I have the Dobyns Champ 736 to cover the heavy jigs. I have a tatula elite finesse for the finesse jigs. I now am after a 3/8 to 1/2oz jig rod. I want to spend $300 so GLoomis is out of the question. I am thinking Dobyns Exteme dx744c or the MegaBass FMJ. Extreme sensitivity is the goal obviously. Anything else is just a bonus. I have read the DX744 vs Dx745 debates and I feel that I always buy the higher powered rod when in question hence owning the DC736 for a frog rod. I want to get a 4 power because I don't have any in that range and I have read the DX744 is more like a 4.5 power which will excel at 1/2oz jigs and be ok with 3/4oz. I think that the dx745 would also be very similar to my dc736. The 2 mentioned rods can be had for less than $300. I know I can get the MB right now for that. The Dobyns would have to wait until it pops up in the refurnished store or else get a used one. I could also be talked into the DX784 stick if anyone would care to comment on that.
You guys hit the nail on the head when steering me in the right direction for a crankbait rod and dropshot rod and your advice is much appreciated.
Again... The main priority is sensitivity... not best value for my buck. I wish I could afford to try a GLoomis because I always read that their rods are what other manufacturers try to achieve as far as sensitivity is concerned. I would get one if it could be had for $300.
FMJ all the way.
Megabass and don’t look back
dx 784 hp hands down. i own jig rods in destroyer, orochii xx, Nrx, edge, 784 is my favorite rod
Check out the Kistler Helium 3 line.
The Destroyer FMJ if you can swing it. It's equal to the NRX in sensitivity and it's build quality is head and shoulders above the Loomis.
I have the FMJ and there are far better rods for the $$$$.
Not as sensitive as the GLX and heavy in hand.
For the weight you mentioned, look elsewhere.
I use mine for deep jigs/crawls and will likely sell soon.
Kistler Helium 3
On 7/21/2019 at 9:32 PM, clh121787 said:dx 784 hp hands down. i own jig rods in destroyer, orochii xx, Nrx, edge, 784 is my favorite rod
Have you fished the dx744? How does that extra length come into play? Does it do ok with 3/4oz jigs?
The Destroyer is superior to the GLX and I own a bunch of different generations of it as well as several NRX.
Lots of good deals can be had for used GLX or NRX rods on this site and others if you are patient.
I had the FMJ- it's a good rod, but I don't have it anymore. I'd recommend the Zbone MH. Sure it's more $, but IMHO, worth it for that Xray blank. The Kistler HE3 would be my next recommendation. I've tried a GLX 844 MBR and it's a good rod too, but the Kistler's offer more (again, IMHO).
My interest is now piqued with the Helium 3 especially considering it's on sale for $250. Hmm... the 7'4" MH might be the one.
On 7/21/2019 at 10:24 PM, Mikeltee said:Have you fished the dx744? How does that extra length come into play? Does it do ok with 3/4oz jigs?
never fished a 744, i own a 745 that fishes jigs really well. i fish a 3/4 oz f.b. 95 percent of the time on my 784. i love the extra length and wouldnt go any shorter than 7'6
On 7/21/2019 at 9:35 PM, Chris at Tech said:Check out the Kistler Helium 3 line.
On 7/21/2019 at 10:24 PM, LonnieP said:Kistler Helium 3
X3
My go to jig rod is a Kistler H3 7'3" H/XF.
Lots of love for the Kistlers. After reading several reviews, I think I need a heavy. I have a 7'0", 7'3", 7'4", and 7'6" to choose from. While stuck on a bank for now I think the 7'6" would help with longer casts. I am 6'2" so long rods don't bother me and I already have a frog rod. Once I get a boat, it will be great for deep water. I emailed Kistler and asked their advice and also asked for the new buyer discount. From what I read, their sensitivity is just as good or better than the Dobyns DX series for well over $100 less and its made in the US. No one beats a Dobyns warranty, but I treat all my tools with respect and the kids have their own rods so hopefully this is a moot point. I still want a Megabass, but from what I read, there is no specific rod built for the jigs I want to throw but there is no doubt that just about any of their rods would fit the bill. I will keep them in mind when its time for a punching rod. The jerkbait rod is coming from Alpha.
Dobyns has a "jig rod special" in the champion lineup - 744. The rod is made for jigs. I have one and it's great. Never thrown a DX so I cant compare.
I would go with an Expride. Much better balance then a H3 IMO, and more sensitive in my hands.
