So I’m totally new to Dobyns rods, and after hearing so much good things about them, I want to build a C Rig/T-rig/jig set up. It’s primary purpose is for the C rig and covering water, but I like things to have dual purpose.  This will mainly be throwing C rigs at 1/4oz-1oz (I fish some deep lakes in NY like Cayuga and summer fishing can be a tough bite)  When its not being used for that it will be used to flip jigs/T rig around docks and cover at around 1/4-1/2oz
From reading other posts my understanding is Dobyns have interesting actions and tend to have lighter tips, with that all in mind the three rods I am looking at in different price points are 

Champion 735
Champion Xtreme 745
Xtasy 755 (possibly 754)

Anyone have any experience with these rods, money is not an issue here, but I am trying to get the most bang for the buck

I can't help on the Dobyns (I fish Falcons), but whereabouts in NJ are you?  I'm northern and fish most of the lakes north of i78.  Welcome to BR!

32 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

I can't help on the Dobyns (I fish Falcons), but whereabouts in NJ are you?  I'm northern and fish most of the lakes north of i78.  Welcome to BR!

I'm South Jersey, but I do the majority of my fishing on lakes north of me, So Mercer, Assunpink, anything with clearer, less muddy waters that SJ seems to be known for.

The taper of a 735 is what I like for c-rigs.

As a former Dobyns fan (I went from 12+ rods and now I'm down to 3), I would shop around for something more sensitive.  I have moved to Daiwa Steez and Loomis GLX and they are much more sensitive.  Granted, there is a significant price difference but I was willing to pay the price.  I would shop the Daiwa Tatula and Shimano Expride over a Dobyns Champion.  I'd definitely shop a Loomis NRX+ or a Megabass over an Xtasy.  I've never owned an Xtasy but I've read from knowledgeable fishermen that they don't compare to the Loomis in terms of sensitivity.  One other thing- Dobyns was sold recently and I've heard their customer service is not as good as it was.  I broke multiple Dobyns rods over the years and they were great with replacements but that was when Gary Dobyns was the owner.

 

With all that said, I still have a Dobyns Champ HP in the 741 and 742 and they are fine rods but if I were buying today I'd shop other rods.  

3 hours ago, nicknascar said:

money is not an issue here

 

If true, and you are fishing deep water, why not get a NRX+?

 

I'd get one of the most sensitive rods out there.

1 hour ago, nicknascar said:

I'm South Jersey, but I do the majority of my fishing on lakes north of me, So Mercer, Assunpink, anything with clearer, less muddy waters that SJ seems to be known for.

Nice.  I've yet to make the journey to those two since they are 90 minutes or so, but have always wanted to.

1 hour ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

If true, and you are fishing deep water, why not get a NRX+?

 

I'd get one of the most sensitive rods out there.

So "money is not as issue" is a bit deceptive and is specific to the Dobyns, I am a veteran and they offer some really stellar discounts for us.  So the Xtasy would not be full cost and pretty significantly less than a NRX+

An ounce weight would be pushing it but if your not worried about the cost I'd look at the Steeze BC2 or an NRX 894

I have the champion extreme 745 and I throw 3/8-1oz Texas rigs and jigs with it. 3/8oz is probably what I have tied on over 75% of the time. It’s a great rod. Quite versatile with a soft tip but enough back bone that you can horse fish out of thick cover easily. You can use a 1/4oz T-rig as well, but I would consider that to be the lightest feasible option for it. 
 

I’d say if you plan on sticking with 3/8-1oz most of the time, with 1/4oz sometimes, the 745 is the way to go. If you plan on using 1/4oz a lot and rarely use 3/4oz and up, I’d say go with the 744. 
 

Just my opinion and ymmv. Hope this helps.

On 8/8/2025 at 11:45 AM, nicknascar said:

So "money is not as issue" is a bit deceptive and is specific to the Dobyns, I am a veteran and they offer some really stellar discounts for us.  So the Xtasy would not be full cost and pretty significantly less than a NRX+

 

I have a few champs, including the 735 and one xtasy the 755.  If sensitivity is important, the 755 is far superior which makes sense considering the price tag.  I agree with @Junk Fisherman and don't consider the champ series quite worth it price wise anymore.  But I do think the Xtasy hangs with loomis conquest in terms of sensitivity, and the 755 has a really great feel in hand, perfect balance, great tip and sneaky, seemingly unlimited, power.  If your Vet discount puts you in that ball park, I think you'd love it.

 

scott

It seems like you've done some research already and picked out a few good ones. If it was just a standard jig / worm rod w/ 3/8oz jigs I'd probably go with a 4 power but that 1oz carolina rig might be a bit much on that one and the 5 power seems like it would be a better fit if that's going to be the primary purpose for it. 

 

Sensitivity seems like it would matter in this one so I'd probably opt for either the champion or the xtasy rod. Gary Dobyns actually has done several livestreams on Hellabass's youtube channel where he goes into specifics on a bunch of their rods and I found myself watching them recently. The latest one actually goes over carolina rig rods specifically right around the 14min mark...

On 8/8/2025 at 11:45 AM, nicknascar said:

So "money is not as issue" is a bit deceptive and is specific to the Dobyns, I am a veteran and they offer some really stellar discounts for us.  So the Xtasy would not be full cost and pretty significantly less than a NRX+

Check out Phoenix rods as well. Same discount. Actually same discount on anything GSM Outdoors. DM me if you want more info.

Hey, I appreciate all the feedback, I ended up going with the Champion Extreme in the 744, Ill let you guys know how it turns out