I have a broken Dobyns Champion that I am looking to warranty through Dobyns, and want to get a Crankbait rod.

They have two of the same rods (704) with a glass and graphite option.

I want to throw 1/4 to 3/8oz square bills, mid depth (up to 10' max baits), and maybe  1/2oz poppers.

I am edging towards the graphite version, but I am curious if anyone has ever tried both?

 

I will be using 12lb FC, or 20lb braid to 12lb FC with it.

 

TT did a review.  http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdobyns704cbglass.html

 

The 704CB glass is extremely moderate and It’s my least used rod. The standard 704 CB is an outstanding jerk bait rod. The 705CB is much more versatile, handling Crush 50’s to 5XD’s. Hope this helps.

I have the 704 and the 705 Glass. After trying many rods the 704 has become my favorite for throwing Spro Little Johns, anything bigger I use the 705. Have no experience with the Graphite version. 

On 12/18/2022 at 3:51 PM, new2BC4bass said:

TT did a review.  http://www.tackletour.com/reviewdobyns704cbglass.html

 

They compare the graphite 704 to a Loomis MBR 842, which is my current crank stick.

That's interesting 

 

Glass rods are more sensitive, you feel every tiny movement or twitch that's the difference in glass compared to graphite.  If you're bottom fishing or using finesse baits it's super nice. I have two glass rods I love the feel because I finesse fish a lot.  I do throw small cranks on them but for all around bass fishing I use my graphite rods. 

2 hours ago, Bigassbass said:

Glass rods are more sensitive, you feel every tiny movement or twitch that's the difference in glass compared to graphite.  If you're bottom fishing or using finesse baits it's super nice. I have two glass rods I love the feel because I finesse fish a lot.  I do throw small cranks on them but for all around bass fishing I use my graphite rods. 

Hmm.....That's an interesting theory. 

 

I'm a big fan of glass rods for crankbaits but not really for topwater baits. I haven't used either rod but the poppers would probably rule out glass for me. 

While I agree today’s glass (composites like the Zodias rods) is much better I can’t agree they’re more sensitive than graphite. However, that being said, sensitively is perceived differently by everyone since it’s not a measurable data. It’s like beauty (although many try to measure it as a 10!!). I personally think my graphite Expride 610m is more sensitive than my Expride 610m glass. The glass is definitely stronger though. 

I also think you might want to revisit that glass is more sensitive than graphite. I do not own a Shimano Zodias rod So I can not comment on them. The Rod that waymont referred to is a Dobyns  4 power rod of which I happen to own 12 which consists of SA 684 C, KN 610 4CB, XP 610 4C, XP 734 C, HP 744C, DRX 754C. The sensitivity is good on the above with the exception of the HP 744 C which is excellent & the DRX 754 C which is beyond belief. Bigassbass I have no doubt that your Zodias ros are sensitive but waymont was asking about a Dobyns Champion 704. There is 2 Choices for the 704 Glass or Graphite.  I have XP 704 C because it's more versatile & have no problem with Squarebills. I did speak with Gary When I was looking for a couple of crank baits rods for small to medium baits & he recommend KN 610 4 CB & the XP 704 CB. I wanted a shorter rod & went with the Kaden's. waymont I hope this helps you.

Thanks guys for all the input, all my rods I fish with now are sensitive enough for me, I gave away or sold all my cheap rods that fished like broomsticks. Glass rods and graphite rods are made to fish for whatever line and lure you choose to tie to it.  If you're good at fishing, reading the water, throwing the lures, etc, you'll catch a fish on any rod you're using, it's just more fun using a super nice rod and reel made for a specific technique but it really isn't necessary. 

And although I didn't answer about a Dobyn's rod, I can give my opinion and that would be if I was choosing between the two rods listed I don't think either one would be high on sensitivity.  Waymont wants to throw cranks and I don't think you need a real super sensitive rod to throw cranks, you need a stout rod that gives in the middle.  I love to catch bass on cranks, I use a med 7' Lew's Ti spinning rod with a Shimano Ci4 reel.  Fish what you like, there is no hard set rules in what you use. Pro's use what manufacturer gives them, (their sponsors), those rods and reels don't make them catch fish, they already know how to catch em. 

Since I was just in market for dobyns Champion, I understood that glass rod is very technique specific and great for one job, But the 704 is something all round style and you can do tins of techniques with it if you need to, Not only crank bait. Thats what I got from my research and thats why I got the graphite 4 power.

14 hours ago, ATA said:

Since I was just in market for dobyns Champion, I understood that glass rod is very technique specific and great for one job, But the 704 is something all round style and you can do tins of techniques with it if you need to, Not only crank bait. Thats what I got from my research and thats why I got the graphite 4 power.

