Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse Casting Rods Review
Due to advancements in rod and reel technology, many anglers have recently opted to put down their spinning rods in favor of an ultra-light baitcasting setup. Bait finesse, or BFS as it's often called, involves using a highly specialized baitcasting rod and reel that are specifically tuned for fishing with light line and extremely light lures.
Choosing your rod is obviously one of the most important factors when building your bait-finesse setup. With this in mind, the Tackle Warehouse staff decided to conduct an in-depth analysis of the Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse Casting Rods, as these are some of the best-selling bait-finesse rods on our website. We distributed multiple rods to our team of experienced anglers to gather trusted feedback. Each reviewer was responsible for testing and grading the rods before and after use.
Before hitting the water, we were skeptical about using a baitcaster in replacement of our trusted spinning tackle. Yet with all the hype around these rods, it raised the question: Can the Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse Rods really replace a light spinning rod for finesse tactics?
+ Lightweight
+ Casts light finesse lures with ease
+ Cork split grips
+ Fun to fish with
+ Excellent value
+ High Durability
- Hook hanger position
- Tiny micro guides
Final Verdict
Breakdown
Performance: 8.5
We found that the Sierra Ultra Finesse Casting Rods excel with techniques and applications that have traditionally been reserved for spinning tackle. After the reviewing period, these rods exceeded our expectations by casting lightweight lures with accuracy that greatly surpassed that of a spinning rod, especially in close quarters.
Some of the techniques and lures we used included drop shots, Ned rigs, small jigs, finesse crankbaits, finesse jerkbaits, underspins, Neko rigs, free rigs, wacky rigs, weightless Texas rigs, and inline spinners. We found the optimal range for lures to be between 1/8 oz. and 1/4 oz., yet we were able to drop down to 1/16 oz. and even use lures as heavy as 3/8 oz. with success.
The micro guides increased casting accuracy, making these rods perfect for fishing in streams, rivers, and tight spaces or in ultra-clear waters where you need to make a softer presentation to avoid spooking fish. Just looking at the small size of the guides was enough to make us worry about their performance with a braid-to-leader connection knot, but we are pleased to report no issues when using a thin-diameter braid paired with an 8-lb. fluorocarbon leader.
"Performance was great. It exceeded my expectations and got me excited about just fishing again. It also opened my eyes to how light I could actually fish on a casting setup."
Durability: 8.67
Initially, these rods raised some durability concerns due to their ultra-thin construction, especially at the tip, which is thinner than that of most spinning rods. However, after rigorous testing, the durability of these rods was exceptional, and this ended up being one of the key highlights of the review.
We experienced no durability issues after countless trips to many different freshwater rivers, streams, and lakes, plus a little bit of inshore fishing in saltwater. The Sierra Ultra Finesse Casting Rods maintained their sensitivity and responsiveness throughout the entire testing period and pleasantly surprised our reviewing staff. The guides also held up well, as we encountered zero lost guides and no missing inserts after we dropped them, tossed them around, and even used the rod as a lure retriever. The only issue a few of us faced was that the cork handle got a little dirty, which is typical with any cork-fitted rods given enough time on the water.
“The cork handle grips held up well, and the cleanly wrapped guides and components remained intact and free of damage with regular use.”
Value: 8.05
The Sierra Ultra Finesse Casting Rods deliver tons of value for their level of performance and also give anglers more peace of mind with a trusted Dobyns limited lifetime warranty. These rods provide a bevy of high-end features like solid carbon tip sections, split cork grips, balanced high-modulus blanks, and Fuji micro guides, making the $199.99 price tag all the more impressive.
Similar bait-finesse rods currently on the market include the Daiwa PX Bait Finesse BF Casting Rods ($349.99), Ark Gravity Bass Finesse Series Casting Rods ($199.99), Daiwa Tatula XT Bait Finesse BF Casting Rods ($99.99), and Shimano Zodias BFS Casting Rods ($259.99). The Dobyns rods are well under budget when compared to the competition with comparable features, and they offer better performance than the more budget-friendly alternatives currently on the market.
“The value of these rods is really what makes them shine. I would buy more of the rods in this series at full price.”
Utility: 8.2
Ranging in length from 6’5” to 7’4”, the Sierra Ultra Finesse Casting Rods feature a light power and two tapers: the 650, 690, 700, and 740 models are labeled as having a moderate action with an extra-fast tip (likely referring to the solid carbon tip), while the 691 and 701 models have a standard fast action.
We found the shorter lengths to be better suited for kayak or wade fishing in small streams where extreme casting accuracy is essential, while the longer versions were more ideal for fishing in clear open water when extra casting distance is desired. Models ending in "0" tend to be better for treble-hooked lures, and the model numbers ending with a "1" were better for bottom-contact techniques with a single hook.
However, all the models deliver plenty of versatility for lures with treble hooks or single-hook applications, and we found that the Sierra Ultra Finesse Casting Rods were not limited to just one technique. Just like a spinning rod, you can fish a wide range of lightweight lures like crankbaits, jerkbaits, Ned rigs, and drop shots all on one rod.
“From largemouth to spots, smallies, crappie, steelhead, trout—everything. Mini swimbaits, mini jigs, spoons, BFS cranks/jerkbaits, and even a float and fly. Pretty much any bait from 1/8 to 1/4 oz. was perfectly fine on this rod versus a spinning setup.”
Final Thoughts
After many trips and months of rigorous testing, these premium finesse casting rods became a huge hit with our staff. Being well suited for fishing light-line techniques and finesse applications, the Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse Casting Rods have earned their reputation for targeting panfish, trout, or finicky bass, and they gave unique advantages to those who preferred the familiarity of a baitcasting setup.
If you're on the fence about buying a bait-finesse rod for the first time, or if you're well versed in the BFS world and want to bolster your lineup, we can confidently recommend the Dobyns Sierra Finesse Casting Rods. Adding one to your lineup gives a unique advantage in highly pressured waters and represents a valid replacement for a traditional finesse spinning rod.
Breakdown Summary
| Performance | 8.5 |
| Durability | 8.67 |
| Value | 8.05 |
| Utility | 8.2 |
Final Verdict |
8.31 |