Decisions

fishballer06 · September 20, 2019, 08:40:45 AM

So like many of you heard, Zippy let me use his Xtasy 755 recently and the monkey has bitten me. With that being said, I don't know if I can quite swing the money for an Xtasy, so that has got me looking at the Extreme's. I own quite a few Champions, so I'm quite familiar with the Dobyns line, but this would be my first super high end purchase.

Here's what I'm looking for. Since I do most of my fishing as a co-angler, I prefer my rods to be closer to 7' rather than the 7'6" range. I'm looking for a good bottom contact rod that I can trust for pitching/flipping around heavy wood and weeds. So with that, I'm currently looking at the DX744 and the DX745.

Here's a few other rods I already own, and ideally I'd want this new rod to fit somewhere in between the GLX 853 and my DC765FLIP.

GLoomis GLX 853c - I mainly use this for my lighter texas rigs
Champion 734c - I mainly use this for Keitechs, swim jigs, and spinnerbaits. Very all purpose.
Sierra 735c - This is my frogging rod.
Champion 765FLIP - This thing is more of a broom handle flipping/punching rod.

I think the DX744 and DX745 are probably in my wheelhouse. So which one should I choose? Or is there a better choice out there? Should I expect the DX744 to be similar to my DC734 but with a little faster tip?

Mike Cork · September 20, 2019, 09:19:37 AM

This ones easy...

Heavy cover 745

Open or light cover 744

Both are amazing rods, both are extremely sensitive, both can really handle heavier pitching weights (heavy texas rigs or jigs with larger trailers) but if you're fishing heavy cover you'll appreciate the back bone of the 745 when you've got that five pounder down in the cover shaking her head.

Dink Dawg · September 20, 2019, 11:05:15 AM

Mike is right on the money. The closest rod to an Xtasy 755C with me is an Extreme DX745C. That was the 2nd Extreme I purchased and it gets a lot of use. I would call Dobyns and see if they have that model in the refurbs they have available. That's a great way to save some serious cash.

LabRat · September 20, 2019, 11:28:42 AM

You can't really go wrong with either. I'll start with the pre cursor that the 745 is my favorite rod I own, so take the rest with a grain of salt.....The 744 is an extremely versatile bottom contact rod. It can do almost everything the 745 can, but the 745 really shines in cover and once you hit 1/2oz+. I would never try to throw anything less than 3/8oz+trailer on the 745 (you CAN, its just not ideal). The 744 will comfortably go down to 1/4+trailer if needed. In that sense, their factory ratings are pretty much spot on. Normally I would suggest the 744, but you already have the "do it all" 734 to cover your versatility. In your case my vote would be to go for the 745, especially if you are using it for heavy wood and weeds/grass cover.

fishballer06 · September 20, 2019, 12:45:49 PM

Thanks for the advice guys.

One question - will the 745 work well for a 5/16oz jig + trailer? Or does it like a little heavier jig?

zippyduck · September 20, 2019, 12:51:50 PM

That was a 3/8 weight on the t-rig you were throwing. So I'd say the 5 power will be ok with the 5/16 oz jig. Yes a 744 would be better though.

Mike Cork · September 20, 2019, 05:23:24 PM

Quote from: fishballer06 on September 20, 2019, 12:45:49 PM
Thanks for the advice guys.

One question - will the 745 work well for a 5/16oz jig + trailer? Or does it like a little heavier jig?

If this is the only bait you'll be throwing or you'll be throwing it the most then the 744 will shine when pitching. Both will cast it great but when it comes to the little bit of loading that you'll need for long distance pitching the 744 would be better.

That said if the cover is think, I'd still get the 745. Sure the 744 would be perfect but the 745 isn't that far off that I'd change my thoughts.

Gary Dobyns · September 20, 2019, 05:49:03 PM

yep. Get the DX 745C Split or Full handle as we have both. The 745C has a great tip and will be fine with that 5/16 oz bait. I have several guys pitching 3/16oz baits on this rod. They want extra power for pulling on fish. Thanks guys!!

fishballer06 · September 24, 2019, 12:50:03 PM

I finally made my decision. I ordered my DX745C this morning based on everyone's recommendations. A special thanks to Gary himself for chiming in as well. I can't wait to get it in and take it out on the water. I think I'm going to pair it up with a Bantam MGL.

This is all Zippy's fault, and he's already taken full responsibility for letting the bait monkey get to me.

zippyduck · September 24, 2019, 01:05:28 PM

You are welcome Gary and fishballer06!

Mike Cork · September 25, 2019, 09:34:54 AM

You couldn't go wrong with either IMO but the 745 is magical.

LabRat · September 25, 2019, 11:51:21 AM

Quote from: fishballer06 on September 24, 2019, 12:50:03 PM
I finally made my decision. I ordered my DX745C this morning based on everyone's recommendations. A special thanks to Gary himself for chiming in as well. I can't wait to get it in and take it out on the water. I think I'm going to pair it up with a Bantam MGL.

This is all Zippy's fault, and he's already taken full responsibility for letting the bait monkey get to me.

Ahhh, yes! I have the same set up and it is hands down my favorite. The 745 and bantam mgl pair so well together. You're not going to want to put it down. Good luck my friend!