$200 Rods

[Bass_Fanatic]

Ok guys I have a little over $200 to spend on a new rod for t-rigs, spinnerbaits, and hollow body swimbaits. The problem is there are so many options and I want em all . I dont have the chance to put many of em in my hands before ordering so I need some opinions. I am looking a the Cashion 7'3" MH/F, Loomis GL2 893CJWR, Big Bear Micro Spiral 7'3" MH/F, Dobyns Champion 733 or 734, Cumara CUC-X72MH or CUC-72MH. Like I said, I havent narrowed it down too much because I have no prior experiences with any of these rods, so your experience matters.

[Hi Salenity]

I am almost 100% sure I'm going to buy the Loomis !

[breezy]

I haven't fished with any of the new GL2's, but IMO if I'm spending $200 there are other rods I would consider before a GL2. My personal vote would be a Champion (or DX used will be ~$240 shipped) closely followed by a Cumara.

The 733c vs 734c will depend on what baits you're throwing. I use my 734c for 3/8-3/4oz jigs, swimjigs, hollow belly swimbaits, toads, super spooks and basically anything in the 3/8-3/4 weight range. It's probably the most versatile rod I have owned and the only (very minor) complaint I have is the hook keeper. Although it's rated as a Heavy the rod has a soft tip with lots of backbone and I have no trouble throwing down to 5/16oz if necessary..but any lower and I will probably be reaching for another rod. The cut off seems to be in the 3/8oz range. If you're primarily throwing 3/8oz and under go with the 3 power, if you'll be throwing over 3/8oz most of the time go with the 4.

Cumaras are also great rods, and if possible I would recommend just handling both in store and making a decision. If you like extremely fast actions then the CUC-X72MH may be the rod for you. The Dobyns rods definitely have a much slower action compared to the XF Cumaras. I like the taper myself but in the end it's personal preference.

[00 mod]

Cumara CUC-X72MH --held one this week and it felt great! My next rod might just be one!

Jeff

[Flywatersmallie]

Champion 734 if you are to include swimbaits there. The 733 is a great spinnerbait stick and does a good job with lighter t rigs. If you plan to use heavier weights, step up to the 4 power, as was stated. I have both the 733 and 734 and I like the 733 a lot but if I had to choose one, there isnt really anything the 733 can do that the 734 can't.

[breezy]

Champion 734 if you are to include swimbaits there. The 733 is a great spinnerbait stick and does a good job with lighter t rigs. If you plan to use heavier weights, step up to the 4 power, as was stated. I have both the 733 and 734 and I like the 733 a lot but if I had to choose one, there isnt really anything the 733 can do that the 734 can't.

I agree, if I could only pick one rod I would probably go with the 734c. IMO the 733c makes a great t-rig and 3/8oz spinnerbait rod. Although it would work I think it's a little underpowered for 5"+ hollow belly swimbaits. The 734c would be more suited to swimbaits, heavier spinnerbaits, jigs etc...especially if you're going to be fishing around any moderate cover. As long as the total weight of the lure is around 3/8oz or above the 734 should be fine.

[Bass_Fanatic]

Thanks guys I appreciate all the info. I was origanally leaning towards the Dobyn 734, but I wanted to compare it to the Big Bear, Cashion, and Cumara. Anyone have any experience with the Big Bear or Cashion. The Big Bear grip seems cool, but Im not too sure about the blank and the Cashion just seems like a great rod.

[Fat-G]

734, no doubt hands down no questions!

[Hooligan]

734, no doubt hands down no questions!

Disagree. I don't like that rod at all. I'd take the Cumara over the Dobyns.

[Grey Wolf]

I am almost 100% sure I'm going to buy the Loomis !

There are so many rods in that price range that are better than the GL2 but it's your money.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I would choose between the Dobyns and Cumara, I have a 7'2M-XF Cumara and have fished a few of the Champions, between them, I'd choose which one has the styling that want.

[LuckyHandsINC.]

Disagree. I don't like that rod at all. I'd take the Cumara over the Dobyns.

X2

dobyns makes very nice rods no doubt,but they have become the cool rod to buy and a lot of people over rate them. I would also buy the cumara. Again before I have 20 people yelling at me I like dobyns rods but they are just one of many company's that make good rods nothing more nothing less.

[northern basser]

I agree that the Dobyns are a little over rated. I had a champion 733c and it was a great rod, but there are many rods in this $ range that are equally impressive or better. The cumara being one of them.

[BassThumb]

I'm a big fan of the 734C for spinnerbaits and other moving baits, but not so much for bottom contact baits.

[lynyrdsky1]

There is one rod you should think about that you didn't include, can anyone say DUCKETT? haha but really, they are a little cheaper but are probably the best rods I have ever used. Personally for what your wanting to do, I would get a 7'3 MH Duckett but you may if you are going strictly Swimbait or heavy t-rig I'd go Heavy action.

[Bass_Fanatic]

I dont plan on using a swimbait often on this rod, but I would like it to be able to double and throw it if it had to. My only concern about buying the Cumara right now is that the new Crucials look to be the old Cumara and will be much cheaper. Should I wait it out and just get teh new Crucial? Im probably goin to be gettin a new Crucial Reaction series rod too.

Still hard to fight off the Dobyns though. I have a Savvy and love it. What do ya'll throw with the 733C? I already have a Powell 714C and a Savvy 734, so I would like to buy a 733.

[jmed999]

Get a Duckett! You will not be dissapointed!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

St Croix Avid AVC70MHF lists for $190. The Avid line is a nice entre' into higher end rods.

[Chris at Tech]

I like Dobyns as well, but also look at the Daiwa Zillion rods

[Hooligan]

I dont plan on using a swimbait often on this rod, but I would like it to be able to double and throw it if it had to. My only concern about buying the Cumara right now is that the new Crucials look to be the old Cumara and will be much cheaper. Should I wait it out and just get teh new Crucial? Im probably goin to be gettin a new Crucial Reaction series rod too.

Still hard to fight off the Dobyns though. I have a Savvy and love it. What do ya'll throw with the 733C? I already have a Powell 714C and a Savvy 734, so I would like to buy a 733.

The rods are far different. The guides are different, the resins are different, and the Crucial is considerably heavier. They're definitely not the same rod. They're built with the same IM10 graphite, that's about the only real similarity. The blank designs are somewhat similar, but I thought they felt different enough that there wouldn't be any confusing them.

[Bass_Fanatic]

St Croix Avid AVC70MHF lists for $190. The Avid line is a nice entre' into higher end rods.

I have this rod also. At first I hated it because it was very tip heavy, but now that I have gotten use to it, it isnt a bad stick.

[Fat-G]

Disagree. I don't like that rod at all. I'd take the Cumara over the Dobyns.

I see where you're coming from. I have a Cumara CUC-72MH and a 735 Champion. The Cumara is a finesse rod, the Dobyns a flipping stick. The Champion is a lot more sensitive, which is weird, considering it's a flipping stick. I think the Cumara should be the more sensitive rod, but it's not. At least to me.

Between the Cumara and Dobyns, it comes down to personal preference.

[midnighthrasher]

Cumara all the way. I own 6 and they are all awesome!!!

[WdyCrankbait]

Duckett rod, I was pretty impressed with the one I handled. Granted, I have Powell rods and that was not mentioned as an option, but of the other ones mentiond the Duckett really impressed me. I have known a couple people that broke Cumaras though. Good luck with your choice!

[bryand82487]

I'd go with the Cumara CUC-X72MH. I've got one I throw jigs, texas rigs, and carolina rigs on. If I threw many spinnerbaits or hollow bodied swimbaits that would be the rod I'd use.