Alright, I own 5 dobyns rods. a 805 champion CB rod, 784 DX jig rod, 742 DX casting shakey head rod, 766 savvy flippin rod and a 702 champion drop shot rod.

Can someone please explain the numbering system. Especially how the numbers relate in comparison to other models.

I understand the first two numbers being the rod length. i.e, 784 being 7'8''.

But I do not understand why my 702 and 742 would be so much different. I understand the 702 is a med/light, and should have less "tip", but the 742 is a medium action and seems more like a 3 or 4 power rod to me...

Please help me better understand the difference between action and power, and whether that is different for spinning/casting rods and different length rods.

Its tough shopping online, when you know exactly what type of rod you want for a certain technique, but are unsure based on this numbering convention.

hope that wasn't confusing.

I have wondered that also. Gary would be the best one to answer your question. I once bought a Champion 764 because i thought it would be the perfect C-rig rod. Well I fished with it for a while and did not like it. It seemed to be more like a 6 power compared to my other Dobyns rods. I have the 784 Extreme and love it for a C-rig rod, in fact it is the best rod I have used for a C-rig. I have two 784-s. You have a good selection of Dobyns but one you should try out if you like to fish a jig or Tx. rig is the Extreme 745. Awesome rod.

I do not have the 702 but I do have the 742. I have a 733,743, 734,744 and can say the 742 is not equal to the 3 or 4 powers but I am guessing because of the extra length it loads differently then the 702 and this is making it look like a 3 or 4 power rod. The 742 is for lighter fishing weights and has a lot more tip then the 3 and 4 power rods. just my .02

The DX series is more of a "feel" rod and is a little "softer", imo. The increased sensitivity and decreased weight add to the ability to "feel" more subtle changes in your bait. I use a DX784 for jig fishing because I can feel whatever my bait is doing, or what it is moving across at all times. It amazes me. The DX still has the backbone of a workhorse, so don't be timid in their ability to perform! I have set the hook with my DX and torn some 20# line and baits up.

i may be wrong but 784 ... is a 7'8" rod and a 4 power. So the first 2 numbers are the rod length, the 3rd # is the POWER rating.

Finesse is the 0-2 power, MH is 3-4 power, 5+ is heavy. F/H is FUll handle S/H is Split grip handle..

Hope that helps.

Yes those are the rod specs. but he was asking why a 702 would feel so different than a 742. Both rods are a 2 power but one is 4 inches longer.

My two absolute favorite Dobyns Extreme rods are the 745 and the 784.

Interesting, both are considered very good jig rods, but I thought they kind of overlapped - how do you determine which to use and where? 784 for deep/structure and 745 for the jungle?

the 745 has more backbone and the hands down best jig rod. The 784 will do a great job in jig fishing but it is a little lighter power so it will do a great job on spoons, TX rig, and small swim baits. just my .02

I use the DX784ML for all my jigging needs, the DX702 for drop shotting and the DX743 for Tx. Rigging and and flukes. I would agree that the difference in rod length would explain the difference in the feel of these rods.

I had my verbage wrong. I'm confused why a 702 which is medium/light power, fast action has much less "tip" and backbone "power" than a 742 that's medium power, and fast action.

You would think the extra length in the 742 would give it less, power or backbone. Maybe I'm splitting hairs here between med./light and med. powers. but its seem like the 702 should be....701.5 and the 742 should be 742.5

the 742dx is a solid heavier shakey head rod, matched w a 50 curado and 8 or 10 IBS line, and look out! I also agree the 784 is an awesome rod! My number 1 choice for crigs and fb heads

Nick call the shop at 530-671-1989 and talk to Richard are Gary
They can explain it the best
Nice fish

I use the 784 as a C-rig rod, and it does an awesome job. It has great flex to help with long lob casts and plenty of back bone to get the fish in. I use a 745 for pitching jigs and craw tubes to timber. It is a stout rod but has enough tip action to easily place a jig where you want it. I use a Champion 705 if i am pitching a jig or craw tube to boat docks. It is a little shorter than the 745 and I am more accurate with it when I need to pitch or skip under a dock.

I agree with everything said and would point out that the 784 was designed with Mike Long so it really doesn't fit within the normal Dobyns Champion/DX rod lines since it is so specific to a single technique. Also in regards to buying online a wealth of knowledge can be found here, on Tackletour and BBC in terms of people's opinion on a rod and even comparisons to other rod that people have owned. Sometimes these are subjective given people's own style of fishing (for example I don't like the 702/742 for drop shot since I like more tip in the rod but others think they are great for it) and the part of the country they live in. I think there may be people in the South who actually fish everything on a flipping stick by some of their responses. Also giving Dobyns a call on the phone is something I recommend. I have called and talked to Richard three times on which rod I should be looking at and the conversations have been great.