Dobyns DX702SF vs DX742SF

[BB144]

Ok, one of the threads I was really interested in before the crash was the DX702SF vs DX742SF thread. There was some great info in there and I'm hoping we can get some reposted here and add some new info. Civicrr, I'm sure we'd all appreciate having your feedback on the 2 rods back in this thread, if you don't mind (and any new comparison you've got for us).

I'm still deciding between these 2 rods myself and I'm hoping to get some hands on time with the rods this spring at one of the few "local" dealers (local means 3hrs away in this case )

[Mike Andrews]

I don't know how it'll fish yet but I've got a 742 inbound. The lost thread was at least part of the reason I bought it....

[Peacheater81]

Also interested...Subscribed!

[bstuckey]

Based on civicrr's reply to a post that I made a couple of months ago inquiring about the DX742SF I bought one and it just feels right. Good solid butt section with a fast tip. I believe that the DX702SF is actually a little faster action than the DX742DX. There is about 4feet of ice on the lakes up here right now so I haven't actually fished it. Civicrr has time on the water and some truck bumper time in with the rod so I'm sure he will respond.

[civicrr]

Civicrr has time on the water and some truck bumper time in with the rod so I'm sure he will respond.

Ah yes, the scientific truck bumper test.

Lets see, here is a quick recap. I owned a Champion 702SF & liked it. Bought a Extreme DX702SF Finesse. The rod was light & super sensitive BUT it was about 1/2 power lighter in power vs the Champion. Not only lighter in the tip but the butt as well. Picked up the DX742SF a couple of months ago. Nirvana.

The DX742SF continues to impress me. I drove up to a foothill lake last week. Compared to the Cal Delta, my home water, the lake had much better clarity & less cover. Sticks that day were the DX702SF, DX742SF, DX742C, 764CB & the DX744C (jigs). I primarily used the two spinning rods cuz the fish were playing hard to get.
I fished dropshot (1/8 with 4.5" robo) & flickshake (1/8 with 4.8" flickshake or 6" fat robo) with both rods. I did use a 3/8oz weight dropshotting just to see/reaffirm how the rods would handle the weight. Both rods are using Stradic 2500 reels spooled with 20lb braid & 8lb fluoro leader for this trip.

I did not fish the dropshot vertical. Rather I was casting towards targets - shore or structure. IIRC, max depth was only 20'.

Both rods were able to feel 'loaded' & cast the 1/8oz baits well. As you might imagine, the lighter powered 702SF did load better, Interestingly, I didn't lose any casting distance with the 742SF. This was easy to see with the flickshake. Being a more compact bait, it wasn't a matter of dealing with the long leader when casting. Obviously, the 742SF is 4" longer but I think It is more than that. The 742SF unloaded more powerfully on the cast. I don't think that the rod actually has a faster action. I think that it just has more power in reserve. None of the fish were big. They were all in the 13-14" range. (Best fish of the day at 2lbs 10oz was taken on the 744 & a football jig.) Both rods handled them well with the 702SF flexing more deeply. Keep in mind cover is rocks & some light wood/laydowns.

A switch to the 3/8oz weight on the dropshot rig confirmed my opinion on power. Although rated up to 1/2oz, I personally wouldn't like to use more than 3/8oz on the 702SF. Conversely, the 742SF handled the 3/8oz weight easily. (I didn't test the rods with more weight 'cuz I wouldn't be using them for larger lures.) As the day progressed, I found myself throwing the flickshake more on the 742SF. It was the better producing lure & I liked the rod better.

Now, here is the flipside of the coin regarding the power & lures weight for the 702SF. Although both rods are rated down to 1/8oz, I feel that the 702SF could easily throw lighter. If I did a lot of vertical dropshot (watching the graph in open water type fishing) the 702SF might be a better choice.

On some of the very light bites, you'd see the 702SF tip flex while feeling it. On the 742SF, predictably, less flex but still no problems feeling 'em suck in the bait.

With the Stradic 2500, the 702SF balances better by about 3/8".

[BB144]

Thanks for the info civic!

