looking for a drop shot rod

[smalliehunter]

as we all know the expo is rapidly approching. I am looking for a drop shot rig. Looking for pros and cons between spinning or a casting combo. Also what action and length is prefered.

[kt]

I really it think it depends on where you are going to be using the dropshot at. If you are fishing weedlines with it you might want to beef it up a little. Especially if you are tight to the weedline. Generally, I do most of my dropshot fishing in weed/snag free areas on the lakes that i fish. With that in mind my two dropshot rods are pretty finesse. I have a 6'6" ml fast shimano crucial that i use for smallies a ton. It has been a great rod for dropshotting for me, I miss very few fish and it is a ton of fun to catch fish with. I also have a 7' allstar dropshot rod that i just got this winter and haven't tried yet. I have only dropshotted with spinning gear. However, I know several guys that use lighter baitcasting gear for dropshotting. I personally have had a ton of success with my current dropshot set up there for I see no need to change, which is the biggest reason i haven't used baitcasting gear to dropshot

[Pherris]

I use a 7'2" crucial drop shot rod with a Stella reel. Great combo that I have been very happy with for drop shotting. This will be my 4th season with this setup and no problems. I have some other crucial rods and very happy with them.

Good fishing!!

[Craigums]

If your looking for an all around drop shot rod i would recommend a medium rod. If your leaning toward a medium light id make sure it has Xtra fast action. I bought a ML/F last year and I don't use it as much as I should because if im around any weeds at all I feel under powered.

RK and Dietz can probably fill ya in on using baitcasting gear for DSing

[TonkaBass]

I really like the actions in the crucial or the cumara drop shot rod.

[Hester]

I like my ugly stick. The fact that they are under $100 is a bonus.

[Deitz Dittrich]

the 7'2" Shimano Cumara dropshot rod has a killer action if you are going spinning rod....The shimano crucial baitcaster is a decent one.... I had Lonnie at Thorne Brothers make me a baitcaster dropshot rod last year... that thing is INCREDIBLE.. its a 7'6" Xfast.. Med.

[RK]

Hiya -

I think I cast drop shot rigs farther and more frequently than most, so I like spinning gear, and a slightly heavier power rod. I think ML-XF rods are kind of the norm for drop-shotting, but on a long cast in deep water, even with a nose-hooked bait getting a good hookset is a challenge with a lighter power rod. Fish come up and jump, and your drop shot rig gets air mailed back to you... So for a lot of my drop-shotting I'm using a 7' MH XF with a very light tip. I do have a lighter, shorter (6'9" ML XF) I use for fishing vertically, or sight fishing in shallow water. But I bet I use it 20% of the time.

Cheers,

RK

[Craigums]

Hiya -

I think I cast drop shot rigs farther and more frequently than most, so I like spinning gear, and a slightly heavier power rod. I think ML-XF rods are kind of the norm for drop-shotting, but on a long cast in deep water, even with a nose-hooked bait getting a good hookset is a challenge with a lighter power rod. Fish come up and jump, and your drop shot rig gets air mailed back to you... So for a lot of my drop-shotting I'm using a 7' MH XF with a very light tip. I do have a lighter, shorter (6'9" ML XF) I use for fishing vertically, or sight fishing in shallow water. But I bet I use it 20% of the time.

Cheers,

RK

Thought you'd mention the bubba rig

[Larson15]

Like others have stated, Shimano does a great job with the drop shot rods from the Clarus all the way up to the Crucial.

[bASS_BLASTER]

I use a 7'1" GLoomis BSR852 GLX. Med-Extra fast. I use spinning.

I used to spool 8# line but jumped up to 10# b/c I find myself fishing weed lines and between pockets.

+ Shimano. I always recommend them.

[Comit 2]

I just look for a rod with a hook keeper that looks like it's on backwards.

[RK]

Thought you'd mention the bubba rig

Heh...Bubba shottin' is a whole 'nother conversation...

[mww24]

i used to use my fiances 6'6" medium light fast st. croix avid pearl spinning rod. late last year when the st croix rage line came out i bought a 6'8" medium xtra fast baitcaster. I've been using that for wacky rigging, drop shotting. shaky heading and topwater fishing. I found it is one of my most versatile rods i own now.

[tolle141]

I'd have to say one of my new favorites would have to be the 6'9" or 7'4" Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth. That's a rod that St. Croix or G Loomis would love to get a hold of and charge $200+ for. Play with one if you can find it. I had to find out when Cabelas was restocking shelves because they were selling too fast...

[bASS_BLASTER]

I've had my share of fenwick years ago, actually they were one of my favorites until they started breaking at the tips, pretty brittle. Its been a long time since I've fished with one, hope they've fixed that issue.

I think anything 6'8"+ extra fast works.

[tolle141]

I've had my share of fenwick years ago, actually they were one of my favorites until they started breaking at the tips, pretty brittle. Its been a long time since I've fished with one, hope they've fixed that issue.

I think anything 6'8"+ extra fast works.

Yeah they had a streak there for a couple years and you wouldn't catch me with one. This new batch though earned Field & Stream's Editor Pick. They really got their stuff together with this one!