Let me start off by saying this is my first post here, even though I've been visiting and really enjoy the site for a while now. Now onto the rod. I'm pretty set on the powell endurance, I've had a couple powells before and like them, but never an endurance. I'm having trouble deciding between the 723cef and 725cb. Now before you jump to the 723, or maybe a heavier model, it is worth mentioning that I throw both spinnerbaits and swim jigs on braid almost exclusively, so a rod with a little more give is helpful. I live in Maine and do a lot of smallmouth fishing in open water using a lighter hook so I don't want an overly powerful rod. With that being said I do a lot of fishing for largemouth as well in and around heavy cover, mostly various weeds, so I want a rod with enough power to set a heavier gauged hook swim jig or spinnerbait. All the while having the right, somewhat softer action for hooking and playing fish on braid.

I understand what you are saying about a rod having more give to play the fish with braid. However, a more parabolic or moderate action rod won't drive the hook into the fish effectively enough as a f/xf action rod. It can do the job, but it isn't the most effective tool to get it done. I'd opt for the 723. My swim jig rod is a dobyns 733 /w 30lb braid and I fish in the same kind of stuff you are mentioning. I love the rod. Mind you though, I fish northern or wisconsin style swim jigs that don't have a heavy gauge hook. For reference , i fish mostly brovarneys 1/4-5/16 oz swim jigs and the rod is perfect to drive the hook home and get fish out or moderate cover. If I were using a heavier hook(like Strike king hack attack swim jig) or a 3/8+ swim jig regularly in heavy slop, I could use a 733 but would be better off with a 4 power f/xf rod. Same idea for spinnerbaits. a 3 power will fish 3/8 spinnerbaits as well as 1/2oz depending on the pull from the blades but larger I would prefer a 4 power. I would not want to use a crankbait/glass moderate action rod for either situation.

I own 2 Powell 723s. That is my go to rod for spinnerbaits and swimjigs,chatterbaits, hollowbody swimmers, ect. I have the 725 also and use it mainly for frogs, heavier topwaters, and sometimes a jigs and big rattle traps. The 725 will do the job but a the 723 will have alot more castabilty on lighter spiinnerbaits and 1/4 oz swimjigs.

I use 30# braid for spinners and swimming jigs and it is perfect on the 723 as far as great a good hook set.

Thanks guys, I was leaning towards the 723. I'm a little worried about bending hooks out though on the northern style swim jigs. If I have 30lb braid and really pull on the fish does this rod have enough tip to absorb some of that and not bend out the lighter hook. I do plan on throwing the heavier hooked swim jigs as well and just putting some more "oomf" into my hookset. If I am in heavy cover though I will switch to a flipping stick

With northern style swim jigs, bending of hooks is inevitable(newer style jig hooks help with this) unless they use some larger 5/0 heavy wire hook. The 723 /w 30lb braid is a perfect fit. you can muscle fish out of some thick stuff with that set up and a 1/4oz swim jig and not bend the hook out.

Alright, it's a done deal then, 723 on the way. Thanks for the advice