Northwest Fishing Reports

I got a bunch of rods but want to get a new Revo SX:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garc ... -RVSX.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I need to match it to a rod. Looking for a worthy rod dedicated, for the most part, to spinner baits. I really do not know which tip, length, or anything that would serve spinnerbaits the best. Any input would be appreciated.

I will give three links to the maker of the rods that I am leaning towards:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_C ... STROD.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lamiglas ... IGLAS.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/St_Croix ... CROIX.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pick a rod or two from there or at least give me some info for what I am looking for and I will be forever grateful.

Thanks!!!

How heavy of a spinnerbait? 1/4 oz, 3/8, 1/2, or all of those weights?

Where do you plan on doing most of your fishing? Close to weeds and pads, in the weeds or pads? Along docks? Around and over rocks? All of those?

The more and the heavier the weeds/pads, the stiffer you want the rod to get the heavier fish nosed up quicker, and out easier/quicker.

Over and around rocks you can get away with a more limber rod to play the fish longer and have more fun and no need to horse the fish out of the pads and heavy weeds.

My Dobyns 693 Savy series, and 703 Savy Series rods have a limber enough tip for 1/4oz spinnerbait, but it also has a great mid section for the power. But for dedicated heavy weed and heavy pad fishing my heavy rod is better for the real quick turning of the fish to get them nosed up before they dig down into the weeds. With my Dobyns rod and the fast gear ratio of the reel you can turn the fish fast, but the fast gear ratio isn't the best for winching a big fish out of the heavy weeds and pads.

My Bass Pro Shops med heavy rod is 6'6" and is great for the weeds, but the tip is a little too stiff for a 1/4oz spinnerbait, for what I like anyway.

Also remember that big blades create more drag especially if you are going to be running a fast ratio reel like the Revo in 7.1 speed. A heavy big bladed spinner bait on a fast retrieve requires a stout rod. You also need to give us a budget since you are taking about a $200+ discrepancy between their entry level rods and their high end signature/tournament stuff (which IMHO generally isn't worth it). Why are you selecting those particular mfg's?

I have a http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Denali_J ... -DJSR.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; that is labeled a crankbait rod, but it works really well for 1/2-3/4ox spinnerbaits.

I have the http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Powell_D ... -PDCR.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; which is an all around rod that works very well for lighter spinner baits or heavier smaller bladed baits. The tip is definitely softer and the action a little faster than my Denali.

I have the http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Abu_Garc ... AGVDN.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; in 7' medium action. For some reason the Vendetta2's seem quite a bit more flexible than the original Vendettas. Must be the new blank construction. Good all around spinnerbait rod.

The http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Quantum_ ... e-QCR.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is the rod I go to for heavy cover spinnerbait fishing. Longer rod gives more leverage, has a fairly soft tip, but a ton of backbone.

i also have the http://tourstarproducts.com/index.php?m ... ucts_id=25" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; which is a technique specific spinner bait rod, but IMHO it doesn't perform any better at the job than my other non-specific rods. The no-slip grips on the rod are truly awesome though.

True dat.

Dobyns is my rod of choice. Im switching all my rods to them. They are quality made and have a great warranty.

Personally for my spinnerbaits I use a dobyns champion extreme 744 casting rod. It also doubles as a light jig rod, open water frog rod, football head rod. It is Dobyns best seller and one of the most versitile rods they make.

I was gonna put 1/2 oz. spinnerbait in my original post but opted not to thinking it was no big deal, but 1/2 is pretty much all I throw.

Will be using it mostly in open water or around docks. Not too many pads if any at all.

Go to Auburn Sports and Marine and check out the Dobyns Savvy Series. Make sure to try the model number that FishingMachine posted. That would be a great rod. And if you end up finding weeds that rod would still be great for fishing the spinnerbait right down in the weeds and be stout enough to jerk the bait thru. And you can cut off the spinnerbait and tie on a jig to fish on the bottom right in the middle of the weed patch, which you can also do with a spinnerbait, and still be able to tear the spinnerbait right on out of the weeds, even if it has a 5 pounder on the hook.