I also would recommend a shimano expride for that money. I have both a kistler helium and an expride and prefer the expride. Both rods are great, but to me the expride is more sensitive, better balanced, better grip/more comfortable in the hand (actually one of the best feeling rods I’ve ever used), and too top it off great looking stick.
the exprides impressed me big time for the money. I have like mentioned, the kistler, dobyns, g loomis imx pro’s, glx’s and nrx’s. Without a doubt the best bang for the buck and maybe most comfortable rod to fish is the expride. It’s more sensitive and nd better feeling then the imx pro’s as well. That’s where I’d put my money
Those Exprides must be nice. They are sold out everywhere.
You can get a 2019 ZBONE for $359 on an NFC Xray blank
Unfortunately that is a little over my budget and I have my heart set on a H3 which is a steal for $250 shipped. I just got to figure out which one would be best. I keep bouncing around between MH and H. I am not sure on the lengths either. I can only base it off the reviews. I am probably overthinking it. Its a freaking slab of graphite for goodness sakes.
On 7/23/2019 at 8:33 AM, Diggy said:You can get a 2019 ZBONE for $359 on an NFC Xray blank
Where??
On 7/23/2019 at 8:40 AM, Mikeltee said:Unfortunately that is a little over my budget and I have my heart set on a H3 which is a steal for $250 shipped. I just got to figure out which one would be best. I keep bouncing around between MH and H. I am not sure on the lengths either. I can only base it off the reviews. I am probably overthinking it. Its a freaking slab of graphite for goodness sakes.
Give Kistler a call and talk to Trey. He's a great guy and will get you set up.
On 7/23/2019 at 6:08 PM, rangerjockey said:Give Kistler a call and talk to Trey. He's a great guy and will get you set up.
Very good advice. Trey will go out of way to answer your questions & advise you with your selection.
The Destroyer rod is super nice, but when you're getting into rods at this price range, it's hard to go wrong.
I am going with the H3 Heavy 7'3". The specs are the same as my Dobyns Champion 736 so it will be a nice comparison. The most sensitive will be my jig rod and the other will be frog/topwater on which the dobyns is awesome for this task. They are both roughly the same price. The H3 is now 239 with free shipping. I plan to use this for >1/2oz and my tatula elite ags finesse for <1/2oz. I'll probably go.back for a MH as well as from what I read these are a steal at this price.
I still want a Destroyer and I think the war hammer might be my next punching rod.
As usual you guys were instrumental in this decision and I thank you.
On 7/24/2019 at 9:56 AM, Mikeltee said:I am going with the H3 Heavy 7'3".
I think you made a good decision. I was just gonna reply to this recommending the heavy for what you're using.
I have the 7'1" med/heavy Helium 3 that I use for Texas Rig, and it is phenomenal. But for 1/2-3/4 oz jigs, I'd definitely step up to the heavy. You're gonna love it. These blanks are crazy sensitive.
On 7/24/2019 at 12:04 PM, NorthernBasser said:I think you made a good decision. I was just gonna reply to this recommending the heavy for what you're using.
I have the 7'1" med/heavy Helium 3 that I use for Texas Rig, and it is phenomenal. But for 1/2-3/4 oz jigs, I'd definitely step up to the heavy. You're gonna love it. These blanks are crazy sensitive.
7'1 med/heavy H3 is crazy versatile. I even had a blast with smallmouth on a vision 110.
On 7/24/2019 at 9:56 AM, Mikeltee said:I am going with the H3 Heavy 7'3". The specs are the same as my Dobyns Champion 736 so it will be a nice comparison. The most sensitive will be my jig rod and the other will be frog/topwater on which the dobyns is awesome for this task. They are both roughly the same price. The H3 is now 239 with free shipping. I plan to use this for >1/2oz and my tatula elite ags finesse for <1/2oz. I'll probably go.back for a MH as well as from what I read these are a steal at this price.
I still want a Destroyer and I think the war hammer might be my next punching rod.
As usual you guys were instrumental in this decision and I thank you.
Just out of curiosity, how do you like the Tatula Elite AGS finesse? What are the specs on the one you have? How does it compare to your other rods?
On 7/25/2019 at 8:49 PM, Largies4Life said:Just out of curiosity, how do you like the Tatula Elite AGS finesse? What are the specs on the one you have? How does it compare to your other rods?
