I'm curious which rod in the dobyns lineup is closest to the 6'10" med Shimano action.  I have a fr705cb and a fr703c.  The 705cb seems as bit too soft to get a good twitch with rod tip, have to do more of a pull.  The 703c is more the action but doesn't load as well on cast.  I have never tried the 704cb, 610-4 , or a 702c.  Would really like to stay with a dobyns, just not content with current jerkbait options.

704 CB. If you like a shorter rod,the 684 CB.

The 704 isn't as whippy as the 705?

champ 704 cb (non glass) is the closest . 

On 12/23/2022 at 10:24 PM, Deebo said:

I'm curious which rod in the dobyns lineup is closest to the 6'10" med Shimano action.  I have a fr705cb and a fr703c.  The 705cb seems as bit too soft to get a good twitch with rod tip, have to do more of a pull.  The 703c is more the action but doesn't load as well on cast.  I have never tried the 704cb, 610-4 , or a 702c.  Would really like to stay with a dobyns, just not content with current jerkbait options.

 

 

I've used a DC706cb graphite.  It's fine but I wasn't excited with it.  I moved to owning a 6'10M expride and a 6'11M+ adrena, which means I rarely use Dobyns for jerks anymore.  I sold a FR705cb graphite because I found the 706cb much more versatile, ie not whippy.  

 

scott

12 hours ago, softwateronly said:

 

 

I've used a DC706cb graphite.  It's fine but I wasn't excited with it.  I moved to owning a 6'10M expride and a 6'11M+ adrena, which means I rarely use Dobyns for jerks anymore.  I sold a FR705cb graphite because I found the 706cb much more versatile, ie not whippy.  

 

scott

Ever since Tactical Bassin'  Pronounced the Expride as the holy grail of stick bait rods that thing took off. Personally I never found it to be all that special and the handle is what , 15 inches ?

Shimano is selling a load of them so something worked.

On 12/25/2022 at 6:28 PM, iabass8 said:

champ 704 cb (non glass) is the closest . 

This is what i use for jerkbaits. Has a good backbone and enough tip to work jerkbaits.

3 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

Ever since Tactical Bassin'  Pronounced the Expride as the holy grail of stick bait rods that thing took off. Personally I never found it to be all that special and the handle is what , 15 inches ?

Shimano is selling a load of them so something worked.

 

True.  I don't remember a time when exprides existed and Matt wasn't proclaiming it the best.  The 610M is my 2nd favorite set up for it now, I use it for vision 110's and LC staysees/pointers almost exclusively.  And to me, the expride does do well with the lighter/ more delicate jerks.  There might be better, I wouldn't know, but this rod is good at the more finesse jerkbait actions for me.  

 

What changed for me was the rerange on the adrena 6'11M+.  The slightly stiffer tip/ heavier action allowed me to really dance the jerk on semi slack line.  Fishing with a rather loose drag meant a great hookup and land ratio even with a faster rod.  Somehow the internet led me to the nishine erie darter 115, and this lure in hologram smelt combined with the heavier rod is just the deal on my lake.  It's my number 1 by a mile and really fun to fish.  The 15" (TW measurement) handle is something I've learned to work with, though a loose fitting jacket in the forearm can be problematic.  

 

scott

16 hours ago, softwateronly said:

 

True.  I don't remember a time when exprides existed and Matt wasn't proclaiming it the best.  The 610M is my 2nd favorite set up for it now, I use it for vision 110's and LC staysees/pointers almost exclusively.  And to me, the expride does do well with the lighter/ more delicate jerks.  There might be better, I wouldn't know, but this rod is good at the more finesse jerkbait actions for me.  

 

What changed for me was the rerange on the adrena 6'11M+.  The slightly stiffer tip/ heavier action allowed me to really dance the jerk on semi slack line.  Fishing with a rather loose drag meant a great hookup and land ratio even with a faster rod.  Somehow the internet led me to the nishine erie darter 115, and this lure in hologram smelt combined with the heavier rod is just the deal on my lake.  It's my number 1 by a mile and really fun to fish.  The 15" (TW measurement) handle is something I've learned to work with, though a loose fitting jacket in the forearm can be problematic.  

