Best Rod For A Shaky Head Or Drop Shot Rig?

[katmandew]

Got a new Shimano Stradic I want to pair with a good sensitive shaky head and drop shot rod.  I'm new to both rigs and I know you need a sensitive medium action rod with a fast or extra fast tip, but I'm curious what brand and model rods are best for this type presentation.  Any suggestions?  I'd like to stay under $200 for the rod.

[Sam]

For a little more than $200 look at these rods on sale:

 

http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/fishing-rods/spinning-rods/freshwater/g-loomis.html

[kickerfish1]

If you can track down a used or be lucky enough to find one brand new, the previous shimano cumara spinning rod in whatever length you prefer. They have a 7'2 and. 6'8 medium xf actions rods that would be great choices and look excellent with your new stradic.

While I don't own either of the two mentioned above rods I do have the cumara 7'2 ML spinning rod with a stradic CI4 that I use for a dedicated drop shot rod. I would not suggest this particular rod for shakeyheads though. The two mentioned above rods may be found at the tackle center. They had a few left last I looked...

[tbone1993]

For a little more than $200 look at these rods on sale:

 

http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/fishing-rods/spinning-rods/freshwater/g-loomis.html

I was told to avoid that line of g loomis rods once before, havent used them. I would say take a look at the elite tech line by fenwick.

[katmandew]

Cumara is a little high.  What about the Crucial.  Is there really that much difference?

[ww2farmer]

A St Croix 6'8" M/XF spinning rod will do both, and do both well. Is it my ideal drop shot rod ? No, but I have used mine for drop shotting and it is more than OK, but it is an excellant shaky head rod. Honestly, it is a better drop shot rod, than how my dedicated drop shot rod performs as a shaky head rod.......LOL if that makes any sense.... Iet me put it this way, my drop shot rod (7' ML/F Avid) is an excellant drop shot rod, but I don't care for it as a shaky head stick. But my 6'8 M/XF Mojo is a great shaky head stick, and it's not to bad of a drop shot rod, so in other words it's pretty versitile. Pick your price range, the offer that length and power from the Mojo ($100), Rage ($150), and Avid ($190) lines.

[Crappiebasser]

IMO those require two different actions. I would get a Avid 68mxf for shakey head but it's too stiff for dropshotting. If I had to pick one rod for both I would go with a 7' m Avid.

[bmlum415]

If you don't mind spending a bit over 200 a dobyns champion 702 is what I use to throw shaky heads and drop shots, it's very balanced and sensitive, I have a crucial also and it's no where near as good as the dobyns, the crucial decent rod in terms of feel but I've snapped one and had an uncle snap two and his friend also snapped two, all were 2011 models my 2012 one that was warrantied has held up fine so far.

[kickerfish1]

The crucial vs cumara is no comparison in my mind. The cumara is far superior and more sensitive to help be able to pick up the light bites when using finesse presentations. They often show up on sale fore well under $200. I would say around $150+/- used would be about right depending on condition. Plus they have a lifetime warranty. If you break the rod they will replace it with newer red/maroon finished rods should the factory warehouse be out of stock of the older models.

The fenwick elite tech 6'9 medium xf is a rod that would be another solid choice for $129 but can be found for far less. If you will be throwing rigs under 3/16 oz I would suggest the 6'9 ML fast rod. I have two of these and while not as sensitive as a cumara they both are outstanding value based rods. I picked up both brand new for $140 total and for what I paid I doubt I could find a better rod.

[katmandew]

I figured I would be able to use one rod for both.  Sounds like I can, but would be better if I had a 2 different rods since I need a ML action rod for the drop shot, but that would be too light for the shaky heads.  So I'm guessing sensitivity wise, I'd wanna a spend more on the rod for the drop shot and just use one of my cheaper medium Fast action rods for the shakey heads?

[skeletor6]

If you can track down a used or be lucky enough to find one brand new, the previous shimano cumara spinning rod in whatever length you prefer. They have a 7'2 and. 6'8 medium xf actions rods that would be great choices and look excellent with your new stradic.