For the money the tatula elite ags is the best rod I have. Its rated 1/8 to 1oz. It's my weightless senko rod and 1/8oz jig rod. Its amazing. My most sensitive rod by far, dobyns champions being the other good rods in my arsenal and I couldn't imagine something being more sensitive than it is. I haven't thrown anything near 1oz so I cant vouch for its upper rating limit but I got other rods for that. It has no trouble yanking 5#ers through the slop. I fish ponds and theres 5' of thick grass surrounding every one of them. I did break some 6# flouro the other day bringing one through it. Its >10# from here on out. I'd call it more of a medium light than a medium. The tatula sv reel complements the finesse capabilities perfectly and it looks great too. There are no reviews that I could find but I'm glad I got it anyways. I'd imagine their spinning ags are even better for finesse.
On 7/26/2019 at 3:45 AM, Mikeltee said:For the money the tatula elite ags is the best rod I have. Its rated 1/8 to 1oz. It's my weightless senko rod and 1/8oz jig rod. Its amazing. My most sensitive rod by far, dobyns champions being the other good rods in my arsenal and I couldn't imagine something being more sensitive than it is. I haven't thrown anything near 1oz so I cant vouch for its upper rating limit but I got other rods for that. It has no trouble yanking 5#ers through the slop. I fish ponds and theres 5' of thick grass surrounding every one of them. I did break some 6# flouro the other day bringing one through it. Its >10# from here on out. I'd call it more of a medium light than a medium. The tatula sv reel complements the finesse capabilities perfectly and it looks great too. There are no reviews that I could find but I'm glad I got it anyways. I'd imagine their spinning ags are even better for finesse.
Now you're making me want to get this finesse setup when I do not need it at all! I love the Daiwa line of rods and especially reels. I've tried other reels, but always gravitate back towards my Tatula SV's and Tatula rods. I got a Tatula Elite AGS spinning rod with the Ballistic LT this past winter, but broke my hand so I was only able to use baitcasters for the past couple months. Just got my cast off this past Monday, so I'll finally be able to use this setup this weekend for the second time this year! I got the 7'4" Medium for the finesse type of applications that you're running. Threw 15 lb. braid on and will most likely run a leader as well for clearer water situations.
You can throw the lightest of gear on this rod and it will throw it. The only reason I got a spinning setup was because everyone here told me that finesse is for spinning gear. I hate spinning reels and I can only cast maybe 20% further with it. I dont use hair jigs though. The lightest I go is a ned rig with a trd and a 1/16th shroom head. A weightless senko probably isn't too much more weight and I can cast that probably 75-100 feet on the tatula rig. I'll probably continue to use the spinning gear just because I spent so much money on it but I love that d**n tatula rig. I'd get another if there was ags on the techniques I need rods for. I'm not exactly sure why they put ags on a dang frog rod unless it's a pitching stick as well.
You want a high end jig rod, Dobyns Xtasy 755.
I got the H3 mh 7'1 for 3/8 - 1/2 oz jigs and it is awesome. It really has improved my jig fishing! I still fish Trigs on a 1st gen Helium mh 6'9 these rods just fish so good. Trey will help you decide and won't try to talk you in to anything except the right rod for what you want to fish on it.
Rick
On 7/22/2019 at 6:24 AM, Jrob78 said:My go to jig rod is a Kistler H3 7'3" H/XF.
How would this double as a frog rod?
On 2/11/2020 at 1:44 PM, pauldconyers said:How would this double as a frog rod?
My initial thought is it might be a bit stiff but I've really only used it as a heavy jig rod 1/2oz and up.
I can't speak to the other manufactures but a Dobyns Champion 736C is a far different rod that the Extreme 744C. The Champion 744C "jig Special" has a very fast yet active tip. It casts well and locks up pretty quick. My preference would be the Extreme 745C HP in full grip. For the extra investment you get much better components and sensitivity. You can frog with it as well. If all you fish are football jigs and find yourself a "dragger" the Extreme 784C HP is a great choice and is a second for a lighter pitching stick. All have exceptional balance.
I picked up a Steez rod recently, hasn't disappointed.
Daiwa Steez AGS 7'5" MH/H Bottom Contact
I wish Kistler’s had some decent cork on them, otherwise I do really like the nfc blanks. In the price range and weight range you’re looking at, the 7’3” mh is just about perfect. But for me personally I haven’t found a rod I like better than an nrx. I use the nrx cr873 for over 1/2oz jigss, a glx 893 for under 1/2oz and a 852c or 842c for the finesse stuff.