Looking to buy my first baitcaster, and I’m leaning towards a Dobyns Fury 7’ MH fast action rod paired with a Daiwa Tatula CT 7.3:1. 
 

Opinions?

MH/F is the 'Swiss Army Knife' of rods...it can't do everything, but it can do a lot of things. Probably the best rod as a starter. I just upgraded to a Fury 704C this year, but if it's like my Fury 705CB it'll be a good one.

 

That's the thing. Don't go by words - the Fury 704 is the 'true' MH rod, the 703, which is labeled 'Medium-Heavy' is more like most other brands Medium.

 

Tatula CT is a good reel - I have a couple Fuego CTs and they've been rock solid. Only real difference between the Tatula and Fuego is that the Tat has the T-Wing...otherwise they're basically the same reel.

You want the 704C or 734C Dobyns Fury. What you're seeing as MH (3 power) isn't going to be what you think it is.

53 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

MH/F is the 'Swiss Army Knife' of rods...it can't do everything, but it can do a lot of things. Probably the best rod as a starter. I just upgraded to a Fury 704C this year, but if it's like my Fury 705CB it'll be a good one.

 

That's the thing. Don't go by words - the Fury 704 is the 'true' MH rod, the 703, which is labeled 'Medium-Heavy' is more like most other brands Medium.

 

Tatula CT is a good reel - I have a couple Fuego CTs and they've been rock solid. Only real difference between the Tatula and Fuego is that the Tat has the T-Wing...otherwise they're basically the same reel.

 

7 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

You want the 704C or 734C Dobyns Fury. What you're seeing as MH (3 power) isn't going to be what you think it is.

Thanks, I appreciate the helpful replies.
 

So for Dobyns a rating of heavy is more like MH, and MH Is closer to M?

 

One more thing; is it possible to throw a frog on this rod? 

 

 

1 minute ago, carrageenan said:

 

Thanks, I appreciate the helpful replies.
 

So for Dobyns a rating of heavy is more like MH, and MH Is closer to M?

For the casting rods ya - though even that's not consistant. Spinning rods are more in line.

 

2 minutes ago, carrageenan said:

One more thing; is it possible to throw a frog on this rod? 

Sure - you're not going to have quite the power to pull them out of the weeds as you would with a 5-power, but you can do frogs with that rod.

Never used a Dobyns baitcaster but they have a fantastic reputation for a reason. Like others have said they are notorious for fishing light so stepping up one notch would be beneficial. I love falcon rods and they are like that as well. As far as going medium heavy for one rod that's the way to go...it can do most anything. Buzzbaits, larger top waters, spinnerbaits, Texas rigs, jigs, bladed jigs, square bills , lipless,weightless senkos and flukes. Its not perfect for several of those but with the right line and drag settings it can do everything pretty well.

On 2/11/2021 at 2:10 PM, DitchPanda said:

As far as going medium heavy for one rod that's the way to go...it can do most anything. Buzzbaits, larger top waters, spinnerbaits, Texas rigs, jigs, bladed jigs, square bills , lipless,weightless senkos and flukes. 

Opening this back up, had to postpone the purchase. Which gear ratio would you recommend for only having one rod? I’m thinking 7:1 would be a good jumping off point.

I have the Fury 703C and 704C, I really like them both but agree with previous posters that if I was only going to have one I would go with the 4 power.  

a high 6 to mid 7 can handle many different techniques (6.8 to 7.5).  from moving baits to bottom baits, this range is most versatile, imo.

 

i just got my first ever Dobyns rod (Fury 734C), i love everything about it, it is my current jig rod, but i can see it handling so much more.

10 hours ago, carrageenan said:

Opening this back up, had to postpone the purchase. Which gear ratio would you recommend for only having one rod? I’m thinking 7:1 would be a good jumping off point.

Yep something in the 7 range is a good all around

Here you go!

 

12 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

Yep something in the 7 range is a good all around

 

17 hours ago, Kenny Yi said:

a high 6 to mid 7 can handle many different techniques (6.8 to 7.5).  from moving baits to bottom baits, this range is most versatile, imo.

 

i just got my first ever Dobyns rod (Fury 734C), i love everything about it, it is my current jig rod, but i can see it handling so much more.

 

18 hours ago, Flav said:

I have the Fury 703C and 704C, I really like them both but agree with previous posters that if I was only going to have one I would go with the 4 power.  

 

12 hours ago, Glenn said:

Here you go!

 

Thank you all, much appreciated!

Got a Dobyns on sale and paired it with a fuego. I’ve landed some nice fish, so thanks to all who helped with the info.      Never thought I’d say this, but I’m already looking to get my hands on a few more. Since I’ll be bank/kayak fishing, I think I’ll be running a 3 rod setup. Hoping I’ve got this correct:

 

-7’+ MH BC (graphite) 6-8:1 reel

-7’ M BC (graphite/glass) 5.6-6.8:1 reel

-7’ M SR (graphite) 30/40 m-mfast reel

 

Any suggestions on make/model? Thanks again.

 

 

2 hours ago, carrageenan said:

Got a Dobyns on sale and paired it with a fuego. I’ve landed some nice fish, so thanks to all who helped with the info.      Never thought I’d say this, but I’m already looking to get my hands on a few more. Since I’ll be bank/kayak fishing, I think I’ll be running a 3 rod setup. Hoping I’ve got this correct:

 

-7’+ MH BC (graphite) 6-8:1 reel

-7’ M BC (graphite/glass) 5.6-6.8:1 reel

-7’ M SR (graphite) 30/40 m-mfast reel

 

Any suggestions on make/model? Thanks again.

