Dobyns Fan Favourite Photo Contest - 20 Fury Series Rods Up for Grabs!

To help celebrate the launch of the all new Fury Series rods, Dobyns is reaching out to their fans and asking them to send in their photos as part of their 2015 Fan Favorite Photo Contest which will see Dobyns giving away a total of 20 new Fury Rods to 10 lucky winners.. On top of the rod giveaway fans will also get the opportunity to have their photos used in the 2015 Dobyns Rods Catalog (a feat I have yet to conquer)

Deadline for submissions is May 24th, 2015  (11:59 pm PST)

Top 10 submissions will be posted on Facebook and Instagram sometime on the 25^th and voting will then be open until the 31st (11:59 PST)

Winners posted on  June 1^st, 2015

The Top 10 submissions will be selected by Dobyns and then the fan get to vote for their favorites and rank them 1st - 10^th

1st place - receives 5 Fury rods

2nd place - receives 3 Fury rods

3rd place - receives 2 fury rods

4th - 10th place - receives 1 Fury rod

Don’t take my word for it, check out the contest details and the full list of rules at 

www.dobynsrods.com/customer-photos/

My first Boat - Bass Tracker Pro TXW175

I have spent a good deal of my fishing life as a co-angler, you know the guy always at the back of the boat, in charge of the putting the plug in and making sure all the straps are off before launching. But rarely have I ever been handed the keys or stepped foot on the trolling motor. Yes I have learned a lot doing things this way, but now its time to move to the front of the boat, and with that in mind I finally made my first "real" boat purchase a Bass Tracker Pro TXW175.

Although many here won't consider this a big time purchase for me it was. It was only 5 years ago that I stepped out of the canoe and into my small pond hopper the Sun Dolphin Pro 120, touring small lakes with a 80lb thrust trolling motor and boating big fish all the while. So making the jump to a boat that's worth more then the price of the graphs attached to it was a big step.

I have a lot to learn, and will be spending the next week weekends adrift just getting use to driving and running the motor. I already have friends reaching out asking if i need help "backing the boat in" or asking "who is going to run the trolling motor" well the jokes on them, I have my wife all lined up for those tasks!

I have been looking at a Bass Tracker Pro series for a few years now. For me it is the perfect size starter boat and paired up with a 75hp Mercury Optimax it will still allow me to  tournament fish from its deck.  Sure I won't win any foot races, but its not always about who gets to the spot first, its more what you do when you get there.

As you can see form the pics Im already in the process of making this boat feel more line my own, and for those that know me that means stickers and decals, I like my boats to look as tattooed as I am, and this boat is well on its way to a body suit.

I'm extremely lucky, I bought my first boat from a buddy, so it took most of the tension out of a big purchase that might have been there not knowing the previous owner. As you can see from the images he took amazing care of it, the carpets and seats look new and any minor wear marks on the hull or sides would have been there after my first outing anyways. .

This so-called tin can is loaded with some great gear that will get me started including a pair of HumminBird graphs, a 788ci at the front and a 997c next to the driver seat, and If I'm lucky the previous owner may just have forgotten to clear our his way points.  I only had one additional purchase to make and that is a butt seat for the deck, with this learning curve ahead of me there is no way I will be able to run that trolling motor all day without something to lean on

I feel like I just graduated High School and I'm moving on to college, I have a lot to learn, but this is a step in the right direction. Fishing is all about learning, and improving, Ive just done both and there is more to come.

Whats on the end of your Jig? Trailer Tricks & Tips

The one thing about jig fishing that makes it different then most other forms of bass fishing is that it provides us with the ability to quickly and easily change our baits presentation on the fly, making  adjustments for the mood of the fish as well as weather/water conditions. Jigs are kinda like a Barbie Doll for fisherman.. yes we too get to accessorize! 

There are multiple ways you can accessorize a jig, like simply adding a rattle, or trimming the skirt. But the most versatile accessory of all is the jigs trailer (or chunk). This quick and easy accessory  gives you the ability to change the way your bait looks and performs in the water. Here are a few trailers I lean on as the conditions dictate 

The Reins Ring Craw is one of my favourite jig trailers, its a small compact bait that still manages to give you jig some added bulk/profile while not effecting the fall rate. It's ringed body and claws help disperse water on the fall an its little claws flap up a storm.

I use this trailer mainly while flipping docks, timber and sparse pads. Because of its smaller profile I don't often use it in situations where long casts are needed or a lot of water needs to be covered.