Personally I'm leaning towards the 702SF right now. Upon reading your last description, the 742SF sounds a lot like the Crucial DS rod I'm trying to "replace." The rod works great for 3/16-3/8oz dropshots, but I'm looking for something specifically for 1/8-3/16oz, which is what I fish 95% of the time. The Crucial will work, and it sounds like the 742SF will also, but it sounds like the 702SF is more what I'm looking for. I do a lot of line and tip watching when dropshotting, so the lighter 702 might be what I want.

I'm hoping to get some hands on time with either of these rods (preferably both!) when I make the drive over to the "local" Dobyns dealer.

[civicrr]

You might see if the dealer has a DX701SF too. I saw it briefly at the local sports show last month. From what I've told, it was developed for guys fishing gin clear water, real light line/weights & fishing vertically.

[Mike Andrews]

Civicrr, IIRC you stated that the DX742SF seemed to be about a half power lighter than your Champion 702SF. Am I remembering that correctly and do you still have that impression?

I crappie fish in a big way. Started out last year with a pair of Champion 702's and upgraded to DX701SF's later. Both work well for my main fishing style, vertical jigging, but the 701's are just a bit lighter than I really prefer while the 702's are just a tad heavy. Not too heavy as I can still see the tip flex on really light bites. I ordered a 742 since it seems to be the best of both based on your reviews. Should be here this week and I've got a Stradic 1000 inbound to match up with it.

LOVES me some Dobyns!!

[BB144]

Civicrr, IIRC you stated that the DX742SF seemed to be about a half power lighter than your Champion 702SF. Am I remembering that correctly and do you still have that impression?

I crappie fish in a big way. Started out last year with a pair of Champion 702's and upgraded to DX701SF's later. Both work well for my main fishing style, vertical jigging, but the 701's are just a bit lighter than I really prefer while the 702's are just a tad heavy. Not too heavy as I can still see the tip flex on really light bites. I ordered a 742 since it seems to be the best of both based on your reviews. Should be here this week and I've got a Stradic 1000 inbound to match up with it.

LOVES me some Dobyns!!

I believe the it's the DX702SF that fishes a half power lighter than the 702SF and DX742SF. The DX702SF is technically rated as DX702SF FINESSE. So it should fish about like a 1.5 power, if there was one.

[civicrr]

I believe the it's the DX702SF that fishes a half power lighter than the 702SF and DX742SF. The DX702SF is technically rated as DX702SF FINESSE. So it should fish about like a 1.5 power, if there was one.

TxBudda, the above is corrrect.

[SamF]

Hey guys I furiously searched for "DX702SF" on here and saw this amazing thread. Tons of great information. I currently use a Powell 7' Med Lt Xfast 702MLEF for drop shotting - both pitching to targets and vertical presentations. I usually use a 5/16 oz. weight on 7 lb. Sunline Fluoro and will sometimes go lighter or heavier depending on the situation. Given that Powell tends to be a little more powerful than average, would you still say go with the longer DX742SF? Or would I be able to get away with the shorter DX702SF with a 3/8 oz. weight? Which one would be comparable? I'm guessing the 742...but I would like to stay with the shorter rod and the split grip. Thanks.

[civicrr]

Either one would work. How heavy is the cover? Are you typically nose hooking or weedless (t-rig style)? Or will you be doing both?

[SamF]

Usually pretty light...scattered rocks, some isolated weeds. I almost always nose hook using standout hooks. It's usually a vertical presentation for me. I saw your details about the DX742SF being about 1/2 power lighter than the Champion 702SF and got worried I'd be disappointed.

[civicrr]

The DX742S & Champion 702S are the same power. DX702S is 1/2 power lighter than the other two sticks.

Honestly, I'd probably go with the DX702S. Any dealers participating in the demo program near you?

[SamF]

Sorry I meant the 702sf. No demos near me I don't think. I'm out in MA. Based on your judgement and the extensive review I found on here I think the 702 would be fine. I don't go higher than 3/8 oz. And its rare I go 3/8 anyways.