I'd go with one of these from that page/list of Savvy rods you provided. The Savvy series is about $200 less than the rod that Fishingmachine uses. All but one of my Dobyns rods are Savvy and they work great.;

Dobyns Savvy Cast Rod 7'3" Med Hvy 733
Taper Line Wt. Lure Wt. Guides Handle Type Handle Length Price Stock Qty
Fast 10-17lb 1/4-3/4oz 9+Tip Savvy Cast A
Click to View 13-1/2" $169.99 Yes

SS733C

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dobyns Savvy Cast Rod 7'3" Heavy 734
Taper Line Wt. Lure Wt. Guides Handle Type Handle Length Price Stock Qty
Fast 10-20lb 1/4-1oz 9+Tip Savvy Cast A
Click to View 13-1/2" $169.99 Yes

SS734C

Well, it does not surprise me that Dobyn's was the choice of those of you who gave input. Now, I will figure which one to get. I could afford whichever, but for a guy that does not and will never fish tournaments, I think I spent too much already, especially when bass fishing is just a hobby for me.

That 744 looks awfully nice but to validate to my better half I would probably have to sell a gun, lol.

I have another Revo on my jig rig but this will be my first Dobyn's, Thanks guy's!

OH, p.s., I was gonna get the 6.4:1, would I be better off with the 7.1:1?

Thanks again:)

For a spinnerbait I'd go with the 6.4 or 5.8 or 5.3. Ok, the 6.4. You can still burn it, and wake it. And still easy to slow it down and crawl it on the bottom, which is what a 5.3 is great at, crawling along the bottom in deep water.

Get the Savvy 734 for the 1/2 oz spinnerbait. Even the 733 will be great. I know you'll be very happy with it. $159 at Tackle Warehouse. Probably the same price at Auburn Sports and Marine. I know my Savvy rods I bought at Auburn were $139-$159 or so a couple years ago and last year. I have about 7 or 8 Dobyns rods now. Only one is an Extreme Champion.

You can also vist the Dobyn's web site and see what they recommend;

http://dobynsrods.com/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thier web site page for the Savvy Series;

http://dobynsrods.com/savvy-series" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Casting
cork-split SS 663C 6’6″ 1pc. 10-17lb, 1/4-3/4oz, Med/Hvy Fast Senkos, Jigs, Flukes, Texas Rigs, Spinnerbaits $149.99
cork-split SS 664C 6’6″ 1pc. 10-20lb, 1/4-1oz, Hvy Fast Worms, Jigs, Carolina Rigs, Spinnerbaits, Horny Toads $149.99
cork-split SS 703C 7′ 1pc. 10-17lb, 1/4-3/4oz, Med/Hvy Fast Senkos, Jigs, Flukes, Texas Rigs, Spinnerbaits $159.99
cork-split SS 704C 7′ 1pc. 10-20lb, 1/4-1oz, Hvy Fast Texas Rigs, Jigs, Carolina Rigs, Spinnerbaits, Horny Toads $159.99
cork-split SS 705C 7′ 1pc. 12-25lb, 3/8-1 1/2oz, X-Hvy Fast Heavy Jigs, Carolina Rigs, Pitchin’ Stick $159.99
cork-split SS 733C 7’3″ 1pc. 10-17lb, 1/4-3/4oz, Med/Hvy Fast Senkos, Flukes, Spooks, Spinnerbaits, Horny Toads $169.99
cork-split SS 734C 7’3″ 1pc. 10-20lb, 1/4-1oz, Hvy Fast Spinnerbaits, Buzzbaits, Senkos, Horny Toads, Jigs, Small Swims

hmmm i like to go down to Lamiglas... Woodland Wa.... less then 2 hour drive from Tacoma...... and support our local rod maker... i picked up a 7' xcf- 705 e-glass construction rod from the factory store last month for $40...i normally pick up there factory 2nds or there close-outs...

I've picked up 5 lamiglas rods that have cost me a total of $200... where retail they would have cost $960.00

so what that they don't have a warranty... if i break one i'll go back down and buy another one at $40...

I'm also on a limited budget so it's nice that i can spend the extra money on reels...or other fishing stuff...

I haven't used my Lamiglas XL 705Glass fiberglass rod, but it feels ok with the practice plug/weight on it. Where is Woodland anyway?

mile marker 21 on I-5 just north of Vancouver Wa. and Portland Or.

I decided to look it up. i didn't know that there was an acual town named 'St Helens'.

Auburn quit selling dobyns rods i ordered mine from tackle warehouse

That sucks, I still have a couple more Dobyns rods to get.

Yeah, I drove all the way up to Auburn Sports to find out they had none. So, I just went ahead and ordered up a Dobyns Extreme DX 744C along with one of those Abu Garcia Revo Winch reels in 5.4:1 retrieve left hand, don't tell my wife, haha.

Actually, wife is fine with it, it is a bunch of these that I just ordered that she may have a problem with:

http://www.powerteamlures.com/ProductDe ... ctCode=DSL" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oh well, such is life

Looks like a good craw to play with. The fish should like them too.