While I don't own either of the two mentioned above rods I do have the cumara 7'2 ML spinning rod with a stradic CI4 that I use for a dedicated drop shot rod. I would not suggest this particular rod for shakeyheads though. The two mentioned above rods may be found at the tackle center. They had a few left last I looked...

X2!

The Shimano Cumara CUSDX72M would be my choice. It is an excellent rod for both techniques. If you can find this rod on a discount or used you will have found yourself a gem for dropshotting and flickshakes specifically. Not to mention it will match your shimano perfectly.

[katmandew]

Just curious, what does the 7'2" rod do for you that a standard 6'6" won't?  Wondering what the advantages are to the longer rod.  Also, I was thinking of spending my money on a good ML/XF drop shot rod and using my Medium/Fast action Berkley Lightning Shock Rod (I don't have any really good sensitive spinning rods since I fish baitcasters mostly) and use that setup for the shaky heads.  It's 6'6" and I know is a low end $40 rod, but when it comes to feel and if I'm using braid with fluoro leader anyway, will I not feel most bites on a shaky head with that setup?

[ClackerBuzz]

TW has 7'6" ML or M Dobyns on sale for $175.  twice the casting distance with half the effort.  much better for sneaking up on fish. and you cast lighter lures when the bite if tuff

http://www.***.com/Dobyns_Champion_Spinning_Rods/descpage-DCST.html

Powell makes nice rods too. their Endurance ML 7'3" is nice and everything should be 20% off at either Presidents day or Memorial day (i think there is a sale in between.) can't go wrong with a st croix or duckett either. i have a fenwick tech and LOVE it on the water but HATE it everywhere else.  the guides are so flimsy they bend like butter...and i am VERY careful with equipment.

Edited January 19, 2013 by ClackerBuzz

[skeletor6]

Just curious, what does the 7'2" rod do for you that a standard 6'6" won't?  Wondering what the advantages are to the longer rod.  Also, I was thinking of spending my money on a good ML/XF drop shot rod and using my Medium/Fast action Berkley Lightning Shock Rod (I don't have any really good sensitive spinning rods since I fish baitcasters mostly) and use that setup for the shaky heads.  It's 6'6" and I know is a low end $40 rod, but when it comes to feel and if I'm using braid with fluoro leader anyway, will I not feel most bites on a shaky head with that setup?

 

I don't think anyone here can really answer whether the feel on the Berkley will suffice. There are people on all ends of the spectrum on rod sensitivity. There are those that feel they have all they need with a Ugly Stick, and those who won't touch a sub $100 rod for their needs I have the 7' version of the berkley lightning shock rod. It does all I would ask a $40 rod to do. I would imagine that if you got yourself a very nice spinning setup, that you would manage that rod to handle both techniques you mentioned. Even if it was pushing the capabilities of said rod. 

 

The reason I recommended the CUSDX72M is because it can handle both techniques you mentioned and can fish a dropshot extremely well. Not many good dropshot rods can actually handle shakeyheads. The tip on them will be too soft or the rod will be underpowered. That is where I feel the length comes into play with the specific rod I mentioned. For one you are going to get greater and easier casting distance. I don't just drop most of my dropshots, I cast them. Furthermore, with the 7'2'' I find it much easier to handle the fish when they are making their last run by the boat. Also, with that length of rod you are getting more tip-speed on your hooksets which allows for the versatility of being able to handle shakeyheads even with its soft tip. This is something I feel is too big of a stretch for the CUSDX68M. Also, I own said rod so I can vouch for it.

 

I was in the same situation as you a few months ago and searched for many rods to do what you are asking. I actually got a Loomis 6'10'' NRX SYR first, because I figured a shakeyhead rod can fish both a shakeyhead and a dropshot and a dropshot rod can only dropshot. It may follow course for a lot of technique specific dropshot rods, but not all. The CUSDX72M is one of them as well as a couple others out of your price range. If you look around you should easily be able to find that rod for well below its retail and I am not just talking barely below $200 shipped. 

