Q&A on Dobyns Rods!!!

[Gary Dobyns]

I have been getting a lot of questions and I am going to try and answer some of them here.

1. The rods are made overseas. They use the materials that I want and make them the way I want. They are my designs. The manufacturer thinks I'm picky. Maybe he is right.
2. Lamiglas is my even up partner in this venture and things could not be better. The partnership and this venture are the easiest things I have ever done. I have known the Poseys for many years. They have made a high quality product and have been in business for a VERY long time.
3. The funny thing is the rods are ready to go and I'm placing orders and no one at Lamiglas has even seen the rods. I guess they trust me.
4. Dobyns rods has its own warranty.
5. The designs are mine. My job is to design the rods, promotion and pro-staff.
6. Lamiglas will run our company professionally with a great staff already in place.
7. I have made many changes to the rods from the originals. I am using full handles on my reaction rods and my longer rods. The split handle just did not feel good to me on these. I am using higher grades of materials and components, also.
8. We have a long list of dealers across the nation.
9. We have two series of rods. The Champion Series priced at $169 to $199, and the Champion X-treme at $249. We have 50 models.
10. I made some unique rods as well such as an 8 1/2 foot swimbait rod. I also made 7 1/2 and 8 foot cranking sticks in both glass and graphite.
11. Thanks to all the guys that helped with the Sac. show. I had guys call to come and help from 5 and 7 hours away. I had plenty of help from much more local guys. I've got to tell you it sure makes me feel good to have so many friends willing to give me a hand.
12. Thanks to all of you who stopped by the booth to say hi. If I missed you, I'm sorry but I'll catch you at the next one.

[TTCal]

dang Gary, nice... but i have another question...

how long did it take you to type all that up and when did you start?

[Brian Linehan]

Hey Gary, I spoke with 4 people who were at the show this weekend and they all had great things to say about the new line of rods. The comment I heard most about them is how light and balanced they felt. I also heard that they looked real cool. Looks like you are going to sell a ton of rods dude.

Brian

[Kelly Jeffers]

IS IT TRUE THAT YOUR PRO-STAFF GETS A 401k

[leachman90]

Congrats on the early sucsess Gary.Hope that Sportsmans will be one of the dealers for these rods.As a person that got to fish with you in a big tournament that will be a GREATselling point to help me sell a ton of them.God Bless...Jim

[Kbeever]

Is your warranty similar to that of Loomis, Lifetime?

[Triton Mike]

Yes we all get 401K and we also get health insurance and profit sharing ~ We are still working on the Krispy Kreme discount program tho.

Mike

[NaCl]

Hi Gary,

1. When can we expect these rods to be in the stores?

2. Will they be available in any online stores so they can be ordered over the internet?

3. Are you going to have a website where we can look at pictures of the rods and read about the rod specs?

4. Is it true that the handle on the swimbait rods was designed long enough to hold a dozen sugar-glazed Krispy Kreme donuts...side-by-side?

Thanks Gary

[Darkman]

MMMMMMM...D O N U T S, that there is THE selling point for me

[Blue_R70]

Saw your rods at the Lami booth during the Sac ISE but didn't get to talk to any of the reps. They do look great though!

Question about sensitivity: Since you were a Loomis rep and are familiar with their product line, how would you rate your two new rod series' sensitivity and blank weight against Loomis' IMX material?

[DeltaDan]

I have been getting a lot of questions and I am going to try and answer some of them here.

1. The rods are made overseas. They use the materials that I want and make them the way I want. They are my designs. The manufacturer thinks I'm picky. Maybe he is right.

I only have a couple of questions for a truly inquiring mind as I am sure you did your homework very prior and with years of experience-


1-Can you tell us the percentage of how much more it would of cost to build the same line of rods in The States for the end of retail to the consumer? -- The price and availabity of your materials and the price and avaibility of labor in building the rods to completion. --- I am most interested in this question more than the following two.


2-What Country overseas built your rods?

3-Did you tour the plant yourself where the rods are being built?


Thankyou Gary for taking time in answering these questions and blessing's to you and your product.

Sincerely,
Dan

[g-man]

i saw the rods at the show this weekend, and they looked, and felt great. good job gary. when will they be available to buy?

