Let me preface this by saying I live in Michigan and fish Lk St Clair alot. My first Dobyns I bought was during the Black Friday sale I got a Champion Extreme 7'6" medium light spinning rod. I really like a longer rod to handle the runs smallmouth make at the boat. However Dobyns rods are on the lighter side of power. I still have the tags on it and haven't used it. I was considering contacting Dobyns and asking them if I could switch it out for a Champion  735C based on all the good things I've heard about that rod. Would that rod make a good Keitech swimbait and underspin rod? I've only done that with spinning gear in the past but thinking about switching over to casting gear.

keep it for a spybait rod

I am assuming this is a 762? The Champions typically fish a bit heavier than the Extremes. Depending on the weight of the lures you want to throw you may want the 4 power over the 5.

11 minutes ago, DelcoSol said:

I am assuming this is a 762? The Champions typically fish a bit heavier than the Extremes. Depending on the weight of the lures you want to throw you may want the 4 power over the 5.

Yah 762s

25 minutes ago, 1BADAIR said:

keep it for a spybait rod

Interesting thought on the spybait. It would make for an expensive rod for that technique but I guess if they weren't willing to swap it out it would give me another use. I thought it could be my tube rod but I think it may be underpowered. I was also gonna give the NED rig a shot but I have other rods I could use.

The 735c is a pretty stout stick.  What size/weight Keitech and underspins are you considering?  My first thought is that the 735c would NOT be a good option for those techniques, but need a bit more info from you on the baits you're envisioning using.

7 minutes ago, Chris at Tech said:

The 735c is a pretty stout stick.  What size/weight Keitech and underspins are you considering?  My first thought is that the 735c would NOT be a good option for those techniques, but need a bit more info from you on the baits you're envisioning using.

Mostly 1/4 and 3/8 ounce heads. You think it's too heavy of a rod. I liked the idea of the extra fast tip for those applications. 3.8" Keitech swimbaits.

Just now, Fishin' Fool said:

Mostly 1/4 and 3/8 ounce heads.

If that's the case, then I do think the 735c is too much.  Granted all I know about St Claire is what I see on the fishing shows, but it seems like an open water grass fishing type lake so it that's true I think you'd be better off with a 4 power, and maybe even a 3.

To me, the 735 is a rod that excels throwing frogs, jigs and paddletails into grass or thicker wood.  Not sure you need that much power for your situation.

1 minute ago, Chris at Tech said:

If that's the case, then I do think the 735c is too much.  Granted all I know about St Claire is what I see on the fishing shows, but it seems like an open water grass fishing type lake so it that's true I think you'd be better off with a 4 power, and maybe even a 3.

To me, the 735 is a rod that excels throwing frogs, jigs and paddletails into grass or thicker wood.  Not sure you need that much power for your situation.

Thanks for your advice. I'm doing this blind.

734C if you are going to use 3/8oz heads and bait, one of the best and most versatile rods in the Champion series.

7 minutes ago, Molay1292 said:

734C if you are going to use 3/8oz heads and bait, one of the best and most versatile rods in the Champion series.

Okay I'm confused because when I read the rod descriptions on the Dobyns website it has the 734C as the Heavy action rod but the 735c is the Med Hvy/Extra fast tip. It seems like the 733 and the 735 are the same except the 5 has a extra fast tip. Is that correct?

7 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Okay I'm confused because when I read the rod descriptions on the Dobyns website it has the 734C as the Heavy action rod but the 735c is the Med Hvy/Extra fast tip. It seems like the 733 and the 735 are the same except the 5 has a extra fast tip. Is that correct?

No. The 735 is a med/heavy in the "flipping series" even though it's not listed as such. It's pretty confusing. The 735 is an amazing frog rod and also excels at pitching/flipping jigs/trgis into cover. If you're coming from the 762 spinning series and want a little more power in a casting rod, The 703/733 or 704/734 would be ideal. Their 4 powers, though rated as Heavy, are more of a traditional MH. The 3 powers are a M.

Being you want to throw 1/4oz and 3/8oz heads /w keitechs in no cover for northern smallmouth, I would go /w a 3 power. Anything more of in cover I would go 4 power. 

1 minute ago, iabass8 said:

No. The 735 is a med/heavy in the "flipping series" even though it's not listed as such. It's pretty confusing. The 735 is an amazing frog rod and also excels at pitching/flipping jigs/trgis into cover. If you're coming from the 762 spinning series and want a little more power in a casting rod, The 703/733 or 704/734 would be ideal. Their 4 powers, though rated as Heavy, are more of a traditional MH. The 3 powers are a M. 

Thank you very much. This is very confusing for a novice Dobyns guy. I hear great things about their rods.

46 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

No. The 735 is a med/heavy in the "flipping series" even though it's not listed as such. It's pretty confusing. The 735 is an amazing frog rod and also excels at pitching/flipping jigs/trgis into cover. If you're coming from the 762 spinning series and want a little more power in a casting rod, The 703/733 or 704/734 would be ideal. Their 4 powers, though rated as Heavy, are more of a traditional MH. The 3 powers are a M.

Being you want to throw 1/4oz and 3/8oz heads /w keitechs in no cover for northern smallmouth, I would go /w a 3 power. Anything more of in cover I would go 4 power. 

Exactly this.

I just went out to the garage and played with the rod. So nice and light. And I like the extra length. I just need to have a conversation with the people over at Dobyns and see if this rod has enough backbone for those strong smallmouth. I'm confused what to do. Nothing like having a $350 rod that you're not sure how you'll use it

Could be a long drop shot rod.  I use the shorter 2 power - dx702sf - and like it a lot for the technique.