Drop Shot Rod Recommendations?

[skeletor6]

I will kick in this, I don't think you have to have a dedicated drop shot rod. If you drop shot a bunch, maybe you would like one set up. I currently use a Dobyns DX742S. But I will also use that rod for shaky heads, tubes and hula grubs at 1/4 OZ or less. Anytime you can fish three or more lure types with the same rod, that's an advantage. Lots of good suggestions. The Savvy 702 or better, Champion or Extreme 702 will do great. I have a Lamiglas DS701TH that is pretty neat. Tennesee handle rated for 4 to 10 lb line. Lots of bend. It's a fun rod when small schoolers are eating robo worms.

The DX702SF and DX742SF are very nice spinning rods that perform well for dropshotting. The 742 is definitely more powerful than the 702.

I agree with the quoted post above me. There is no NEED for a dropshot rod. The 'need' all depends on you. If you have a couple spinning rods and are looking for one that is going to be rigged for dropshot 90% of the time I think you should really consider some of the suggestions that have been given. If this is going to be your only spinning rod, I would not recommend you get a technique specific dropshot rod. The soft tips on them are just not great for some techniques.Your first need to be covered would be to get an all around spinning rod. There are many that fit that category. If you want some recommendations in that area just let us know and we will be able to help you out.

Thanks alot skeletor! Now I gotta go check out another rod!! LOL! No really thanks for all the great input guys. I'm a lot bettter prepared to buy the rod now! Most of my drop shotting will be in the Ohio River for smallies. We'll have four lake tournaments fairly early in the year and then from early June on, most of my fishing will be in the river. Low current and super clear water has been the norm last three or four summers. !/4 oz weight probably be about the heaviest I go unless current gets up. 1/8 and 3/16 oz weights in 12 to 25 feet of water most of the time around bridge pilings, barges, ledges, etc... Occasional 3 or 4 lber but average bout 1 to 2 lb. Been some great suggestions for rods that seem right up my alley.

Aaron Martens has a great video that you can check out on the subject.

One of the big things to take out of the video is that you often want to "shake the worm not the weight". The guy is pro at dropshotting and notice the tip of that rod and how it loads up on the fish. He's using a custom Megabass Rod that has the power of a Medium Light, with a very soft tip. (props to kickerfish on the vid!) Notice the tiny fish that he catches and how the rod loads up on it. You really fight the fish with the midsection of the rod not the tip when fishing nose hooked drop shot baits. Having too stiff of a tip can easily rip the small, thin wired hook from the fishes mouth. All you really need to do is sweep and let the hook pin itself on the fish.

I personally found the technique to be pretty vital for what I am trying to do here in my northern waters. Thus, I wanted a rod that would be a "specialist" in dropshotting, while fishing other techniques second. From a member I highly trust on this forum, I was recommended the CUSDX72M for this purpose. The cumara dropshot rods are about as good as it gets in their price range for dropshotting. The pictures posted earlier by "Shane J" I believe were of the CUSDX68M, a great option if you prefer such a length.

Buckey12, you are looking at the same type of conditions that I often fish in. The fish are not overly large, and the water is clear. 1/8oz and 3/16oz are going to be your best bet and the cylindrical style tungsten are my favorite. If you have not gotten the VMC Spinshot Hooks, you need to do so ASAP because they are money for dropshotting. Furthermore, it sounds to me like you fit in the category for needing technique specific dropshot rod. This is my assumption and can only be determined by you. If it were me, looking for nose-hooked dropshots in the 1/8-1/4oz range here are the rods I would personally choose.

Over $400 = NRX 822DSR (If you get this, expect only to dropshot with it.....that being said be prepared to be amazed by its capabilities) I would definitely get the blue version, I do not like the clear coat on the green models. Your choice though. Definitely the most sensitive in its class. Option 2: Megabass Orochi F3-610X4S Aaron Martens Limited ....its $399 this rod will likely be less sensitive than the loomis, but is the newer version than the rod that is in the youtube video I posted. Speaking with someone who specializes and sells these rods, it fishes EXACTLY the same as the prior discontinued DGS model that is used in the video. The only difference is the handle. This rod fishes like a ML and is versatile enough to toss some shakeys too.

Around $300 = The DX702SF, or DX742SF may be a good choice. I would rate the 702 as a 1.5 power rod, which fits many of the suggestions about going light by other members. This will be a very versatile rod and dobyns extremes are known for their balance. Take a good look at the St. Croix Legend Elite 7'6'' MLXF (LES76MLXF) .....very sensitive stick, if you like longer rods it does a good job

Around $200 = CUSDX72M (my personal fave), the CUSDX68M, and a rod not yet discussed here, but a great rod nonetheless...... is the Phenix Ultra MBX rods. The 700 and 706 in the power of your choice...I heard sensitivity in these rods are very high.

