Dobyns vs Powell

[Dan-K]

Just to add to this: I have fished Powell, a 704C to be exact. My wife uses the Powell now and I am all Dobyns. Sterted off with a Champion 683C and have since added five more casting rods and plan to add two spinning rods after the holidays.

The other night I was bored, so I put my cell phone on my laminate wood floor, set it to vibrate, and tested the sensitivity in several different rods. The Powell and the Savvy are in the same price range, so I will discuss the head to head results between those two. The Savvy is a 735C and as I stated earlier, the Powell is a 704C. The Savvy has a Curado 201E7 and the Powell has a Pfluger trion. First off, the Savvy balances out MUCH better and is lighter than the Powell. Keep in mind that the Savvy is three inches lighter and one "power" heavier. The Savvy beat the Powell sensitivity wise by just over eight inches on the laminate floor with the cell phone test. As a matter fact, the Savvy was just behind some of my Champions and Champion Extremes.

I'm by no means saying the Savvy is a better rod, I am stating my findings and observations. It all boils down to personal preference and if someone is a tourney or hard core weekend angler, the lighter, better balanced, more sensitive rod in a given price range should be chosen. I should also state that I sold off four Loomis IMX rods to support my Dobyns addiction. In MY OPINION, the Dobyns are far superior, given the overall quality, characteristics, performance, warranty, and customer service.

By reading my post, it is clear what my choice between Powell and Dobyns Savvy would be......

I should also say I am 32 years old, fish tourneys in a local club with my wife as a teammate, in decent shape, fish in any and all conditions, and usually catch fish. When I just got into bass fishing I was using Berkely Lightning rods and could never see spending over $50 on a "fishing pole". BUT, I was not detecting light bites, casting was nowhere close to today in accuracy or distance, and I failed to connect on far too many hook sets.

Its a free market, buy what you like and what you can afford. My personal choice is Dobyns, is there any other choice?  8-) 

[DTack]

This has gotten a little out of hand.  I don't really have the time to come on here and argue.  My best advice is to try to find a way to get both rods in your hand, if you can't then this internet stuff has to do.  All this junk about light and balance and all that stuff, it all looks good on paper, but to me it comes down to enjoying fishing.  I enjoy fishing with certain rods, some other people prefer a different rod, there's nothing wrong with that.  Even with rods by the same manufacturer people are going to choose different rods for different techniques, that's just the way it goes.  Nowadays features and benefits of rods are going to be similar, my best advice is go by what you feel. 

That is exactly what I did, and I ended up with mostly Dobyns in my rod locker and I have 8 Powell's for sale.  There's nothing wrong with the Powell rods they just weren't my choice between the two.

I have a 701c, 765cb, 734c, 735c, 703cb, 7105c, 733s, and 704s for sale for anyone who's interested.

There's my stand, fish what you want, I don't see where anyone of those two people posted hogwash about fishing...  Someone asked if the Dobyns was worth the extra 100 dollars, to me it is, he also asked people's thoughts which some have shared.

I'm sorry but while we're talking about hogwash...

"Lets get the facts straight. Both are great rods and you cant go wrong with either. The Savy series was the latest rod by Dobyns, and was brought about to compete in the price range of the Powell and others. It is not as good as the Powell rods."

I just don't understand why you can come on and say someone's claims are outlandish at best when you drew first blood with this statement. 

I apologize, there's nothing wrong with Powell rods, they're a good line and served me well before I wanted to move on but if you think anyone isn't going to take what you're saying with a grain of salt after reading this whole post then I don't know what to tell you.

Wish you lived closer 5150 I'd bring a Powell and a Dobyns to you from someone who has both and you could feel which one suits you better.

[Grey Wolf]

Settle down children.

[RussBert]

Great post, Dan-K 8-)

Myself, I have one Powell rod. It's the 6'9" "Squarebill Crankbait" H/XF rod the TW offers. I find it balances about 3" in front on the centerline of the reel (Daiwa Fuego).

All my other Rods are ST Croix Avids and LTB's. I find they balance at or near the same point.

Seems any rod came be designed to "balance" is the manufacturer places the reel seat forward enough, or weight is added to the butt. It would be interesting to know what these particular rods actually weighed

Because of all this Black Friday stuff going on, I have 2 Dobyns Champion rods en route. One is the 684C which should be similar to my Powell, and a 734C. I'll have to check back in a few weeks and ya'll hear what my thoughts are.

