Would a M/H  Mod/Fast crank bait rod such as a Dobyns Champion 705CB (1/4-1oz. rating)" work" for throwing 3/8 oz chatter baits?  I realize this might not be the best option out there but I do not have many.

You will be fine,

^ What he said - any of the 705CB models will handle a 3/8 chatterbait.

Thanks for your input thus far. Very seldom would I use a 1/2 oz., but could I with the 705cb if needed?

I wouldn't try for a 'long-bomb' cast, but ya, the 705 should be able to handle a 1/2oz as well.

I’ll say NO, that rod is too soft to get a solid hookset plus ripping from grass is gonna be a lot of work. It’s even a chore to rip a trap from grass on that rod.

 

Do you already own this rod or are you planning to buy it for chatterbaits? If your looking to purchase a rod the DC 734 is a much better option and if your into glass the DC 736 glass rod. Most guys who use the 734 such as myself use Fluoro while guys that use that glass rod use braid. In most cases anyways.

 

The 705CB is a excellent rod for treble hook baits. DT6-DT10, 5XD, whopper Ploppers, Sammy’s, squarebills, etc. 

 

Fill me in on what other rods are available to you I’ll help the best way I can. 
 

Dave

I originally bought the 705cb to throw rapala dt4 and dt6 crankbaits. It was a little too heavy to load properly with those baits, so I tried it with a chatterbait..

It was actually a 3/8 ounce jackhammer, with a razor shadz trailer.

One thing to remember is a 3/8 ounce chatterbait weighs quite a bit more with most trailers.

 

It has plenty of backbone to rip a bait from weeds

I have also had no problems getting a hookset. To date 6.5 pounds is the largest bass I have caught with that combo.

The mod fast action works well for keeping a big fish pinned, if they decide to jump.

It also loads very well when casting.

 

There are a lot of opinions on the best actions for chatterbaits. for me a medium heavy mod/ fast fits the bill.

If you already have the rod, give it a try.

 

I have a Fury 705cb, Champ 706cb, and Champ 734.  All 3 will work for 3/8oz chatterbaits, but definitely prefer the 734 and 706cb.  I have never fished the Champ 705cb which might have a little more backbone over the Fury.  

 

scott

I just realized what I wrote is pretty dependent on the fact that I almost always jig and pop my chatterbaits out of grass, similar to yoyo-ing a lipless.  Straight retrieve for chatterbaits has not been very successful for me over the years.

 

scott