 

 

 

Congratulations on your new combo.  Never forget that the Bait Monkey loves you.  Got my first low profile baitcast reel in 2009.  I refuse to say how many I now own.    You probably wouldn't believe me.

 

Which Dobyns did you get?  You can't have too many MH casting rods.    I know I fish a lot of lures that are in the middle of their ratings.

 

Dobyns rods run almost a power light. Depending on the cover you fish and the rod you already purchased, you might want to adjust accordingly. 

On 6/28/2021 at 9:53 AM, carrageenan said:

Opening this back up, had to postpone the purchase. Which gear ratio would you recommend for only having one rod? I’m thinking 7:1 would be a good jumping off point.

 

If I had one MH/F (Dobyns H/F) rod, I would want a 7.1:1 reel on it. I like the 7.1:1 for T-Rigs and jigs primarily and it still works with moving baits although on my second MH/F rod I run a 6.3;1 for moving baits.

23 hours ago, carrageenan said:

Got a Dobyns on sale and paired it with a fuego. I’ve landed some nice fish, so thanks to all who helped with the info.      Never thought I’d say this, but I’m already looking to get my hands on a few more. Since I’ll be bank/kayak fishing, I think I’ll be running a 3 rod setup. Hoping I’ve got this correct:

 

-7’+ MH BC (graphite) 6-8:1 reel

-7’ M BC (graphite/glass) 5.6-6.8:1 reel

-7’ M SR (graphite) 30/40 m-mfast reel

 

Any suggestions on make/model? Thanks again.

 

 

 

The Dobyns 704C or 734C and 703C rods can throw a lot for a two rod setup. Then add in your spinning rod (702SF) for finesse tactics and you have a pretty solid 3 rod setup.

 

I would probably go with a 7.1:1 for the 704C or 734C,a 6.3:1 for the 703C and if you ever get the 705CB, then buy a 7.1:1 reel and use it with the 703C and use the 6.3:1 with the 705CB.

 

The Daiwa BG is a pretty solid spinning reel that doesn't break the bank.

I wouldn't worry too much about the perfect set up. Sometimes I think we "overthink" things...

 

I'm still fishing rods / reels I purchased between 1990 and 2001...and I agonized over every purchase back then....

 

And....

 

I'm still fishing those same set-ups today.

 

Get the best equipment you can afford ("buy-once-cry-once"), and get out on the water.

4 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said:

"buy-once-cry-once"

 

Thanks 

On 8/10/2021 at 6:38 PM, Lead Head said:

Dobyns rods run almost a power light. Depending on the cover you fish and the rod you already purchased, you might want to adjust accordingly. 

 

On 8/11/2021 at 10:21 AM, Boomstick said:

 

If I had one MH/F (Dobyns H/F) rod, I would want a 7.1:1 reel on it. I like the 7.1:1 for T-Rigs and jigs primarily and it still works with moving baits although on my second MH/F rod I run a 6.3;1 for moving baits.

 

The Dobyns 704C or 734C and 703C rods can throw a lot for a two rod setup. Then add in your spinning rod (702SF) for finesse tactics and you have a pretty solid 3 rod setup.

 

I would probably go with a 7.1:1 for the 704C or 734C,a 6.3:1 for the 703C and if you ever get the 705CB, then buy a 7.1:1 reel and use it with the 703C and use the 6.3:1 with the 705CB.

 

The Daiwa BG is a pretty solid spinning reel that doesn't break the bank.

 

On 8/11/2021 at 10:38 AM, DaubsNU1 said:

I wouldn't worry too much about the perfect set up. Sometimes I think we "overthink" things...

 

I'm still fishing rods / reels I purchased between 1990 and 2001...and I agonized over every purchase back then....

 

And....

 

I'm still fishing those same set-ups today.

 

Get the best equipment you can afford ("buy-once-cry-once"), and get out on the water.

 

On 8/11/2021 at 3:28 PM, roadwarrior said:

 

Thanks for the tips everyone, and that lovely gif haha. I have definitely been spending too much time thinking about buying more rods/reels. I think the next one will be something I can use for schoolies inshore or in the back bays. I’d like to have something to throw some lighter stuff and maybe use it with lmb too.

My suggestion  Shimano SLX Combo, 7' to 7'2" MH Rod ans SLX DC Relu and you'll thanks me later 

Wanted to circle back in the event someone stumbled onto this thread. The Dobyns bait caster has been great since I've had it, no issues with its intended use. I do suck at baitcasting, so I've spent more time spin fishing with an ultralight rod this season with great results.  I will be practicing in the daylight with the Dobyn's again, because I'd like to get after largemouths over the 17" mark and just pull them in quick. Lots of great responses to the OP, so I just wanted to say thanks. 

55 minutes ago, carrageenan said:

Wanted to circle back in the event someone stumbled onto this thread. The Dobyns bait caster has been great since I've had it, no issues with its intended use. I do suck at baitcasting, so I've spent more time spin fishing with an ultralight rod this season with great results.  I will be practicing in the daylight with the Dobyn's again, because I'd like to get after largemouths over the 17" mark and just pull them in quick. Lots of great responses to the OP, so I just wanted to say thanks. 

Have you watched some videos on setting up the reel?  There are also several threads on here about properly setting up a Magforce Z reel.  After that it is practice, practice.  Of course using a lure that loads the rod is also a big help.  Don't try for that 'country mile' cast until you get decent with a baitcast reel.  Release point is much different than what you are used to on a spinning rod.  Also remember that 'smooth' is king.