But don't take my word for it.. Paul Mueller credits this bait for helping him quality for his first Bass Master Classic 

"I like using the rein craw as a jig trailer in the cold water months especially. The material floats so it looks like a crawfish in the defensive position when at rest on the back of a jig. My favorite way to rig the reins ring craw is Texas rigged and use it as a compact flipping bait. This is my go to bait for punching mats when conditions are tough. It comes easily through mat when matched with a 1oz. Or 1.2 oz reins tungsten weight and has a unique shimmy on the fall. I qualified for my first Bassmaster Classic using this technique on lake Dardanelle to punch hyacinth mats and caught my 3 largest fish of that event on it" - Paul Mueller

The Perfect Chunk is a large profile chunk that causes quite the disturbance on the fall all while helping to to slow your jig down.

Perfect for larger baits or situations in which you need to cover a lot of water I often use this trailer while ripping jigs through sparse to medium weedbeds. Its a hardy chunk that holds up to abuse well, the claws will stay in tact for multiple fish and you won't find yourself having to replace chunks constantly

Again, don't take my word for it, Brendan Knaggs the creator of the Perfect Jig knows what he is talking about...

The Perfect Chunk Trailer comes in sizes 2.75" and 3 1/4". It is poured with soft, durable plastic infused with Bio Edge scent. Bio edge is a natural scent made up of real crawfish oil that is extracted from the craw. When paired up with any Perfect Jig, the Perfect Chunk Trailer helps bring the Jig/Chunk combination to life!  The swiming action and life like feel makes any fish fish hold on longer for a better hook up.Available in 10 different colors, there is a Perfect Chunk Trailer color to match every Perfect Jig - Brendan Knaggs 

Although not technically a trailer or a chunk the Zoom Speed Craw is number 3 on my list and it gives my jig a slender speedy profile that really stirs things up while crashing to the bottom. 

The Speed Craw is my go-to trailer when using a swim jig or when ripping jigs through thick nasty cover. Its slender body pulls through the weeds with ease while providing a steady rippling effect. 

This bait serves as a double threat in my arsenal and when not on the back of a jig you will often find it Texas rigged and pegged with a tungsten weight doing battle with fish hiding in the pads and slop. 

I specifically saved the Pit Chunk for last on this list,  not only because it is currently my overall favourite trailer, but also because it shares characteristics from each of the above trailers.  Here's what I mean...

the Pit Chunk like the Reins Ring Claw has a ribbed body to help churn up water on the fall. Like the Perfect Chunk Its 4-legged tail helps to give this bait a large profile while only slightly decreasing the jigs rate of fall. Like the Zoom Speed Craw this baits legs churn up the water, and can be ripped through cover with ease. If your adventurous you can also trim off the out legs to give your jig a smaller profile without compromising on the action.

I honestly use this trailer in almost every situation. Its great for flipping docks, hopping bottom and ripping through weedbeds over long distances, it holds tight and even when it becomes a single or double amputee it is still a  fishable bait.



Last Minute entry..

Ok, so I have decided to add the  Jackall Darts Hog as a late addition to this list. I have never fished this bait, but it caught my eye late last season and Ive picked up a few for this year. The Darts Hog is a short compact bait that is heavily salted and the tails are dipped for added colour accent. Im looking forward to fishing this bait, thought I do have a concern on how easily they tear. I ripped mine just putting it on the jig for this photo opp.. I guess time will tell

Now that we have covered my Trailer choices, lets here from Rich Lindgren on how to apply your trailer as well as other tips that will help you in a pinch

(BassTek Jig slings are a trailers best friend!)

Tips from a Jig Junky (Rich Lindgren)

When it comes to jig trailer, the first thing to know is that I keep it pretty simple from a color standpoint, I basically carry variations of Green Pumpkin & Black/Blue, with a few shad colors for my swim jigs

Try to match the action of your jig trailers to the mood of the fish and the forage I am trying to imitate.  So for those simple color selections, I have a wide variety of grubs, chunks, craws, beavers, swimbaits and more as trailer options.

Keep a bin of used plastics from texas-rigging to use as jig trailers after the heads are torn up.  Simply cut the head off and thread onto the jig and hold it in place (with a BassTEK Jig Sling)..less time fixing your trailer means more time with your bait in the water and more fish!

Couple trailers to highlight, when flipping, my top trailers for my BassTEK Flipping jigs are 2.75" Chunk for all around, a 4.25" Beaver for big fish hunting and cooler water and either a Rage Bug or Craw when the water heats up in mid summer for

active bass and dirty water.

On my Super K swim jigs, I almost always either use a single tail grub as my subtle presentation and either a Evolve Dark Swimmer or Keitech Fat Impact for swimbait trailers when i want more action and roll.

