scbassin

Good choice It's a excellent rod. It's very sensitive.

I have both rods you mention, I use the DX 703C for 3/16, 5/16 & 1/4oz. spinnerbaits & the DX 704C for 3/8 oz & above. Both of these rods get the job done.

I am with Mike L on this I like Full Handle cork & I will not buy a rod if does not have it. I prefer AAA but will go with AA if it's a rod I want. I put U-40 cork seal on my handles it helps keeping the dirt, sweat, oils from my hand getting into the cork. It seals the cork & that helps with chipping on the lower grades.

I use a Plano 3701. It's perfect for weights, hooks, beads ect. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?start=0&count=30&searchtext=Plano+3701

This is the frog I use Dobyns XP DC 736 FH. It does a excellent job. You can find at Tackle Warehouse or American fishing.co Length 7'3" Handle Cork-Full Line Weight 15-30 lb Lure Weight 3/8-2 oz Action Heavy Ex Fast Applications Frogs, Pitchin' & Flippin' For a reel I use a Metanium 20 XG From Digitaka.com

What is your price range?

If this is my only set up between the two I would get the 21 Shimano Scorpion DC because it has the I-DC5 brake, even if the lure suddenly stalls, the appropriate braking force can be obtained instantly. It a better system than the I-DC4 that is on the Curado. Both reels have the new lighter spool which will give you better casting distance. I would wait until until the new 22 Bantam comes out in March before I make a decision. If it has the lighter spool that would be my choice.

The thing that I can't wait for is to change from jeans & a sweat shirt to shorts & a T shirt ?

I am with WRB all the way on this. I too use 12 lb FC & 16 lb FC for heavier cover. For the same reason as WRB stated.

Several years I was in the same place. I decided to Keep My Shimano's & sell every thing else. I replaced what I sold with new Shimano's. My reason was that it was easier to use one brand. I did not have to remember how to adjust settings on different brands while fishing. I have found that pretty much the basic adjustments are close enough between models that it's easy to figure it out while changing set ups while fishing. My collection is from 1975 to 2021 models. Some of the older models are now put up but do take a few out from time to time just to remember how it was back when.

I use Sunline Shooter Defier 13 lb Monofilment for up to 10ft. & Sunline Super FC Sniper Fluorocarbon in either 14 or 16 lb depending on the depth the bait is designed for.

Columbia Craw had the answer on what to do! Dobyns has a great no questions asked warranty policy.

Look at this rod it's a perfect fit for what you are looking for. My granddaughter has one & loves it. She is not a kid she is a nurse that loves to fish thanks to grandpa. Dobyns Kaden Casting Rod 7' 1" M/H T/W has it in stock for $179.99. She has a Shimano Scorpion 70 XG on it.

Try this: with the line on the reel & nothing attach to the end of the line Put the line in the water & idle along until the line is all the way out . then wind it in while still at idle speed. When it's in check to see if that helped.

I see where Garroyo130 made his decision but I thought I would add this for all you jig fisherman. This rod is out of the $180 price range. Knowing how well the Dobyns Rods are balanced I thought I would try the Dobyns Champion Extreme HP DX 745C FH. I matched it with a Shimano Metanium 2020 Xg & moved into a tent in the back yard ? I have only had this combo about a month but can say the sensitivity is great. There is nothing about this rod I would change. One last comment is that Valentines day is going to be very expensive.

When fishing in real heavy cover I squeeze the frog every time before casting it again to make sure there is no water in it so it sits a wee bit higher. I don't know if that makes a hill of beans but it helps my confidence.

I have 2 Champion XP DC 736 C rods that I use for frogs. One of them is rigged with a 3:16 No Bull Frog which a big frog. I have no problems frog fishing with these they are a 6 power get a good hook set & they are coming to the boat. If you have to wait a little longer & get this rod you will not regret it.

I do not have any of the 3 you ask about but I have the Champion XP DC735C FH which is a excellent jig rod. When I look on the Dobyns site to see what the difference is I did not see it in the Champion series but in the Kaden series. The Kaden rod is a inch longer & uses a different brand of guides. Knowing the quality of Dobyns Rods( I have 17 & 2 more being delivered later today) I would recommend the Kaden Rod.

Try wrapping plumbers tape around the threads.

I have 3 of the DX 744 FH & have the Metanium 2020 XG on all 3. It's a excellent combo.

To answer your Question: I fish on Santee Cooper which can very rough at times. I have been fishing on the far end of Lake Moutrie & out of nowhere the winds comes up. In the coves you don't notice it but when you get out to the main body of the lake is like a state 6 sea. It's about 11 miles back to where I fish out of. I had a 2002 Ranger 185 vs (18' 5") powered by a Mercury 150 LXR & in 2008 I sold it & bought a Ranger Z21 (21' 2") powered by a Yamaha 250 VZ 250 T. Both boats Had Ranger Trail Double Axel trailers. Both rigs handled the rough water well but I would take a route that I would not have ride the main lake all the way In the 185 vs. That boat was not as wide & I could get into ditches to go thru cover to stay out main lake a good way. That is the one thing I miss about that boat, not being able to get into a pond back in Russellville . With the Z 21 I would go the direct way, get out on the main lake, time the waves & keep the boat on the top of them & let the big dog eat. The main reason I bought it was The deal I was offered. The boat was a demo & never titled so I got the full warranty's plus the extended one on the engine. The other thing was the very big discount. The biggest difference in my 2 boat is storage, Rod lockers. I would compare the different sizes in the same brand that way the basic hull will be pretty much same materials Which one you choose put the rated HP on it( for the power) you control the speed, plus a high thrust T/M. It makes it easier to control the boat in a strong wind. Either of my boats fished well. Take your time to make sure the one you choose is the one you want. Get a demo ride will help a lot.

Around Stink Bait is used for Catfish.

To me it's how heavy the cover is I am fishing. For moving baits I use 5.1:1, 6.2:1 & 5.8:1. For bottom fishing it's 7.1:1 or 8.1:1 depending how heavy the cover is. For Frogs, Toads & buzzbaits that are in the hucklebuck a 8.1:1 on a 6 power rod. This is what I do & I would think it would depend upon what type of water your fishing & what the fish want. I do not know of a standard.

My choice is Sunline Shooter & Seaguar Tatsu

I have 2 Scorpion 21 DC XG reels & they work as designed. Excellent Reels. I don't have the Daiwa reel so I can't comment on it.