 

scott

That 6'10"M/F length and action is a good all-around rod - great for jerk baits , small soft plastic paddle tail swim baits , smaller top water , etc. 

Buy a Shimano rod and stop looking for another brand that's like it, problem solved.

 

4 hours ago, Bigassbass said:

Buy a Shimano rod and stop looking for another brand that's like it, problem solved.

 

I get thats the easy answer.  I've had great experiences with dobyns warranty and overall feel if the rods.  The Shimano warranty is much more of a hassle (from personal experience).  It's not saying they don't make amazing stuff, I still currently use 7' m expride spinning and a 7'3" poison adrena MH, but would rather support a company that has given me the better experience.

Believe it or not 13 has a great JB/topwater M F.  I have a 7'1 which is a little more versatile and I use it for just about everything, but its great with trebles.  The 6'7 is a little more crisp with a shorter tip section and a short handle so its a perfect JB/Topwater rod IMO.  

5 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Believe it or not 13 has a great JB/topwater M F.  I have a 7'1 which is a little more versatile and I use it for just about everything, but its great with trebles.  The 6'7 is a little more crisp with a shorter tip section and a short handle so its a perfect JB/Topwater rod IMO.  

 

Does their action transfer through all the lines?  Or is there a specific line you're referencing?

 

Thanks

 

scott

From my experiences 13 is pretty consistent with actions.  Rod lines that share the same blank are very close.  Sometimes the number of guides, layout, length of rod and rear handle length will change the action slightly.  I have a Muse 7'1 M F, but have used the Omen 3s, which share the same 36t Toray blank.  The # of guides and layout is is nearly identical so the actions are very consistent between those 2 lines.  

Another recommendation for the Champion 704 CB rod. It's a great rod, with a nice tip for jerkbaits, small square bills, and flat sides. 

What action is the Expride's 6'10?  On TW it shows as a moderate/fast while on Shimano's site it shows as a Fast.  

On 12/23/2022 at 11:24 PM, Deebo said:

I'm curious which rod in the dobyns lineup is closest to the 6'10" med Shimano action.  I have a fr705cb and a fr703c.  The 705cb seems as bit too soft to get a good twitch with rod tip, have to do more of a pull.  The 703c is more the action but doesn't load as well on cast.  I have never tried the 704cb, 610-4 , or a 702c.  Would really like to stay with a dobyns, just not content with current jerkbait options.

So , you are specifically looking for a Dobyns jerk bait rod ?

Hard to find one close, less far would be more likely, if I wanted something similar to a Shimano, I wouldn't be looking at Dobyns.

Honestly, just get the expride. I have 2 because they do far more than just throw jerkbaits. It's also the perfect rod for small to medium topwater, blade baits, and small to medium cranks. Last June I was I'm a pinch so I threw the 1 oz whopper plopper on it and hooked an 8-8. The ease with which that 6-10 M expride handled that big fish was exceptional. Between the soft mid-top section and the solid backbone, that fish had no chance. I have more expensive rods, but that expride is my absolute favorite. Just do it!!!

I say that but also acknowledge that Shimano customer service is nothing like it used to be. Right now I'm trying to get faulty powerpro replaced under warranty and it seems very much like I'm being lied to. It is what it is.

I've had the expride and a couple of the Dobyns mentioned all had a Shimano aldabarren reel on them.... none of them felt as good as my Kistler Argon 6'10 m fast.... it's the older model built on the North Fork blank..... I think it's the balance and the handle is just a hair shorter but I love it..... Kistlers greatest mistake was doing away with the North Fork blanks.... I also have a 7'3" MH fast and a 7'3" H fast that are may favorite jig rods.