Ok i am looking at getting a punching rod for flipping and punching milfoil and other cover here in MInnesota. I am looking at either a champion 766 or an 805 kust wondering which one would be a better fit i am also thinking about getting a custom punching rod instead.

Both will do you well.  Gary Dobyns uses the 766 himself.  If you want a little more reach and a bit more flex without sacrificing power, the 805 Flip & Punch is the deal.  I myself fish the Extreme 795 and that model is awesome. Dobyns has them in the refurbished section of their store from time to time at a great price. It's worth looking at.

I love Dobyns rods but if I lived closer to the Twin cities I'd visit Thorne Bros. and have them make a custom stick to my exact desires. Those guys have been building custom rods for at least 20 years. I think they build with St Croix blanks only but maybe they'll use whatever you want.

2 minutes ago, fishindad said:

I love Dobyns rods but if I lived closer to the Twin cities I'd visit Thorne Bros. and have them make a custom stick to my exact desires. Those guys have been building custom rods for at least 20 years. I think they build with St Croix blanks only but maybe they'll use whatever you want.

Im gping to stop there and talk to Luke at Thorne Bros as that is a shop i go to all the time. And yes the build on the st croix predator blank i have heard that st croix blanks are heavy.

805

1 hour ago, jmcarriere said:

Im gping to stop there and talk to Luke at Thorne Bros as that is a shop i go to all the time. And yes the build on the st croix predator blank i have heard that st croix blanks are heavy.

I would defnitely not rate their blanks as heavy. A custom builder can design and make the rod so it is perfectly balanced for you (with a reel of course). Thorne Bros will take care of you.

 

St Croix's rod blanks are probably the best combination of technology, strength, and high grade materials of any rod out there. I've heard it said it before - if challenged to a duel beating someone over the head with a rod, I choose the Legend Elite/Extreme rod over any other high end rod out there. And I'm a Falcon rod fan.

DC 805 Flip/Punch rod. It's already properly balanced and comes with  excelleny warranty, customer service and rod upgrade/exchange program.

Tom

Definitely the 805! I use it a lot for heavy cover. The 766 seems way to stiff to me especially using braid.

765 flip

I currently use as savvy 766 and love it