Dropshot rod and crankbait rod

[jim 2row]

Wondering what you guys thoughts were on which ones are best. Leaning towards loomis 822 dropshot and deepflex for deep diving cranks. Any help would be sweet! By the way I did play around with the Dobyns rod at mikes pharm. today seems a little heavy. Dont care for my cranking stick from bps.

[Skulley]

I use the American Rodsmiths David Fritts Model for all my crankbaiting. They are fiberglass rods which I would highly recommend for crankbaiting.  It is all I have ever used.  I also like slower speed reels.  It helps get the crankbait down as deep as it will run in very few turns of the reel.  4.4 to 1 is my preference for deep cranking but do use as quick as a 5.2 to 1 reel for cranking 6 to 12 feet.  I catch a lot on cranks.  There are some guys on this board that I have fished with that will validate that.

BD                     

[BryanP]

Which Dobyns did you play with at Mike's?  That 764 CB RM is by far my favorite for deep crankin. For me, it's the perfect rod for deep crankin smallies.  I know Ryan Said and Chip harrison have both told me the same.  I caught just about every one of the fish I weighed in the Bassmaster Open on that rod, including a 5-13 that hit literally right at the boat.  It has the perfect taper, and doesn't seem heavy at all to me compared to other 7'6" crankin rods out there.  I just have a ton of confidence in that rod.  As for a drop shot rod, the 822 is a good one, but I prefer a longer rod.  I really like the Dobyns DX 742 SF.  It's 7'4" and has a real limber tip with a ton of backbone.  If you can find an old Loomis Walleye Series WRR 8400 GLX, thats a good one too.  It has the same taper as the DX 742 only with a little less power.  I used to use the 8400 a lot.

On a different note, Dobyns is going to give away a brand new Ranger z521, Evinrude E-Tech, Minn Kota/Humminbird boat package this year.  You can enter by either purchasing a rod or participating in the Demo program. Demo rods will be at dealers soon, and details are up on Dobyns website.

[jim 2row]

Thanks Bryan maybe I need to play with it a little. I did think the loomis felt lighter but maybe im wrong. On another note Bry I picked up one of your hand made g loomis from the angler. Must have been one of your old ones. Nice rod good job on the build dude.  Jim

[jim 2row]

Hey Bry can you get me throwing those 2 rods for around 500.

[BryanP]

Sorry, no can do.  You have to buy them from a dealer.  I would go and see Mike.

[BryanP]

Thanks Bryan maybe I need to play with it a little. I did think the loomis felt lighter but maybe im wrong. On another note Bry I picked up one of your hand made g loomis from the angler. Must have been one of your old ones. Nice rod good job on the build dude.  Jim

Thanks, I traded a few rods over Thanksgiving.  If I remember the Loomis's were CB 845's made into spinning with RECoil guides.

One thing you will notice about the Dobyns is they all balance extremely well.  That 764 crankin' rod really is my favorite.  I used to have to extend 7' blanks and build my own to get the right action in a 7'6" because nobody made one heavy enough.  They nailed it with the 764. 

[HellaBass]

The Dobyn's 702 SF is my fav for drop shotting

[jim 2row]

I actually thought that spinning  rod i got would be nice for small or light tubes. Dropshot even crossed my mind.

[jim 2row]

The Dobyn's 702 SF is my fav for drop shotting

Which model are you talking about?Champion,champion ex.,or the savvy? Thanks dude.

[BryanP]

I'm not hellaBass, but the 702 SF is a Champion Series.  I have one of those I use for small erie darters and poor boys crawdaddys on 6-8 lb line.  It would make a good drop shot rod too.

The Savvy Series SS 702 SF is very similar in power/action to the Champion, except its slightly lower modulus graphite and has alconite guides instead of SIC.  It's also not as lightweight.

The DX 702 SF Champ Extreme is a totally different rod than the 702 in the Champ and Savvy Series.  Different taper and much lighter.  I like that one for 6 pound test and small baits.  A 3 pound St Clair smallie in July will wear you out on that rod.

[Skulley]

Regardless of who tells you what about rods for whatever technique you're going to use it for, it is personal preference as to what you will finally settle on using.  I recommend trying a lot of different rods.  Even rods that would not be technique specific for a specific technique. As much as that sounds like an oxy moron, there is some truth to that statement.  Trying a lot of different rods may run into a few bucks, but it will be up to you as to what you like best and what will be most functional for your type of fishing.  Not everyone fishes the same way even when they are fishing the same technique.  It also comes down on how much you can afford to spend.  There are good rods in every price range.  You will just have to figure out what your willing to spend, and go buy something that you think you would like.  I say think you would like because you can't go just try a rod and then decide whether or not you want to buy it.  Buying rods for me has been one of the most difficult things because there are so many good ones to choose from.  Also see which ones some of your fishing buddies use and ask them next time you fish with them if you can try it out.  I have done that many times.  Actually that's how I decided that the American Rodsmiths cranking rods were what I wanted to use.  It's all personal preference.  I am not an expert on this but I know what I like.  Matter of fact I don't believe there are experts on any of this stuff unless your a KVD, Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, or any other pro that has been successful for 20 years or more and making a living fishing.  Just my 3 cents. 

Good luck in your search for that perfect drop shotting and/or cranking rod.


BD                         

[HellaBass]

The Dobyn's 702 SF is my fav for drop shotting

Which model are you talking about?Champion,champion ex.,or the savvy? Thanks dude.

I own the Savvy & Champion in 702's, both very nice, you get a little more when you pay more, but the Savvy is a very nice rod.  I have plans to get the Champion Extreme 702 or 703 for spring, got a Loomis 783 I will sell soon.

[jim 2row]

Well I picked up the new g-loomis rods the nrx that was a big big mistake. Want one now! Momma said I can get if I want. Took second in a big golf tournament this year and won a little over 1200 so my wife dont care if its for fishing cause i told her i was buying new set of sticks with it, but my old ones are just fine. So new crankbait rod and dropshot rod.