[Kbeever]

How do they feel compared to Loomis. (For those who were at the show)

[Gary Dobyns]

I have only been home a couple of days this month and am leaving again tomorrow. Your questions are important to me but please understand that I type slow and do not have time to answer these now. I have to get some things in order to try and catch a bass or two at the Havasu event. Also, my cell phone has rung 82 times today (no bs I counted them) and I owe many return calls. If I forget or don't call you back right away, please understand. Also, I've received 67 e-mails. I am excited about the rods as are most all of you. I sure appreciate the interest and help from everyone. I'm just chasing my tail right now. I am posting this not to make excuses, but to let a large majority know why I haven't returned calls or e-mails. All of you Crispy Creme jokesters get Snoopy Rod editions.

[Tobe]

Kbeever,
I was comparing these rods to a few different manufactures myself and the best way for me to describe them is to take the sensitivity of a Loomis glx, the weight of a Kistler and the balance of a well built custom rod and you would be pretty darn close.

[Kevin]

Sounds sweet!

[Colebass]

I'm not sure your first question is fair or that Gary should share that information. The actual research and work it took to get him to this point is what keeps others from starting their own rod companies. The extra will, desire and money also help, but giving up the secerets doesn't seem right to me.

I can tell you this from experience (my family has some business ventures in china) that the materials for most products is cheaper and labor was a big factor for stuff being offshored. However the materials have gone way up! And the labor has steadily increased. Some of the labor cost are due to companies wanting to have better living facilities for folks in China. Althought we could debate the way they live for days or years. Many people live onsite where they work and leave on there "days off ". The wages are lower, but the amenities are starting to become a BIG deal. It's not uncommon to have workers eat one or two meals a day at work as part of their "benefits".

#2, I know is China
#3, He has been several times and toured many plants.

Sorry, I'm not Gary, but feel comfortable with my anwsers!

I'll take "famous people" for $1000........

[Saechao]

Hi Gary,


4. Is it true that the handle on the swimbait rods was designed long enough to hold a dozen sugar-glazed Krispy Kreme donuts...side-by-side?

Thanks Gary

lmao........

[Triton Mike]

Dan, If Gary were to have the rods made in the States you are looking at getting your blanks manfucatured through an already established manufacturer ie Croix, Loomis, Lami etc etc. Having said that if you get them to make your particular line of rods they are going to be MORE EXPENSIVE than the major companies current line of the same quality since they have to have a profit margin as well. FOr example if you want a Croix Elite. If X Rod company wanted to use a Croix Elite blank and have croix make the rods for X Rod company then the final retail price will be MORE than what the Croix elite already goes for since X rod company has to make a buck. So your paying significantly more for a rod that is the same as the Croix Elite but made by X Rod company. In this example your looking at a 350.00 + rod!!! So it only makes sense to go overseas. I will say this. When Gary was with Powell I am sure he did everything in his power to stay in the States.

Having said that the trend for ALL fishing stuff and other stuff is going overseas. I don't think there are many crankbaits or jerkbaits that are made in the US anymore. Ardent is the only Reel made in the US to my knowledge and I think almost every MAJOR rod manufacturer has a overseas line of rods and I think that trend will grow more and more each year.

Mike

[Blue_R70]

Ardent is the only Reel made in the US to my knowledge

Lotsa US manufactured reels left: Pro Gear, Tiburon, Avet, Newell, Accurate, Penn Internationals...

[Gene Bowen]

FENWICK RODS WERE GREAT WHEN THEY WERE MADE IN THE USA ,BUT THEN THEY STARTED MAKING THEM IN CHINA AND THE QUALITY WENT DOWN. MAYBE ITS CHANGED NOW. I HAD A COUPLE BREAK , IT LOOKED LIKE THE GLASS WAS REAL THIN IN SPOTS. LOOKING AT GARYS RODS IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WELL BUILT. HOPEING YOU THE BEST IN YOUR VENTURE GARY. GENE

[Kelly Jeffers]

I wanted to know if stuff "tackle and Rods" made over sea's isn't as good as it is here? I guess if that's true you dont use LuckyCraft, or Berkley ? and I'm not sure who owns loomis? I also want to say Ive seen how Rapla's are done If someone can clean that up for me thank you, if you have'nt used Gary's Rods yet wait before you start picking them apart .