The $100-$200 range = Really look at the Older Model Shimano Crucial Dropshots....if you could find yourself the full grip I mentioned earlier...you would be sitting nicely. Also, many others pointed out a lot of rods in this range

For ~$100 = I would look nowhere else, but the Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth in ML/F or MXF. You can get it on Amazon brand new 2-day shipping and you will have a super light and sensitive rod for what its worth.

Note: There are many other great options that are already posted on here. Some I duplicated. The deal "Kickerfish" threw up there on tacklecenter ends today. Last chance on the cumara dropshot! Nonetheless, people are clearing these out, at some point they may get really cheap like the cumaras on TW. I cannot say forsure. Also, note that the prices I posted are pretty much around retail....you can get them cheaper at the right times of year and/or buying used. Check the warranty programs and decide if its worth it to buy used if you do.

[kickerfish1]

Great post skeletor! Lots of good info...

[Quillback]

Yep great post Skeletor! I would add, keep an eye on Ebay, you can pick up some great deals from reputable sellers on high end rods.

[skeletor6]

Great post skeletor! Lots of good info...

Learned it from the best!

You may correct me on this but the regular cumara spinning rod ML/F is an excellent 1/8oz rod. That with a 1000 sized reel is a deadly combo if you can go that light.

Also want to add that shimano has probably the best vertical line management system and is probably the best choice for a drop shot reel. It can be had in lower priced models too.

Search dropshot reels and member hooligan has a great explanation about the system and its advantages. I think even $80 models have it don't quote me though lol.

[skeletor6]

Yep great post Skeletor! I would add, keep an eye on Ebay, you can pick up some great deals from reputable sellers on high end rods.

That's where I snagged the cusdx72m! Definitely can find some deals. Be careful with non-transferrable warranties though. That happened with me and a NRX. I know better now.

Also, the flea market here and other places I don't know it I am allowed to mention. Great resources, I like buying used rods, helps me step up to the next tier of rods. The jump from the $100 to $200 rods is huge same with the $200 to $300....gotta love it.

Problem is once you get to that next tier its tough going back down.

I think also a lot of people like the St. Croix Legend MLXF rods for dropshots too. But I would post a thread about the exact model you are looking at and the year it was made because some years they balance better than others.

I listed the 7'6'' version but theres shorter one's that many like as well. Actually many custom rods are built off those blanks.

[Addicted to Smallies]

My drop shot rod is a St. Croix Mojo, 6'9", ML with an extra fast tip. A great rod, and I paired it with a Pfleuger President 6930 reel... have had more expensive reels, but this one is hard to beat in my opinion (I have 4 of them in different sizes.)

IMHO, both of these are very good value for the money, and are both plenty of equipment for me.

[buckeye12]

Lotta fantastic info skeletor! Appreciate it. Rod will be used for droppin only. Not goin over 7'. Never dreamed of getting this much good info and help on a rod purchase. Should be able to check out a Cumara at Cabelas. They used to carry some Dobyns but not sure anymore. Carry some fenwicks but not sure on the elite techs. Probably drive up here in the next couple of days and check what they got. Only a fifty minute drive and got three or four good buddies in the fishin dept. That and keep checkin on line. Thanks again fellas.

[kickerfish1]

Learned it from the best!

You may correct me on this but the regular cumara spinning rod ML/F is an excellent 1/8oz rod. That with a 1000 sized reel is a deadly combo if you can go that light.

Also want to add that shimano has probably the best vertical line management system and is probably the best choice for a drop shot reel. It can be had in lower priced models too.

Search dropshot reels and member hooligan has a great explanation about the system and its advantages. I think even $80 models have it don't quote me though lol.

Given the length of the 7'2 ML cumara rod you can easily run a 2500 series reel on it as well and the balance is still great. I have fished both 1/8 and 3/16 oz baits with the rod and it handled them very well. It has a softer tip which I find ideal for nose hooking drop shot baits and being able to load them during the cast. I would compare the action of the rod to be more like a phenix recon or some Daiwa sticks. Best way to describe it would be more of fast/moderate/fast action.

[skeletor6]

Given the length of the 7'2 ML cumara rod you can easily run a 2500 series reel on it as well and the balance is still great. I have fished both 1/8 and 3/16 oz baits with the rod and it handled them very well. It has a softer tip which I find ideal for nose hooking drop shot baits and being able to load them during the cast. I would compare the action of the rod to be more like a phenix recon or some Daiwa sticks. Best way to describe it would be more of fast/moderate/fast action.

Great description!