[kickerfish1]

Katmandew... you don't have to have two rods to accomplish these techniques. Most technique specific anglers will likely opt for two separate outfits.

Since it seems like their is a budget in mind with the purchase I would likely get one good outfit. If you opt for a better drop shot rod and use the cheap lightning rod for shakey heads you will likely find yourself not wanting to use the cheaper outfit. Once you have tasted caviar it is hard to go back to frozen dinners. Point is without both rods being in the same ballpark it will be tough to pick the lighting rod up.

Unless you can swing a new rig for both I would opt for a rod that can do both well. Keep your lightning rod as a back up outfit if room allows or else rig whatever bait you think you will be using less.

This is what I would do. I have been in a similar situation with upgrading and decisions to make. I just had a hard time going back to lower grade rods once better rods were purchased as the cheaper rods felt heavier and more "dead in hand".

[katmandew]

I don't think anyone here can really answer whether the feel on the Berkley will suffice. There are people on all ends of the spectrum on rod sensitivity. There are those that feel they have all they need with a Ugly Stick, and those who won't touch a sub $100 rod for their needs I have the 7' version of the berkley lightning shock rod. It does all I would ask a $40 rod to do. I would imagine that if you got yourself a very nice spinning setup, that you would manage that rod to handle both techniques you mentioned. Even if it was pushing the capabilities of said rod. 

 

The reason I recommended the CUSDX72M is because it can handle both techniques you mentioned and can fish a dropshot extremely well. Not many good dropshot rods can actually handle shakeyheads. The tip on them will be too soft or the rod will be underpowered. That is where I feel the length comes into play with the specific rod I mentioned. For one you are going to get greater and easier casting distance. I don't just drop most of my dropshots, I cast them. Furthermore, with the 7'2'' I find it much easier to handle the fish when they are making their last run by the boat. Also, with that length of rod you are getting more tip-speed on your hooksets which allows for the versatility of being able to handle shakeyheads even with its soft tip. This is something I feel is too big of a stretch for the CUSDX68M. Also, I own said rod so I can vouch for it.

 

I was in the same situation as you a few months ago and searched for many rods to do what you are asking. I actually got a Loomis 6'10'' NRX SYR first, because I figured a shakeyhead rod can fish both a shakeyhead and a dropshot and a dropshot rod can only dropshot. It may follow course for a lot of technique specific dropshot rods, but not all. The CUSDX72M is one of them as well as a couple others out of your price range. If you look around you should easily be able to find that rod for well below its retail and I am not just talking barely below $200 shipped. 

Found the Cumara on sale for $169 at the local tackle shop, but they only have the 7'6 M/F model.  They they didn't have the 7'2" M/XF.   It's made for a shaky head, but what are your thoughts on that rod fishing with a drop shot as well?

[katmandew]

Katmandew... you don't have to have two rods to accomplish these techniques. Most technique specific anglers will likely opt for two separate outfits.

Since it seems like their is a budget in mind with the purchase I would likely get one good outfit. If you opt for a better drop shot rod and use the cheap lightning rod for shakey heads you will likely find yourself not wanting to use the cheaper outfit. Once you have tasted caviar it is hard to go back to frozen dinners. Point is without both rods being in the same ballpark it will be tough to pick the lighting rod up.

Unless you can swing a new rig for both I would opt for a rod that can do both well. Keep your lightning rod as a back up outfit if room allows or else rig whatever bait you think you will be using less.

This is what I would do. I have been in a similar situation with upgrading and decisions to make. I just had a hard time going back to lower grade rods once better rods were purchased as the cheaper rods felt heavier and more "dead in hand".

I know what you mean.  More than likely I'll probably try to sell the lightning rod to recover some of the money for the new rod.  I bought an all-pro SMG rod for fishing my swimbaits and jigs.  It was the first $200 rod I've ever owned.  The feel is unbelievable.  I usually use BPS Bionic Blades and Extremes, which I will continue to use as my casting crankbait rods.  I don't see putting that much in the crankbait rods, but the finesse fishing requires more feel.