Dirtyeggroll

I called Dobyns Rods yesterday. Neither Gary or Richard were there, but I did speak with a Brent and asked about which 705CB (glass or graphite) he suggests as a squarebill rod. His first answer was that both are great squarebill rods and it comes down to personal preference. He stated that he preferrred the glass rod, because he felt it was more forgiving than the graphite rod. However, he agreed that the glass rod was not as sensitive as the graphite rod and that he prefers one of the graphite rods for his deep cranking setups so he can feel the bottom. I like the idea of feeling the ticks of brush piles and rip rap and I plan to use a forgiving line (Seaguar Tatsu 15-20#), so I am leaning toward the graphite rod. I've read in other places that Gary Dobyns created the graphite version because he doesn’t like glass.

Got it. My understanding is the that graphite 705 actually weighs MORE than the glass 705 so that’s actually a point against the graphite in this case. I do realize that in many cases glass rods are heavier. Who knew choosing a squarebill rod could come down to such minutia?!? Haha

Do you think you are losing anything in the forgiveness of the graphite in these rods? (Have you fished the glass? What makes you prefer graphite? Sensitivity?)

I am looking to purchase a dedicated squarebill rod. One rod for that will work well over the whole range and for all types of cover (rocks, brush, weeds, rip rap etc.) I plan to use this rod to throw most sizes 1.0 (3/8 oz) to 2.5 (5/8 oz) squarebills including some wake baits. (I already have a rod I am happy with for throwing jerkbaits and rip baits). I've been doing a TON of searching reading and there seems to be a consensus that the Dobyns Champion series rods make excellent squarebill rods. Despite the consensus seeming to be centered around the Dobyns Champion series, I cannot find consistent information as to which model is preferred between the 704CB and the 705CB. Further, I cannot seem to find consistent information as to what is preferred of glass versus graphite for these rods. So it seems to come down to: 704CB vs. 704CB Glass vs. 705CB vs. 705CB glass as an all around squarebill rod. The closest preference I have found is that if most squarebills are 3/8 oz and under then the 704 is the better option and if most are 3/8 oz or above then the 705 is the better option. *UPDATE* I think have decided on the 705. So... Glass or Graphite for the 705 as an all around squarebill rod? (I have seen other threads for glass vs. graphite but I don’t think specifically for squarebills) **UPDATE**Summary of General Pros and Cons of 705CB vs. 705Cb Glass in this thread as of January 12th, 2018: 705CB GRAPHITE Pros: -Subjectively more sensitive than the glass model -Versatility (Is a better lipless and heavy jerkbait rod than the glass; doesn't really apply if a dedicated squarebill rod) 705CB GLASS Pros: -Better at loading up on fish/keeping trebles pinned -Slightly lighter 705CB GRAPHITE Cons: -Slightly heavier -Doesn't quite have the load-up/forgiveness of glass on fish 705CB GLASS Cons: -Subjectively not as sensitive -Not as versatile (doesn't really apply if a dedicated squarebill rod) Does anyone use either of these rods to throw the sprectrum of squarebills? And can you comment your thoughts? (I know ultimately this comes down to personal preference but since I don't have any way to hold and test a Dobyns rod without purchasing one, I'd like to know the consensus of the community). Thanks!

Sounds like the rod might be a bit mislabeled as a “crankbait rod”. I’ve probably got at least a couple of months before I have a chance to find out.

I guess I’ll find out... I pretty much only throw squarebills in brush and rip rap ?

I got one and going to try to my luck with it as a dedicated squarebill rod.

Confirmed that TW will price match this. And if you buy a gift card first you can get end up spending less than $100.

It's been about 6 months since you asked this? How has it been going? What have you learned? This is also what I have found to produce the best results. I also find that focusing on the "roll out" up and away after the cast improves backlash ratio, and the less I focus on where I want the jig to go and focus on the roll out and in the better my accuracy.

