Dobyns HP Extreme 703SF Rod REVIEW!! (worth $340???)

[@vhaanlen1]

I have a few Dobyns. I pick them up new and used. Part of the price difference that I willing pay is for the warranty. Dobyns offers the option to trade up, replace broken rods, and resell on the used market, no time limit. Because their warranty is so good, you’re always going to pay less to replace in case of damage. It’s a piece of mind I haven’t been able to find with other high quality brands.

[@PunchFishing]

Very good information!

[@jacobturner9947]

Love my Dobyns, specifically the Xtasy 722 dropshot rod. I can feel the fish breath.

[@nawinchester]

This year I realized the value of drop shotting with a longer rod and this was after I already sold my Xtasy 722 that I never liked as a ML rod to throw lighter / smaller paddle tail swimbaits and ned rigs, just too stiff. But as I started to rethink my drop shot set up, I started to think that I may have had the best drop shot rod in my lineup and didn't know it. Do you use the 722 to vertically fish the DS or do you just cast with it?

[@jacobturner9947]

@@nawinchester I honestly do both. I've had many high-end DS rods. The Xtasy is my bread and butter. My setup is perfectly balanced. I totally understand what @punchfishing was talking about with how they are heavy but a well balanced setup will feel lighter in the hand.

[@nawinchester]

@@jacobturner9947 I am laser focused on picking up a 722 this winter to make it my go to drop shot rod next year. I had the 722 and 752 and sold them both. Regret selling the 722. I currently have the 723, and I think this could be one of my favorite rods for weightless texas rigged senkos. And my 753 is my all time favorite tube rod. I love the Xtasy line of rods.

[@jacobturner9947]

@@nawinchester It's funny I actually want to pick up the 723 for weightless senkos, shaky heads, tubes and high wind/heavy DS. I live in upstate NY so I fish the great lakes and bigger bodies of water. I feel like those 2 rods will cover just about any finesse applications.

[@nawinchester]

@@jacobturner9947 the 723 is one of my favorite sticks. I've experienced over the summer where I was fishing a heavily grassed largemouth bass lake and I couldn't think of anything to throw that wouldn't get snagged and it dawned on me that throwing a weightless Texas rigged worm would probably be the best option. I tied that on the 723 and started catching fish left and right and I could feel the pickup in my hands every single time a bass would hit that worm and I had enough power to pull them out of the grass without feeling like the rod was underpowered or I was at risk and losing fish. That day on the water told me everything I needed to know about how good that 723 was. I'll have one of those in my arsenal always going forward

[@somthegreat7430]

Picked up an Expride B spinning rod. I'd say they're just as sensitive as the HP lineup. But, I disliked the handle on the Expride. It covers a big portion of the blank where my index and middle finger would be. Note that this is a comment 2 years after this video was made and they refreshed the Expride B spinning rod. Action and power ratings will always be subjective. I've owned the Adrenas/NRX/Megabass as well but I feel that dobyns handle fish better than the above. My first rod was an NRX and I had a hard time adjusting to anything less than a XFast taper 7 years ago. As time goes on I've realized that dobyns have found that sweet spot of mod fast/ fast taper to fight fish the way you want to. Edit: I enjoy your rod reviews more than anyone else. Keep em coming.

[@thejuror2009]

I love my many, many Dobyns, but I agree with most of what you’re saying. I’ve always thought the Sierra, Champ, and XP add about $100 overpriced. Like a lot of people, I love the balance and the overall ergonomics-I love that they haven’t gone to super small diameter grips like everyone else. They’re just comfortable and enjoyable to fish. But yeah, my Shimano and Daiwa rods are far superior in terms of their blanks.

[@nawinchester]

PS, appreciate the review and the feedback. As always pretty spot on. Next up Xtasy line and Whipsnake reviews.

[@PunchFishing]

Whipsnake is coming up soon! I aint buying any Xtasy's.

[@nawinchester]

@@PunchFishing Looking forward to the whipsnake, does it stay or does it get punted down the road.... That is the question... Regarding Xtasy, I can assure you its better than any St Croix you have ever fished... And it may not be NRX good, but its GLX good with better components.... You'll still have grip issues, but everything else is SUPERB.... My 7'5 and 7'2 balance at the locknut with the Daiwa Tatula LT SS Limited Edition spinning reel, which is ridiculously light... Treat yourself, you will enjoy it, even if you don't tell everyone you bought one to review it.... :-)

[@3lshchrisw]

I would say if your going to review the rod that since they state the use for each of there rods. I would have preferred to hear your opinion if it fits it's stated use case vs what the action of the rod is.

