Will be purchasing a new rod shortly for heavy plastics and jigs. Have narrowed it down to Powell Max or Endurance, Dobyns Savvy, or Loomis GL 2. I would appreciate any opinions or thoughts as to which brand is an overall better choice. Looking at 7 feet or longer.

Anything medium heavy to heavy. Dobyns Savvy has a heavy (704 and 734) that feels in between medium heavy and heavy that i absolutely love. It will even toss 1/4 ounce jigs really far with a good reel. It is most comfortable with a 3/8 to 1/2 ounce lures though. Nevertheless, 1/4 ounce weights for worm fishing and it will do well but better with heavier jig setups. So given your heavier weight choice, i have a personal bias for the Dobyns Savvy. I have heard however that the Powell Endurance MH may be a better rod but don't have experience to say otherwise. I'm guessing the Loomis would be your best option but is a tad more expensive.

I would recommend a Powell or Dobyns over the GL2 b/c it has a MUCH shorter handle which I do not want to cast all day.

I have 2 Powell Endurance's and LOVE them for the money

Edited December 4, 201213 yr by ClackerBuzz

I have both a Powell Endurance and Dobyns Champion. Both are great rods. Everything I've heard about the GL2 is that its overpriced for what you get. I'll also throw in the Phenix M1 and Recon. Most will say these rods perform well above their price... AND the Recon is on sale for 130 at TW right now. I'm assuming they are getting ready for the second generation Recons, but it may be worth the look.

GL2 is not a competitive series.

GL2 is not a competitive series.

That's interesting to hear. I have not heard of Loomis having a poor lineup in a while so this is good to know.

The Powell will be your best bet, the only thing the Savvy has going for it is its balance, which isn't anything to right home about. Otherwise the blank felt very dead and the opposite of crisp. I've never owned a GL2, so I cant comment from first person experience, but from everybody's opinion they are not worth it.

Now on to the Powell Max vs. Endurance, their is only one real difference between the two, the Endurance has one size smaller guides through-out the rod from the standard size guides on the Max. The only other difference is slightly different lengths and tapers. Plus it's purple. I personally like the Endurance a bit better because of the smaller guides. It offers a bit of a "micro" advantage, but their not even close to micro which can be a hassle. Otherwise, blanks are the same. The real question is is the price difference worth a size smaller guides to you.