Looking to upgrade: Megabass XX Flatside Special or Dobyns 705CB

[mthao105]

Hey TT, I'm looking to upgrade my current treble hook rod (Fury 705cb) and I'm split between the MB Orochi XX Flatside Special or the Dobyns Champ 705CB. This rod is going to be mainly used for rip baits, specifically 110 sized baits and 1.5 squarebills, with medium running cranks being thrown once in awhile. Can you guys shed some light on the way the flatside special fishes compared to the 705CB? Any suggestions on which rod I should go with? Also any experience with the flatside special is welcome as well, since I can not get my hands on one to feel and fish with beforehand. Thank you!

[medicpelle]

I own both rods and both are very good sticks. I prefer the 704 for the smaller square bills (1.5), they seem to load better on casts on the 704. I might be getting too picky but that's what I have found for me. The 705 will throw them as well but I don't like the feel with lighter baits. The MB is a great stick as well but I feel it has a little stiffer tip then the 705. On the 110's its pretty much the same thing, I want the tip to do the work not the entire rod and I like the feel of the "glass" rods, 704cb & 705cb glass. Again I think the smaller lighter jerkbaits feel better on the 704 and bigger on the 705. I throw traps and spinnerbaits on the MB. I very rarely if ever throw cranks on it. If I did they would be medium running like a 5/5xd. I am not sure I really answered your question.

[njbasscat]

I've owned all the Dobyns glass rods as well as a 684cb and 705cb (2nd gen)They are all good rods. I'm currently using the XX Flatside Special and like it a lot. The 705cb (2nd gen) and XX FS both fish very similiar. They are both well balanced. They both have full cork. The looks and build quality of the MB is better in my opinion. I mainly fish cranks on mine because I have a couple shorter jerkbait rods but think it would handle the 110 or Pointer 100 fine. I haven't fished the gen 3 Dobyns so I can't make that comparison. You couldn't go wrong with either rod but the MB has more of that "it" factor, at least to me.

[mthao105]

Thanks for the replies guys. Definitely helped me narrow down my decision.

[djd]

Last year I switched over from some trusty Powell 706CBs to several Dobyns 705CB Glass and XX Flatside Specials. After using them this year, my plan is to sell the the 705CB Glass rods and purchase a couple more XX FSSs. I use these rods for smaller square bills, jerkbaits, poppers, traps, and walkers. Haven't used them much with small spinnerbaits or chatterbaits, but should work fine for those and maybe even smaller swim jigs.

[fishballer06]

I can't comment on the Flatside, but I own the Champion 705CB (graphite version, not a fan of glass rods). I absolutely love my 705CB. That rod will literally handle any moving bait I throw with it (topwater, swim jigs, chatter/spinner baits, squarebills, mid depth cranks, rattle traps, jerkbaits, etc). I fish tournaments as a co-angler and if I can only take one cranking rod with me, this is the one I take with me.

[Giqqo]

Love the flatside. Great with pretty much any moving bait you could imagine. The hooksets are great feeling too. Doesnt feel like your swinging a noodle at them...

[mthao105]

Thank you guys for the input. I went and picked up a Flatside Special during the recent sales. My initial impressions are that this rod is impressive as far as build quality goes. I haven't had the chance to fish it yet, but it seems to be slightly more powerful than the fury 705cb I upgraded from. Overall, I'm impressed with the rod and I look forward to fishing it.

[jmd_143]

I have owned both the champ 705cb and the flat sided special. Sold of the 705 and still have the xx. I haven’t regretted that decision one bit.