Great question. I am in the same boat. I'm looking to upgrade my rods this spring and am looking at the Dobyns Champions/Extremes and 13 Fishing Envy too. Some also suggested I look at the Megabass
Orochi XX, but I'm not too thrilled with only a 3 yr warranty on a $300 rod.

For me, hands down the Xcalibur XS4(EErratic shad)I'll take a chrome, blue back and orange belly XS4 over any jerkbait on the market. I slay bass and trout with it. Nothing comes close for me.