Comments: Picked up a 703 last year to pitch finesse jigs around local reservoirs and senkos on the Delta. Normally I prefer something in the 7'4" range, but a 7' helps with skipping under docks and trees. It's been a staple for me since I bought it. I started out with a couple different reels on it before settling on a Chronarch Ci4 and 20lb braid. With this combo, I have a lightweight and balanced stick that can do many things well. Lately, it's been my rod of choice for a fluke. I dragged around a heavier ball head with a Fattyz on it this spring and it was good at that as well. My first one I had snapped at the 4th guide down....inspecting it, I found some damage around the blank where I had a run in with the lip of my rod locker while tying up the night before. Warrantied with the no hassle policy and haven't had an issue since. There may be lighter rods, there may be more sensitive rods...but there are likely no rods as well balanced and very few that offer a more comprehensive warranty.

From: Chris: Lantucky, CA 6/12/23

Comments: I will start off by saying I'am a big fan of Dobyns rods so I just got my new Champion HP 703 few days ago. I will say this rod is nice, but not worth the dollars they have on it. Not the lightest rod and for sure I thought the sensitivity was going to be like grabbing a electric fence when I felt a bite ! It did handle the fish well and looks very cool. I have a handful of the Kaden rods and honestly the Kaden are just as good as the Champion HP and way less priced. I'm not saying this rod is bad , just saying I thought it was going to be so much better.

From: Jason: Bowler, Wisconsin 6/3/23

Comments: With all the hype behind Dobyns rods, I caved in and bought a 743C for finesse jigs during a sale. Overall, I think it's just ok. It doesn't necessarily excel at anything. It's not the lightest (weighs almost an ounce heavier than an Expride B 7’2 MH) and definitely not the most sensitive rod. I'ts also more of an “moderate fast” than an actual fast taper. Even with a 20% discount, I find it hard to choose this over a Shimano Expride, St Croix LTB, or Daiwa Tatula Elite.

From: Joseph: Kansas City, KS 2/5/23

Comments: I "HAD" 2 of these 1 piece rods and unfortunately now I have 2 two piece rods. These rods might be ok for largemouth but not Smallmouth. I wanted to try something different from my exprides and legend x's so I listened to all the hype and purchased 2 of these rods. Besides being very unbalanced and insensitive, they're brittle. Must be Dobyns employees giving out all these positive reviews!

From: Unknown: Florida 1/25/23

Comments: After 3 years of use, I've finally dedicated this rod to finesse swimbaiting with 3" spark shads, 3-4" easy shiners, but most often 2.8-3.8 Keitech fats. 12# Samurai flouro on whatever Daiwa SV 7:1:1 spooled reel I have available. Mostly dirty jigs guppy heads for 2.8-3.3s, dirty jig tactical finesse heads for 3.8s, or Gammy ball heads. I would not use this rod for weedless/t-rigged situations. Yes, you can get away with lighter weedless setups in a pinch, but it's specialty IMO is lighter exposed hook presentations.

From: Dan: Illinois 9/11/22

Comments: I really should've listened to the guy above that said the 745c was more like a medium heavy! I purchased it because of it's mag heavy rating. Knowing Dobyns usually fishes about one power lower than their rating I thought I would at least get a heavy powered rod. This thing is medium heavy plus with a moderate fast action at best! It's a beautiful rod but nowhere near being a mag heavy! I might just sale it and try the 746. I'm pretty disappointed in this lineup.

From: Luis: Lake Placid, FL 2/3/22

Comments: I bought the 743 during the Christmas holiday in 2020 sale and have been very happy with the rod until 10/21. I felt a bite and set the hook and the rod broke clean in the middle of the rod. I've seen plenty of rods break but never this far down and super clean like it was cut with alien technology. I've heard they have great customer service guess I'll find out.

