webertime

TT reviews are about as random as they come. "If the threads were fuscia the sensitivity would have improved significantly over a 2011 Ford Focus with a JDM air freshener." That's a direct quote... I read the reviews of both rods there.

Sorry mods please move at your convenience.

I can get either of these in a Heavy (7'1" & 7'2" respectively) for ~$100 new. I can really only afford 1. Anyone have experience with both? The GL2 seems to get lukewarm reviews but they always seem to compare them to the more expensive models from Loomis instead of vs different brands at the same price point.

The 735 is up to 1.5oz. 734 is waaaaaaay to light for frogs and swimbaits.

Trebles... Dobyns A 734/704 is an amazingly versatile rod.

I have/had all 3 of the rods you list. IF the reel seat of the current *** works for you then it's a great stick. I have the 7'1" MH. For me I managed to have the side of my middle finger nail rub/cut into the side of my ring finger to the point of bleeding by the end of the day. BIG hands + tiny reel seat = UGH... The next gen model should hopefully solve that issue. The Veritas is a very stout stick and pretty light. I like it for plastics and jigs, as it has a fairly fast taper to it. I have the 705. The Fury. It's a bit heavier than the other 2 and has a slower taper, but still plenty of power. It's a very versatile rod as I have fished big spinner/chatterbaits as well as Carolina Rigs and Keitechs with the 735 model.

A used Phenix Recon 766. A Dobyns 735 model of your choice would work if you skipped the 2oz baits and hung around 1.5oz

I know a ton of guys up here, many that get hook ups and almost universally they like the Maxxum over the Fortrex. They are more durable and do everything you need.

Just got an email that the Laguna is now $25. It's a graphite Lexa, easily worth $25 a shot.

Daiwa Laguna (right handed) at Cabelas is like $40 If you are a lefty the Lexa at TW is the way to go.

Looks like the construction process of the 2 is the same (BAIS 45, blah blah) but the materials (graphite, scrim, resins) are different (SVF vs HVF). I had heard the Tatula and Zillion have the same blank and it was the components that separated them.

It's not a bad idea to loosen the nut and check to see if the hole (handle over the drive shaft) got deformed. I had a Citica E handle get rounded out to the point it would rock back and forth a 1/4" at the knobs.

Look at the Raymarine Dragonfly 4 or 5... wifi, no cables... even use your smartphone to mark a weigh point and it's saved on the units.

The slightly slower action of the Dobyns should be taken into account. My 734 Champion was not as powerful as a mh Avid or Veritas. My 735 Fury is closer.

I have, if there is salt in the plastic they will smear/run in time. I have some Male Perch Keitech that is now that are a weird 2 tone orange color.

I do, and maybe it's in my head. I know Braid needs tension to have sensitivity and Fluoro doesn't, so the "bow" may be hindering some of the sensitivity? 20lb Abrazx doesn't stretch a whole lot either. I lost only 3 rigs in the last season and a half with fluoro. 3 rigs a tournament used to be normal with braid.

It frayed on the rocks and zebra mussels a lot more. The other thing is that it would have a bow in it if you fished current. 50lb braid has a 12lb diameter, but... it has a much greater surface area. It seems that greater surface area would catch more water/current and create a bit of a bow. I did a test with everything the same (Lamiglas 735, citica e, spro swivel, faceted glass bead, 17lb seige leader, 3/0 worm hook with a speed craw) except main line (50lb Fx2 and 20lb Abrazx) over the course of a week and the fluoro caught 5:1 over the braid. I felt all the same things, just missed more fish/bites with the braid. Just my observation and opinion... go with quality fluoro for rigs.

Rage Tail Shrimp, Hags Tornado and Undertaker are great floating C-Rig baits. Use a mono leader, even up to 6ft (I prefer a 4-5ft) it can help keep the bait off the bottom too. A small craw (speedcraw) and a swimbait (4.8 Keitech) are awesome on the rig as well.

4/0 or 5/0 EWG. They are loud, catch a ton of pickerel and annoy a lot of fishing partners with how loud they are. I'd love it if they could do an elastech version that would float. The Damiki Frogs are a better option

If you're 7ft tall it would be a sick jerkbait rod

I think about this sort of thing too. Look at the Golden age guys, (Hank, Roland, Bill Dance, etc.) NO way their rods were anything like the quality/performance of a mid range or even $100 rod today. BUT they still caught the heck out of them. To some extent it is the money, to others it's pro staff discounts that allow them to load up on stuff so they can afford to pursue the Pro tour dream. I know of rumors that say Mr XXXXX pro is sponsored by "Zebco" but his rods are really NRX blanks custom painted to match a "Zebco" rod. Those may have some basis in reality, but it's hard to believe it's widespread.

Quick someone say Dobyns and let's blow this whole thread up.

I have an affinity for products made by the same people the market them. IE Shimanos are built by Shimano... I have always had better luck with products made by the people who put their name on them be it cycling, climbing, fishing, etc. Shimano Citica I is readily available for ~$120... I will say this, and not to be a Debbie Downer. A Citica I's performance (or a Curado I or any Lews I've tried) is not $120 better than the Pro Qualifiers that I have used/owned.

Your craw is also now 1 in a million. A Helgramite, is a bit more of an oddity/treat.

Senkos... I just hate to fish them, I will do nearly anything else before I finally submit. "Trying" new things in a tournament is also something I should avoid... "Hmmm Double Carolina Rig seems reasonable to do now..."