Dobyns Vs Kistler

[jchez444]

hey guys im looking to compare the helium to the savvys, has anyone compared or used both of these rods?

[Bass_Fanatic]

Im a huge Dobyns fan, but the Helium is a better rod than the Savvy. Now, I would probably choose a Champion over a Helium, just not the Savvy. The Savvy is a good rod, but for the $, you can buy a Cara, Powell, Helium, Phenix Recon(my next rod ), and a few others that are a better rod IMO.

[jchez444]

i have dobyns savvy and have been very happy with the rod, but i recently just ordered the kistler heliums and i must say they physically better then the dobyns. they are very good looking rod very light and real nice feel. i havent got to use it to much but i cant wait.

[northern basser]

Helium, no contest.

[Fat-G]

Im a huge Dobyns fan, but the Helium is a better rod than the Savvy. Now, I would probably choose a Champion over a Helium, just not the Savvy. The Savvy is a good rod, but for the $, you can buy a Cara, Powell, Helium, Phenix Recon(my next rod ), and a few others that are a better rod IMO.

x10!

[.ghoti.]

I have one of each. I'll give you my thought, for what they're worth. The two rods are so different, it is hard to compare them. The Dobyns Champion is a 7'6" heavy power fast action rod, listed as a c-rig, light jig rod. It's not a broomstick. Has a nice soft tip which I like. I almost never throw a c-rig, but I do use a light jig a lot. The rod is not what I'd call a light jig rod. Way to much rod for light jigs, but that may be a case of different definitions of the term. For some, a light jig is 3/8oz. For me, that's the heaviest jig I use. A light jig is 3/16oz, and this rod is too much rod for that. I use it for frogs, buzzbaits and paddle-tails. Not the intended usage, but it works well for those apps. I have to say, that for a 7'6" heavy power rod, it is very light, and very sensitive. It seems to be very well built, and I have no complaints at all. Not sure it's worth the MSRP, but for what I paid for it, the rod is excellent.

The Kistler Helium LTA is on the other end of the spectrum, being a 7' med-light power rod. The action is not given, but it's what I'd call a mod-fast action. I think this rod is intended for cranks, but I have a better crankbait rod. I use this for flukes and houdini shads, and for almost nothing else. This rod is very, very light and the sensitivity is about as good as it gets. This also seems to be very well built. I really like the composite grip. It is very comfortabel and feels extra secure when in the hand.

Very different rods, and difficult to compare, being so far apart in power, action and application. Since we're on Bass Resource, I'll talk about bass tackle. I have 15 baitcast combos I use for bass fishing. I terms of favorites, the Kistler is in the top three, and the Dobyns is in the bottom three. And that probably tells you more about me than it does the rods.

To answer the original question, I prefer my LTA over the Champion. When making the comparison between and LTA and a Savvy, for me it would be a no-brainer. The LTA wins that one, hands down.