I'm going to pair the Curado K with the ZX crankbait as a squarebill setup. I am going to put a BPS Pro Qualifier on the ZX Topwater rod.

-Siebert Dredge dock rocker and brush jig packs -Norman DD22’s and HD DD22’s -Strike King Tour grade buzzbaits, skipping jigs and finesse jigs -Rage Tail Rage Bugs -Seaguar Tatsu -Seaguar Blue Label -Cabela’s Tournament ZX Crankbait Rod -Cabela’s Tournament ZX Topwater/Jerkbait Rod -Dobyn’s Fury 733C (I might return this, I kinda thought this would be heavy enough for a Trig/Jig rod but I don’t think it will be for me) -Shimano Curado K 6.4:1 -Daiwa Tatula SV 7.3:1 -Abu Garcia Orra2 Winch 5.2:1 -KVD Line condiitoner -LC RTO Squarebill -Bass Pro Jersey to match my dad’s when we fish tournaments together

Has anyone compared the Tournament ZX "Bass Casting Crankbait" rod (7'1 Medium - Moderate/Fast http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Tournament-ZX-Bass-Casting-Rods/1619298.uts?slotId=4) and the Tournament ZX "Crankshaft" rods (offered in 3 'sizes' http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-TOURNAMENT-ZX-CRANKSHAFT-RODS/1933023.uts?slotId=11)?

7' 1 M Mod for topwater? or for cranking? I have the option trading the current one I have and getting both.

It seems there are 2 series of tournament ZX rods. The Crankshaft series (http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-TOURNAMENT-ZX-CRANKSHAFT-RODS/1933023.uts?slotId=11 and the Bass Casting Series (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Tournament-ZX-Bass-Casting-Rods/1619298.uts?slotId=4 The one I have is the 7' Medium-Fast model TZXCS704-1 from the crankshaft series. If I understand correctly you are suggesting I trade the "7' Crankshaft" for the 6'9" Jerkbait/Topwater Bass Casting model TZXC-69M? When you say the crankshaft has a lower quality blank I am guessing you are referring to the IM8 and the better blank is the HM64 which is in the Bass casting series?

The 7’ Crankshaft I already have or the 6’9” Tournament ZX that’s labeled as TW/Jerkbait?

I have acquired/inherited a small variety of casting rods/reels over the last couple months and I am trying to pair them up appropriately to approximate some technique specific combos. The idea of "technique specific" is somewhat new to me. Rods: Abu Veritas 2.0 Heavy-Fast 7' Abu Veritas 2.0 Medium/Heavy-Fast 6'9" Daiwa Aird Heavy-Fast 7' St. Croix Premiere Crankbait Medium Heavy-Moderate 7' Dobyn's Fury Medium Heavy-Fast 7'3" Cabela's Tournament ZX Crankshaft Medium-Fast 7' Berkley Pro Signature Medium Heavy-Fast 7' Bass Pro Pro Qualifier Medium Heavy-Fast 7' Reels: KastKing Speed Demon 9.3:1 Shimano Curado K 6.3:1 Daiwa Tatula SV 7.3:1 Abu Garcia Orra 2 Winch 5.2:1 Bass Pro Pro Qualifier 2 7.5:1 Bass Pro Pro Qualifier 6.4:1 Bass Pro Pro Qualifier 6.4:1 Abu Garcia Black Max 6.4:1 This is how I'm thinking to pair them up to end up with a combo best suited for each of the following: Pitching - Abu Veritas 2.0 Heavy-Fast 7'//KastKing Speed Demon 9.3:1 Frogging - Daiwa Aird Heavy-Fast 7'//Abu Garcia Black Max 6.4:1 Jig/Worm - Dobyn's Fury Medium Heavy-Fast 7'3"//Daiwa Tatula SV 7.3:1 Spinnerbait/Swimjig/Chatter - Berkley Pro Signature Medium Heavy-Fast 7' // Bass Pro Pro Qualifier 6.4:1 Squarebill - Cabela's Tournament ZX Crankshaft Medium Heavy-Moderate 7'//Shimano Curado K 6.3:1 Deeper crank - St. Croix Premiere Crankbait Medium Heavy-Moderate 7' // Abu Garcia Orra 2 Winch 5.2:1 Topwater/Jerkbait - Abu Veritas 2.0 Medium-Heavy-Fast 6'9"//Bass Pro Pro Qualifier 2 7.5:1 Versatile rod - Bass Pro Pro Qualifier Medium Heavy-Fast 7' // Bass Pro Pro Qualifier 6.4:1 In addition to your suggestions/thoughts about how to pair these, I've got about $100 in gift cards to burn and I am wondering if anyone would suggest that I replace a rod for one of the techniques (I am currently interested in the sale Cabela's currently has on the Tournament ZX series for $70). Of course I realize that any rod and reel combo can be used for any technique, but I am having fun building my arsenal and would like to know your suggestions one how to pair these. Thanks for your help! P.S. - I am in Nebraska and its 5 degrees and all of the water will be hard probably until March so to pass the time I am building my arsenal and won't have much of an opportunity to test out the pairings until it warms up a bit.

