kayaking_kev

I have no experience with the Bass X or Intenza, but I know that Dobyns rods are great for moving baits. A 3 power for up to 1/2 oz. would be good for most, anything heavier or if you're constantly dealing with bigger bass, a 4 power would be better. IMO, a SLX XT would be better for those techniques, but I actually prefer the SLX MGL 70, it's a little lighter and more neutral in color. I've never had an issue with running out of line with it while throwing crankbaits, but I never go above 12# line either.

Stock&Field is having a going out of business sale, it's not the greatest sale, but most stuff is 20% off and I found some decent deals, including some Red Eyed Shads that were priced at $5.99 with 20% off and I thought that was a pretty good deal.

I bought a MH Dobyns Champion XP once just because the price was too good to turn down, but I personally didn't have a use for it, so I ended up selling it without ever using it to someone who wanted to use it at Lake St. Clair for Heavier Tubes & Drop Shots. This guy was afraid of Baitcasters at the time, but has since came around.

I just find this thread distasteful and I'm surprised it hasn't been deleted, because this kind of garbage usually isn't allowed here and that's why a lot of us enjoy coming here. It's not about you not liking Dobyns. People post negative opinions about Dobyns all the time, but do so in a respectful way, not with the purpose of irritating others. It could of been a Shimano, Daiwa, Megabass, etc. and it wouldn't of made a difference. There are more clever ways to be humorous than to irritate and troll others. You seem like a smart enough guy, so I hope that you can understand that POV, and may you retrieve lots of lures with that thing.

100% agree with this! My guess is that it's just the section left over from a warranty replacement. I've seen people make some nice BBQ spatula's out of them before. You only need the logo section for a warranty replacement. I really don't get some of the Dobyns hate by some. I fished with a lot of rods and I own a Conquest and multiple X-Ray blanks and Dobyns are good rods, especially the Extreme HP and Xtasys that I've owned. My guess is that they just like to be different and hate that they are so popular. It's one thing if their not your favorite rods and there are for sure better rods out there, but some act like they are complete garbage and that just isn't true.

Baitcasting Rods less than 4.5 oz., 7 ft. long, even though a lot of them are 7'3" now. I also like softer tips, like Dobyns rods. Shimano Reels less than 6.5 oz., but I love the Tatula SV too, and most of my gear ratios are 6.3.1, I have one 8.1.1 and one 7.2.1. I tried the left handed retrieve thing this season, buying 3 of them and sold all 3 and am sticking with right handed retrieve. I have 4 spinning reels, 2 are size 2500 and one is 2000, and one is 4000. Carbon Handles - Full or Split depending on technique. I have a G2 Full Handle rod, G2 Split Grip rod , CFX Composite Full Handle rod, and I have a NFC Soft Touch Carbontex Full Handle arriving Monday for my next build, all on X-Ray Blanks. But, I do like the cork handle on my Conquest a lot too, and the Xtasy cork handle is decent, I just think it needs to be tapered like the Conquest cork. Exposed Reel Seats - American Tackle G2 Carbon Razor & Blade Seats are awesome, but I want to try that Pac Bay Skeleton Seat sometime too. Line - I prefer good old fashion Mono, it's just easier and cheaper for me, but I use braid and fluorocarbon also. Aesthetics - I'm also weird about wanting my gear to look good and my reels to match my rods.

Did they mention the weight anywhere? That's my only problem with DC reels, I have one now that I don't use. I want one with the weight of the Metanium DC without the high price tag. Until then I will pass, but it looks like a really nice reel.

I love seeing all the answers, but I think it just comes down to how much an individual can realistically afford, because most of us would like more. But, honestly I love to just take one rod with me when bank fishing, because I'm always on the move, and two when kayak fishing. My problem is that I usually buy rods for great prices that I know that I can sell for what I paid for them. So they are basically like renting them for free, unless I find one I really like, and they can add up in a hurry that way. And, once you start building them yourself they will really start to add up.

There's been a handful of rods that I didn't like, but I don't regret buying any of them because I bought them for great prices and was able to sell them for what I paid for them or more and in the end I learned from the experience.

I don't think there's much doubt, especially for the application you're wanting it for. SLX MGL 70 all the way, it's a lighter and just a better reel overall, not that the Fuego is a bad reel, but I really only go to that for stuff like frogging. I've had all the SLX versions and the MGL 70 is my favorite, and I've never had a problem with running out of line and mostly use it for cranking, but also use it for everything else, besides stuff like frogging. Unless you're a huge guy with huge hands and a heavy rod, go with the SLX MGL. I also have both of those reels and definitely prefer the SLX MGL over the Tatula 100. I've owned two Tatula 100's and both seem a little finicky at times, especially with Fluorocarbon. A tougher question would be between the SLX MGL 70 and Tatula SV, I love both of them.

