Product Reviews
& Fishing Tips
& Fishing Tips
Burnie Haney
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Rods, Reels and Crossover Applications…
In a sluggish economy most people are looking for the best value for their hard earned dollar and outdoor sportsmen are no different. As a matter of fact, this particular
group is usually looking for any edge they can find to put the odds in their favor, but especially fishermen. It doesn’t matter if it’s a recreational fisherman, professional
guide or tournament angler, most fishermen continually look for ways to put more fish in the boat or on the bank and ideally prefer to do so with the least amount of
investment possible.
Outdoor TV shows and magazines present would-be anglers with the latest and greatest baits and techniques. Every summer the major tackle manufactures and
industry leaders assemble at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) show to display the newest innovations in angling equipment. From
sunglasses and clothing to electronics, lures, rods, reels, line, hooks and weights; if it relates to fishing then odds are its on display at ICAST.
Over the past 5-6 years the angling world has become inundated with technique specific rods & reels. Serious anglers view these specialty rods much like a mechanic
does when he opens the tool box and each one has a purpose and a place. However, what doesn’t receive a lot of fanfare or open discussion is the amount of
crossover tackle on the market today. To illustrate this point I’m going to focus on bass fishing tackle in particular and hopefully demonstrate that with a little honest on
the water evaluation you’ll find out those 15 or 20 rod & reel combinations you have can possibly be cut back to as few as six or seven.
Let me first say that I too have fallen victim to the rage of looking for the BBD (Bigger Better Deal). If a rod or reel was new on the market, I had to have it…. or so I
thought. Nowadays most manufacturers have a rod designed specifically for all the various techniques in bass fishing that include flippin, pitchin, jiggin, cranking,
spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, topwater, jerkbaits, swim baits, and swim jigs, tubes, worms, dropshot, Carolina rigging and frog fishing. For the beginner or seasoned bass
angler it almost becomes over whelming at times, but it doesn’t need to be because many rods have hidden crossover applications within bass fishing, to include multi-
species use.
This past year from April through November, I spent approximately 125 days fishing across NY State in lakes, rivers and streams. I fished eight bass tournaments and
the rest of my time was split either practicing for a tournament or recreational fishing, and all of it done from a boat using artificial lures. One of my primary goals this
year was to pay attention and find opportunities to test my tackle’s crossover applications.
When looking for crossover applications the manufacturer’s rod rating is more important than the specific technique printed on the rod blank. Let me say that another
way, your rod has to match the weight of the lures you intend to use. An example is you won’t cast accurately or very far using a 1/16 or 1/8 oz. lure on 7’6” heavy action
flippin stick because the rod action is just too heavy and the rod won't load correctly to project the relatively light lure. Likewise the same holds true should you try to
throw a 1 oz. jig on an ultra-light rod, it just doesn’t work well. Your rod must be capable of handling the lures you’re using and any crossover applications are great
when your style of fishing and target species allow you to do so. To illustrate this point I'll use a Dobyns Rod model Champion Extreme DX 702C finesse rod and
describe a few examples of crossover applications for this particular rod. Keep in mind I’ve used this rod all season to successfully cover the water column from top to
bottom (the surface down to 35 -40 ft.)
Vertical Baits
The Dobyns Champion Extreme DX 702 C finesse rod specifications are: 7', 1 piece, rated for 6-12lb. test line,
lure weight: 1/8 -1/2 oz., Power: Med/Light, Fast Action Finesse Special, Recommended lures: Dropshot Rigs,
Shaky Heads, Darterheads, Tubes and Gitzits. I've caught largemouth and smallmouth bass as deep as 40 ft
on a dropshot using this rod and it works great.
(Lures this rods designed for)
Horizontal Baits (topwater plugs, jerkbaits and medium crankbaits)
For horizontal baits I used to use four different rods and this year I mostly used just one, the Dobyns Champion Extreme DX 702C finesse rod. Under close examination
you’ll notice all of the applications listed on the blank are drop bait techniques or what’s known as vertical presentations that involve plastic baits and the use of a lead
head jig or weight. There was no mention on the blank that this rod is capable of handling horizontal baits such as topwater plugs, jerkbaits (soft and hard) and
medium crankbaits. Yet, I've used this rod all year long to not only present the various vertical baits
the rod was designed for, but more importantly I've used it to successfully present select horizontal baits. With
some on the water experimentation I've found the hidden crossover application for this particular rod. When
paired with a Diawa Steeze bait casting reel spooled with Red Triple Fish International Fishing line in 8 lb. and
10 lb. test the rod performed very well. The fast action, quick tip and solid mid section make it a great rod for
many horizontal presentations beyond the rod's recommended use.
