Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Just looking for recomendations on a new jig rod. Right now I am leaning toward a Dobyns 705C (Champion or Extreme). I currently have a Powell 704C and it's a great rod but I want something a little stiffer.

I prefer the Powell 734 for jugs. If ya want something stiffer the 735. For lakes I go with the Powell 804.

Dobyns 734

Dobyns 734

pm'd

Dobyns 765 or okuma 72H C3

I've been using a Dobyns 744 Extreme for my jigs but now want a 745 just for a little stiffer rod. The length will help you with long cast hook ups and deeper water.
Guy Williams

Powell 7105

The Powell 804cef is a great jig rod. Its a Heavy action rod with a super sensitive tip. Even though its a 8ft rod the tip loads beautifuly giving it the control and accuracy of a shorter rod. The balance is spot on with this stick. Here's the spec's on this rod:

Model#: 804 CEF - In Stock!
Length: 8'0" - Power: Heavy - Power Rating: 4
Line Wt: 12lbs. - 20lbs. - Lure Wt: 1/4oz. - 1oz. - Action: Ex-Fast - Handle: 2

Shoot me a PM if you have any other questions.

MBR844C, GLX Gloomis

Ed

I would ask if you are flippin', pitchin' or draggin'. Shallow (Delta, Clear Lake, Etc.) or draggin' lakes. It would help me make a better suggestion for you.

Lugnut wrote:Just looking for recomendations on a new jig rod. Right now I am leaning toward a Dobyns 705C (Champion or Extreme). I currently have a Powell 704C and it's a great rod but I want something a little stiffer.

Match the rod to the line and jig weight and style of fishing you do. I fish with a 7', 5 power when using line 14 lbs and up and jigs 1/2 oz to 3/4 oz. What make you buy is a personal choice that only you can make. 7' rod is a good choice for casting jigs, the longer rod may allow you to cast a few yards further under ideal conditions, if that is how you prefer jig fish.
Tom

Lug, take a look at the Fenwick Elite Tech ECFP76H-F(Titled Flippen Stik) or the ECF72H-XF(Titled Froggin Rod). These two rods are my day in and day out jig rods here on the River, Clearlake or anywhere else I might be fishing an Arkie style jig. They have the perfect blend of power, action and length for pitchin/flippen. More importantly, this line up of rods is extremely sensative and the number one factor that lead me to selecting these rods for my jig fishing.

7' Shakespeare Ugly Stik. HANDS DOWN!

I have been throwing the Dobyn's 764 and love it

Dobyns Extreme 743, great backbone for big fish but a slightly soft tip for presentation. This rod is super sensitive.

Guy Williams wrote:I've been using a Dobyns 744 Extreme for my jigs but now want a 745 just for a little stiffer rod. The length will help you with long cast hook ups and deeper water.
Guy Williams

Finally one that I agree with ... BUT ... where did you find the 745?? That's not Dobyns ... maybe you mean Champion 765C?? There's a HUGE difference between the Extreme vs. Champion series ...

Just broke in my Dobyns Champion Extreme 744, handled football heads up to 3/4 oz beautifully. Just my second Dobyns but I will be considering them first from here on. I think they are as good as it gets at the price.

Shimano Cumara cuc72mh

Popper wrote:MBR844C, GLX Gloomis

Ed

+1

There are a few DX 745C rods floating around. They are sample rods for testing. Soon to be a lot more. It is a great jig stick. My current favorite is the DX 744C. Don't let that extra 4" bother you. It's a huge help on deep fishing. Please pick one up and check it out before you purchase. I do sell a bunch of DX 705C rods, but far more DX 744C for jig fishing.

I still love that 705C on the reservoirs. Just my personal choice. Would love to try that 745 tough.

elfish16 wrote:

Popper wrote:MBR844C, GLX Gloomis

Ed

+1

Has been and always will be the standard in jig fishing.

