It seems that everywhere we turn someone is trying to sell us some new piece of tackle. We’re all jaded enough to drown out the advertisements during the Sunday morning fishing shows but now its in the forums, blogs, and even in the headers above our private emails. That said, its not really the advertisements that get me. If they were handled differently I might not be so put off.
I don’t mind being shown new product or concepts but I hate to be told what I need. I’m part of the generation that wants to be shown why, how, and when things work so that I can make an educated decision about what is right for my style.
I get emails daily asking questions about swimbait rods. I thought that perhaps instead of constantly telling people what they should get I would simply show the differences amongst the rods. What you see in this video are 3 of my all-time favorite swimbait rods. There is a 4th rod but I won’t be answering any questions about that one, not yet anyway. When its ready you’ll be the first to know and then you can decide if its right for you.
Its important to understand that we don’t all have the exact same style. These are the rods that perfectly fit my style. I’m not telling you that the rods you use are wrong, but if you’re losing fish, not feeling bites, or uncomfortable while throwing swimbaits for long hours it may be time to take a look at what I’m talking about.
The 3 rods discussed can all be found on this page at tackle warehouse.
25. March 2012 at 11:13 AM
I’m planning on getting the reel, but spending all that money on the reel, I can’t really afford an expensive rod. It is going to be used mainly for bass fishing in rivers and ponds. Not exactly sure what size or weight I should get, but obviously a bigger size.
I will probably get a nicer rod later on, but right now I’m looking for a rod not much more than $50, I will go a little over if you really recommend it.
9. February 2012 at 5:35 PM
I’m a little off topic here, but has anyone tried a dobyns 734 (champion or savvy). I got the champion 735, I fish with braid and the rod is just a little too stiff for me. Looking to use this primarily for big worms and hollow body swimbaits, but also as kind of all around rod. Any advice would be appreciated. I’m thinking of selling the 735 champion I have and picking up a savvy instead…heard they use the same blanks just scale down the components, can anyone confirm this? Also, have any of you guys tried any of the iRODS? I heard they’re updating the series to genesis 2, will be lighter and better components. I’m over here in DC, no one carries any of these rods.
23. January 2012 at 11:22 AM
Tom,
The 795 is a great rod too. It really depends on the size of the baits you’re throwing. If they’re smaller treble baits the 795 is great, if they’re larger treble baits the 806H will be a better choice. As for your reel choice, I’m really not familiar with the Daiwa line up. That reel might be fine, its just not a model I use.
21. January 2012 at 7:11 AM
I am getting ready to purchase a swimbait rod and had narrowed down my choices to the Dobyns 795 and a Daiwa TDZL801MHRB. Now after watching your video I’m not so sure either of those would be right as I most often use baits with trebles. One question is why the first two rods that you talk about flex so differently when the Dobyns website says that they are both fast action? I just stumbled upon this website and am impressed with what I’ve seen so far. Thanks for all the time and effort. Hope to here from you Matt.
21. December 2011 at 8:01 PM
Chase,
I have some pretty strong opinions about proper swimbait rods and handle lengths. I’m convinced that the reason a lot of anglers want long-handled rods is to compensate for improper rod actions. If a swimbait rod is built properly you can make long, accurate casts without torquing the rod, your arms, or needing a handle to torque on. Now, if the rod isn’t designed correctly then a handle you can leverage and torque on is required to get a lengthy cast. I hope this makes sense.
20. December 2011 at 10:04 AM
How do you come down on handle length for a swimbait rod? The Mike Long 806 has a considerably longer handle length. I watched a youtube video on why he has wanted a rod with a longer handle length but do you agree with that reasoning?
10. December 2011 at 4:13 PM
Well I wanted a new F&P rod so I looked at a lot of rods and called a lot of buddies for some personal input, and obviously a lot of people talked about Dobyn’s and when i you tubed you can came up some how, and your input as well helped. Of course i wanted the 765Flip but I can just not afford a 250$ rod at this point in life. I think the 766 will do me fine for now and I plan to keep you posted on how it goes, and how it will handle some heavy swim jigs!
9. December 2011 at 11:16 PM
Ellery,
Its funny you bring up starter rods. The reason I don’t recommend them is because I don’t know anyone who has bought them and been satisfied. Personally I think its better to spend your time attempting to throw the bait on a 7′ medium baitcaster and completely overpowering it until you’ ve saved enough to buy the right rod, than it is to try and get something that will “get you by”. The trouble with those mediocre rods is that guys are tempted to stay there and it costs them fish in the long run.
Mario,
I wish I could give you a fair comparison but I can never remember the numbering system for loomis. I’m really not sure which blank that is. That said, the 807 is a little more powerful than the “middle” rod in the Loomis swimbait line up.
Ethan,
That’s a great rod. Its not apples to apples because the 766 doesn’t have nearly as slow a taper as the 765 but it still works really well. I’d compare it more in action to the 795.
Johnathan,
I hesitate to put a number on the rod’s capacity but its a lot. I comfortably throw all my 10″ hardbaits. It starts to feel a little overloaded with those big baits but that’s okay… that’s how you want it to feel so that when you get the bites the fish stay pinned.
7. December 2011 at 9:12 PM
How heavy of a hard bait can the 806 handle?
7. December 2011 at 2:01 PM
This is a little off topic, but i thought I would throw it in here since this discussion is about rods and Ellery mentioned rod cost. I just purchased my first Dobyn’s Savvy series 766Flip (169$). I flip and pitch a lot and have had a few other broom handles that fish kept throwing hooks. Let me tell you the Dobyn’s looks like a Diamond compared to my other rods just the quality is Bad A! Another thing that is awesome is the full cork handles for the flip sticks. So many company’s are leaving this behind but it feels amazing! Matt you are always raving about the 765Flip Champion Series (250$). How will my Savvy Series 766 stack up against the 765? You always shoot it straight so don’t feel like you have to hold back if mine is not as good. I would like a true comparison. Thanks for all the advice and tips!
1. December 2011 at 3:22 AM
Another great topic Matt! I currently use a GLoomis BBR 966 for 8″ Hudds and larger baits. I bought it because it has that parabolic action like you discussed. I was wondering if you were familiar with that rod and how it compares with the 806-807mag? Thanks.
30. November 2011 at 12:19 PM
…the only thing that is lacking is perhaps inclusion of a decent recommendation for a person just getting interested in swimbait fishing, “testing the waters”…..such folks are not going to jump into dobyns from the get go likely…they certainly will once they catch a few fish though
I started out and bought the daiwa heartland big bait rod 7’9” and it has done great for the 6 inch soft baits, and 6 inch lunker punker, etc…got the recommendation from bill siemantel, and it has been a great starter rod – 80 bucks…not good for 8 inch + baits though….I am glad I bought that rod, and will continue to use it….it appears fairy similar in action to the 795ml dobyns rod (although I am certain that the dobyns will be better build quality)…I then bought a 7’11″ okuma xtraheavy for like $105…I havent liked that rod much, its a broomhandle, and wished now that I just saved and bought the 807 dobyns…or something along those lines….
Going back in time, I would have bought only one such “starter rod”, then just saved for better quality for subsequent purchases…oh well, thats what money trees are for….
thanks for the post matt…very very informative…your swimbait content is simply awesome….so good how you depicted this content so as for many of us to easily understand it!! Keep up the good work!
30. November 2011 at 10:12 AM
Mstt . . . If someone could have a Master’s in fishing rods,. . . it would be you. I Love the approach to this video. Well explained with solid visual representation. Keep it up.