CB Rod Wars Part #7 : Our First Detailed Look at Dobyns Rods Gen 2 Product
 

Total Score: 8.25 + EDITORS CHOICE!

684CB & 704CB: Of the six rods that were sent in, these two are probably the most diverse. Consisting of a moderate-fast tapered graphite blank,  these rods are suitable not only for medium to shallow running cranks, but soft plastics like shakey heads as well. These rods are very much along the lines of other previously reviewed rods like the Daiko’s BRSC 64L, Jackall’s HC-65ML Light Pluggin’, and pre-Year of the Crank rods Shimano Final Dimension TS-168M and  Megabass F3 ½-65GTC Hien Type-S. In the domestic vernacular, these two sticks feel very similar to the MBR842C GLX from G.Loomis.

804CB & 805CB RM: These two eight foot cranking sticks are somewhat unique in our Crankbait Rod Wars primarily due to their length. They are one-piece, graphite blanks with full rear cork grip and no foregrip and the 805CB RM in particular, has been custom tuned in the Dobyns Rods Generation 2 lineup by Randy McAbee, a Western pro known for his prowess with the crankbait. While the 805CB RM is really custom tailored for McAbee’s go to bait, the Norman DD22, the 804CB is more of an all around cranker. Unlike its shorter siblings, the 684CB and 704CB, the 804CB is just as comfortable pulling in a shallow crank as it is a deep runner like the DD22. On the other hand, similar to its shorter siblings, the 804CB can also be used in a pinch with soft plastics for even though it has a moderate-fast taper, its sensitive enough to give you the right feel when fishing horizontal presentation baits. This is a rather impressive stick.

704CB & 705CBMF Glass: This one two glass rod punch within the Dobyns Rods lineup are what many traditional crankers are going to enjoy. In fact, given our Year of the Crank focus, these are the two sticks that stood out the most in the collection of six rods that Dobyns Rods sent in and the 704CB Glass, in particular, really caught the attention of the TT Editors and it is this rod we will focus upon for this review.

Real World Test: Thanks to Megabass’ F4-610GT3 Purple Dragon, glass rods have gone through quite a revival here at TackleTour HQ. This stick showed us a glass rod does not have to be heavy, cumbersome, tip heavy, and dead feeling when fished. You may or may not recall the story where I figuratively beat Zander into submission by rigging up the Purple Dragon for him to use several years ago on Clear Lake after he lost 3 or 4 fish in a row while fishing a crank on a G.Loomis MBR783C GLX. After the switch, he did not lose another crankbait fish and was officially sold on the benefits of a glass cranking rod.