[@natesomers5387]

You talked me into the ex pride a while back and for the money you can’t beat them ps do a tackle unboxing!!!

[@texbassman681]

Great Review; I am a Dobyns fan; I own eight Champion XP casting rods and love them. I own one spinning combo and was looking at upgrading that rod and seriously looking at the HP and the Poison Adrena; thanks to this video, I know where my money is going. Again, I appreciate your honest opinion.

[@pdfahie]

I have listened to multiple livestreams with gary dobyns, and came away very impressed. I have also watched a few The Hook Up tackle shop videos. I get the impression that they look down on dobyns rod brand.

[@PunchFishing]

🤷‍♂️ I'm not particularly passionate about Dobyns one way or another.

[@russelljambers7311]

Great reviews man! Looking forward to more. Can't find a medium Expride or I would have gotten one already.

[@SpotlockBros]

Thanks for the view. How is its sensitivity compared to Daiwa Tatula elite 7’3 medium and st croix?

[@jameshartley2302]

Would you take this or St. Croix 7’1” MF versatile for all around finesse? I like Dobyn’s but I hate their grip on spinning rods

[@JM-zp1il]

Is this the best camera angle you can come up with???

[@PunchFishing]

Hah, fair point! I need to get a real camera setup.

[@skidemn]

I love the Dobyn’s Champion HP spinning rods because my finger and thumb ARE on the blank. That is a much better feel for me than my whole hand on the reel seat. I fish the DX742 for dropshot and I think the 3 power is way too stiff for Ned rigs. I actually just got rid of my last high end Loomis to pick up more of these because fit, finish and balance of the Loomis sucks in comparison. Exprides are a nice value, but I don’t think it matches sensitivity in my own experience. I also don’t buy a rod based on the label, but rather on the action I want so if I wanted a faster action I would have selected a different DX model for comparison.

[@Dropshot1]

I’m looking at the dx 742

[@Dropshot1]

Dx 742 is an amazing drop shot rod!

[@paulschueller3131]

Do you have any Daiwa Steez AGS rods to review? I just got a Tatula 7' ML spinning and love the action of it. Makes me wonder if I should think about a Steez a few years down the road. Thanks!

[@PunchFishing]

I have had Steez rods in the past and they are phenomenal quality. I don't have any in the current rotation but I have been tempted.

[@rolocomurphy]

I’m the same with choking up on the handle for spinning rods. I had to get rid of my dobyns champ extreme dx742 and dx743. Used the to fund custom rods built the way I like them. Good review on the Champ extremes, I agree 100% with you on all points.

[@PunchFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@Justin.Hawkins]

Nail on the head man. I was a dobyns fan boy for a few years, use to have my “but the balance” answer to everything. Found a sweet deal on an expride for $200 bucks and have since sold all my dobyns. Tremendous warranty is the best thing they have going for them. But I think dobyns fan boys are the greatest salesmen for their products

[@Justin.Hawkins]

Also on the bend test, every hp rod I owned seemed to have a soft tip and I feel like it really effected the sensitivity

[@nawinchester]

@@Justin.Hawkins HP are great moving bait rods, tremendous forgiveness with the parabolic bend.

[@eugenejohnson8635]

I just wondering if a Shimano Stella fj 3000 or the Daiwa exist LT 3000 is it to big for ass are get the 2500 which one is the best on that rod in the Dobyns champion rod

[@makcatchem9614]

Do you think the Daiwa Tatula has better sensitivity?

[@wills.fishing1071]

Based on you opinion on the grips, have you used the Daiwa Tatula Elite, particularly the Seth Feider model for hair jigs and Ned rigs

[@PunchFishing]

Yes I've had two tatula elite spinning rods and they were very good. The grips are fantastic.

[@nawinchester]

Totally agree with your assessment on sensitivity and parabolic action. That's why I think Dobyns is so popular with fisherman who use them to fish moving baits. Tremendous parabolic action to keep fish pinned. I have a couple of MH HPs that are awesome spinnerbait and chatterbait rods. My Dobyns HPs are not my finesse sticks they are power finesse sticks. My Xtasy rods are my finesse sticks where sensitivity matters. The 722 Xtasy may be the drop shot rod you've been searching for. The Xtasy like is stupid sensitive and very light. HP line is a work horse line and Xtasy is the feel line of rods.

