Dobyns Savvy Rods...

[acm95301]

A 9 foot swimbait rod? is that even legal? I thought they couldn't be over 8' in California...or am I smokin crack?

[Maackbass]

First off I don't have the dough to dump on a full set of Dobyn's Rods but from both the fisherman and business standpoint I give the man credit. Think about the success this man has had and continues to have on the west coast. He now gets to share this with us. He also has the benefit of offering the product that he stands by to make us all better fisherman whether it be for fun or competition. He's also has made an effort to cater to all or most brackets of anglers with entry-elite series of rods which I like because I'm on the good ol budget....I now have a choice of how I spend some greenbacks and can have a little confidence in a rod line-up that I can afford..cool deal cuz we all know as anglers confidence is a huge deal. I was surprised at some remarks in this thread in regards to failures and how they're dealt with. All I have to say is dealing with the public is nice and not so nice...not everyone can be happy but when someone makes an effort I'd agree 99.9% of the public is happy ha haah ha.

[NoCAL]

I had 2 gen 1 rods break. Both broke casting 5" senkos. I was casting overhand and trying to get some distance but I don't think a rod should break at a line guide from throwing a bait it was designed to handle. The first was a 703 that a pro-staffer replaced for me with a Gen 1 733 and he ate the cost. The second was a 733 that I paid the $60 for and got a Gen 2 733 in return. I have a Gen 1 702 spinning rod that has no problems whatsoever.

Of the Gen 2 rods I've had 2 line guides fall off! One was off the new 733 and one came off a 736. This was just during normal fishing. I had to get them fixed at Fisherman's Warehouse. I like the rods but it does seem like they have a few more problems than you might expect from an expensive rod. I'm a rod whore though and I will buy more. These new rods sound especially good.

NoCAL

[Austen]

A 9 foot swimbait rod? is that even legal? I thought they couldn't be over 8' in California...or am I smokin crack?

8' is the longest in tournament rules. In the G1 series Gary produced a 8' 6" swimbait rod i believe.

Austen

[offduty]

A 9 foot swimbait rod? is that even legal? I thought they couldn't be over 8' in California...or am I smokin crack?

8' is the longest in tournament rules. In the G1 series Gary produced a 8' 6" swimbait rod i believe.

Austen

I got one of those 8'6" rods and it is one of my favorites.

Rich

[Fish Trap]

I would have to agree that $60 is steep for a replacement rod. I think most brands are less and I just paid $40 for a powell rod to have that replaced for someone that broke it. As far as shipping goes, there should be less markup when dropped off to a dealer as the dealer that carries the rods can have it picked up and delivered with the rods they are stocking. With that being said, I have fished for over 37+years and have built and used all kinds of rods out there. Loomis, Fenwick, Sage, Reddington, Sabre, and so on. I broke a gen 1 rod flippin a bass into the boat that was about 2#. I have probably flipped thousands of 3 to 5# stripers over the rail with other rods (loomis and reddington) and have had yet to have one break. I would not say that the rod was nicked or somthing but it could have been although I was warned by a few pros that the rod would break like that which it did. So hopefully with the gen 2 rods they won't break. $60 for a break for flippen a fish in the boat is ridiculous. But I paid it, got the new rod, love the new rod and bought a gen 2 805 for punchin, call me stupid but it is a bad *** puchin stick. The new rods seem to be real quality. I would place them above powell on the sensitiviy level. An equal with loomis. To bad they were not as price efficient as powell or I would buy more.

[barse41]

I have a gen 1 Dobyns rod, a 701 dropshot rod that I got from J&T Tackle two years ago, and haven't broken it yet.
Am I doing something wrong?

i have the same rod, and have had it for a long time. i swung many a 3-4 lber with it. if it ever does break i hope gary gives me the same rod.

[DPetty]

I see more and more that people get on the internet, type in a negative comment about someone or something on Westernbass and many other sites as leverage in an effort to force people or companies to succumb to their agendas.

