G3Steve

The 766 would work, but I prefer the longer rod when punching over deeper water and/or making longer pitches over very large mats. The 805 also has a softer tip, which I think helps from blowing fish's mouths open too much on the hookset. I'm still new to punching, but will have more experience this summer at the Cal Delta! I was fishing a tourney there back in April and lost a BEAST! Pitched 10 yards into some super thick periwinkle with a 1.5oz punch weight. Felt the bite, set the hook... had her on for 15 seconds. I had her right on the underside of the mat and she decided to head back down. My drag was tightened down all the way and she still took line, then was gone. Gonna go back to get her in a couple of weeks!

I'm using a dobyns 805 flip/punch and curado 201 with dry carbontex washers. I know you didn't like your dobyns 735, so I don't know if you'll stick with dobyns, but I love my setup.

I have the 735 in both Champion and Savvy and love them. They are my favorite rods. I use the Champion for flipping/pitching/jigs. The Savvy (which was used previously for those same techniques) is now doing big senkos and heavy t-rigs. The tips are soft, with the Champion having a slightly faster action, but they both have the power to boat flip 4lb'ers at least.

Nice vid. What I'd like to know is how you knew which direction to point the camera? Did you have some sort of external lcd screen?

I joined two days ago. I didn't get immediate access so I left a message using the form on their contact page and they got back to me the next day. They just asked for the username and password I wanted to use and they got me set up within a few hours. I also see 25% discount on Dobyns. I have the basic $20 membership. Do the more expensive memberships get a bigger discount?

If you're going to be doing some punching then you'd probably be better off with the 736. Better yet, step it up a bit and get the 766 if you can fit it. It was made for flipping/pitching. I use the 735 as my dedicated jig rod, mostly 3/8 and 1/2 oz, open water and pitching into sparse cover. It's definitely got power... I've boat flipped 4lbers with it. But I wouldn't feel comfortable pitching into real heavy stuff or punching.

Thanks DVT. Does the 7 I'm the part number refer to the ring size?

...because they're not St. Croix? It wasn't a manufacturer's defect, so I didn't expect them to send me one anyway. Anyone have a clue as to how they list they're part numbers?

The insert on the tiptop of my Powell 703CB Glass and I need a replacement. I emailed Powell and they said that I needed a Fuji Alconite tiptop, part number BFAT07UJ-2.4/FJ. I then went to Mudhole and don't see the part number, just tube sizes and ring sizes. If I had to take a guess, I'd say it was the 7(6) - 2.4mm tube. Is this correct? I found the tiptop here: http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Catalog/Concept-SiC-Concept-Alconite-Tops/BFAT-Spin-Cast-Fly-Tops Thanks for any help.