A Creature Feverish Search for The One? The 735C from Dobyns Rods

Features: On a feature by feature basis, the 735C comes with stainless steel framed guides by Kigan, with SiC inserts. These guides perform well enough although their construction is a bit odd. More on this later. The rod's reel seat is a standard, Fuji exposed blank model, and there is a closed loop hook keeper on this rod located above the reel seat on the left side of the blank. This rod does not come with a rod sleeve.

Design/Ergonomics: Bearing witness first hand to the launch of Dobyns Rods back in 2007, we've seen a few different cosmetic iterations of their rods. The current Champion series has a much more toned down look than previous models. The silver logo area just above the rod's reel seat is now a darker tone than before allowing this area to blend in better with the blank while still performing the intended duty of calling your attention to the logo and series name. This is a welcomed update as I didn't care much for the previous treatment.

The 735C features a full rear grip, no foregrip design.

Some of the casting sticks in Dobyns Rods' Champion series are offered in both full or split grip configurations. Such is not the case with the 735C. This stick is only available with a full rear grip of high grade cork accented on either end by a small ring of compressed cork and a blue winding check. The design really works for this rod.

This image shows the detailing of the Kigan guides featured on all Dobyns Champion Series rods. The photo on the left is a look at one of the double footed guides viewed from the tip of the rod back to the reel seat. See all those grooves? The shot on the right is how the guide appears when viewed from the reel seat back up towards the tip.

One of the peculiar features of this rod are the Kigan guides. They perform well but they feel like they're built or wrapped backwards on the rod. If you look at these guides closely, the smooth, finished side seems to face the reel seat while the side facing the tip of the rod is grooved and concave. Over the long haul, dirt and grit picked up from the water by your fishing line is going to build up in this groove, so if you like a pristine looking rod, be sure to clean the guides out with a cotton swab every now and then.

The closed loop hook keeper is located just above the reel seat on the left side of the blank.

Application: The 735C is a very versatile stick and can be used for the full range of retrieve styles independent of what lure you have tied to the end of your line. The rod's tip is soft enough allowing you to rip your baits through the water, yet stout enough to respond in slower presentations when you're lifting and dropping your bait. One of Gary Dobyns's favorite lures is a topwater frog and the 735C is an excellent stick with which to cast these baits and twitch them back along the surface.

Dobyns Rods Champion series sticks are always a solid choice.

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