844C GLX is my jig rod super IMO

Barry Watson wrote:844C GLX is my jig rod super IMO

I have a hard time to disagree with this statement as I've had the pleasure of fishing with that particular for some time. However, I have had a few failures in the past and Loomis had replaced them under their $50 expediter policy. But I finally sold it and moved to other rods such as the Dobyns DX744C and now because their new warranty policy I will never buy another Loomis rod again. I believe that they've made a very serious mistake with that policy and while looking at some of the popular for sale forums, I see more and more Loomis rods on the market now. So I'm thinking more people are coming to the same conclusion as me. Too bad! They are great sticks ... but ... there are many others out there.

Knock on wood, I've never had an Loomis 844C fail during the heat of battle, and I've used this rod since its introduction many years ago.
No argument, the GLoomis warranty change is a bad move; however, I cannot see fishing jigs without 844C being part of my rod arsenal.

If the 844C was damaged, my replacement cost under the new Gloomis warranty would be less than purchasing another quality rod from another manufacture. In this case, I personally don't see any need to change.

Ed

Popper wrote:If the 844C was damaged, my replacement cost under the new Gloomis warranty would be less than purchasing another quality rod from another manufacture.

They never changed the warranty--it's the same one that's been in place forever. Rods having factory defects are still replaced free of charge.

They did raise their no-questions-asked replacement fee though ("Xpeditor Service"). It inceased from $50 for replacement rod sent 2nd Day Air to $50 Ground Shipping/$65 2nd Day Air around the 2005 timeframe and most recently, it went up to $100 for Ground Shipping.

Agreed, it was the xpeditor service I was referring to and not the warranty. Thanks for clarifying that statement.

Ed

Popper wrote:Agreed, it was the xpeditor service I was referring to and not the warranty. Thanks for clarifying that statement.

Ed

Uh .. me three

If you send in the rod, it's at their discretion. I've been told by my friendly Loomis retailer that I'm better off with the Xpeditor service in the past. So that's what I had always used.

There's so many great jig rods out there right now, but some of my current and past favorites are:

- Powell 733 or 734
- Loomis MBR843 or 844
- Daiwa Zillion 7' MH or H


Paul Wolter

Cooch wrote:By the end of the day, this post and yours, WILL be removed. You got a problem with that, feel free to call me.

I love the "feel free to call me"!

I use a Loomis BCR854. Great rod but the best jig rod is the one that feels the best in you're hands.

Yeah... somebody needs a hug....

bryanmc wrote:Yeah... somebody needs a hug....

Made my day.

My votes is for:

Performance Tackle Custom Jig Rod

The best part of a custom wrapped Performance Tackle Jig Rod is that it's custom made for YOU. Nobody else will like the rod the way you want it and wrapped in YOUR colors, too.

Once you go custom you'll never go back. I fish nothing but custom rods.

Tony

Performance tackle rods alot of money when the rods off the shelves are pretty good these days. I understand though usually get my surfboards shaped to fit my likings. A shaped surfboard is usually cheaper then a board off the rack. 744 dobyn's my pick would like to check out the 745 though.

The best jig rod is gonna be the Denali Rosewood Worm & Jig Rod Model 844WJ There is one problem, and thats if you buy one of their rods, well your gonna buy about 5-6 more on the next order.

Just to clarify my vote for a Dobyns 743 Extreme as my favorite jig rod, this would be for the 3/8 oz. jig i normally throw. If I go to a 1/2 or 3/4 oz jig then the 744 Extreme is my choice.

Gary is such a power fisherman he is probably throwing heavy jigs and working so fast that he needs the 744 or even a 745. I'm still surprised he even needs a jig rod, I thought he only threw ripbaits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits and a zara spook once in a while. Next thing he will claim he even has one of his spinning rods in his boat! If he does it's just for show!