Last for my BassTEK Tungsten Football jigs, it usually a craw imitator of some kind, either a double tail grub, rage bug or a Evolve Kompak craw in really frigid water for smallmouth

Why Frog Fisherman choose Dobyns Rods

With over 100 rods in the Dobyns arsenal there is one for just about any technique you could possibly want to fish. But with that said I do see how a rod line with so many options could be daunting to someone looking for a specific rod for a specific technique.. so we are here to help.

I've rounded up some anglers that when the going gets tough (and there is money on the line) reach for their frog rod each and every time (myself included). So if your in the market for a new frog rod this season, keep reading while the 4 men below tell you why they choose Dobyns and you should too!

Christian Gervais

Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

Weapon of Choice: Dobyns Savvy SS735C
Frog Selection: SPRO USA

My part of the country (Ottawa River) is considered by many to be a paradise of largemouth fishing. We have some awesome bays with lots of vegetation. The perfect habitat for growing and catching largemouth bass. Since the beginning, I've been fishing Spro U.S.A. frogs (with Gamakatsu hooks). What I like about these frogs is that they come in three different styles (original, popping and walk-the-dog shad models).

Whatever frog model I use, my rod of choice is the Dobyns Savvy SS 735C. I particularly like this rod because I usually fish very heavy cover, and rated with mag heavy power, it as tonnes of backbone, giving me the confidence that I will have all the strength I need to control and bring the largest of bass to the boat each and every time. I love the fact that this rod has an extra-fast tip and gives me a solid hookset. The key to having a high hookset ratio is to take your time before setting the hook. Make sure that the bass has the frog in it's mouth and is diving back with it (you know, the 2 second rule ) and then set the hook hard.

 For a frog reel, I use a Lew's BB1 Pro Speed Spool 7.1:1 gear ratio and spooled with 65lbs braided line. This combination allows me to turn the fish quick and get him back to the boat with our without a side of salad. 

To Learn more check out Christians Facebook page and National Pro Staff profile. He has been part of the Dobyns team since 2014 and offered yet another great Canadian perspective of Frog fishing in the north. 

Rich LindgrenLakeville, Minnesota 

Weapon of Choice: Dobyns Champion 736C
                                 Dobyns Champion 805 Flip/Punch
                                 Dobyns Savvy 735c 

Frog Selection:       Evolve Nervous walker 2.0

My first Dobyns Frog specific rod was the Champion 736c and it is still a big part of my rotation.  Its a great for doing a little of anything with a frog and a great choice if you only have the budget or need for a single frog rod.  Casts frogs a mile and has all the back bone needed to winch a hawg out of a mat.  Plus the 7'3" length is perfectly suited for skipping and casting frogs in, around and under docks, trees and cut banks.

For me, there are two basic types of frogging, you are either accurately casting to targets at close range or you are covering expansive mats.  For the close quarter stuff, I still use my 736 most of the time.  But when I am on the Upper Mississippi River and the water and cover is expansive, I switch over to my rocket launcher, aka Dobyns Champion 805 Flip/Punch rod.  This 8' beast will out cast any rod I own and has unbelievable power and leverage to tow any size bass back to the boat.

My frog of choice for either application is the Evolve Nervous Walker 2.0, it is super soft and realistic, walks great and the hooks are good as they get in my opinion, plus you can get them for $6-7, which is handy in pike infested waters.  The combination of hooks and soft body increases my landing percentage and that is crucial whether you are fun fishing or tournament angler.

Lastly, if you are in to buzz frogs or toads, I like the Savvy 735c rod for that application, it still has the length for a frog rod with a little more tip for whipping around what are usually lighter soft plastic offerings.  In the end, the 735 will also handle floating frog duty as well in a pinch.

Rich is a wealth of knowledge and I'm honoured to have him participate in both this article and the previous jig article. To learn more please check out his website HERE as well as his Facebook page HERE

Justin Brouillard
Vermont, USA

Weapons of Choice: Champion 764C

                                   Savvy SS735c

Frog Selection:         SPRO USA

Living in Vermont, only 10 minutes from Lake Champlain, frog fishing is something I have enjoyed since I was a kid first learning how to bass fish. Since then, I have learned  many things about fishing a top water frog. There are basically 2 types of frogs/applications that I utilize depending on a number of factors and I choose 2 different Dobyns rods to help me flip the big ones in the boat.