Dobyns Rods as well as many other companies deal with thousands of customers whom for different reasons wish to bend the rules in an effort to save themselves the warranty cost, shipping or any other savings they can create for themselves at the cost of the company.

Personally, I believe if you approach something in a negative manner, you will get negative results.

Westernbass is not the Small Claims Court of bass fishing.

I have been standing next to Gary on several occasions when he has received a call or e-mail from a customer regarding warranties. When approached with a respectful and positive attitude. He is straight forward, honest and resolves the issue in mere minutes. Now on the other hand if the same type of phone call or e-mail is pursued in a negative manner, you may not get the results you expect. Gary is as human as anyone else. Try taking 50+ calls a day and see if you get to everyone or get anything else accomplished.

I have been fishing Dobyns Rods since '07, prior to being placed on staff. I’ve never broken a Dobyns Rod while fishing. I've broken one while shoving it through the rear sliding window of my truck as a staff member and YES I paid $60 to replace it and I live 5 minutes from Gary. Everyone entertaining the idea of a purchase of any product should have obtained all information regarding that product prior to making a purchase.

Dobyns Rods listens to angler request. We wanted a superior rod without breaking the bank Gary came out with the Champion Series, we wanted a superior high end rod and still not go broke buying them Gary produces the Champion Extremes and yet others wanted a superior rod for the budget minded angler, we now have the Savvy Series. I don't know how much more a company can do to satisfy their customers.


Thank you,

Don Petty

[WishinIwerFishin]

I don't like the $60 replacement charge but it's only $10 mor than gloomis. The only thing I don't like about the warranty is you have to have the reciept. I just baught a 795 sb mt from the Hook two days ago and already lost the reciept, so I guess I just spent $260(after tax) on a rod that I will have to beg to get replaced if it ever breaks. I dont have reciepts for any of my dobyns and all but one were purchased new. Since I have never had to warranty a rod I had no idea about having to hold on to the reciept, only that it cost $60 to replace. I just hope if I ever have to make use of Gary's warranty I will be able to. You would think if a manufacturer wanted the reciept for a warranty claim on a lifetime warrany product they would provide some kind of information with the rod that stated so. Even a $29 ugly stick has the warrany info with the rod when you buy it. It would be as easy as adding another hang tag on it, or just telling the retailers to be sure and inform their customers to save the recipt. Atleast now I know and when I buy another the reciept will go in the safe.

[civicrr]

You guys all are killin me. IMO, Dobyns has a very competitive warranty. Dated receipt & $20 (return shipping) for regular warranty. $60 for 'No Hassle' warranty. Lets do a little comparison shall we.... Gonna use some quotes here - nothing personal as they seem to be already stated by other individuals on this thread.

The only thing I don't like about the warranty is you have to have the reciept. ......You would think if a manufacturer wanted the reciept for a warranty claim on a lifetime warrany product they would provide some kind of information with the rod that stated so.

Diawa, GLoomis, Lamiglas & Shimano all 'require' a dated sales receipt. Powell & St Croix do not require a dated receipt. All right there in black & white on their websites. None of these companies have tags on their rods stating that you need to keep your receipts, btw. Honestly, I also think it would be nice if that info were there.


Daiwa, GLoomis, Lamiglas, Powell, Shimano & St Croix have you pay shipping back to them. Daiwa charges you actual plus $3.50 for return shipping. GLoomis doesn't state what it does. Lamiglas & St Croix want $20 for return shipping. Powell includes return shipping in its $40 fee. Shimano is free.

I don't like the $60 replacement charge but it's only $10 mor than gloomis.

So, of those rod companies, who has an 'no fault, no questions asked' type warranty, hmmm? GLoomis has the Xpeditor for $50. Lamiglas has their 'Fast Track' which is $70 for XMG & Certified Pro Bass rods (Excel is $50). Finally, St Croix has their Gold Star which is $50.

I know, I didn't talk about Fenwick, Falcon, Phenix, etc, etc. Some have better, some have worse. I tried to pick what I consider, the mainstream rod companies to compare Dobyns to.

