No one mentioned the Shakespeare Ugly stick.........

I just got an iRod Air and it is crazy sensitive.

I got an old falcon HD its the most sensitive rod I have ever owned. I go through some rods id say 4 a year and the falcon keeps on getting it done done.

Loomis rod + Fluorocarbon line and lots of experience.... So sensitive I can read the label on a beer can laying on the bottom.

This is NOT a good test of sensitivity. You can do the same thing with a broom handle (a plain ole wooden stick) and feel him talk.
The more expensive rods use higher quality graphite and better components that make them more sensitive. Usually they are better balanced also.

It was talked about twice on page 1

I have been buying G. Loomis for many years. They offer I think 4 types of graphite in each rod style.

I have learned NOT to get the highest grade because while it's more sensitive it's also more brittle. I broke off 2 tips during normal use. I switched to the 3rd most sensitive type (GL2) and haven't had the problem since.

I would still turn off the ceiling fans in any room you work on them.

MBR783C is the style I prefer for baitcasting.

This is accurate as well as the type of weight. The line is just as important as the rod. I bought 2 experienced Bucoos and like them. I use Seaguar Invizex in 20 and 15 pound and use tungsten for the weights.

Dobyns Champion



For the price, you won't find a better rod.

Sorry but "pssh" really for that price?.

A custom made bayou kustoms rod

Get a rod like a lightening rod or an allstar and use the extra money or go fishing. Nothing beats the experence you gain by more time on the water.

Ya, he asked how important "time on the water was to you". :-) Honestly you will get very few people (or none) who have experience with all the rods you listed in original post. People can only give you their experience for the brand they have experience which will not be a true comparison of all listed. Personally I have been blessed with a handful of Dobyns Rods and they are very light, balanced and SENSITIVE. The champion series feels quite a bit more sensitive than the Savvy series but I felt no difference in sensitivity between the champion and champion extreme. While Dobyns are very nice they are certainly not "critical" to my fishing. I would go just as often and possibly catch as many fish if all I had was Academy Allstar rods in my boat.

Falcon..original, low rider, cara
Kistler Helium
Shimano Crucial
Loomis, GL2, IMX, GLX
Powell, Max, Endurance
Duckett Micro magic
Dobyns, Savvy, Champion, Extreme
Power Tackle
6 different custom rods (4 different rod builders)

Allstar and Castaway in my younger years.(Back when they were THE top of the line rods on the market)
StCroix also


I have owned and used all of these. There are a lot of good rods on the market these days. Lots of choices.

I currently have more Dobyns rods than anything but from that list I think the Powell and the Shimano's are the best rod for the money. I like Dobyns and Kistler better but you will pay more for them also., and yes, they are worth it.
If I werre in the market for another rod it would be a Powell Max 3D, a Kistler KLX, or a Dobyns Champion. If I had more to spend It would be a Dobyns Extreme or Power tackle rod.

I bet if you put a blindfold on a man and handed him a Cara, Denali, Irod, Ducket etc etc and have him drag a jig he wouldn't be able to tell much of a difference.

Go put your hands on them and buy the one that feels the best for you. The lighter the better is typically where its at when it comes to sensitivity. I think the blank materials are very similar once you get into $130-$200 range. Competition is thick in the rod game all the popular brands are making great rods at good prices these days! If you can afford the $200.00 + rods have at it but I wouldn't feel under gunned with the sub $200 rods!