From: Brian: NC 10/17/21

Comments: This is my first extreme hp. I decided on the 742 paired with a Steez sv tw. Almost decided on the 743 but I wanted to stay as light as possible at this length. What I love about Dobyns is how specialized their rods are. I specifically wanted a 74 rod to handle most mid-heavier ranged weightless plastics, light t-rigs, mojo rigs, lighter jika rigs, shakey heads. Regardless of price, I cant find a rod on the market at 74 for this application that it this lightweight and balanced with a Steez Sv tw. Called Dobyns. The rep grabbed both 742 and 743 and threw them on the scale. Sorry! I forget the weights..... But call them. Theyll weigh whatever your interested in. In the heart of summer, its too much in heavy grass, but pre - post-spawn, my go-to rod fishing slow through grass. Sensitivity. IDK. Ive been fishing for 30 years. Can I tell you if I can feel a brush pile versus cabbage or this rod was the difference when get slacked lined by
a hit? All I know is 100% of the time Im 100% certain of a bite, even at beginning of retrieving a bomb cast. Dobyns lure rating ranges are the most accurate in the market. Theres no other rod company that allows you to be such an informed consumer. Hope this gibberish helps someone with a smart purchase.

From: Gary - Illinois 8/12/20

Comments: This Extreme was a SHOCK. Wow at all you get for $350, this has got to be by far the best rod $350 can buy. Perfect balance, low weight, very sensitive, JDM visual eye candy. I prefer the extream over my more expensive $450 Gloomis GLX. and by a lot. Gary Dobyns truly hit a home run with this rod at this price. honestly you won't find a better. I picked this one up in 7'4 Mag heavy. trust me on this, most people think a mag heavy will be a pool cue, this one is not. If it were a shimano it would be considered a heavy, if it were a st.croix it would be considered a medium heavy. the mag heavy has a perfect and I do mean perfect tip for 1/2 -3/4 oz jigs. could do 1oz but not where it will shine. just don't fear the mag heavy being a pool cue it's not. highly recommend this rod. I honestly think it's the best $350 bass rod out there. feels better then rods $100 more.

From: Dean: Las Vegas, NV 5/13/20

Comments: 705 hands down the best dock skipping rod in the lineup super strong backbone and great tip for skipping jigs!

From: JD: Wayne, NJ 10/15/19

Comments: The DX742 is outstanding for blade baits such as the binsky, and silver buddy. I use this rod  with 1/2 oz and 3/4oz blades in the colder months in the northeast. The tip is perfect for the lift and drop action required for a successful blade presentation in the bottom. No complaints about this rod.

From: JF: Westchester, NY 1/27/19

Comments: This rod is hands down the best rod I've ever fished with! The level of sensitivity that this rod blank gives you is incredible! Highly recommend!!

From: Brad - Brandon, MS 5/25/18

Comments: I  purchased the 743 and 703 HPs to cover all my finesse casting chores and they are fantastic. The Extremes are top of the line. Sensitivity is outstanding, build quality also outstanding, the cork is clean and the balance with with Diawa SV 105's is perfect.  I could not be happier with these two models.

From: Doug: USA 4/4/18

Comments: The 703 is one of the best all around rods you can get!!! It can skip weightless senkos, flip up to 1/2 oz and even work with spinner baits. The tip is outstanding and the backbone is solid.

From: Paul: TX 1/26/18

Comments: I got the 742c for fishing Senkos and other stick baits weightless or with light weights for finesse presentations. Paired with a Scorpion 71xg, it is a lightweight dream to fish! I can pitch 5" and larger Senkos with ease. The 7'4" length also provides good shock absorption when the fish surges near the boat, especially when using light line like 10-12lb test fluoro. It is also a great rod for tossing Super Flukes and other soft jerkbaits. I fish the Delta, so I would not use this for throwing into grass mats and other thick stuff; however it has enough backbone to handle fish is scattered grass and weed edges. Was a blast to use against "shaker-sized" stripers on a recent outing.

From: Richard: Dublin, CA 11/27/17

Comments: I got a 742C and I absolutely love it, I've thrown everything from Weightless plastics to 1/4 ounce swimjigs to a whopper plopped 90, this rod is my most versatile in my arsenal and has plenty of backbone to handle power techniques and the sensitivity to handle finesse applications, the craftsmanship and fit and finish is amazing, I have it paired with a Shimano Metanium and the balance is unreal, feels like nothing in my hands. Great Rod, Great company. Get this rod and you won't be disappointed.

