lure and it’s up to you to detect strikes. The rod helps to get a good hook set and keep the bass under control to land the fish. The line and connecting knot needs to be strong enough to overcome the power of the bass but you the angler that needs the skill to control the fish. I am a big fan of state of the art light weight strong rods that assist and help me cast lures and allow me, the angler, to detect line movements that indicate a bass has my lure. All any rod can do is not dampen line feedback to detect a strike. I caught hundreds of big bass using rods, reels and line most of you wouldn’t use today. Tom 8 Quote
Super User Catt Posted January 6 Super User Posted January 6 6 hours ago, WRB said: I caught hundreds of big bass using rods, reels and line most of you wouldn’t use today. Tom Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted January 6 Global Moderator Posted January 6 I use a 7' 3" MH/F Helium as one of my main jig/plastic rods and you really can't go wrong with it. 1 Quote
woolleyfooley Posted January 6 Posted January 6 17 hours ago, GReb said: I haven’t fished a non NFC Kistler but those were very sensitive to me. Have heard mixed reviews on then Toray blanks. Dobyns never impressed me. I’ve bought probably 5 and sold them all. Just not a good fit for me personally. If you want a very good, sensitive rod in that price range look at the Falcon Cara or Shimano Expride. I also really like the ALX Zolo. Just my experience… Would you say the Cara or expride are more sensitive than a Dobyn’s champion extreme? @GReb Quote
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