Back to Basics and First Tests

[BigBassin144]

Took some of the new gear out to the local reservoir tonight and just got back. As usual, I took too many rods and too much tackle. The set ups:

Dobyns Champion 733C, Daiwa Viento, 12lb Seaguar InvisX, 4/0 Owner EWG hook, 1/4oz TT bullet weight, and a Watermelon Candy 7" Powerworm.

Abu Garcia Vendetta, Daiwa Fuego, 12lb Ande Monofilament, 6/0 1/4oz Owner Beast hook, and Silver Halo Poor Boy's Silly Rabbit.

Shimano Crucial Dropshot, Daiwa Caldia 2000, 10lb Spiderwire Invisibraid, 8lb Seaguar InvisX leader, 1 Gamakatsu DS/SS hook, 3/16oz DS weight, Dirt colored SK ElazTech finesse worm.

BPS Pro Qualifier, Daiwa Procaster SE-L, 14lb Stren Superknot, white Booyah pip-squeak buzzbait.

I started fishing with the newest addition to my arsenal, the Dobyns 733C. It's been a long time since I've fished the basic t-rigged worm and it was fun to fish tonight. About 10-15 minutes in, I hooked up. I had no problems detecting the bite, or changes in bottom composition with the Dobyns. The rod lives up to it's MH power rating and I brought the fish in no problem. About 15", like most of the bass in this reservoir.

Hooked up with two more on the t-rigged, and becoming more and more pleased with the Dobyns. So far, it is a joy to fish with and I still can't believe how balanced it is. It's like fishing with a 6'6", but it is really 7'3". I tied on a jig to test sensitivity and was very pleased. From the little I've fished with it, I'd compare sensitivity to my Loomis IMX.

I put it down for a while to give the dropshot, and mainly the new spiderwire braid a try. Got a couple and missed a couple, all about 15-17". The Spiderwire is noticeably smoother than the 4 carrier 10lb Sufix Performance braid. The Daiwa Caldia also performed flawlessly. One thing I'd have to say is the white Invisibraid is not as easy to see as I was expecting (which was why I went with it over the green Spiderwire Ultracast).

The Caldia's drag worked great when I needed it to, and I haven't experienced any of the problems with a sticky drag some people have had with this reel so far.

I fished the buzzbait and the swimbait to no avail. I was a bit disappointed in the Silly Rabbit swimbait and the action wasn't near as good as some of the hollow bellies like the Money Minnow or the Basstrix.

I went back to the dropshot and managed to get another one. I packed up and left when I was ONLY getting bug bites. It was a good night and I got a feel for some of my new gear. So far, the Dobyns Champion is living up to it's reputation. And I can already see myself buying more in the future.

BB