Powell Rods Review
I’ve been fishing Powell rods for the better part of 15 years now. Ive tried many others over the years but find myself preferring the Powells time and again. Rods are very much about preference for many of us and in today’s market there are a vast amount of viable choices, Most of them are good products and a lot of times it comes down to a name brand. Other times, its value. Still for others its warranty. For me I think its a combination of value, feel , and confidence. Most of todays rods are sensitive and fairly balanced, light , and astetically pleasing. Im not big on the looks, it really is not an issue to me near as much as performance is. Function and getting the job done is the key.
So lets talk about Powell rods and what I use and why.
First IM a big Punch and Flip fisherman. I love the bite of a huge punch fish and the battle of getting the fish out of the slop. I use many rods for this technique based on cover, weight Im flipping, and line required for said cover. My favorite and most often used is the 806 3D Max. Its an awesome rod with a great action for using weights up to 2 oz. The action is not overly fast which is good when wrestling big fish out of the slop. I have 4 806 3Ds and usually rig em with various size weights as well as line type. Its also a great rod for flipping general weights. Although in that case I usually will choose the 795 3D or the 775 3D. I prefer the 795 in most cases for flipping unless IM thrown g something really light, then Ill f=go with the 775.
I will also use the 795 for A rigs, mid size swim baits, whopper plotters and buzz baits. The 775 3D is one of the most universal rods in the 3D line up. You can do just about anything with it. Ive punched with it and thrown a drop shot with it. Buzz baits, plotters, smaller a rigs, the list goes on. I have several in my boat at all times and can do just about anything with them. The 764 3D has taken some of the load off the 775 for me. I really like it for all my pitching applications. Jigs, senkos, beaver baits, its my open water choice. Pitching to tule pockets and such this rod is my choice. 734 3D for tighter more precise casting and skipping.
Specialty lake rods, meaning rods I use exclusively on lakes suck as Berryessa, Folsom or Oroville. The 753 3D comes to mind. Its a bit lighter rod then I prefer for the Delta or places like Clear Lake. The 753 is a great bait caster to use in place of a spinning rod for deep water applications. Shakey heads, smaller jigs, dragging baits and such. When I need the extra length for a good hook set when fishing deep the 753 fits the bill. Also a great rod for fishing deep open hook senkos.
For reaction fishing with spinner baits, chatter baits, and cranks there are some options. The 755 CB is in my opinion the best chatter bait rod on the market. Great power, parabolic bend, plenty of power, its a real work horse. If you need something a bit shorter then the 705 is a good choice. I use the 705CB for my square bill fishing, as well as some mid running cranks such as the River 2 Sean Goon and Biggie. Also a good choice for top waters and smaller spinner baits. The CB line by Powell are awesome rods and remain light compared to some. The action is great and feels good in your hands. The 705 and 703 CB are also good choices for ripping or smaller swimbaits on a ball head.
As far as spinning applications I use the 712 the most. I do have a few 703 Infernos as well. This series of rods is a great value for a rod that is comparable to the original Powell Max rods. I prefer the 3Ds but use a few Infernos and love them. The 703 spinning is good when you want a little more power out of a spinning rod. The 712 is my choice for drop shot, shakey head, ned rig and such. Very light and sensitive, great action, great all around spinning rod.
The 3D max rods are a great buy with the current price. The Infernos are a bit lower price and is a great value rod that you will not be disappointed with. Keep your eyes open for a new model coming soon from Powell. Very exciting for those of you that loved the Endurance series rods, I think your gonna love the new rods. If you have any questions or comments please leave them here and Ill get back with you.
Sean Wayman
