Hello - I mostly fish lake Travis, and I downsize over what I am used to, especially with lighter T-rigs. Currently, my primary T-rig rod is a Tatula 7' M (R) (TAT701MRB - M,R,7',8-17lb,1/4-3/4oz), and my C-rig is a Dobyns Fury FR 735C (FR 735C, 7'3",12-25lb,1/4-1 1/2oz, Mag Hvy Fast Action). I love them both for their particular applications; however, I am looking to fill the gap with what I would consider to be a "heavier" T-rig rod for throwing bigger plastics, especially when traveling away from Travis, and possibly light flipping on Travis. I am leaning toward a Tatula, Fury, or even a Lew's Custom and trying to stay in the $100-$150 range. Here are my thoughts:

Tatula: TAT6101MHFB - MH,F,6'10",10-20,1/4-1 - I like the specs on this except I would prefer to stay over 7'. Likely in the $120 range.

Tatula: TAT721HFB - H,F,7'2",1,12-25,3/8-11/2 - I like the specs on this except I have some concern over the H being on the too heavy side given that the rods tend to run a little on the true/stiff side. Likely in the $120 range.

Dobyns: FR 734C - 7'3",10-20lb,1/4-1oz,Hvy Fast Action - Looks to match up perfectly, just concerned about Dobyns running on the light side -- if the 734c overlaps with the Tatula I already have and I would need to go with the 735c, I would prefer to go with something different since I already have the 735c for C-rig. Likely in the $110 range.

Lews Custom: Magnum Bass 2 LMBR2 - MH,F,7'2",12-20,3/8-1 - Seems to spec up perfectly, but I have no experience with Lews rods, and don't know how it compares to the Tatula or Dobyns rods. Likely in the $130 range.

Please let me know if you have any thoughts on these.

I could likely get the Dobyns or Lews at BassPro or Cabelas and have a chance to try them, but would likely have to order the Tatula. Trying to narrow it down to reduce the trial-and-error.

Thanks! Chris

Good research, Chris.

I don't have any of the rods you have listed but would just add that if you have a Medium for your "light" T-Rigging and plastics, now, so that is covered for you, I can't even imagine going beyond a true MH and leaping to a Heavy action . . . by any rod maker. I suppose if you intend to use it to throw heavy jigs, too, it might make sense.

I'd want more rod flexion for pitching and casting. And, when a rod flexes and loads up, it moves the lifting point back toward your hands, shortens the lever, and you actually will have more power over a large bass with a MH than you will with a H where the rod will present a longer lever. And, a MH will handle smaller bass much better, too, keep them pinned better.

If you plan to shop the big retailers to try them out, most carry St. Croix rods and a Bass X model is around $110 MSRP and they have a 7'4" MH, moderate fast, rated for 3/8s to 1-1/4. They have two others slightly shorter.

Brad

Thanks, Brad. I agree, going too heavy is definitely a big concern. Having & liking the medium Tatula, it would be easy to make the jump to the MH, but they don't have one in a 7'+ fast action - perhaps the TAT711MHRB is the ticket, with their (R) action, which is more M-F - it would basically be the MH step-up from what I have now. To me, the Lews stacks-up well as MH. The Dobyns looks heavy on paper, but they run a little lite so my guess is that it runs more like a MH. I think any of the 3 will work fine...mainly looking for a reason/encouragement to pull the trigger, and possibly try something different.

Getting away from the specs...anyone have general thoughts/comparisons on these three lines of rods Tatula vs Dobyns Fury vs Lews Custom? Would like to know if there are some obvious differences or if there is not much difference at all.

Thanks!