With all this talk about light rods

[biteme]

Theres been some talk about whats the lightest rod ect. on the forum lately. SO I have a few rods that are close in size I thought I would weigh to answer some questions. Now Im NOT saying lighter is better, I understand theres a need to balance a rod and that takes weight. This is for those that were asking.
First up is my first gen Dobyns. Ill be getting a second gen soon and Ill weigh that one when I get it.
702 Spinning

5.15 ozs

Second up is the Powell
701 spinning

3.70 oz's

Third we have the Gloomis DSR 820 Spinning

4.0 oz's

[Delta is beast]

uh oh. every one that likes dobyns will kill u now lol

[biteme]

I love my Dobyns rods, I understand why they weigh a bit more. But yeah Im sure Ill get slammed for the post. I wouldnt trade my 805 for anything!

[offduty]

Why is a balanced rod so important? they are balanced without a lure hanging on the end of them. Since the distance from the reel seat to the tip is so much greater than that of the reel seat to the butt the weight of the lure is magnified due to basic leverage principle. So as I figure it on a 7' rod that would be at least 5-1.

So even a balanced rod with a 1/2 oz lure on it would be 2 1/2 oz tip heavy not to mention the resistance of line and lure in the water. So if a rod is 1/8 -1/2 oz tip heavy in the store you only shaved off 1/5th to 1/20th of an ounce off the tip weight when you are actually using it. When you are using it it is not balanced. With a so called balanced rod you are still going to be unbalanced when you tie on your lure and work that lure in the water.

[Gary Dobyns]

My first gen rods were counter weighted for balance. I have always said give me balance which also helps with sensitivity believe it or not. Many guys love them to this day but frankly after going to higher end rods, the gen 1's are not very good. Call it as I see it!! My new rods are FAR lighter and balance with blank material. I still have not weighed a rod of mine. They are VERY light but I can make 'em quite a bit lighter. I'm after certain things in my rods and really don't want to explain a few of them. I think most guys know I'm building a lot of longer models and balancing them is tricky. Pick one up feel it, play with it then weigh it if you like. They are very light but this is not their best quality. TackleTour weighed some on reviews and I was shocked. For the good!!

There will not be slams from my guys. Nothing here to get irrate about. Please watch for my new series that will be here in January. I think I hit a HOMERUN!!

[biteme]

My first gen rods were counter weighted for balance. I have always said give me balance which also helps with sensitivity believe it or not. Many guys love them to this day but frankly after going to higher end rods, the gen 1's are not very good. Call it as I see it!! My new rods are FAR lighter and balance with blank material. I still have not weighed a rod of mine. They are VERY light but I can make 'em quite a bit lighter. I'm after certain things in my rods and really don't want to explain a few of them. I think most guys know I'm building a lot of longer models and balancing them is tricky. Pick one up feel it, play with it then weigh it if you like. They are very light but this is not their best quality. TackleTour weighed some on reviews and I was shocked. For the good!!

There will not be slams from my guys. Nothing here to get irrate about. Please watch for my new series that will be here in January. I think I hit a HOMERUN!!

Gary whats the difference in the 1st gen 805 and 2nd gen 805? I love my 1st gen and cant see it getting much better.

[Gary Dobyns]

Hi Offduty. I have purposely dodged your posts on balance. You write very well but your points on balance are off. I feel like you are baiting an argument here. ( CALL ME GUN SHY BUT I DON'T CHOOSE TO GET INTO A PISSING MATCH ON FORUM BOARDS) If you are indeed sincere with your post I PUBLICALLY APOLOGIZE for how I started this post.

I have different balance points on different rods because of technique. Balance is HUGE and helps with sensitivity as well. If you are fishing a 3/4 oz jig on the bottom, you do not have the weight of the jig on your rod tip. With a jig rod you normally fish it high (unless boat draggin' ). With a balanced rod you are not having to basically put pressure on the reelseat area to keep the tip up. I call it fighting the tip up. Go into a shop and pick a few rods up. Hold them lightly and see if they are tip heavy. You do not need a reel on them to do this. Try several including mine. You will see what I mean. If you have a balanced and a non-balanced fishing rod side by side on the lake, I guarantee you will notice a huge difference.

[Gary Dobyns]

A heck of a lot. Far better materials and design. The old stick catches them no doubt and will continue to do so.

Those rods are really 3 years old. Since then, there are far better materials available. Also I have learned a lot in that time span. It's no secret I had "issues" with some of those. I could go into why and all the crap but it's not worth it. I'll tell you this, no matter how much you know, when you have problems you learn more. It's my belief that most rod companies don't keep up with changing materials and new ideas. "Most" everything we use today is better than it was 10,5, even 2 years ago.

I don't think it's necessary to change out your rods because of it. But I do feel as a manufacturer I should stay on top of it to keep making a better product.

[Robert F]

Gary, I would love to hear a seminar on rod attributes for different techniques. I understand basic principles and have my favorites for different techniques but they are based on personal preferences. I would be interested in a rod builder's perspective on attributes a person should look for in a jig rod versus carolina versus texas, etc.
Maybe a column topic?

[offduty]

Hi Offduty. I have purposely dodged your posts on balance. You write very well but your points on balance are off. I feel like you are baiting an argument here. ( CALL ME GUN SHY BUT I DON'T CHOOSE TO GET INTO A PISSING MATCH ON FORUM BOARDS) If you are indeed sincere with your post I PUBLICALLY APOLOGIZE for how I started this post.

I have different balance points on different rods because of technique. Balance is HUGE and helps with sensitivity as well. If you are fishing a 3/4 oz jig on the bottom, you do not have the weight of the jig on your rod tip. With a jig rod you normally fish it high (unless boat draggin' ). With a balanced rod you are not having to basically put pressure on the reelseat area to keep the tip up. I call it fighting the tip up. Go into a shop and pick a few rods up. Hold them lightly and see if they are tip heavy. You do not need a reel on them to do this. Try several including mine. You will see what I mean. If you have a balanced and a non-balanced fishing rod side by side on the lake, I guarantee you will notice a huge difference.

Gary I apologize if I rubbed you the wrong way as I was asking a legitimate question. I guess I will give up on looking for an answer as I was not trying to start a pissing contest and I guess some questions are just too sensitive to ask. I just never thought this one was. I was thinking about the physics of the application of rod usage in general and was sincerely trying to learn something. I have nothing against you and your rod company and fish for pleasure only. I actually look forward to learning from guys like yourself, you are quite accomplished in the sport and I do respect that. The question was not directed to anyone in particular. I hope you and everyone else has a Merry Christmas.

Richard Lund (805) 407-3331

[Gary Dobyns]

Thanks Richard. I apology for starting my post the way I did. There are no questions to sensitive to ask at all ( at least not fishing questions ) I love to help guys and everyone is still learning. You quit learning in bass fishing and you will get passed quickly. Will you be at any of our shows this year? I'd love to show you the difference. It's much easier to do with rods in hand.

Happy Holidays to you and your family!!

[offduty]

Gary
I am not sure to which shows you are referring but I live in Ventura County and am The fri, sat & sun guy @ a station in Riverside County. It would be great to meet you and attend a show though.
Richard Lund

[Rod Wynn]

Throw a Phenix Rod on the scale and see what happens..

[biteme]

Give me one and I will

[biteme]

Just a update. Got the new Dobyns 702 today. Wow way lighter!
4.05 oz's