[@colinmcgaheyful]

My main spinning set up is an NRX 852s. And I've handled xtasy rods in stores. Never fished em. I'd say they are almost if not lighter than the NRX. And the cork is unreal. Again never fished one but id like to.

[@trextrextrex]

When have you ever got 35% off an Expride?

[@PunchFishing]

Pre-covid man, those were the days. New Exprides for $200 shipped.

[@Unspoke]

You make fair points in this video. I agree with most of them, especially the price point because $340 (MRSP) is a lot to pay for a rod and I feel like Dobyns is cashing in extra money for something that shouldn’t be in the $300+ range. I do, however, like the soft (whippy) action of the rod. This is where the rod shines the best because when it helps when I’m making a long cast or reeling in a big fish (because the fish will stay pinned longer whereas compared a stout, stiffer rod). I have the fan-favorite DX742sf and it’s worthy of the price that I paid for it when Dobyns had their 40% sale but no more than that (unless I broke it and send it in for $100 replacement...which did happened *sigh*). Lastly, the sensitivity is like you described. It is not as sensitive as it should be, but again, the softer action of the rod makes up for the difference. Unless you’re fishing ultra-finicky fish like in the winter time, the difference isn’t so bad. It’s just something that people need to adjust with. Overall, solid review. Most fishermen should not be turned off by this review because the Dobyns Extreme HP is still a great rod. It just comes down to personal preferences. The average fisherman will still be pleased with rod no matter what. As for the seasoned fisherman who already had a couple of higher end rods, this rod might not suit their style. Regardless, thanks for the video!

[@PunchFishing]

Yeah I didn't want to sound overly negative, but I had to put it into context of the price point and it's current competition. There is SO many options when you go north of $300 and I had to say that personally, I don't feel this rod stands out in that class. The soft action is definitely NOT a negative.

[@Unspoke]

@@PunchFishing I don’t think your review is negative. It’s very fair. I’m not a Dobyns fanboy but I do like some their rods. I think this will upset the Dobyns community (lol) but they’re biased so 🤷🏻‍♂️.

[@trextrextrex]

2 things. I used tobe a Lews man from way back when I fished. after a bad experience with their warranty people recently no more Lews rods. Dobyns builds their rods a little heavier. Gary has 2 or 3 hour videos with Hellabass explaining a lot Also actions run a little lower in some models. I have a Champ 734 which is supposed to be a heavy and it's on the high side of medium Hvy

[@lusaeteurn6850]

How do you think it compares to Expride 7ft light+ rod?

[@PunchFishing]

In what regards?

[@xCruZChaos]

Great review again Brian. I'm excited to hear your thoughts on the Whipsnake, Landsat, and that Expride 7' Light+. I got my hands on the Poison Adrena 267MLF spinner. For what I paid, it's filthy. But even at full retail, I don't think it would be a bad buy. One of the nicest finesse rods I've ever used, and that's coming from a guy who has used pretty much every spinning rod in both the NRX and conquest series, as well as most St. Croix legend elite/x models. The Adrena is great for neds, light dropshots, finesse plastics or paddletails, etc. I fish a lot for walleyes as well and the rod is phenomal for those techniques too. It fishes 1/4 oz and under beautifully. This rod is interesting though. They have it listed as a 6'7, but it fishes more like a 6'9 or 6'10. The Adrena has a shorter handle, which is about 2" shorter than my loomis and croix rods that are 6'10... however, when you compare and measure how much blank extends past the reel seat itself, the adrena ends up only being 0.75" shorter than my 6'10 rods that I own. So although this rod is marketed as a 6'7, it ends up fishing more like a 6'9, as the reduction of length is mainly from the handle itself, not the rod tip. This makes the rod insanely light too... only weighed 3.1oz on my scale. Insane. Have this paired with a 2500 stradic CI4+ (getting vanford soon hopefully) and the balance is perfect. Sensitivity wise I'd rank it on par with GLX, maybe a bit better due to the handle. It isn't NRX/Conquest sensitive, but its just a small step down. As for power, I was pleasantly surprised with how much power the rod actually had when loaded on a fish, even with it being a medium light. And although it is a fast action, the rod still transitions into backbone pretty quick. Overall I think this is a rod that people should be considering when looking for a more versatile finesse spinning rod. I've had a blast with it over the last 3 months, and I really think other people would too.

[@PunchFishing]

I'm doing the Landsat soon but I got an Addermine being delivered tomorrow that I want to reference in my review.