[SeanW]

What happens when you put a half ounce bait on the end of your balanced rod? Same thing that happens when you are reeling in a crank bait? It pulls the tip doesnt it?

I have a Powell 702 and a Dobyns 702. With the same reels on them they balance at the same point. I do use what I want. I dont get wrapped up in hype, I fish what I like. When you talk about balance we are talking about an ounce or two, and obviously longer rods are gonna be a bit more, its called leverage.

I am not suggesting you not use a Dobyns  rod, merely suggesting when you give advice to someone, sayin things like it is all I can fish is just wrong. If there was no Dobyns what would you do? What did ya do just a few years back? I fished GLoomis GLX's. Now I prefer Powells, Dobyns, Veritas, and Irods over those expensive GLX's.

  To think that everybody has a budget for a $150 rod is wrong folks. I know David is sponsored by Dobyns, so he gets a discount. The real trick to feeling those light bites is being in touch(study and concentrate) with your bait, know how it feels so you can sense when it feels different. Not sayin Id wanna drop shot an Ugly Stick, but a decent rod like a Verdict or Veritas gives this ability. Although I have a friend that is really cheap and he kick butt with Ugly Stiks.

[SeanW]

[quote author=3E67627F7F676E696A78780B0 

   

Not sure how my age has anything to do with any of this... Having said that, you're more than welcome to fish a heavier, less comfortable rod if that's what makes you happy. When you fish 10 hour days, a few days a week, any advantage enabling you to fish longer and more effortlessly is well worth it in my books.

My tournament partner fishes Lamiglass rods, the older cert pro ones. They're very tip heavy, and when putting down a Dobyns to pick it up, it's not too pleasant fishing with. He does fine with them, but even he too appreciates the better balance of a Dobyns Rod.

Not sure why you're calling these claims outlandish. Balance matters to most, and when you can fish more comfortably, most will choose to do so.

I personally have issues with my shoulder, and back. I go to a chiropractor weekly. I also use 7'6-8ft rods more than anything, making balance even more important for me.

    The point about your age is simply that you have not been fishing as long as some. Rods have changed alot over the years. Sorry about your back/shoulder issues. Im in the same boat. I have a bulging disc in my neck that makes my right arm go numb down to my hand, and a lower back condition as well. Been with the chiropractor for 21 years now. Check out Troy Linders Fit4Fishing, he has some great exercises to help us fisherman.

   Second you insist on telling me that my rods are uncomfortable and heavy. I can decide for myself, and I happen to find very pleasing. Outlandish is about suggesting that one could not fish all day if they did not have a Dobyns rod. Lastly, now go out and fish and enjoy your rods.

[David P]

What happens when you put a half ounce bait on the end of your balanced rod?

It feels better and less tip heavy than a poor balanced rod with that additional half ounce weight.... I punch a LOT and am constantly flipping and pitching a 1.5oz weight with an 8ft rod. The better balanced rods help keep me from getting fatigued throwing a bait like that all day.

  I never suggested that I you or anyone else cannot fish all day without a Dobyns, I also never told you that your rods are uncomfortable to you. I said they are uncomfortable, that's my personal opinion based on my experiences, not trying to force anything on you. There's a handful of other brands that balance well, and I could fish all day, Powell is not one of them.  The discussion was about Dobyns vs Powell, not about the 20 other companies produced rods.

   

    I don't want to continue on arguing, I just don't like being misquoted, or misinterpreted as saying something I did not say.

[SeanW]

  Having said that, you're more than welcome to fish a heavier, less comfortable rod if that's what makes you happy. When you fish 10 hour days, a few days a week, any advantage enabling you to fish longer and more effortlessly is well worth it in my books.

 

[scrutch]

David, If I'm ever out in the CA delta, I'll look you up. Maybe you can show me where to land a new PB LM.

I'll be using a Dobyn's.

And that's a wrap!

[bounder5150]

Just FYI, I am going with the Dobyns Champion!

[DTack]

Bounder5150 what reel are you putting on it?  Hope you enjoy fishing the rod and catch a bunch of good fish on it!  Are you guys having cold weather down there?  Definitely a cold snap coming through up here.

[David P]

Having said that, you're more than welcome to fish a heavier, less comfortable rod if that's what makes you happy. When you fish 10 hour days, a few days a week, any advantage enabling you to fish longer and more effortlessly is well worth it in my books.