The horizontal technique that's one of my favorites and one this rod excels at is jerkbait fishing. I've used this rod
to successfully present Lucky Craft Pointer minnow baits, from the Pointer 65 on 8 lb. test all the way up to the
Pointer 100 and Slender Pointer 112 using 10 lb. test. The rod's fast tip makes working these suspending
jerkbaits very easy and the rod provides good power to effectively drive the hooks home on the strike. The rod
performs exceptionally well working jerkbaits right after ice out and all the way through the summer period and
into November.
Another application for the DX 702 C is small & medium topwater and crankbaits. I categorize medium range
baits the one that cover the surface down to about nine feet. Baits such as the Lucky Craft Sammy, G-Splash 80,
Fat CB Mini SSR, Flat Mini MR, RC 1.5, LVR 100, LVR-D7 and Slim Shad D9 fit into this category. All of these
baits fall within the recommended lure weight for the rod and I had no problem covering the water column effectively
from the surface down to 9 ft. In the end I've found a rod rated for vertical baits that performs a crossover application for horizontal baits and it works very well.
I believe the art of fishing goes way beyond just putting fish in the box. It's the opportunity to try a new bait, new
technique or different presentation with a given rod and see what happens, that's just one of the many reasons
I enjoy this sport so much. Please keep in mind this isn’t to say that all rods possess the same crossover
application as this Dobyns Rod, but I have a feeling a good many might and it’s up to you to find out. The real trick
is your willingness to conduct on the water experiments to find the hidden power of your equipment and always
remember never to exceed the rod's recommended weight and line ratings.
(Horizontal baits this rod can handle)
This past fall I took my Dobyns DX 702 C finesse rod to the Salmon River and
used it to present glo bugs rigged on slinky weights for browns or steelhead
and I had no issues, but that's a story for another time.
Until then… good luck, have fun out there.
group is usually looking for any edge they can find to put the odds in their favor, but especially fishermen. It doesn’t matter if it’s a recreational fisherman, professional
guide or tournament angler, most fishermen continually look for ways to put more fish in the boat or on the bank and ideally prefer to do so with the least amount of
investment possible.
Outdoor TV shows and magazines present would-be anglers with the latest and greatest baits and techniques. Every summer the major tackle manufactures and
industry leaders assemble at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) show to display the newest innovations in angling equipment. From
sunglasses and clothing to electronics, lures, rods, reels, line, hooks and weights; if it relates to fishing then odds are its on display at ICAST.
Over the past 5-6 years the angling world has become inundated with technique specific rods & reels. Serious anglers view these specialty rods much like a mechanic
does when he opens the tool box and each one has a purpose and a place. However, what doesn’t receive a lot of fanfare or open discussion is the amount of
crossover tackle on the market today. To illustrate this point I’m going to focus on bass fishing tackle in particular and hopefully demonstrate that with a little honest on
the water evaluation you’ll find out those 15 or 20 rod & reel combinations you have can possibly be cut back to as few as six or seven.
Let me first say that I too have fallen victim to the rage of looking for the BBD (Bigger Better Deal). If a rod or reel was new on the market, I had to have it…. or so I
thought. Nowadays most manufacturers have a rod designed specifically for all the various techniques in bass fishing that include flippin, pitchin, jiggin, cranking,
spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, topwater, jerkbaits, swim baits, and swim jigs, tubes, worms, dropshot, Carolina rigging and frog fishing. For the beginner or seasoned bass
angler it almost becomes over whelming at times, but it doesn’t need to be because many rods have hidden crossover applications within bass fishing, to include multi-
species use.
This past year from April through November, I spent approximately 125 days fishing across NY State in lakes, rivers and streams. I fished eight bass tournaments and
the rest of my time was split either practicing for a tournament or recreational fishing, and all of it done from a boat using artificial lures. One of my primary goals this
year was to pay attention and find opportunities to test my tackle’s crossover applications.