From: Colin: Meridan, Idaho 7/3/17

Comments: I bought a champion extreme hp 704 c for swim baits and swim jigs and now I have a rod that will do alot more more than just those two applications. I put a aldebaran on top of this rod and its a dream to fish with. I also bought  NRX and the dobyns  and it are close. I love the way 704 c loads up a real pleasure to fish with paired with the aldebaran . I might set a lews custom speed spool  8.3 on top of it and try some frogging with it. I dont  if this happens to you guys but you get a few rods you really love and you cant make up your mind which one to fish with or to set it up for what. decisions decisions!

From: scott N.C 3/28/17

Comments: Purchased the 702C finesse which is the medium light for a dedicated Ned Rig rod.  Found the rod to be amazingly crafted and the design and ergonomics are fantastic.  However, the rod was just a little too stiff for the presentation I'm looking for.  I've been told by Richard Dobyns that the Champion XP series is a little softer tip.  So for anyone looking for the perfect Ned Rig rod, try the 702C in the Champion XP line.  Other than that this is an amazing series of rods, just didn't meet what I was looking for.  Its amazingly light and perfectly balanced with a Concept C.  I've sent the rod back and ordered a Kistler Helium 3 in medium light based on Trey Kistler's recommendation himself. 

From: Luke: Mobile 2/24/17

Comments: By far Dobyns rods are in my opinion best balanced rods out on the market. When you have a well balanced rod/reel, sensitivity goes up, you aren't fatigued, you can work lures & rigs all day. That is what makes Dobyn's rods stand out IMO. To the guy stating that the reel seat on the DX does not feel right. Well, Dobyns have the same reel seat (FUJI ECS reel seat) as Duckett Micro Majic and most other rods - just look at the specs. So I am confused by that statement. Plus, the rods he mentioned are no where in the same league as the DX Champion Extreme Rods.

From: Buck2thperch: St. Paul, MN 8/17/16

Comments: Trolling between spots this last weekend had my power worm just in the water next to the boat, you could feel the tiny vibrations the tail was producing in the water. For all the naysayers there is a difference between a light rod and a balanced one, all the dobyns balance extremely well. I'll be buying more.

From: David: Raymore, MO 7/19/16

Comments: I have two champion xp's and now two extremes and these extremes are amazing. They are super light but plenty of backbone and sensitivity is superb. I have two g loomis nrx's & I find myself picking up these instead more often than not. I'm wanting to try out the full grip soon

From: Seth: KY 6/16/16

Comments: Just got the DX742, Medium & a DX784 Heavy. Really nice upgrade from the last Extreme rods. These looks very sharp in detail & has the best cork I've ever felt on a fishing rod. Someone commented on the reel seats logo. Mine is fine, even if it wasn't there I'd be fine with it. I can't see the logo on the reel seat, when the reel is on it anyway. Rods balance nicely! Great, I five 10 outta 10.

From: Darren: NC 5/26/16

Comments: Recently purchased with the 10% discount. Mixed emotions right now. Rod looks good but the reel seat doesn't look like it fits nicely. The fish to win sticker fell right off when I was trying to put on the reel. Put my new shimano alderbaran on it & didn't look secure after tighting down. I have other casting rods such as Duckett micro magic, G loomis E6X, Cashion, etc. that look better & feel better under $200.  Not to happy & thinking about returning. 

From: John: Atwater, CA

Comments: Got the new Extreme 746 HP. This rod is light, balanced, and super strong. Just enough tip for feel with tons of backbone. Great for swimbaits, swim jigs, and pitching jigs. My favorite rod. I have 2 on the deck at all times.

From: Puttric: FT. Lauderdale, FL

Comments: Wow! What a rod. I bought the 744 split handle and paired it with a lews team pro speed spool. Man the first thing I noticed was the balance of this rod is amazing! I still cant believe how light and balanced it is. I have 3 NRX's and many other high end rods and so far this has to be my favorite. The fit and finish is perfect as well. I have 3 extremes of the previous model and I love those as well. I just love this HP more. Cant wait to get the 745 split handle next. Awesome awesome job Dobyns!!!!!

From: Brandon: IN 12/30/15

Comments: Picked up a new Dobyns 744 Extreme HP rod. Now that I have spent some time with this rod, I plan on buying more. Very sensitive and well balanced. Love throwing my texas rigged baits on this one. Great job Dobyns!

From: RB: NC 12/27/15