I’m looking into buying a dobyns champion extreme and I want a 7’4 medium heavy rod but people say that dobyns fish lighter. Does that mean I should get the 744 or do I stick with 743 still. I am generally throwing chatterbaits, jigs, and t-rigs. The heaviest anything would be thrown on this rod is 1/2 oz. I’m personally thinking 743 because it can still handle up to 3/4 oz but I want a second opinion to feel safe. A rod of this price should not be rushed to purchase. Thanks for the responses.

I only have Champion swimbait rods, but I just picked up a Fury 733C. It's just barely a medium + , if that, and I won't be throwing anything much over 1/2" total weight with it. That excludes  1/2oz chatterbaits. A 3/8 oz chatterbait with a smallish trailer like a single tail grub might be OK, but a Zako would push it way past it's limits IMO, and you need to consider the jig hook size on those baits.

I have the 744 as a jig rod. It’s awesome for that. For what u want I think I would go 743

It depends on if you're going to be throwing 3/8 oz and under or 1/2 oz most of the time and your normal hook set.

 

If you're throwing mostly 1/2 oz then get the 4 power, if you only occasionally throw a 1/2 oz then get a 3 power.  

 

I mention your hook set also because Dobyns rods need a little more swing in the hook set with the softer tips. So if you don't like big hook swings on hook sets then you might prefer a 4 power over the 3 power, which would take a little less swing to reach the backbone and drive the hooks through on a T-Rig or Jig.

3 hours ago, BassBlowup354 said:

The heaviest anything would be thrown on this rod is 1/2 oz..

DX743, no question, IMO.

 

DX744C FH is my most expensive rod. But not because if the purchase price.  But because I bought it as a jig rod and it never hit the sweet spot until 1/2 oz....so I strongly felt the need for another jig rod to handle 3/8 and under.  Sounds silly even to me, but in my hands, it just never felt right with 3/8 oz jigs.  If I'd started with 743, I would have been happier initially....though I still 'need' the 744 for big jigs and deep trigs, and 5/8 spinnerbaits, etc.

3 hours ago, PhishLI said:

I only have Champion swimbait rods, but I just picked up a Fury 733C. It's just barely a medium + , if that, and I won't be throwing anything much over 1/2" total weight with it. That excludes  1/2oz chatterbaits. A 3/8 oz chatterbait with a smallish trailer like a single tail grub might be OK, but a Zako would push it way past it's limits IMO, and you need to consider the jig hook size on those baits.

*Fury 733C. with chatterbaits and #40 lb. braid mainline could be about perfect .

1/2oz total weight for the 743, sure. 1/2oz + plastic, no. I have the 742,743,745. I really like the 743 but not a chance id consider a 1/2oz weight + plastic on it. 

1 hour ago, iabass8 said:

1/2oz total weight for the 743, sure. 1/2oz + plastic, no. I have the 742,743,745. I really like the 743 but not a chance id consider a 1/2oz weight + plastic on it. 

I do agree a 1/2oz chatterbait with a trailer could be pushing a Dobyns 3 power a little bit. It's like a medium plus but the tip is also more moderate. I would even prefer a 3/8oz chatterbait or jig plus trailer on the 4.

 

The 3 power is great for T-rigs because you don't need much or any weight on a 5" senko and also for finesse jigs. The 4 power casts a t-rig with a 5" senko well with 1/4oz weight as a point of reference but 1/8oz won't go very far.

I'm with the above comments. 3/8oz+ chatter/spinner/jig with trailer would go on a 4-power. Realize that the 3/8oz is just for the head...add in the hook, blades and skirt and it's more. My 3/8oz Z-Man original chatterbaits actually come in at around 1/2oz total. Add a 1/4oz trailer and you're right at the top end of a 3-power's range...not where you want to be.

Thanks for all the replies everyone! Appreciate it!

If anyone comes back to this I really want to throw a 3/8 jig, 1/4 t-rig, and a 3/8 chatter bait mostly. I think with that chatter bait I understand weight and all but I think the rod would be good for smaller chatter baits and like smaller thin hook swim jigs. I’m predominantly throwing 3/8 and 1/4 on this rod. 1/2 oz I might do here and there but if I realize it’s too heavy I’ll just look to use it on another rod.

get the 3 power

3 power is the power for what you want to do. 

On 11/29/2020 at 12:08 AM, Chris Carey said:

I have the 744 as a jig rod. It’s awesome for that. For what u want I think I would go 743

It says senko does it have tip to toss a weightless senko? 

4 minutes ago, Drop shot-1 said:

It says senko does it have tip to toss a weightless senko? 

A 3-power Dobyns can definitely toss a weightless Senko.

30 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

A 3-power Dobyns can definitely toss a weightless Senko.

What about the 744? That’s what I was referring to? Thx 

I have only one dobyns champion and that’s 908, I feel the power is accurate for rating.

Get both.  Pick up a 2 and 5 power while you're at it.  Might as well get all the powers in shorter lengths while you're at it.

 

 

 

 

 

Just kidding of course.

34 minutes ago, Drop shot-1 said:

What about the 744? That’s what I was referring to? Thx 

4-power might be a little stiff for a weightless...I use 4-power Dobyns for spinners, chatters, jigs and T-Rigs.

Cool

 Thanks

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