Just recently purchased a fr733c when they were on sale but I'm wondering if I should have got a 734c instead.  I fish mainly for smallmouth in open water and got the 733c to use as an "all purpose" type rod tossing 3/8 spinnerbaits, 3/8 chatterbaits w/ trailer, underspins and paddletails. Will the 733c work for this or will it be underpowered?  I haven't even taken the plastics off yet so I'm debating on trying to sell it as new and getting a 734c

Personally - ya, I like a 4 power for spinners and chatters of 3/8 or heavier...remember the stated weight is JUST for the head...add in the hook, skirt and blades and you're close to 5/8oz...put a trailer on it and now you're over the top-end lure rating for a 3 power rod.

 

My 3 power is for jerkbaits, lipless and mid-size topwaters (Zara Spooks, WP-60, etc)

Those weights in open water?  You are solid.  

In open water for smallies you should be just fine, I would think as much as they jump and thrash the lighter rod might be better.  But then again I have been wrong before, just ask my wife!!!?

9 hours ago, thewhitelotus said:

Just recently purchased a fr733c when they were on sale but I'm wondering if I should have got a 734c instead.  I fish mainly for smallmouth in open water and got the 733c to use as an "all purpose" type rod tossing 3/8 spinnerbaits, 3/8 chatterbaits w/ trailer, underspins and paddletails. Will the 733c work for this or will it be underpowered?  I haven't even taken the plastics off yet so I'm debating on trying to sell it as new and getting a 734c

*Both the Dobyns 733c & 734c are keepers for the techniques , lure weights , etc. stated by Dobyns . That said - any rod you feel is slightly too soft for the intended lures / technique there is an easy solution : use Braid Main Line !! ... Just by switching reels out with Mono / Copoly , FC and Braid mainlines , you can make a rod respond three different ways to what you are trying to fish .

Yeah, 3/8 spinnerbaits and chatters are going to be at the top end of the 3 power Dobyns. It will work, but if that is primarily the intended use, particularly with larger trailers or blades other than willows, I would go with the 4 power. I would keep the one you have, and get the other as well.

not sure how long ago or where you ordered the 733, but maybe try to exchange it, especially if it still looks new and has the plastic on it. I ordered a champion xp from tw during the christmas sale and exchanged it a couple times for different champion xps until i found the right one for me. they honored the sale price even though the sale has long been over, and sent the rods for free as a straight exchange.