I’ve narrowed my choice of a new casting rod down to  a Shimano Zodias (7-2 mh) or a dobyns champion (734). I don’t have the opportunity to try either before I buy. I plan it to be a general purpose rod but mainly tx rigs and other bottom contact techniques. I throw a lot of paddletails and swim jigs as well, so this might get used for that as well. 
 

anyone with experience with these two rods? Which do you prefer and why?

I have the 7MH Zodias, it's my senko/fluke rod. It's very light and sensitive but still has enough power to horse them out of cover. I have only used it for weightless plastics and it's done very well for me. My only complaint is where the hook keeper is towards the bottom, I just cant stand that but it doesn't affect the performance in any way. I don't have any Dobyns rods but I hear they are great rods.

I've owned the 734, 735, 765flip, 765cb, and 684cb and have sold all of them except for the crankbait rods. To me, I didn't find them that sensitive for bottom contact. I also had a champ extreme 745hp that I sold since I didn't feel like it was sensitive enough for the price. With that being said, the balance and warranty is great on the Dobyns. I only have the 6'9ml spinning zodias but it's been a great rod. Extremely light and sensitive in my hands. I don't think you can go wrong with either but if it's for bottom contact, I'd be leaning towards the zodias. The expride is a better option but the zodias is no slouch. 

Zodias is tough to beat in that 200 dollar price range don’t own a dobyns champion but have fished a couple.  Sensitivity is a subjective thing but to me the zodias rods are better bottom contact rods and there very light weight and crisp blanks.  Expride is a great option too not much more than champion in price.  7’ 2” mh expride is one of my favorite rods but I like my zodias also.

On 9/22/2021 at 3:39 PM, jdr99a said:

I plan it to be a general purpose rod but mainly tx rigs and other bottom contact techniques.

You might want the Dobyns Champion 744C if this is mainly for T-Rigs and jigs. It's a special power and action, a little heavier than the 734C with an extra fast tip. It's not as good for paddle tail swim baits, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, etc although it will work.

 

You could add a Fury (or Sierra) 734C at a later date to use for moving baits since they make that rod in the cheaper lines and you don't need the extra sensitivity for moving baits.

 

You might also want to consider the Expride which is only a little more expensive, or the St Croix Victory, which I think is a little more sensitive than the Champion XP, and cheaper. The Victory is the one you'd want.

Zodias all day and twice on Sundays! Dobyns is overpriced and the sensitivity isn't there at all for bottom contact. They are also heavy compared to anything else in comparable sizes and ratings. 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I ended up with a zodias. Now I just need to get it on the water.