[Triton Mike]

Uh Blue R70. Maybe I should have said Bass reels. I looked at every website of the reel manufacturer you listed. I have to admit I learned a good bit but none of them actually promote that they are made in the USA which I found to be strange?? I know several of the plants are in the US (namely California).... Just interesting.

Mike

[Ricky-S]

If you fish (or do just about anything) chances are you are using products that were made outside of the US.

It is called a gobal economy for a reason.

I can't wait to see the new rods. Great job seeing one of our own starting up his own company.

[Blue_R70]

Uh Blue R70. Maybe I should have said Bass reels. I looked at every website of the reel manufacturer you listed. I have to admit I learned a good bit but none of them actually promote that they are made in the USA which I found to be strange?? I know several of the plants are in the US (namely California).... Just interesting.

Yea, it's interesting that many reels are actually manufactured in California. I guess they're not really promoted as being made in the USA because it's kind of a given amongst the consumers of sw/long range gear. They all have a strong presence at the annual west coast sport shows though...

[big_gorilla]

When most people think about it alot of the rods that come from China are good not great. With that said you are talking about a guys who believes in QUALITY. Gary is not going to put his name on a rod he doesn't believe in. Theres too much at risk.

I love the Japanese style rods but they come with a big price tag.

[big_gorilla]

Sorry I forgot to say I wish Gary alot of luck with his rods and I look forward to seeing them.

[kb]

For you guys that want to fish a US made rod there is always Lamiglas for those that it is not a factor then the Dobyns rods will have many rods that you will have to put in your rod locker.

The Penn Company was just purchased by Shakespeare and you may see some of those models made offshore as well. And Triton Mike is right, you will be hard pressed to put an american made reel on any rod, spool up some Sugoi, tie on a Gamakatsu or Owner hook, maybe a Lucky Craft or River 2 Sea bait, tow your boat to the lake with your Toyota and haul butt across the lake with your Yamaha engine.......You probably don't want to know where the shoes you are wearing are made, even the hat you have on promoting your favorite american bass boat company was probably made in China, The glasses you are looking for bed fish with are also made offshore.

It is a way of life here in the US and we live it every day. Hope you listen to Ultimate Bass on your way to the lake on your American made radio.......

Gary is very involved with the quality of the rods and has rejected more than one set of rods that didn't meet his standards. These do!!!!!

Good Luck
kb

[big_gorilla]

Wait is my Ford made overseas? ha ha

I agree I love my Steez Rods and Reels.

[Blue_R70]

The Penn Company was just purchased by Shakespeare and you may see some of those models made offshore as well.

Actually, Penn already markets stuff that's manufactured overseas (their lower end stuff). That happened when Penn was purchased by Master around 2 years ago. I'm sure everyone is familiar with Master Fishing Tackle...they make those cheapie surf outfits that you see at Longs Drugs, Big 5, etc...

[DeltaDan]

Wow- I did not expect this response- or defensiveness.

For you guys that want to fish a US made rod there is always Lamiglas

KB's statement of facts is what I was refering to originally-- Since Mr. Dobyns's line have the Lamiglas name on them as well (yes I understand that it is a marketing partnership)

I believed at that time that I asked a fair and balanced question to Mr. Dobyn’s opening statement. Most likely now in hindsight- I realized that I should of waited till it was further down the food chain of questions….. I am also sorry if I put a damper on this topic.

I more than applaud Mr. Dobyns for supplying today’s market, with a high quality product at a price that can be afforded by some. Not myself personally- but I was just asking 3 question for insite on someone that I am sure has the answers and can open eyes to others of how things in todays world that is nothing like “what it once wasâ€

[Colebass]

Dan,

I hope you didn't take my response back as a defensive stance. Mine was an explaination of the current state of affairs as to manufacturing as I know them.

Give me something tougher than that, Like how do you catch fish on the low tide with a full moon? And you will surely stump me, that's why I come to this site to hopefuly pick up some of this information!

Tight Lines!