I am currently on the search for a new Dobyns rod, (particularly in the 7’ to 7’6 range) that y’all would suggest as an all around rod, i will be using it mostly for bank fishing and occasionally on a bass boat but not much heavy cover areas, and ima be pairing it with a shimano curado baitcatster, any suggestions would be awesome and very much appreciated! Tight Lines!!!

Also looking in a below 250$ price range if possible but i can go above if necessary!

It’s a slam dunk Champion XP 734c imo.

 

If all-around is what you are looking for, it’s one of the best on the market. I traded mine in for an Xtasy but I miss the Champ XP

Agreed ^^^^

 

@PBBrandon did you go drx724?  Thoughts on action compared to the champ?  

 

scott

1 hour ago, softwateronly said:

Agreed ^^^^

 

@PBBrandon did you go drx724?  Thoughts on action compared to the champ?  

 

scott

Nah I went DRX755 and got a 7’3” MH Poison Adrena to replace the DC734.

 

the DRX is more tailored to bottom contact baits. Still soft for a BC rod but faster than the Champ. The PA is pretty similar to the 734 but it’s lighter and more crisp. Can’t stand how much vibration the PA transmits with chatterbaits though lol. I preferred the 734 for those

2 hours ago, PBBrandon said:

It’s a slam dunk Champion XP 734c imo.

 

If all-around is what you are looking for, it’s one of the best on the market. I traded mine in for an Xtasy but I miss the Champ XP

I regret selling my Champ XP 734C.    Excellent all around rod.   

Sierra 734 is a great rod as well... and cheaper. But if you want it also for bottom contact, the XP gets the nod. Sierra is a little softer and excels at moving baits. Can also open water/sparse cover frog fish. 

Since Gary sold his rod business I haven’t been recommending Dobyns.

Suggest checking out the new Okuma X series on your price range, state of the art rod blank and used top of the line guide train and reel seat.

Tom

11 hours ago, PBBrandon said:

Nah I went DRX755 and got a 7’3” MH Poison Adrena to replace the DC734.

 

the DRX is more tailored to bottom contact baits. Still soft for a BC rod but faster than the Champ. The PA is pretty similar to the 734 but it’s lighter and more crisp. Can’t stand how much vibration the PA transmits with chatterbaits though lol. I preferred the 734 for those

 

Hahaha.  You stole this from my brain.  I also have the 755 and unfortunately broke my PA 7'3MH, but whole heartedly agree with your assessment.  

 

scott

18 hours ago, WRB said:

Since Gary sold his rod business I haven’t been recommending Dobyns.

Suggest checking out the new Okuma X series on your price range, state of the art rod blank and used top of the line guide train and reel seat.

Tom

 

Thank you for that suggestion, I will certainly look into them more, unfortunately I have to agree with you, yes, the quality Dobyns and of a lot of small business rod companies has gone down significantly once they are sold to big time fishing stores (Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, Shceels, Academy) becuase they dont make them with as much care as they did which is disappointing for us…

@PBBrandon

 

Yes, I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Champion XP 734c from people I will probably going to look more into that one, do you think it would pair well with a Shimano Curado or a Shimano SLX? Thanks for the advice by the way!

18 hours ago, WRB said:

Since Gary sold his rod business I haven’t been recommending Dobyns.

Suggest checking out the new Okuma X series on your price range, state of the art rod blank and used top of the line guide train and reel seat.

Tom

The problem is there is so little information on the power/taper of these rods. I’m debating between a Dobyn’s champ extreme hp 744 vs an Okuma x series 7’5 MH for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. I’m trying to figure out how they compare as far as power/taper/castability/sensitivity etc.

 

Not to mention tackle warehouse has the specs wrong. They list the 7’5mh as 1/4-1/2oz lures while Okuma says 1/4-3/4 for the same rod.

Agree it’s hard to evaluate without touch and feel as we all have a different preferences.

Dobyns uses Lamiglas power ratings where 4 = heavy but generally MH+ compared to other companies rods.

Action differs with “suggested” lures and weights. Totally subjective and doesn’t when trying to compare new to Okuma X.

Dobyns sacrificed weight for balance point at the reel seat.

Tom

I don't own one, but I'd say the DC734. That's all you hear about for an "all around rod" from Dobyns 

 

On the other hand, for a little less, you can get Falcon's top of the line Cara series (which will make the Champ XP feel like an Ugly Stik). I think the Heavy Cover Jig could be a good all around option. That model is pretty comparable to the 734 I believe. Plus, when you need to call customer service, an American in Oklahoma will answer the phone and get you squared away, rather than a call center in Bangladesh. 

On 5/3/2025 at 12:44 AM, WRB said:

Agree it’s hard to evaluate without touch and feel as we all have a different preferences.

Dobyns uses Lamiglas power ratings where 4 = heavy but generally MH+ compared to other companies rods.

Action differs with “suggested” lures and weights. Totally subjective and doesn’t when trying to compare new to Okuma X.

Dobyns sacrificed weight for balance point at the reel seat.

Tom

@WRBdo you have any of the Okuma x series rods? If so I’d love to know which models and what they’re like!

On 5/1/2025 at 10:23 PM, WRB said:

Since Gary sold his rod business I haven’t been recommending Dobyns.

Suggest checking out the new Okuma X series on your price range, state of the art rod blank and used top of the line guide train and reel seat.

Tom

Have you heard what the new rods are like or are you not recommending them because Gary is no longer the owner? 

On 5/2/2025 at 5:15 PM, woolleyfooley said:

The problem is there is so little information on the power/taper of these rods. I’m debating between a Dobyn’s champ extreme hp 744 vs an Okuma x series 7’5 MH for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. I’m trying to figure out how they compare as far as power/taper/castability/sensitivity etc.

I use DX 744 as my primary spinnerbait bait rod.  

20 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I use DX 744 as my primary spinnerbait bait rod.  

Thank you! That was my plan as well but the Okuma x series has caught my attention. Specifically the 7’5mh for spinnerbaits/chatterbaits.

@woolleyfooley, you're welcome.   When I bought it, I was looking for a jig rod.  But I was never fully satisfied with bottom contact lures using it.  Fortunately, it really excels for spinnerbaits, other than target casting smaller ones.  I also really like it for other open hook moving baits like soft swimbaits and scroungers.