[@kayakfishingforpredators9107]

I’ve been looking at this line of rods at TWs. This episode is more than welcome. A Shimano Poison Adrena 7-6 spinning is now ordered at my local tackleshop. Delivery time about 8 weeks, about Christmas. Next is a new Shimano Vanquish spinning-reel to complete this setup. Vanquish is a European model and is positioned between Stella and Exsense.

[@xCruZChaos]

To my knowledge there is no such thing as a 7'6 spinning poison adrena. They only make a 6'7 and a 6'11 as of right now.

[@davidrauschenbach6871]

@@xCruZChaos yes, they have a 7.6 med 2pc spinning rod. Believe it’s a reg fast action. And a lot of other lengths and actions for the Japanese and European markets!

[@xCruZChaos]

@@davidrauschenbach6871 I stand corrected then, just found it. That’s cool that they make it in a 7’6, but I don’t think I’d bother with it since it’s a 2 piece. Just not my thing. But the 6’7 is sweet money.

[@rmbassfishing]

Do you have any plan of doing review on the new zodias

[@PunchFishing]

No, not anytime soon.

[@ChocoYGO]

I agree quite a bit with you man. I used dobyns for about 2 years before i started branching out into Exprides. I have 3 Dobyns left and am wanting to replace those as well. They weight of the rod has my arms wore out if it's the only rods i'm using all day which sucks because my top 3 techniques are on those dobyns. Swim Jigs, Chatterbaits, and Spinnerbaits. All 3/8-1/2oz. Any recommendation for a Expride or Zodias that can handle these techniques? I had 1 72MH Expride i'm going to be throwing swimjigs on for sure but unsure about spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits. Also open to Megabass recommendations. Have 2 Destroyers (Dark Sleeper and FMJ) and i love them.

[@PunchFishing]

The 7'2 MH Glass expride is exactly what your looking for. It's fantastic at chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and squarebills.

[@victorsimonsen921]

when you going to do the expride 7 ft lite+?

[@PunchFishing]

I'm not quite sure yet. I used it for ONE technique last year and I don't feel I'm ready to give a full review on it yet because I need to throw some more things on it.

[@ricardoborralho9421]

It is a good shaky head rod?

[@PunchFishing]

It's kinda soft but it would do it in a pinch.

[@On_The_Hook-JT]

Love the video. I’m a Dobyns fan boy with my entire line up being the fury series. However….I agree with you; as I’m slowly upgrading all my combos to the “mid-range” ($450-$500 combo) I find myself buying exprides for the weight and finish/ergos.

[@drunknnirish]

I had a 703 Sierra and I had to put a Daiwa BG on it just to balance it so yea not impressed.

[@johnmiller5953]

Hot take: shimano expride 7’ light+ is an excellent drop shot rod

[@justinowen513]

PunchFishing, love your videos. You really should try out the Alpha Angler clutch or DSR. I too have legend x, glx's and expride. The alpha's blew my mind. Grip is exactly what your looking for. Balance with a tatula Lt is best I've ever seen, sensitivity is top notch (I think it's the NFC xray blank) for sub 300 dollar rods they are unreal. No affiliation just one rod snob to another 👍

[@PunchFishing]

If I have a chance to snag one of them used I probably would check it out.

[@chadrichey1969]

Thank you for turning me onto Omnia Fishing!! Just ordered your favorite Expride 😉 ( 7'2 Heavy) and I saved 75 bucks over TW! I really wanted to try a Megabass Perfect Pitch but geeeezzzzz you can't find one anywhere! Thanks again! Keep up the great work, love the videos and your taste in gear! DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS!? (MOVIE REFERENCE) 😂👍

[@PunchFishing]

They have a great black friday sale going on!

[@bryanstuckey1870]

Loom is GLX still the most comfortable handle as far as I am concerned.

[@PunchFishing]

It's pretty good!

[@makcatchem9614]

Daiwa Tatula handle best. Prove me wrong,

[@basschaser9356]

Worth $350? No. but with the great warranty it definitely pay for itself if broken . But you can buy new dobyns for 20% off throughout the year

[@lightsoutlitch6278]

Here are some of my thoughts on Dobyns. I own a handful of different rod companies and Dobyns is one of my favorites. One thing that is important is that I personally like their casting so MUCH more than their spinning. I have only owned a Sierra, but I have fished others that friends have. I have a tackle shop 30 min away from my house that carry a ton of dobyns rods, so I have handles dozens of models. The only spinning rod that I would ever buy from them is the Champ Extreme 742 which seems much better than all the others. The 732 XP also seems nice. Also, the Extremes and Sierras are all much more parboilic than the XPs. Some of the best casting models in my opinion is all of the XPs, and the 745 and 746 extreme. The XP casting rods seem the best balanced and best value. Those 2 extremes that I mentioned are very good jig rods in my opinion with their more parabolic action. They are also much more sensitive than the other extremes. I’ve used a friend’s 745. Over all, don’t love their spinning rods except for that one or two models, but their casting rods are great in my opinion, especially the XP and those two extremes. And that is a great example of me trying to be concise and going on forever. Great video!

