Powell max series, lets hear some weights

[Phippy]

From the eastcoast and there's no way in hell I will be able to see one never mind get my hands on one. Looking for a new ripbait rod for throwing larger LC's like Pointer 100's, 127's and 128's. Spoke with Keith via email and highly recommends the 706CB though I'm leaning towards the 686CB since I'm not that tall and main purpose will be for ripping for early season smallmouth.

Not expecting super light here but don't want a 5oz club either. Would like to hear some accurate weights and not just guesses from Powell owners and the model.

Thanks

Eastcoast wannbe Powell owner.

[Mark Langner]

I had emailed Gary asking which Powell rip rod for how I fish..(mostly staycees and pointers 100)...for me he had suggested the 704CB for my mainstay rip rod and recommended the 706CB for Clearlake (where i'd be more inclined to throw the larger 128's). He just cautioned me to be careful with the 706 when playing a fish to not rip the hooks out of the fish....hope this is helpful. At the moment I only have the 704CB (awesome rod)....got it for Christmas...heading for the river this weekend.

[Phippy]

Thanks Mark for your reply. Can you please explain more in detail how your 704CB feels. Can the rod move a Pointer 100 with ease or does it take some energy to move the bait. Does it have a nice Parabolic(spelling?) bend while fighting fish? I already have a glass Seeker MH thats awesome for the Pointer 128 so I guess 3/4oz would be the max I would need the rod to handle.

Also, do you think your rod is under 4oz? Dam now you have me starting all over again. BTW, how about posting a few pics of your rod.

Thanks

Mike

[Mark Langner]

Since I just picked up the rod yesterday, and won't be on the water with it until this Sat or Sun, I can't tell you first hand how it feels in my hands rippin a bait through the water and "hooking up".

However, one of the guys in our club bought the same rod, and used it in a club tourney a few weeks ago which sold me immediatly...he said the parabolic action was absolutely fantastic and it is super light. I've been throwing staycees and pointer 100 with a Shimano V Rod, and when I went to the store to pickup the 704CB yesterday I was totally amazed at how light this rod is, what a great fast tip it had, and the action. I can't imagine for an instant being unhappy with this rod.

You can see the rod handles (Very Cool) at http://www.powellco.com/ and there are phone and email contacts if you wish information such as how much the rod weighs.

[Paul W]

I live in Florida and got a MAX rod for my birthday, having never seen one in person. I knew judging by the pics and the quality of my Powell TiMax flyrod, that I had nothing to worry about. The model I have is the 6'8" 8-17 graphite ripping/cranking rod and wow do I like it!!! Extremely good looking, sensitive, and feather light....I would compare the weight to a Loomis IMX. It has a very soft tip but also a very strong backbone which some cranking rods lack. I use mine coupled w/ a Cardiff 100 mainly for Snook throwing things like the little Yo Zuri 3D fingerling, chug bugs, husky jerks, etc. The rod is fantastic for these baits!! Its a great rod that walks all over a Loomis in terms of quality and price.

Paul W

[Phippy]

Paul, thanks for your comments. The pics that I've seen no doubt shows some nice qualities. Powell reputation even makes its way on the eastcoast. By your remarks Paul I think the med action rip/crankbait rod might be to soft for me. Again the sole purpose of this rod will be ripping jerkbaits around 5/8-3/4oz. I need something that willl move the bait fast but have that paraoblic without ripping the hooks out.

Think I'm going to try the 686CB If anyone has tried or held a 686CB or 706CB please respond with your thoughts of either rod.

Hope to beat my personal best smallie with a new Powell, 6lb7oz

[Keith Bryan]

Hi Phippy,

I trust and hope you are having happy holiday season.

I wanted to get back to you with the 686 and the 706CB rod weights that you had requested via this forum.

686CB-4.4 oz
706CB-4.5 OZ

We typically do not list rod weights because of the different densities in paint, cork, etc. Because of the variance in these items it’s tough to pin point the exact weight of each individual rod however, we can give you an average. In the future, we just might begin to publish an average weight per rod because many folks are curious about the rod weights because they say these rods are so light that they would just like to know for their own info, we will certainly be happy to oblige.

At any rate, there is the info you requested and I hope this information helps you chose the appropriate rod.

Good luck and keep catching big ones. That’s a nice smallie in that photo.

Regards,

Keith Bryan
Powell: D

[Tobe]

What a beautiful fish.

Awesome job Phippy.