I was not limiting the rod to an 1/8oz. I have just heard that the rod is killer for 1/8oz weights. That action would indeed be great for a dropshot. That rod I heard is just really good for 1/8oz dropshots. The whole action thing gets confusing, because when a dropshot specific rod calls itself extra fast, it is meaning something completely different then a standard spinning rod. Extra fast dropshot cumara rods are very soft. Whereas the cusx68m would be stiff.

[jbsoonerfan]

A bit out of the norm, but I am going to try to throw a DS on casting gear this year. I tried spinning gear last year and I just didn't enjoy using it and therefore I didn't throw the DS as much as I probably should have. I got one of the Cumara 7'6" ML rods from TW and I am putting a Core on it. I am going to try this out and see if I like using it.

[islandbass]

well i live in the northwest and can go to the lamiglas factory and dig though the close outs and rejects...

picked up a competior series spinning rod 2 power medium light 6' 8" been a awesome rod for only costing $30...

so i thuink any good mdium/light rod with a fast action and ove 6'6" would be a good setup...

Yeah, I keep missing that sale, every year, lol. The competitor series is also great bang for the buck. Also, the excel series actually uses the same blank as the certified pro series so it is an awesome deal even at retail.

I have the Lamiglas Drop Shot Special rod and it isn't a fair fight. It is the epitome of a classic finesse class drop shot rod. I love this rod. Lamiglas makes awesome bass rods and IMHO they are underrated.

I'm just north of you in Fed Way.

[thehooligan]

I have two rods that i use for dropshotting. My dobyns champion 682 and phenix 6'9 ml m1. There both awesome rods, i like buying rods that can throw a few different baits...

[YoungProdigy19]

Powell 7'3" md lt diesel.. enough said. Or endurance 7'1" med lt. Both great rods, 7'3" is more sensative.

[skeletor6]

Powell 7'3" md lt diesel.. enough said. Or endurance 7'1" med lt. Both great rods, 7'3" is more sensative.

Not quite sure how the powell diesel would be more sensitive than the endurance?'

[kickerfish1]

Not quite sure how the powell diesel would be more sensitive than the endurance?'

I was thinking the same. The blanks in the endurance line are far superior to the diesel.

[TriCityBassin']

I don't think you can get this anymore but..... Fenwick Elite Tech Drop Shot Rod is the love of my life!

I absolutely love Fenwick for spinning rods. I used a couple that i liked then walked in the store and saw a marked down (200 vs. 250) rod. It has performed flawlessly. I spool it up with Seaguar Invisx 6lb and regularly pull fish up from 3-40' of water. I have never had trouble detecting bites, most of which never move the rod.

Fenwick Elite Tech DS

Shimano Symmetre

Seaguar Invisx 6lb

Gamakatsu hooks

[kickerfish1]

Fenwick still makes the elite tech "smallmouth" series rods. I don't know if these are different than the "dropshot" series of the elite tech you mention but the smallmouth series has a 6'9 ML fast action spinning rod which is stellar drop shot rod that is readily available.

[skeletor6]

Fenwick still makes the elite tech "smallmouth" series rods. I don't know if these are different than the "dropshot" series of the elite tech you mention but the smallmouth series has a 6'9 ML fast action spinning rod which is stellar drop shot rod that is readily available.

X2

Great rod in its price range. Haven't seen the fenwick dropshot, but the smallmouth series mentioned is a very light and sensitive rod. Not to mention can be had for $100

[buckeye12]

Went with the St Croix Mojo Drop Shot. They had the Elite tech Smallmouth at Cabela's, really liked it, but didnt have the ML. Had the ***. I was impressed with it too. Felt sweet! Liked the Mojo just a little better. Had a $20.00 gift card so only dropped $80 on the rod. Can't wait to get on the water and try it out. Thanks again to everyone for all the responses and good info.

[BobP]

If you want a technique specific dropshot rod, I really like the Shimano Crucial 6'8" CRS-DX68M.  It's a M power rod with a light power, extra fast action 18" tip section that's specifically designed for dropshotting.  JMHO, there is a difference between a ML power spinning rod and a dropshot rod, and the best dropshot rods have a "hinged action", combining a fast light tip and a stronger shaft.  My CRS-DX68M is several years old and has cork grips.  The newer versions have changed to black synthetic grips.  At around $150 with a lifetime over-the-counter warranty, the Shimano is hard to beat.  It will handle big bass and the tip section makes casting 3/16 oz dropshots and detecting bites easy. 

[dustin11]

i have a 6' 9'' ML abu garcia vendetta and you can't beat it for the price. I bought a 7' 0'' ML GSX X-Factor last year and it is pretty sweet too. If i were to get a different one it would be a ML action over 6' 6''.