[@PunchFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@walter992]

A couple things you missed the mark on. Dobyns is made in the USA. Dobyns are heavier than allot of rods but they will outlast Loomis, Shimano, etc. What really separates Dobyns from most others is their customer service. Shimano is one of the worst and Loomis is a complete joke. Spend $70 bucks for expedited service and wait 4-6 weeks for your rod. I sold all my GLX rods as they are not durable at all. To each their own, I am sticking with Dobyns.

[@grandfishing590]

The megabass whip snake has a amazing balance point for guys who choke the reel, which I do. Even with a 2000 tatula lt it’s perfect. It’s sucks to see companies not having a good grip for choking the reel. Especially dobyns when they use the same reel seat for all of their rods.

[@PunchFishing]

I have the Whipsnake and will be talking about that in the near future.

[@BassinIndiana]

Shimano fanboy calling dobyns guys fanboys. Lol.

[@PunchFishing]

Technically I'm a Megabass fanboy

[@Dropshot1]

I will admit I do like Dobbins rods. But I recently purchased the rouBanis 743 spinning rod and it weighed 5.1 ounces. That’s just unacceptable, quickly returned it

[@MackWhite-d6s]

great rod! your always bashing dobyns to tho

[@ryandoll3684]

I have a DX703C and DX704C thankful I paid 40% Off because I definitely wasn't impressed if I paid full price ! The casting models are whippy and 1 power less than what they claim! I do also own an Xtacy 722sf and I'm slowly liking it more and more but its super parabolic also im my opinion ! And I think my Legend Elite is more sensitive than my Xtacy 🎣 I feel the parabolic action takes away from the sensitivity in my experience 🤔 Xtacy is a sweet rid but not for 550

[@quinnadams3035]

Traded a few poison Adrena's for champion extremes and 2 months later decided to sell them to buy back my Adrena's. No more dobyns for me.

[@PunchFishing]

Interesting, why?

[@quinnadams3035]

@@PunchFishing For the price point the sensitivity, build quality and actions are to a much higher standard then the extremes. To me its a night and day difference.

[@MrPhoenix1800]

Good video nice to know that Dobyns is lacking in the sensitivity realm. I will stick with loomis and Megabass

[@lakeforkmafia]

I sold all my dobyns the quality of the new rods is terrible

[@jordanp5163]

Dobyns are overpriced, over rated, and lack the sensitivity for the price.

[@lexm0]

Yeah man, one of my fellow tackle junky friends traded me his Xtasy 746 for my 7'2 hvy Poison Adrena and after about a week we both concluded that you can just buy 2 Adrenas for a little over the price of one Xtasy rod.

[@ChocoYGO]

I totally agree with you to be honest. I was drinking the dobyns Kool aid for a couple years until I picked up some exprides. I went from 16 dobyns down to 3 in under a year. I'm now running exprides, 2020 zodias, destroyers, and the 3 dobyns I have left are for swim jigs, chatterbaits, and spinnerbaits. Looking to replace them though. Have a FR734, DC736CB-GLASS, and a KD714C I'm wanting to replace with zodias rods probably.

[@bigfah2506]

@@lexm0 Dobyns doesn't make a 746 Xtasy.... They make a 723, 724, 725, 753, 754, and 755 in casting models. They Champ Hp comes in a 746 and I think the only other model is the Kaden which isnt even out. Know what you're talking about.

[@tphvictims5101]

Too many commercials

[@PunchFishing]

Sign up for youtube premium! Never see ads ever again. It's wonderful.

[@bxcloud104]

Thanks for exposing Dobyns rods and showing people that there's better options out there.

[@PunchFishing]

I wasn't really trying to expose Dobyns by any means. I do think it is a quality product but my main criticism is the price point and handle design.

[@bxcloud104]

@@PunchFishing Yeah, I get that you're just giving an honest review. I had the same rod and the same experience, hence the sudden spurt. I heard there's a new Extreme coming so maybe it'll help justify the price per performance.