Dobyns champion XP

[Smallieguy87]

So i normally fish St.croix Avids and some Falcon Cara spinning rods but i was at a local tackle shop and spotted the Dobyns Champion XP model 702sf. It will mainly be for split shot rigs, wacky rigs, and Yamamoto cut tails on ball jigs. Anyone have any experience with Dobyns rods? Any info at all is appreciated. Thanks!

[J-Doc]

Don't own any but I've always heard good things about them.  

 

What you think and how you like it is far more important.  I bought a cheap Diawa spinning rod at Academy for spoons and I live that thing.  Pulled the hooks out of a 30lb class striper with 6lb line.  Poor thing was bent all the way down to the reel seat. And it took it.  Lightweight, good action, sensitive enough, etc. 

 

I have some St Croix rods but I don't buy hi dollar rods anymore because I'm proficient enough witless expensive rods.  Shop around and buy based on feel, quality, features, etc. And for the intended use.  Stripers was not my intention but it was a blast for 15mins. Lol!!

[Quillback]

I have some Dobyns rods, but not any of the latest models.  I have a DX 702 casting rod, great rod for light baits.  My main problem with Dobyns is that I have had a few guide inserts pop out.  Dobyns has great customer service, they will send out a replacement guide, but it is still a bit of a hassle.  Newer models may not have that problem. 

[Smallieguy87]

11 hours ago, J-Doc said:

Don't own any but I've always heard good things about them.  

 

What you think and how you like it is far more important.  I bought a cheap Diawa spinning rod at Academy for spoons and I live that thing.  Pulled the hooks out of a 30lb class striper with 6lb line.  Poor thing was bent all the way down to the reel seat. And it took it.  Lightweight, good action, sensitive enough, etc. 

 

I have some St Croix rods but I don't buy hi dollar rods anymore because I'm proficient enough witless expensive rods.  Shop around and buy based on feel, quality, features, etc. And for the intended use.  Stripers was not my intention but it was a blast for 15mins. Lol!!

I have actually backed off a bit on the real high end rods. I used to have some Loomis IMX and legend elite rods. They were sensitive but nothing dramatically better then an avid. There is definitely a diminishing return on weight and sensitivity past a certain price point. 

[J-Doc]

1 hour ago, Smallieguy87 said:

I have actually backed off a bit on the real high end rods. I used to have some Loomis IMX and legend elite rods. They were sensitive but nothing dramatically better then an avid. There is definitely a diminishing return on weight and sensitivity past a certain price point. 

That's my point exactly.  I've held a $400 Loomis in one hand and my $60 H20 rod in the other and drop shot both at the same time.  Both just as light, both just as sensitive.  The Loomis had a very subtle advantage in weight and sensitivity but so minimal, you had to concentrate really hard to see if it wss just your mind playing tricks on you thinking surely the expensive rod is better.