Cabela's Tournament ZX Rods are on sale again for $69.99.

Catch a limit in a tournament.

Not a huge fan of the concept of a “New Years” Resolution (mostly because I like to start working toward my goals as soon as I conceive them). That being said, there are a for things I will strive for in 2018: 1. Finish my Ph. D. - At this point I would have to resolve NOT to do it to keep it from happening. Everything is in place I just have grind it out. 2. Contribute the maximum allowed to my IRA - As a graduate student I have no employer-offered retirement options. Considering, I will literally be in training (MD/PhD program) until I am 38 (28 now), living on a graduate student stipend means I have to stick to a strict budget to save significant amounts of money. 3. Fish all of the lakes in the Omaha Metro area - There are at least 9 stocked core lakes in the Omaha Metro area. Last year I fished 3 (probably the best 3 based on info from guys in club). 4. Catch a limit in a club tournament - Last year was my first year fishing with a club. I only had time to fish 3 tournaments. The first I weighed 4 fish. The second was a two day tournament. The first day of the tournament I actually had the best 6 fish (18 lbs; our club records 6 fish), but the second day I only weighed 4. The third I weighed only 1 fish (a 4.5 lb), but not enough of them. 5. Mentally Compartmentalize my fishing time - I have an obsessive personality. It has suited me well academically and financially thus far. That being said, I wasted a lot of time day dreaming about fishing when I could have been living in the time and moment with my beautiful wife. I want to get better at being present of mind when I am at home and we are together. Not 100% sure the steps I need to take to work on this, so I think this will be the hardest.

How cool would it be if the drag would make a specific sound when peeling out?!? ”Bzzz Hold on it’s a biggun’ bzzz”

I have the same rod. I find that it is a bit stiff (heavy) for throwing crankbaits such as squarebills and jerk baits. I find it difficult to get much casting distance or accuracy with an overhead cast with these type of baits. I do however occasionally throw these baits with this rod since this is the rod I keep in my truck. I am able to somewhat compensate for the stiffness by making sidearm casts. It works well for heavier baits such as jigs, Texas rigs, swing heads and heavier spinner baits.

I'm in the market for two new reels. Originally, I was going to get an Daiwa Tatula SV TWS 7.3:1 and a Shimano Curado K 6.2:1 based on the following: I figured I couldn't go wrong considering I will be upgrading from a fleet of BPS Pro Qualifier reels. Since I don't have a bias toward either reel I figure I will be able to learn both of them knowing they should be different. However, now I am wondering if I shouldn't buy two of one or the other. Any thoughts?

Revo winch a good Reel for the money?

The Orra winch has been discontinued! This is so disappointing!

Who knows, maybe they are reserving the best sales for after Christmas so some of those who are waiting on gift cards have a chance at the sales.