Keep it simple with a frog selection is key to becoming a better frog fisherman and Justin explains his favorite applications and rod choices below:

In the Early summer when the grass mats have started to form but are not as thick as the summer, I will toss around a Whiskey River Bait Company Saloon Girl. This bait walks and darts around erratically similar to a Jerkbait. I am able to make a long cast with a Dobyns Champion 764C. Some may argue that the rod is a little light to yank the fish back to the boat but the longer rod really allows me to get a solid hook in the fish a long ways away from the boat. The long rod moves a lot of line fast and the Heavy action loads up solid when a fish explodes on the bait! One thing I like to do is start with a Crankbait (Strike King 1.5)/Chatterbait (Red Dirt Bait Company Dancing Blade Jig) along the grass edges or over submerged grass to get a reaction bite. If I can get a few to commit or follow, it tells me the Saloon girl moving faster along the surface is the bait to start. This bait is most affective in the spring when the grass is forming or the fall when the fish are shallow chasing bait. I am able to cover a lot of water and with the bait moving around with as much action as it does, I can quickly switch from the emerging grass or use it as a search bait along the edges.

As the grass mats begin to thicken and blow back into the bays and rocky main lake shorelines, it is time to bring out the Spro Frog. This bait is as versatile as it gets and you can buzz it along the surface or walk it slowly tantalizing the lakes largemouth bass. I pair the Spro with my all-time favorite rod, the Dobyns Savy 735C. I cannot say enough about the different applications that are possible with this rod, but it happens to be the perfect rod for yanking bass from the thick milfoil beds of Lake Champlain! I will gladly give up some casting distance with this rod just for its ability to get a solid hook set and get them back to the boat quickly. I am most always throwing a Black frog in any situation because I think the bass are able to track it down quickly. Some guys switch to White on Champlain but I always stick to Black as long as they are eating it good.

Keeping your frogging gear simple will help you hone in on what the fish are doing. If you can get them to react to faster moving baits you can cover a lot of water and really find where they fish are positioning in the grass beds. When you find a group of bass you can switch between applications to catch a few extra fish. Pair these Dobyns rods with a Lew’s Tournament Speed spool and 50lb Gamma Torque Braid and you cannot go wrong. At Lake Champlain the frog bite can start and stop really quick so I am always ready with my 2 Dobyns to pick up and make a few casts!

Justin lives in northern Vermont and is a recent college grad. When he is not fishing he is either working as a Civil Engineer or teaching his girlfriend Becky how to fish. She can catch them on a frog as good as anyone!

Rob Edwards

Kingston, On, Canada

Weapons of Choice: Dobyns DX746c

                                   Dobyns Champ 735c

                                   Dobyns Champ 736c

Frog Selection:        Nories NF60

                         

I am a frog fisherman, and at no time will you look through my rod arsenal and not find a frog tied on to one or many of the rods in my boat. It's like an addiction that I can't shake, there is just something about that JAWS like anticipation and feeding frenzy that frogs bring out in Largemouth and Smallmouth bass alike. And in all honesty being a frog fisherman is the main reason I choose to use Dobyns rods.

Prior to picking up my first Dobyns Stick I was happy with the other guy (name omitted) They offered me a quality product at a decent price point and for most applications I could find a rod that would suit my purpose. But for frog rods I found the selection lacking, thus the search was on. My first two Dobyns rods were a 735c and a 736c and I immediately felt at home with a frog tied on. The 735c is what I consider to be an all around frog rod, meaning it has the perfect mix of tip and backbone to allow you to cast and retrieve both hollow and soft body frogs. For my first year with Dobyns this rod saw the majority of my everyday frog action in both sparse and medium cover situations. 

The 736c I consider to be my power frog rod, and it gets used in heavier cover or when fishing with a larger heavier frog. It has some added backbone and gives me the confidence needed to drive the hook home even from a great distance. This powerful rod has allowed to me muscle some pretty big fish back to the boat no matter how much salad their tangled up in. If you are strictly looking for a Hollow body rod, this is where I would start. 

Recently I have added a third Rod to my Frog fishing arsenal and that is the DX746, which kind of feels like the 735c and the 736c mated and had a super human baby. This rod is lighter then it parents but shares both their traits. It has the tip and sensitivity that I need for soft body toads and frogs, yet hidden in it's shiny DX body is some serious power. If you only have room for one frog rod in your boat, this rod will do you justice.

When it comes to hollow body frogs I look for a soft flexible body with no appendages and a short shirt. I want to see some movement on the pause but I don't want anything that will get in the way of my hookset. The Nories NF60 improves upon the classic scum frog, it has a similar shape and design but with higher quality components and a bit more weight for improved casting distance. It is pricey at $15 but worth every penny in my opinion 

Last but not least when I first started this article I reached out to Gary Dobyns to get his personal choice for frog fishing, and true to his nature his answer was short and sweet..

 "I don't know of a rod that compares with our Champ 736C as a frog rod. Light, balanced, with brutal power, and a great tip to launch the bait. I know many guys prefer the 735C and it works great....but in heavy slop...nothing compares with 736C"



I think that about says it all, lets go frog fishing!