After the last unrelated response to my post, I can rely on you for some insight into the 704. What specific baits are you throwing on the  704. Type of line? Thank you!

18 hours ago, Bigassbass said:

And although I didn't answer about a Dobyn's rod, I can give my opinion and that would be if I was choosing between the two rods listed I don't think either one would be high on sensitivity.  Waymont wants to throw cranks and I don't think you need a real super sensitive rod to throw cranks, you need a stout rod that gives in the middle.  I love to catch bass on cranks, I use a med 7' Lew's Ti spinning rod with a Shimano Ci4 reel.  Fish what you like, there is no hard set rules in what you use. Pro's use what manufacturer gives them, (their sponsors), those rods and reels don't make them catch fish, they already know how to catch em. 

Neither of these responses are very helpful regarding my actual questions. Sheesh dude, you take a long time to not say much. Haha

subbed only to find out what you end up with.

 

I know jack squat about glass rods.  I know what I think I know, but it might be all wrong..I know this.

 

good luck.  I am going to spike my coffee now.... 

I made a glass crank bait in the 70’s using a salt water popping rod blank. The term sensitivity is confusing and should be strike detection when using crank bait rods or any rod for that matter.

A glass crank bait rods tip bounced more with the lure movement then graphite rods, it’s more flexible. The tip movements alert you to when a bass has the lure in its mouth or hitting bottom or cover. When you see the tip stop bouncing crank and sweep because that is your strike indicator.

Bottom lure you need to be in touch with line movements and changes resistance indicating strike detection. A light weight high modulus rod blank helps to detect strike strikes do to less deadening of line movements, they don’t amplify line movements.

Tom

2 hours ago, waymont said:

After the last unrelated response to my post, I can rely on you for some insight into the 704. What specific baits are you throwing on the  704. Type of line? Thank you!

spinner/chatter bait, Light Texas rig, light jigs like 1/2oz keitech football jig. you got the idea as long as hooks are not 2x or 3x.

55 minutes ago, ATA said:

spinner/chatter bait, Light Texas rig, light jigs like 1/2oz keitech football jig. you got the idea as long as hooks are not 2x or 3x.

Thx. So you don't ever use to crank with huh?

30 minutes ago, waymont said:

Thx. So you don't ever use to crank with huh?

What I meant, Additional to what you said:"1/4 to 3/8oz square bills, mid depth (up to 10' max baits), and maybe  1/2oz poppers." I am using it for this techniques as well. And I am using 6'10" 4 power also as my all around lake hopping.

On 12/23/2022 at 9:40 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

subbed only to find out what you end up with.

 

I know jack squat about glass rods.  I know what I think I know, but it might be all wrong..I know this.

 

good luck.  I am going to spike my coffee now.... 

I ended up with Champion 704 CB carbon rod. It's fantastic for me. Throwing OG Tiny, OG Rocco, old Rebel Wee R squares, and jerk baits. Man did I catch tons of bass this fall on the OG Tiny, and Wee R baits. Didn't lose one bass.

@waymont I think it makes a good topwater treble hook lure rod as well. Poppers, walkers, chuggers & prop baits all seemed to fit this rod for me. I have the graphite version & threw a X-Rap Prop for smallies up in CA this year & loved it. I personally feel a 703 CB might have been just right for smallies, if it existed.

4 hours ago, RipzLipz said:

@waymont I think it makes a good topwater treble hook lure rod as well. Poppers, walkers, chuggers & prop baits all seemed to fit this rod for me. I have the graphite version & threw a X-Rap Prop for smallies up in CA this year & loved it. I personally feel a 703 CB might have been just right for smallies, if it existed.

Agreed. I was using my 704cb for those things too, but it felt a little long when working poppers and walking baits, especially if sitting after long days on the water.

 

Saw a forum thread somewhere that had Gary Dobyns saying a few people had commented that they REALLY liked a Sierra 682C for poppers. Tried it and they were right. The 6'8" length is perfect and theslightly slower Sierra action works well with the trebles. I love it for small light poppers like a chugbug or smaller walking baits like Spook Juniors.

@FrnkNsteen I can see that, as rods under 7’ are typically preferred/marketed for lures retrieved with a cadence or downward motion. I’m usually sitting & can manage it differently than most with sideways or even upwards with the right amount of slack on some retrieves.

23 hours ago, FrnkNsteen said:

Saw a forum thread somewhere that had Gary Dobyns saying a few people had commented that they REALLY liked a Sierra 682C for poppers. Tried it and they were right. The 6'8" length is perfect and theslightly slower Sierra action works well with the trebles. I love it for small light poppers like a chugbug or smaller walking baits like Spook Juniors.

I use a 6’8” rod for poppers and jerkbaits - and I’m 6’3” myself. It’s a

perfect length.