Robert Riley

So I work at F&S, and a lot of wives have come in with no idea what to get their husbands. So BassResource, what do you want for Xmas?

I'm caught between my Dobyns DX745c and Lew's Super Duty, or my Dobyns D685cb and Lew's TProG. Both are pretty **** solid.

I use the Missile baits D-bomb and baby bombs. I'm a big fan of their color choice.

Fishnkamp is on the right mark. Dobyn's recently launched its Fury series, it's a great line up for around $100. I can fish jerkbaits, buzzbaits spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits on the same rod (albeit I'd fish the latter two on a MH). I'd recommend the FR703 or the FR663 if you want a shorter rod.

I've been selling them very well at my F&S. I've been recommending it as a great "next step combo" for people that have already gotten their first casting setup. What I've found is the best selling point of this combo is that it is a truly fast rod, it's definitely a heavy stick for a combo rod. In my store, it's really the black sheep of the combos. Salesmanship aside, if its quality is anything like the mach 1 combo, it should be great. I got one for my fishing buddy for his bday, but we haven't been able to get it out on the water yet. I can't say much about the rod, but it looks to me that the reel is just the speed spool turned "SLP." With that knowledge, search around these forums for info on the speed spool if you haven't read all about it already. If you don't mind me asking, what are you looking to pay for it? I've seen the price range from 139.99 to 179.99. We're selling it for 169.99 at my store.

I use a M/XF. But I could see myself using a ML too. Sometimes I even use my mag heavy if I get tired of spinning gear.

Well geez @Fishnkamp, not gonna let us in on your secret?

I'd be more skeptical of the lure weight range than the rating. Im not sure how much I would trust 1.5-2oz on a 735.

I'd say 735, but if you can find a better deal with a 734, get a 734. Make sure to check out my answer to your other post.

I've just seen heavy then mag heavy. Dobyn's for example has 704 (heavy) and 705 (mag heavy). BUT it's a relative, there is not market standard for these ratings. I think Dobyn's titles their rods a bit heavier than they are.

That's a solid set up. Right now I use a Dobyn's DX745 with a Lew's Super Duty spooled with 12lb Sunline Assassin.

Yeah, I'm surprised that spellcheck did not catch that. I just took the GRE and realized how much I rely on spellcheck.

I fish War Eagle Spinnerbaits and I have a lot of trouble with the trailer hook getting caught in the blades/swivel. However, I do use a trailer, usually a skinny dipper or other paddletail swimbait if I want a larger profile. I've noticed that it tends to help if it's windy, probably just because it adds some more weight.

I've used braid and mono for the most part. I switched to braid bc that's what I use for buzzbaits (my go to bait) but I CANNOT STAND how frequently it gets caught up in my walking baits treble hooks. I'm even thinking of switching back to mono.

Don't they also change color as the water temp changes? I've always been curious about this.

I would go with a Dobyns then Powell too. I've never had a less than stellar experience with Dobyns customer service. In fact I think it's one of their best attributes. Didn't Gary Dobyns help launch Powell or something like that?

I think black and blue, or brown/green are the only colors you need. BUT since Im usually fishing from the back of the boat, I have a few other colors I throw just so I'm not throwing the exact same thing as my boater.

Lol. that's just a sexy shad hollow-body frog. We don't have that at F&S yet, but I, unfortunately, could see myself selling that to people.

I too am eager to see how you like that SC glass rod. I was curious as to why you had that frog on there too haha.

I have a mix of 1/4 and 3/8. I don't know which ones are which anymore. But my boater is a bank beater like yours. Here in central IL we throw pretty much black and blue all day long. I've made an effort to not throw black and blue as a co-angler. I've got a few hand tied black and chart, or black and red jigs. I've seen a small increase in the amount of fish I catch over him, obviously not as much as I'd like

Abu and Lew's are made in the same factory in South Korea. I believe they use mostly the same parts. I've fished mostly Lew's and Abu and I'm come to the conclusion that Lew's just has better quality-control. But on topic, I've never had an issue with their customer service, the woman on the line was not friendly and was very rude, but I can deal with that. Lew's on the other hand is top-notch. Almost as good as Dobyn's hehe

I'm just really hoping we don't get them in-stock at work. I can't afford to look at them all day.

Definitely get something that doesn't overlap with what you have. I'd look at getting a moving bait combo, like a 7ft m/mh fast action rod. But what do you throw most often other than a t-rig? You might want to check out that Mach1 Lew's combo that's out right now. It's the white and green one, my buddy got one this spring and we've used it all season and it is holding up very well.

d**n, i didn't even know they were out yet haha

yes sir.