I didnt miss quote you, you wrote it. It says just above. Im not arguing anyway. However you are stating your opinion, and I respect that. I punch alot to, I live very close to you. I have no problem punching all day. I also use an Irod in certain applications because it is better suited for certain circumstances. Its a heavy rod, but it serves the purpose well.

I also have a Lamiglas 806 certified pro, your right tip heavy. However it is one of the best rods Ive fished for big top water wake baits and swim baits, hence I keep it. See ya on the river.

[David P]

David, If I'm ever out in the CA delta, I'll look you up. Maybe you can show me where to land a new PB LM.

I'll be using a Dobyn's.

And that's a wrap!

Anytime, just shoot me a PM!

[SeanW]

Having said that, you're more than welcome to fish a heavier, less comfortable rod if that's what makes you happy. When you fish 10 hour days, a few days a week, any advantage enabling you to fish longer and more effortlessly is well worth it in my books.

I didnt miss quote you, you wrote it. It says just above. Im not arguing anyway. However you are stating your opinion, and I respect that. I punch alot to, I live very close to you. I have no problem punching all day. I also use an Irod in certain applications because it is better suited for certain circumstances. Its a heavy rod, but it serves the purpose well.

I also have a Lamiglas 806 certified pro, your right tip heavy. However it is one of the best rods Ive fished for big top water wake baits and swim baits, hence I keep it. See ya on the river.

That lamiglass is a beast of a rod, my tournament partner flips with it, amazes me. We'll just have to agree to disagree and leave it at that. I never intentionally meant to tell you or anyone else that they must use a specific rod, I apologize to anyone that took it that way.

[bounder5150]

D Tac,  yes it is cold at night for So Cal, but we are pretty spoiled. I have a Revo SX I plan on using with it, should make a realy nice set up.  Looking forward to getting on the water.

[DTack]

Awesome man hope you enjoy it!  I know we're not used to this cold up here, I think everyone's plants are dying...

[Mike Z]

I have a Powell rod and have also held the Dobyns rods. If I were buying again I would go with the Dobyns. The balance is far better IMHO.

Sorry to pick on you, but it's statements like this that just throw common sense out the window.

There are MANY Dobyns rods, around 60 bait cast rods in three distinct series.

The Powell MAX and Endurance rods are priced in the Savvy series range.

So when you make a claim like that, back it up with some particulars.

rant mode off

OK, here you go in as much detail as I can. The dealer sells Powell, Dobyns, Carrot Stix, Okuma, and many other lines. In the Powell linup they had roughly 20 rods available and in the dobyns lineup they had about the same. Prices ranged from less than $200 to nearly $300 for the rods I held. I walked around with a rod in my hand comparing each one to a rod I was interested in buying because I was given a recommendation here. In each case he Dobyns rod not only felt more balanced but also lighter. This may or may not be true, but the rods overall felt lighter than the rods from each other company I mentioned, no matter what the price range.

Now, what I will admit is that once you add a reel, the rod balance will go away anyway because of where the reel is mounted. However, a rod that feels more balanced initially should have a similar feel when equal weight is added vs the other rods. To me this means very little right now since I'm not casting 800 times a day and am not 60 years old. I have plenty of strength to stand there for hours on end and toss a worm.

Again, I just added my .02 based on what I felt in the store.

[Lcomfort]

... Balance is over rated. Just ask the worlds best tournament anglers.

Well this in itself is a very personal statement regarding balance. I personally CANNOT fish with a rod that's overly tip heavy. I have personally told Keith at Powell this. Personally, for me, it's a comfort thing. If you're 20 something, then it's not an issue. If you're 50-60 years old like some of us are, the arm muscles are a bit old and tired to begin with, balance can make or break a fishing day.

The second part of your statement is what I have stated. If you're younger, no issues. Those young studs on the BASS tour can beat you with a broomstick ... been there done that; getting beat that is.

LOL! You guys amaze me, now Ive heard it all. How did you guys ever fish prior to the Dobyns rod? I fish with a 70 year old retired Navy guy that smokes like a choo choo train. He cant stand and fish for a day, yet he has no problem fishing any kind of rod. Between you and David and your outlandish claims Im roflmao. Its no wonder more people fish now. It must be the great balance in the Dobyns rods. Not sayin Dobyns rods are not good, they are great rods. However both of you claims are hog wash. Someone asks for advice and you post a bunch of crap. If you can hold a Powell rod and fish for the day then there is another issue.. Im sure a Steez or new Loomis NRX would be even better.

