Bass Fishing Forum

Hey all,

Sorry for not having been as active on the forum as I'd like to be. Don't forget to follow me on Intsagram and Twitter @dam0007bass. I'm always updating and communicating with people on those platforms.

Any how hopefully most of y'all have seen my post regarding the DX 743C HP. If you haven't check it out here,

http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=147155.0

Well boys and girls I have another rod recommendation for everyone and it's a shocker. Before I get into the rod let me state, I typically only run 3 spinning rods period.
1 Medium Light: drop shot, spy baits, hairjigs
1 Medium: shaky head, Neko Rig, tubes, finesse baits
1 Medium Heavy: wacky senkos, paddle tail swimbaits
Another reason why I limit myself to 3 is that I was never really a fan of any of the reel seats. I've literally begged Gary to change the seats or reverse them so the grip is above the reel. But the general census seems to be all over the place with preference. With that said I had a tournament at 1000 Islands this past week and knew I was going to be doing a lot of stuff requiring spinning tackle. I had reached out to Paul Mueller awhile back and he gave me a couple recommendations, some of which I didn't want to crack the piggy bank for so I improvised. I picked up 4 rods over the past month and this trip was the first time using some of them.

(2) DC 702SF XP
(1) DC 733SF XP
(1) DX 703SF HP

So what rod stood out and impressed me the most in actual use?

Drumroll please.........

DC 733SF XP

My intentions with this rod was primarily for tubes but that quickly changed as strong winds made fast current where I found myself drop shotting with up to 3/4oz weights. As most of the Dobyns rods that you would drop shot with they have a more logical hook keeper to stow the weight end of the line as they are split grip. This rod does have a full grip and the more traditional hook keeper which isn't ideal for drop shot. You end up having the 'leader' dangle when the hook is stowed. Again, my intentions for this rod wasn't for drop shot to begin with, exposed hooks on tubes was the plan.

Let's jump to use, this thing is ridiculously sensitive for the price point. From 3/8oz to 3/4oz in varying current I was able to detect every single bump snag and Goby nibble constantly. I've set the hook on nothing multiple times but when a smallie would come up and munch I was able to NOT feel anything at the precise times to start lifting and winding as the fish would bring the weight off the bottom into the current. The 4 days on the water I had only lost 1 fish on this rod but had caught 100s.  The taper of the rod is very light in the tip, very crisp, while the back bone is very strong but isn't overpowering at all for a medium rated rod. This definitely helped and kept these Ontario smallies pinned. Also the 7'3" length didn't feel cumbersome at all drop shotting off the bow. I'm really impressed with the blank and I believe the Fuji guides are a bonus adding to the sensitivity over the previous generation Kigans. The full grip cork is a plus in my book as well, kinda on the fence about split grip as it is. This rod will be seeing some duplicates delivered to the house this winter for sure. It truly was a joy to fish.

As time passes now owning this rod, I can definitely see this as a go to rod for dozens of techniques. Especially shaky heads which I like to stay in the 3/16-1/4oz range... I would compare it to the DX703 that I used on this trip but that wouldn't be fair to either rod. I would really need to compare it to the DX 743SF HP but I don't even see the need.

If you're like me and don't need tons of spinning rods but are in the market for a versatile stick that can do a lot. Be sure to give this rod a look! Any questions feel free to shoot me a message anytime. I'll be more than happy to help.

Gear used on 733
Fuego LT 2500 5:1 ratio, Sunline SX1 20lb main line, Sunline Sniper 7 and 10lb as leader, Woo! tungsten cylinder drop shot weights, Gamakatsu Aaron Martens TGW hooks 1/0. Various baits.

Edit** > Prior to using these rods the only Dobyns spinning rods I have used were Sierra 702 703 and 704. I really only keep 3 on the boat  lo

Thanks for a great write up on DC 733SF. This rod is a tiny bit slower than the new DX 743SF. BUT, this rod blank is my older DX blank (the Chameleon Brown/green one that was DX 743SF. I knocked 1/2" off the butt and call it a Champ 733SF). It is such a great rod... but I changed to better materials in new DX. Still old DX was killer so I took that blank and made it into Champion cosmetics and call it DC 733SF. Yes my $$ margins are not great but the rod is :)  I still fish it as well. Thanks again for such a detailed review.

Thanks for the write up Dave and good to see you drop by when you have time and share your experiences with us. Oh and since you ask for it here ya go.

Quote from: Lipripper on September 20, 2019, 05:44:41 PM
Thanks for the write up Dave and good to see you drop by when you have time and share your experiences with us. Oh and since you ask for it here ya go.

(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1396/1Z5jZD.gif)(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1396/1Z5jZD.gif)(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1396/1Z5jZD.gif)(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1396/1Z5jZD.gif)(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1396/1Z5jZD.gif)(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1396/1Z5jZD.gif)

lmaooo any time!

Thanks for the great write up! You just made up my mind on the next rod I will be getting. I fish Erie a lot and needed a new dropshot rod since the wife stole my other one.

Dam0007 & Gary Dobyns,,
After doing a little search on the internet about the DC 733sf, I found a couple of your reviews/opinions on it, including this one. Thanks! It helped me decide to order 2 of them....couldn't pass up the deal going on right now.  I plan on using them for tubes up on Erie, and other plastics like wacky rigs, Neko rig, and whatever else. Again, thanks!
Jeff

Quote from: ohiobass on March 31, 2020, 10:35:42 PM
Dam0007 & Gary Dobyns,,
After doing a little search on the internet about the DC 733sf, I found a couple of your reviews/opinions on it, including this one. Thanks! It helped me decide to order 2 of them....couldn't pass up the deal going on right now.  I plan on using them for tubes up on Erie, and other plastics like wacky rigs, Neko rig, and whatever else. Again, thanks!
Jeff

Awesome! Late reply. How you liking the rods?

Quote from: Dam0007 on August 17, 2020, 01:34:50 PM
Awesome! Late reply. How you liking the rods?

Love'n them! Perfect rod for tubes/small swimbaits for smallies!!! Looking to get a DC 764SF in near future, for deeper tubes up on Erie.