I believe it was @J Francho who gave me some advice once to try use a light Ned Rig, so the bait will sit on top of the muck instead of sinking into it. Would a Bottom Bouncer with a short leader work for big worms, or would it be too much going on near the bait, I don't know, but maybe it would work if the fish are aggressive like you say.

I've had two their reels and two of their rods. Concept Z & Fate Black Reel. Defy Black & Fate Black Rod. I thought one of each was decent and the other one was junk. I liked the Concept Z and the bright orange reel for the $70 I paid for on sale, but wouldn't of ever paid $200 for it, and I even passed on it at $100. But, for $70 I had no problems with it besides being blinded in the bright sun, but I kinda liked the look of it paired with my Dobyns Extreme HP. The Fate Black reel was pure garbage and the worst reel I've owned. I bought it for $50 on sale and loved the look of it, but that was it. It got a scuff on it just from taking it out of the plastic packaging it came in and then before I even took it out for the first time I noticed it got a small crack in the side plate and I have no idea from what because it was just sitting on a shelf. Besides the durability, it didn't cast very good either. The Defy Black composite crankbait rod I had was pretty good, but right after I sold it the person broke it. The Fate Black rods I thought were junk, and I only paid $40 each for two of them, but quickly sold them. I don't think I'll ever buy anything 13 Fishing again, there's just better stuff available for the same price.

I think a lot of it depends on the gear - rod, reel, & line. I used an Dobyns Xtasy 723c, which is rated as a MH, but not even close to a MH in reality and it has a really nice soft tip and I had it paired with a Tatula SV and a Metanium MGL with #8 line. I'm sure the BFS guys can throw a lot lighter with some of their setups. I've also seen a few people on here use a Phenix Feather Light Power Rod paired with a Alphas Air or even a Tatula Elite and say they can throw really light stuff with it.

Same here, I just bought a Vanford and built a X-Ray MB-733, so I better be using it more this season. I used to only use Spinning Gear when panfishing with really light baits. I can cast a 1/10 oz Ned Rig pretty good with a BC, but going to switch to Spinning this year.

I feel you on that, my accuracy with spinning gear due to lack of experience is terrible.

Anyone know where these are in stock at?

So will I need to install one, two, or all now, or just wait and see how it's retrieving first before installing any of them?

This isn't a big fish, but it's significant to me because it completed my 2020 goal of catching a Bass in every month of 2020, which isn't an easy thing to do in Ohio, when the water freezes over the majority of 3 months. It was also fish #431 for the season and the last one I caught. It was also the first fish I caught on a rod that I built myself, a Custom Phenix X-10 Composite Crankbait rod. The rod is very similar to my Dobyns 704 Glass rod, but it only weighs 3.9 oz.

I received my Shimano Vanford last week from TW BF sale. It's the first time I invested in a good spinning reel because I would rarely use spinning gear, but I'm sure I will be using it a lot more now. I've always wanted a Ci4+, but never could pull the trigger, but the Vanford seemed like a no brainer. It's going to go on a Custom NFC X-Ray MB-733 that I just built specifically for the Vanford, with red wrapping and a red custom decal that matches the reel. One thing I was puzzled by was the set of washers that was in the box. I seen it says they are used to create a different winding shape, but I have no clue what difference that makes.

I have a St.Croix Panifish Series UL rod and it's great for perch, but it's not going to throw lures that are 3/8 oz. or 0.40 oz.

I have a Conquest 843c and it's good for bottom baits or single hook moving baits. I wouldn't want to throw treble hook baits on it too often, but it will handle them in a pinch. It's an awesome rod that cast better than any other high end rod I've owned, and the cork is super nice and tapered, which I like. I don't care for the color of the wrapping, but the rod blank itself is beautiful all the way to the tip and glistens in the sunshine. One thing to consider is the warranty, Conquest are lifetime, but I don't think the P5 is.

Fuego has external brakes, but weighs about an ounce more. The SLX has internal only, but is lighter and is smaller in the hands. I'm not a big fan of internal brakes only, but I like the SLX size better. I also seem to personally cast the SLX easier. The one time I would choose the Fuego, would be for a heavier rod such as a frog setup. But, I wouldn't ever buy another regular SLX again, I would much rather get a used SLX XT for less than $100 or even better a SLX MGL 70. *** usually has SLX XT in their Used section for under $100 and everything I've ever ordered used from them was in pretty much new condition. Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter to get 10% off, if you go that route. I own a SLX DC, SLX MGL 70 & SLX XT, and the MGL 70 is my favorite. I sold my regular SLX and Fuego, but I'm most likely going to buy another Fuego this week for a Heavier rod I just built, so let me know if you find a good deal on one.

The 843c, it cast like a dream and weighs 3.8 oz. I was supposed to sell mine after I started building my own rods, but I haven't been able to part with it yet.

Lew's Hank Parker MH from Walmart for $40 for T-Rigs. That thing always blows my mind when it comes to sensitivity and I own a Conquest, Xtasy's, & Custom X-Rays.

Thanks, I feel better now!