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Savvy Duo:
Dobyns SS733C and SSM733C Micro Guide Rods
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Date: |
8/28/12 |
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Tackle type: |
Rod |
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Manufacturer: |
Dobyns Rods |
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Reviewer: |
Wolbugger |
Total Score: 8.16
-
GREAT
Introduction:
As one of the top
tournament anglers to
ever come from the west
coast, Gary Dobyns knows
what it takes to win.
When Gary's Bass rods
hit the market several
years ago, it didn't
take long for them to
become favorites of
anglers everywhere. The
Dobyns rod lineup
includes models to fit
every budget, as well as
every imaginable
technique. Their
lowest-tier offering
called the Savvy series
promises
tournament-level
performance at
affordable pricing. The
latest addition to the
Savvy lineup includes
spinning and casting
rods featuring micro
guides. In this review
we compare two 733C
rods, one with micro
guides and one without,
to see the strengths and
weaknesses of each.
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Dobyns
Savvy
SS733C
and
SSM733C Specifications
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| Material |
Graphite |
| Length |
7'3" |
| Length from Back of Reel Seat to Base |
10" |
| Line Wt. |
10-17lbs |
| Lure Wt. |
1/4-3/4 oz |
| Pieces |
1 |
| Guides |
SS733C: 9+tip
SSM733C: 13+tip |
| Power Rating |
MH |
| Taper |
Fast |
| Rod Weight |
4.7oz |
| Manufacturing Country |
Korea |
| MSRP |
$169 |
Both rods
feature the
same look
and
cosmetics.
Impressions:
The
SS733C and SSM733C are very tastefully appointed with attractive cosmetics and
good build quality. Both rods feature Kigan guides and Fuji exposed blank reel
seats. The choice to use Kigan guides has been the source of some scrutiny
amongst consumers, with some liking them and some feeling they fall a bit short
in quality.
Those not familiar with micro guides will be shocked when they see how truly
small they are in person! Here, the micro guide model lays alongside the SS733C
standard guide model.
Put side by
side to a comparably priced rod featuring Fuji guides, the full sized Kigan
guides do look a bit less refined up close. I do however really like the
sturdy, robust build of the micro guides. They don't appear as fragile as some
others I've seen.
The first
guide of the
SSM733C
micro model
(left)
compared to
that of the
SS733C
standard
guide model.
The Savvy
blanks are dark matte with black wraps. The Dobyns logo is in red, with
a smaller secondary “DR” logo below and white lettering on the reverse side
showing the series and ratings. Trim work around the logo and handle area is in
black, red, and silver. A small, closed hook keeper is used to keep baits
secure. A wavy, marbleized finish adorns the logo area of the blank adding
visual appeal.
These rods match beautifully with the JDM Shimano Scorpion 1000XT.
The rods
feature no foregrips, and the Fuji reel seats have no exposed threads when a
reel is locked into place. No foregrip rods that leave exposed threads after a
reel is tightened down is a huge annoyance for me, so this is a real plus.
No exposed
threads
here! The
reel seat is
very
comfortable
to grip.
Down below,
there is a split cork grip with complimenting composite cork rings. Between the
grips is the same matching marbleized finish found around the logo region. The
butt cap features an attractive “DR” inset logo for a totally finished look.
The inset butt cap and composite cork ring is a nice finishing touch.
Cosmetics
aside, holding each of these rods brings a smile to your face. They both are
light and balanced in hand. You know the feeling you get when you grab a rod
off the store rack and it just feels right to you? That's how these two sticks
feel.
Lab Tests:
Since these two rods are both based off 733 blanks, you would expect them to
have similar deflection results, wouldn't you? The above chart shows just the
complete opposite! As the load increases on the two blanks, it is obvious that
the SS733C yields a bit more power. The differences were not exactly obvious to
me while casting and fishing, but the chart does not lie. The only conclusion
one can draw from this data is that different blanks are being used in the
construction of these rods.
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Lab Results for Dobyns Savvy SS733C and SSM733C |
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Model
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Avg RoD (2-32 oz)
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Taper
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Spine
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Measured Weight
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Balance Point
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Dobyns
Savvy Micro SSM733C |
2.19 |
Fast |
4.7 |
6 |
0.16 |
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Dobyns
Savvy SS733C |
2.13 |
Fast |
4.7 |
6.5 |
0.16 |
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MBR783C GLX2000 |
1.72 |
Fast |
4.8 |
5 |
0.11 |
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TSFO
26 Rod Average |
1.69 |
-- |
4.92 |
7.65 |
0.19 |
Why would
different blanks be used even though they are both indicated to be 733's? Let's
think of it this way: a softer blank will fish a bit heavier than it's rating
when built with micro guides since the guides are lighter in weight and allow
the blank to retain more responsiveness. Here, they outfitted a lighter blank
with the micros so it would supposedly fish equivalent to the regular SS733C.
Obviously by the chart data, the mark was missed. This thinking defeats a big
advantage of micros since a micro-equipped rod is supposed to be the
crisper one. In this case, the standard guide model is in fact the more
powerful rod, so the results are really opposite of what they should be.
Tip top
guides of
the SS733C
(left) and
SSM733C
(right). It
was
refreshing
to see that
a micro tip
top was in
fact used on
the
SSM733C.
This picture
also allows
you to
somewhat see
the
unrefined
finish of
these
guides.
Next Section: Time to string up and cast those micros
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