FYI, I am not a prostaffer for Dobyns or any other company. I own & fish rods by Shimano, Daiwa, St Croix, Gloomis & Dobyns. I have owned & fished Lami's & Powells. If you want to flame me, go ahead, I'll go get my turnouts on.

[WishinIwerFishin]

Ok, I guess I got confused a little and didn't read all the warranty info on Dobyns site. I was going off what was being said here. I'm not too bothered by the whole reciept issue since they offer the $60 no hassle warranty. But I have to admit I got a little sick when I thought of breaking a new rod and not being able to get it replaced because of losing a reciept. Now I realy dont see why someone wouldnt like the dobyns warranty. Guys complain about paying $60 to have a $240+ rod replaced, but they'r perfectly content with paying $40 to have a $150 rod replaced. civicrr, thanks for motivating me to look further into the warrany on the Dobyns site.

[ugly stick]

WTF??? We need a receipt to get the rods replace? Well looks like im outta luck if i break one! Or maybe OPS will replace it.

[Levy]

I have replaced both Dobyns and Lamiglas rods and neither one required a reciept. I just told them that I know longer had it and there was no issue.

[Jeff Jewell]

Gary replaced my rod thru the Yuba City address on his website, no recipt needed $60.00
Gene at the hook replaced a Loomis for me without a recipt $50.00

[Johnny C]

[civicrr]

I just told them that I know longer had it and there was no issue.

I have also replaced rods with no receipt. Still doesn't change the fact that the written policy for the companies I listed 'require' a dated sales receipt. Personally, I chalk those up to customer service. I do understand that written policies don't always mirror reality. e.g. Shimano over the counter policy on rod replacements. Go into your favorite tackle store & exchange the rod. Doesn't say that anywhere on any Shimano website or instructions to do that. Still, it is the 'understood' way to warranty a Shimano rod.

Since we're naming stores , I have done warranty replacements @ Fisherman's Warehouse (both SJ & Manteca) & Mel Cottons. Excellent service in those stores all the time.

If there were none of the 'no fault' warranties, I wonder how much lower the rod prices would be. I mean, really, do we think the a GLoomis GLX, St Croix Legend Elite, etc, etc only cost $50 to make? How about when you factor in the return shipping to your door & customer processing? Still within the $50? Do you think that lost revenue is written off as advertising cost?

[ryan accardo]

isnt that what every american expects nowdays

[Gary Dobyns]

Guys this is my last post on this. Something that started out simply about a new rod series has BLOWN up. The rods were shown at the Bass University class today with great comments. The class was awesome from both speakers and attendees. Lots of questions and it was fun. I met some GREAT people. The receipt part of all of the companies warranties is a protection factor. We are trying to protect ourselves. For instance one of the companies named had a bunch of rods turned in for warranty that they had spray painted orange (to mark them) and tossed them into the trash. They were dug out and turned in for warranty. The company had an out. Guys face it there are so many dishonest people, companies have to build in protection factors. Fishing rods do not last FOREVER. What else can you pay $50 to $70 WARRANTY and get a NEW one? A rod that retails in some cases $300 to $450 for $50 to $70. I wish i could do that with my F-250, or fishing reel, camera, or golf clubs, or hiking boots, almost anything we buy. How many of you stepped on a rod and damaged or busted it. It dang sure ain't the rods fault, but $60 and you get a new one. What happens to other products you buy and accidently break? Sorry guys, I'm done here. If you have a question I'd be MORE than happy to answer it by PM or 530-671-1989 Good Fishin', hope you're next one is a TOAD!!

[201Pro]

I had a gen1 Xtreme rod that I broke when a big striper ran under the boat and I was being stupid trying to horse it back out. Sent the rod in and Dobyn's Rod send me a bill for $60 and a Gen2 Extreme rod! Wow ... now that's service!!

[Greg_Cornish]

Since 1997 I've broken 7 rods. 5 of them when the wife slammed them in the tailgate of the pickup. One of them, a medium light extra fast tip on a St Croix kinda fell off while getting a tangle out. And one that I broke pulling to hard on a snag It broke where I modified the rod. How do you guys do it?