PRODUCTTPREVIEW : Dobyns Rods TNG (The Next Generation)
Date:
01/09/09
Tackle type:
Rods
Manufacturer:
Dobyns Rods
Reviewer:
Cal
Introduction: It was just two short years ago the bass fishing market out West was abuzz in anticipation of Gary Dobyns's debut of his new, namesake rods and rod company. For fans of the famous Western Bass Touring Pro, the rods simply could not make it to market soon enough. When they finally did arrive in store racks, they were gone just as quick - like finding that magical bite on the lake. Turn your head for one moment, and boom, all gone.
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Gary Dobyns is back with a new generation of his sticks
That first run of rods was magical indeed and it looked like Dobyns Rods was on its way to many wins. Unfortunately, follow on shipments from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) were for some reason different. There began to build, an inordinate number of breakage reports and warranty claims, and what seemed like a magical ride soon became a warranty and rod replacement nightmare. Orders from the factory were halted, and Gary Dobyns found himself far behind square one with all his favorite spots played out. He was in need of a new game plan.
Shipments of his first generation sticks were plagued by breakage issues
It became quite clear the factory he had enlisted to build his first generation (g1) sticks could not respond to the quality control issues, so early in 2008, the search began for a new builder. This quest took Dobyns to unconventional sources in many different countries until finally, the right factory was found in Korea and a new partnership struck. TackleTour is proud to announce your exclusive first peak at Dobyns Rods Generation 2 (g2).
So Dobyns went started over and found a new factory in Korea to build his sticks
New Beginnings: In truth, most manufacturers go through periodic redesigns and enhancements. The only oddity here is Dobyns Rods has had to do this within their first two years of existence. But with that restart comes the opportunity to introduce improvements and enhancements that might otherwise take several more years to bring to the forefront if nothing else, for the sake of consistency.
Now, with the details worked out, the first shipment of rods is due to arrive before the end of January 2009
One of these changes is an adjustment to the lineup. Formerly offering a total of 52 rods, Dobyns has expanded the selection to 53, but he's also taken away some rods and introduced new ones. It is not a clean cut, wholesale reintroduction of product.
Dobyns Rods Champion Spinning Rods
Model #
Length
Line Rating (lbs)
Lure Rating (oz)
Power
Taper
MSRP
681SF
6'8"
4-10
1/8-3/8
Light
Fast
$219
682SF
6'8"
6-12
1/8-1/2
Med/Lt
Fast
$219
683SF
6'8"
8-17
3/16-5/8
Medium
Fast
$219
701SF
7'0"
4-10
1/8-3/8
Light
Fast
$229
702SF
7'0"
6-12
1/8-1/2
Med/Lt
Fast
$229
703SF
7'0"
8-17
3/16-5/8
Medium
Fast
$229
704SF
7'0"
10-20
1/4-1
Med/Hvy
Fast
$229
Dobyns Rods Champion Casting Rods
Model #
Length
Line Rating (lbs)
Lure Rating (oz)
Power
Taper
MSRP
682C
6'8"
8-14
3/16-5/8
Medium
Fast
$219
683C
6'8"
10-17
1/4-3/4
Med/Hvy
Fast
$219
684C
6'8"
10-20
1/4-1
Heavy
Fast
$219
702C
7'0"
8-14
3/16-5/8
Medium
Fast
$229
703C
7'0"
10-17
1/4-3/4
Med/Hvy
Fast
$229
704C
7'0"
10-20
1/4-1
Heavy
Fast
$229
705C
7'0"
12-25
3/8-1 1/2
MagHvy
Fast
$229
733CSH
7'3"
10-17
1/4-3/4
Med/Hvy
Fast
$239
733CFH
7'3"
10-17
1/4-3/4
Med/Hvy
Fast
$239
734CSH
7'3"
10-20
1/4-1
Heavy
Fast
$239
734CFH
7'3"
10-20
1/4-1
Heavy
Fast
$239
735C
7'3"
12-25
3/8-1 1/2
MedHvy
XFast
$239
736C
7'3"
15-30
3/8-2
Hvy
XFast
$239
763C
7'6"
8-17
1/4-1
Med/Hvy
Fast
$239
764C
7'6"
12-25
1/4-1 1/2
Hvy
Fast
$239
Of particular note are the new 7'4" and 7'8" spinning sticks in the Champion Extreme Series. Also new is a 7'8" jig stick in the Mike Long Signature Series of rods. Then there is the new signature series 805CB RM crankbait stick, a tweaked version of the original 805CB but customized to the liking of Western crankbait guru Randy McAbee.
Dobyns Rods Champion Cranking Rods
Model #
Length
Line Rating (lbs)
Lure Rating (oz)
Power
Taper
MSRP
704CB Glass
7'0"
8-17
1/4-3/4
Medium
Fast
$199
705CB Glass
7'0"
8-20
1/4-1
Med/Hvy
Fast
$199
705CBMF Glass
7'0"
8-20
1/4-1
Med/Hvy
Mod/Fast
$199
684CB
6'8"
8-17
1/4-3/4
Medium
Mod/Fast
$219
685CB
6'8"
10-20
1/4-1 1/4
Med/Hvy
Mod/Fast
$219
704CB
7'0"
8-14
1/4-3/4
Medium
Mod/Fast
$229
705CB
7'0"
8-17
1/4-1
Med/Hvy
Mod/Fast
$229
804CB
8'0"
8-17
1/4-1
Med/Hvy
Mod/Fast
$239
805CB
8'0"
10-20
3/8-1 1/2
Med/Hvy
Fast
$239
In the area of components, the Champion Series now features full blown SiC guides with stainless steel frames from Korean Manufacturer Kigan. Apparently very well known in the Asian market, Kigan has been making high quality guides for quite some time. Similarly, the Champion Extreme rods now feature titanium coated, Zirchonium insert guides. All the "Finesse" series sticks in both lines feature a new hook hangar designed by Gary Dobyns himself to hold a drop shot weight easily, yet not get in the way of your line while fishing.
Dobyns Rods Champion Flipping & Swimbait Rods
Model #
Length
Line Rating (lbs)
Lure Rating (oz)
Power
Taper
MSRP
765FLIP
7'6"
12-25
1/4-1 1/2
Med/Hvy
Fast
$239
766FLIP
7'6"
14-30
1/4-2
Heavy
Fast
$239
805FLIP/ PUNCH
8'0"
15-30
3/8-2
Heavy
Fast
$239
795MLSB
7'9"
15-30
1-5
Med/Hvy
Fast
$239
795SBMT
7'9"
15-30
1-5
Med/Hvy
Fast
$239
806MLSB
8'0"
20-40
2-8
Heavy
Fast
$239
806HSB
8'0"
20-40
2-8
Heavy
Fast
$239
807MAGHSB
8'0"
20-50
3-10
Mag/Hvy
Fast
$239
Fans of the Dobyns Rods's swimbait series will be happy to know very little has changed in these rods, and Dobyns assures us his new factory has been able to reproduce that buttery smooth casting feel in all his rods, but in the swimbait rods especially. In fact, Dobyns feels the new versions cast even better.
The Generation 2 version of the 806ML
A stick that just barely made it into the first generation run is certainly here in Gen 2. Introducing the 795SBMT (SwimBait MagTopwater)