Lugnut wrote:Just looking for recomendations on a new jig rod. Right now I am leaning toward a Dobyns 705C (Champion or Extreme). I currently have a Powell 704C and it's a great rod but I want something a little stiffer.

Just curious; what did you learn from this thread?
The differences between a 4 or 5 power 7' to 7'4" fast action jig rod made by Fenwick, Powell, Dobyns, Loomis or anyone is price and customer service. Whatever rod you choose, pick it up, put a reel and line on it; try it before you buy it! All the rods mentioned will catch bass, you will be happy with the one that feels right to you.
I have caught several hundred 10+ lb bass casting jigs in deep structured lakes, using rods that were less expensive, weighed more, shorter (6'6" 1/2 to 6'8"') that were state of the art when I bought them over 10 years ago. The rod blanks mentioned are made with very similar, if not the same, materials today as they were 10 years ago; the guides and handles are lighter weight today.
Good luck with your choice.
Tom

Oldschool wrote:

Lugnut wrote:Just looking for recomendations on a new jig rod. Right now I am leaning toward a Dobyns 705C (Champion or Extreme). I currently have a Powell 704C and it's a great rod but I want something a little stiffer.

Just curious; what did you learn from this thread?
The differences between a 4 or 5 power 7' to 7'4" fast action jig rod made by Fenwick, Powell, Dobyns, Loomis or anyone is price and customer service. Whatever rod you choose, pick it up, put a reel and line on it; try it before you buy it! All the rods mentioned will catch bass, you will be happy with the one that feels right to you.
I have caught several hundred 10+ lb bass casting jigs in deep structured lakes, using rods that were less expensive, weighed more, shorter (6'6" 1/2 to 6'8"') that were state of the art when I bought them over 10 years ago. The rod blanks mentioned are made with very similar, if not the same, materials today as they were 10 years ago; the guides and handles are lighter weight today.
Good luck with your choice.
Tom

FYI; the most expensive state of the art , over the counter, jig rod today is Loomis NRX 854C JWR @$500 and should last you at least 10 years.

Dobyns 734 is a great all around jig rod, for shallow water,jigs up to 1/2oz! the dx 744 is great for deeper water/heavy jigs,the dx 784 is great for the "one tons"........

Oldschool wrote:

Lugnut wrote:Just looking for recomendations on a new jig rod. Right now I am leaning toward a Dobyns 705C (Champion or Extreme). I currently have a Powell 704C and it's a great rod but I want something a little stiffer.

Just curious; what did you learn from this thread?
The differences between a 4 or 5 power 7' to 7'4" fast action jig rod made by Fenwick, Powell, Dobyns, Loomis or anyone is price and customer service. Whatever rod you choose, pick it up, put a reel and line on it; try it before you buy it! All the rods mentioned will catch bass, you will be happy with the one that feels right to you.
I have caught several hundred 10+ lb bass casting jigs in deep structured lakes, using rods that were less expensive, weighed more, shorter (6'6" 1/2 to 6'8"') that were state of the art when I bought them over 10 years ago. The rod blanks mentioned are made with very similar, if not the same, materials today as they were 10 years ago; the guides and handles are lighter weight today.
Good luck with your choice.
Tom

"... I have caught several hundred 10+ lb bass ... " WOW, in 10 years?!

In regards to how many 10+ bass I have caught, the time period is 1955 to present or 55 years. We were talking about rods being over 10 years old or more.
I was fortunite to fish for giant bass before most anglers knew how to catch them on lures. The tournament anglers focused on 3 lb bass for nearly 30 years. The big bass were being targeted by bait fisherman that anchored. A good jig fisherman had the entire lake, the majority of the outside deep structure to fish. My top 5 giant bass on jigs; 17.4, 17.4, 17.6, 18.6 & 19.3, all caught on old obsolete rods by todays standard.
My point is; any high quality jig rod will work for big bass. If you want todays state of the art jig rod look at Loomis NRX 854C JWR, sometimes you get what you pay for.
Tom