Falcon Cara T7 vs. St. Croix Tournament vs. Dobyns Champion vs. Other

[Dan-K]

I am looking at purchasing some new rods, as the title says I have narrowed my choices down to three unless others have comparable rods to suggest. I am looking for the best in wieght, sensitivity, castability, fishability, price, warranty/replacement, and looks (yes, I like my rods to look good).

[Chris at Tech]

I've only fished the Dobyns Champion out of those 3, but I've played with the LTB quite a bit.

To me, the LTB is tip heavy and my Dobyns balance significantly better.

[BASSclary]

The Dobyns Champion and Falcon Cara t7 to me are quite comparible, but the Dobyns warranty is better with a $60 no questions asked rod replacement. So my vote slights the Dobyns.

[Catt]

Shimano Crucial 

[HopelesslyAddicted]

I have a 7' M Fast LTB and it is definitely not tip heavy with or without a reel.  For god sakes the entire rod weighs 3.5oz.  Its balanced absolutely perfectly with a reel around 8oz. 

It is one of the most versatile and pleasurable rods I have ever fished.

[adclem]

I have Cara T7s and St Croix LTBs and I love them all.  They are all extremely nice.

LTBs tip heavy, I haven't experienced that all, to me they balance quite well, so does the Cara T7.

They both look very nice as well.

Later,

[RussBert]

The Dobyns Champion and Falcon Cara t7 to me are quite comparible, but the Dobyns warranty is better with a $60 no questions asked rod replacement. So my vote slights the Dobyns.

Do you fish these rods?

[BASSclary]

The Dobyns Champion and Falcon Cara t7 to me are quite comparible, but the Dobyns warranty is better with a $60 no questions asked rod replacement. So my vote slights the Dobyns.

Do you fish these rods?

Personally I don't own any of the above (for now) BUT, while co-angling in a tournie my partner let me use his ( He owns both) And seemed right on par with each other.

[Dan-K]

Well, between cara t7, St. Croix LTB, IMX, and Crucial the LTB and T7's are the only two to achieve 5 stars on the BPS reviews.

[BASSclary]

If BPS carried Dobyns rods I bet they would get 5 stars also  8-)

[Dan-K]

Yeah, Dobyns are nice I own one in 683 model and used to have the 703. They just don't fit me that well for whatever reason.

[Dan-K]

How do the caras compare to the champions in weight and sensitivity? I have one champion and five IMX's which the new rods will replace. In my hands the champions are a bit more sensitive and lighter/better ballanced than the IMX. If the Caras are truly comparable to the Dobyns champions I will go with the caras and never look back!!!

[Dan-K]

Now I am leaning in the direction of Dobyns Rods.... The tip guide insert came unbuttoned on my 683C a few weeks back. I replaced it with a generic Fuji tip and it looked aweful. Today I e-mailed Dobyns customer service explaining what happened and asked how I could go about getting a replacement. Within 30 minutes Richard Dobyns responded, asking for my shipping address. Not only are they going to send me a replacement, they are going to throw in an extra one just in case..... Now THAT is great customer service, the kind of customer service that is disapearing at an alarming rate....

I may just have to learn to live with green reels on blue and silver rods 

[Big Tom]

I bet that green reel would match a Champion Extreme just fine  .

I am a little bit particular about my rods and reels matching as well. There are a couple guys on here that has painted their reels.  That may be something to consider.

[BASSclary]

I think green blue and silver look pretty nice together 

[David P]

I've never touched a T7, only held and pitched on land a St Croix, and I fish Dobyns exclusively.

I absolutely love Dobyns and have gone to them exclusively because they are the best rods in the price point hands down in my eyes. They are awesome rods.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Shimano Crucial

x2

[cbreeze22]

I have a 7' M Fast LTB and it is definitely not tip heavy with or without a reel. For god sakes the entire rod weighs 3.5oz. Its balanced absolutely perfectly with a reel around 8oz.

It is one of the most versatile and pleasurable rods I have ever fished.

I compared this rod to the Gloomis IMX 843. Yes if you hold both rods up at the same degree the LTB tip drops about 5 or 6 inches. That being said they are both light as can be and for me they both feel very balanced. I really liked the feel of the tip and flex of the LTB. Could you expand on what applications your using this rod for and how it handles these applications. If im correct your rod is the LTB Teasor right ?