Its a fricking fishing rod. I know David is too young to know, but your claims are outlandish at best. My guess is you would catch just as many fish with a Berkley Lightening rod. Its just a tool, wake up!

Ah yeah your right "Just a tool" go to the Dollar store and buy a Socket set and watch how many bolts your round off or how many sockets you break using them...

Now go and buy a set of Snap ons or Craftman and do the same thing with it.

Theres always something better out there...I fish a few Dobyns Champion Extreme Casting Rods and they are nice rods and fish very well. Are they a Steez? no thats why I own 3 Dobyns and about 30 Steez rods I also Own many Megabass and Evergreen rods.. I paid 780-830 each for my 4 Evergreen Black ravens are they worth that? Yes or I wouldnt have bought three more after my first one.

Are Dobyns rods better then Powells Yes they are but im comparing a 300 dollar rod to a 150 dollar rod as the Extreme is the only Dobyns rod I own/have fished and I have played with a few of my Nephews Powells while he was on the boat with me.

The way some people act is there isnt a difference between a 500 dollar rod and a 40 dollar rod.. there is a HUGE difference between price ranges of rods and rods of the same price by different brands.

Could I catch fish on a Powell sure and I have do they fish good yeah there ok... Do they fish, feel or look at good as the Dobyns NO they dont once again i cant compare it to the Savvy rods as I have never touched one.

All I can say is in Sensitivity, weight, balance and over all crispness of the blank the powell doesnt compare to the Dobyns Champion Extreme series of rods and thats as plain as it can be stated.

If David is comparing the Powells to the Dobyns Champion Extreme Rods then IMHO he is totally right it is a all around better rod.

IMHO the Dobyns Champion Extreme rods are a sweet value at there prices when compared to what Im used to paying for rods.

[Lcomfort]

... Balance is over rated. Just ask the worlds best tournament anglers.

Well this in itself is a very personal statement regarding balance. I personally CANNOT fish with a rod that's overly tip heavy. I have personally told Keith at Powell this. Personally, for me, it's a comfort thing. If you're 20 something, then it's not an issue. If you're 50-60 years old like some of us are, the arm muscles are a bit old and tired to begin with, balance can make or break a fishing day.

The second part of your statement is what I have stated. If you're younger, no issues. Those young studs on the BASS tour can beat you with a broomstick ... been there done that; getting beat that is.

LOL! You guys amaze me, now Ive heard it all. How did you guys ever fish prior to the Dobyns rod? I fish with a 70 year old retired Navy guy that smokes like a choo choo train. He cant stand and fish for a day, yet he has no problem fishing any kind of rod. Between you and David and your outlandish claims Im roflmao. Its no wonder more people fish now. It must be the great balance in the Dobyns rods. Not sayin Dobyns rods are not good, they are great rods. However both of you claims are hog wash. Someone asks for advice and you post a bunch of crap. If you can hold a Powell rod and fish for the day then there is another issue.. Im sure a Steez or new Loomis NRX would be even better.

Its a fricking fishing rod. I know David is too young to know, but your claims are outlandish at best. My guess is you would catch just as many fish with a Berkley Lightening rod. Its just a tool, wake up!

So what your saying is, in a different circumstance, but same principles apply, is that if you told a 5 year old to pound nails all day with a hammer, and you gave him a 24 oz hammer, that he could swing it just as long as a 16 oz hammer? Pshh, yeah right.

And we all know we all can catch fish with any friggin' rod. Yes we can. I think what we're all trying to say is that a better more balanced rod is more ENJOYABLE to fish. We're NOT saying you cant catch fish with it. Would you rather fish with a uber light, sensitive, and cool looking Steez, or would you rather fish an heavier, unbalanced, not so sensitive Ugly Stik? Most will answer the Steez because it makes it more enjoyable. Nobody wants to be uncomfortable.

But you can use whatever you like SeanW

Well put my friend! you are tee totally RIGHT.

I think its a lot of people that get mad because all they have to fish is what they got and not what they want so they trash everything else but would jump on the higher end gear in a half of a heart beat if they could have one.

[J Francho]

Yay, men arguing about their rods.  Pretty silly.

I think we're all done here.  Hopefully the OP got the info he asked for.

This one is gone.