When looking for crossover applications the manufacturer’s rod rating is more important than the specific technique printed on the rod blank. Let me say that another
way, your rod has to match the weight of the lures you intend to use. An example is you won’t cast accurately or very far using a 1/16 or 1/8 oz. lure on 7’6” heavy action
flippin stick because the rod action is just too heavy and the rod won't load correctly to project the relatively light lure. Likewise the same holds true should you try to
throw a 1 oz. jig on an ultra-light rod, it just doesn’t work well. Your rod must be capable of handling the lures you’re using and any crossover applications are great
when your style of fishing and target species allow you to do so. To illustrate this point I'll use a Dobyns Rod model Champion Extreme DX 702C finesse rod and
describe a few examples of crossover applications for this particular rod. Keep in mind I’ve used this rod all season to successfully cover the water column from top to
bottom (the surface down to 35 -40 ft.)
Vertical Baits
The Dobyns Champion Extreme DX 702 C finesse rod specifications are: 7', 1 piece, rated for 6-12lb. test line,
lure weight: 1/8 -1/2 oz., Power: Med/Light, Fast Action Finesse Special, Recommended lures: Dropshot Rigs,
Shaky Heads, Darterheads, Tubes and Gitzits. I've caught largemouth and smallmouth bass as deep as 40 ft
on a dropshot using this rod and it works great.
(Lures this rods designed for)
Horizontal Baits (topwater plugs, jerkbaits and medium crankbaits)
For horizontal baits I used to use four different rods and this year I mostly used just one, the Dobyns Champion Extreme DX 702C finesse rod. Under close examination
you’ll notice all of the applications listed on the blank are drop bait techniques or what’s known as vertical presentations that involve plastic baits and the use of a lead
head jig or weight. There was no mention on the blank that this rod is capable of handling horizontal baits such as topwater plugs, jerkbaits (soft and hard) and
medium crankbaits. Yet, I've used this rod all year long to not only present the various vertical baits
the rod was designed for, but more importantly I've used it to successfully present select horizontal baits. With
some on the water experimentation I've found the hidden crossover application for this particular rod. When
paired with a Diawa Steeze bait casting reel spooled with Red Triple Fish International Fishing line in 8 lb. and
10 lb. test the rod performed very well. The fast action, quick tip and solid mid section make it a great rod for
many horizontal presentations beyond the rod's recommended use.
The horizontal technique that's one of my favorites and one this rod excels at is jerkbait fishing. I've used this rod
to successfully present Lucky Craft Pointer minnow baits, from the Pointer 65 on 8 lb. test all the way up to the
Pointer 100 and Slender Pointer 112 using 10 lb. test. The rod's fast tip makes working these suspending
jerkbaits very easy and the rod provides good power to effectively drive the hooks home on the strike. The rod
performs exceptionally well working jerkbaits right after ice out and all the way through the summer period and
into November.
Another application for the DX 702 C is small & medium topwater and crankbaits. I categorize medium range
baits the one that cover the surface down to about nine feet. Baits such as the Lucky Craft Sammy, G-Splash 80,
Fat CB Mini SSR, Flat Mini MR, RC 1.5, LVR 100, LVR-D7 and Slim Shad D9 fit into this category. All of these
baits fall within the recommended lure weight for the rod and I had no problem covering the water column effectively
from the surface down to 9 ft. In the end I've found a rod rated for vertical baits that performs a crossover application for horizontal baits and it works very well.
I believe the art of fishing goes way beyond just putting fish in the box. It's the opportunity to try a new bait, new
technique or different presentation with a given rod and see what happens, that's just one of the many reasons
I enjoy this sport so much. Please keep in mind this isn’t to say that all rods possess the same crossover
application as this Dobyns Rod, but I have a feeling a good many might and it’s up to you to find out. The real trick
is your willingness to conduct on the water experiments to find the hidden power of your equipment and always
remember never to exceed the rod's recommended weight and line ratings.
(Horizontal baits this rod can handle)
This past fall I took my Dobyns DX 702 C finesse rod to the Salmon River and
used it to present glo bugs rigged on slinky weights for browns or steelhead
and I had no issues, but that's a story for another time.
Until then… good luck, have fun out there.
