Dobyns Rods 765CB Crankbait Rod Product Review

Rod Review

Dobyns Rods Cranks It Up with a Search For One Candidate! (continued)

Power: Graphite cranking rods chart differently than glass cranking sticks and the averages from our Year of the Crank data are mixed. Having said that, the 765CB charts our very favorably in the neighborhood of our deep cranking rod average but out on the water, I'd say it's more of a general purpose cranking rod that can handle everything from small, shallow running cranks, to those deep divers in a pinch.

Fig 1 : The chart above illustrates the deflection characteristics of our Dobyns Rods 765CB against the averages from our Year of the Crank.

Its taper is rated from the manufacturer as mod-fast and the smooth power curve of that taper is very good at helping you control - and not lose - your fish once it is hooked. This rod is actually deceivingly powerful once you hook a fish.

Performance Ratings for Dobyns Rods 765CB
Pitch (1-5)	Cast (1-5)	Sensitivity (1-5)	Hook Set (1-5)	Control (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
5	5	4	4.5	4.5	23	25	9.2

Checking out that taper.

Features: Like other rods from Dobyns Rods's Champion Series as a whole, the 765CB comes with stainless steel framed guides with SiC inserts by Kigan. The latest version of these guides feature a tangle free frame designed to mitigate the tendency of braided line to wrap the guides. The reel seat is a standard Fuji ECS, a standard hook keeper is provided on the left side of the blank just above the reel seat and the rod does not come with a rod sleeve.

Features Ratings for Dobyns Rods 765CB
Grip (1-5)	Guides (1-5)	Reel Seat (1-5)	Hook Keeper (1-5)	Rod Sleeve (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4	4	4	3	1	16	25	6.4

A good grade of cork though still a good amount of filler.

Design/Ergonomics: On a review of pure numbers, the 765CB doesn't fare so well when stacked up against the averages from our 2009 Crankbait Rod Wars. Realistically, out on the water it falls somewhere between a medium to deep cranking stick and its weight and balancing torque numbers are both higher than the averages in both categories.

Lab Results for Dobyns Rods 765CB
Model	Avg RoD (2-32 oz)	Taper	Measured Weight (oz)	Balance Point (inches)	Balancing Torque (ftlbs)
Dobyns Rods 765CB	1.75	Mod-Fast	5.7	8	0.25
Shallow Crank Avg	3.00	--	4.8	5	0.17
Medium Crank Avg	2.30	--	5.2	8.5	0.21
Deep Crank Avg	1.90	--	4.9	8.75	0.23

Out on the water, it's a perfectly comfortable rod to fish as long as you're fishing it with the tip down which is how I'm usually fishing cranks. Thing is with the 765CB, it's good with more than just crankbaits.

Design & Ergonomics Ratings for Dobyns Rods 765CB
Grip (1-5)	Colors / Graphics (1-5)	Balance (1-5)	Weight (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
4	3	3	3	13	20	6.5

The 765CD comes with a standard closed loop hook hangar.

Application: The 765CB is intended as a crankbait stick, but if you make the smart decision to purchase this stick and fish only moving baits, you'll be missing out on the full potential for this rod. I fished cranks, chatterbaits, jerkbaits, Texas rigged plastics, Senkos, buzzbaits and more with this stick and try something different each time I hit the water. I've yet to be disappointed. This stick can really do it all.

Bass Rod Application Ratings for Dobyns Rods 765CB
Rip/Jerk (1-5)	Steady (1-5)	Lift & Drop (1-5)	Drag (1-5)	Twitch (1-5)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
5	5	5	5	5	25	25	10

Ratings:

Dobyns Rods 765CB Ratings (?/10)
Construction/Quality	Very clean build	8.9
Performance	Nice combination of power, sensitivity, and smooth loading castability	9.2
Price	Price point for the 765CB is good, but there are manufacturers are offering similar spec'd rods for less	7.0
Features	Good list of basic features	6.4
Design (Ergonomics)	It's tough to get a rod this long to balance well without being too heavy	6.5
Application	This rod can do it all!	10
Total Score		8.0
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable! For More Details of the updated rating system visit our explanation here

Pluses and Minuses:

Plus	Minus
+ Terrifically versatile stick from Dobyns Rods	- Just a little tip heavy but hard to avoid with a rod of this length
+ Nice smooth power curve
+ Really casts well

Conclusion: Don't be fooled by this rod's "CB" designation. If you're comfortable with fishing rods of this length, and are in the market for one rod to do it all, you need to check out the 765CB. This rod is very reminiscent of a stick I reviewed and loved from 10 years ago, Kistler's He76HC, their 7'6" heavy powered rod from the original Helium line. The difference of course is in the power designations for both rods.

I love the versatility of this stick!

From shallow to medium to deep diving cranks, from soft plastics to buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits, the 765CB, this rod can do it all and do it all very well. Just match it up with the right reel spooled with the appropriate line and get to it. This is one stick Zander will not get his hands on. Dobyns Rods returns to the awards podium with this Editor's Choice!

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