Drop Shot Rod/reel??

[CC268]

I have an Ugly Stick Rod - 6 Foot, Medium Action - with a Shimano Solstace 2500 Spinning Reel...I am thinking of making it my drop shot rig. It is currently my trout fishing rod and reel, but I want to get an ultra light setup for trout anyways. I am just wondering if you guys think that is a good setup for a drop shot rod and reel or not? If it is...what lb line should I use?

[skeletor6]

Go 6 or 8lb line. The slower actioned rod should have a softer tip and be alright for dropshotting. Your reel is also fine too.i use a 2500 size shimano for the technique. Go out and try it to see if it's good enough for your tastes.

[CC268]

Go 6 or 8lb line. The slower actioned rod should have a softer tip and be alright for dropshotting. Your reel is also fine too.i use a 2500 size shimano for the technique. Go out and try it to see if it's good enough for your tastes.

Alright, so you think the Ugly Stick I have will work then? I can throw some 6 or 8 pound line on it and give it a shot.

[kickerfish1]

The ugly stick will work however your results with rod will likely be mariginal to average at best. Those rods are known more for their indestructibility and not performance. The amount feel and action that rod has isn't that great. It probably utilizes a graphite/fiberglass blank and lower quality components to finish the rod.

You can certainly try the rod to see how you like it for this technique and how your results are. If they aren't as good as you would have hoped, the first step would be an upgraded rod. Lots of options... just do a search.

I would run 8# line and leave the reel alone for now.

[CC268]

The ugly stick will work however your results with rod will likely be mariginal to average at best. Those rods are known more for their indestructibility and not performance. The amount feel and action that rod has isn't that great. It probably utilizes a graphite/fiberglass blank and lower quality components to finish the rod.

You can certainly try the rod to see how you like it for this technique and how your results are. If they aren't as good as you would have hoped, the first step would be an upgraded rod. Lots of options... just do a search.

I would run 8# line and leave the reel alone for now.

 

Alright...well is there a rod you recommend that I can pick up at Bass Pro that isn't crazy expensive?? I am a college student so I am on a budget

[kickerfish1]

Price range/limit?

[CC268]

I just spend over 200 dollars on bass fishing...I am new to bass fishing and use to trout fish a lot. I am thinking maybe I should just forget the drop shot for now and use all my other stuff I have for bass...I have spent enough in the past few weeks

[mc6524]

You can get a St. Croix Premier Medium Light action rod for about $100.00, or a Shimano Cucial drop shot rod for $10.  You will find that the there is a good relationship between the quality and sensitivity of the rod and price.  When drop shotting sensitivity is extremely important because you need to be able to feel the light bites.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

The rod will work, but you will not have that much sensitivity. It should have plenty of backbone for hook sets though. The biggest concern I would have with using and UglyStick would be the weight and holding a heavy rod for extended periods of time. 

 

If you're on a tight budget then that rod will work fine. Just do some serious research before you go out and buy your next rod. For $50-100 you can buy a good rod that you will never outgrow if you make an informed purchase. 

 

For a budget rod the BassPro Graphite Series rods are pretty decent. $40 and they're built pretty tough. I use them whenever I'm fishing someplace where I'm afraid to take my nice gear. 

[Quillback]

I used the Cabelas XML S663-1 last year, it worked fine for drop shotting, light and sensitive enough (on sale for $109).  You'll increase your sensitivity no matter what rod you use if you use floro or braid with a floro leader.

[CC268]

To confirm, my Shimano Solstace 2500 is fine for drop shotting right??

 

Are there any rods I can find at Bass Pro for around 50-60 that would be decent drop shot rods or should I wait till I can spend $100+?

 

Flourocarbon 6 pound line?

[Quillback]

You should be fine with that Solstice, and I use 6 lb. floro (Invisix).  I'd spool a lot of cheap mono on that Solstice as backing then tie on a hundered yards or so of floro (or braid) and save a few bucks.

 

I've got a couple of the BPS Xtreme spinning rods and they'll work for drop shotting, they're on sale now for $79 and IMO it's good value for that price.  I'd go with the ETR68MLS myself for a DS rod.

 

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-XPS-Extreme-Spinning-Rods/product/11092205011617/#chart-container

[skeletor6]

To confirm, my Shimano Solstace 2500 is fine for drop shotting right??

 

Are there any rods I can find at Bass Pro for around 50-60 that would be decent drop shot rods or should I wait till I can spend $100+?

 

Flourocarbon 6 pound line?

 

I overlooked that you were using an ugly stick in my first response. The rod's properties are somewhat what you would look for in a dropshot rod, but ugly sticks are plain out dead and insensitive. Without a doubt save up $100 go online and order the Fenwick Elite Tech SMallmouth 6'9'' ML/F off of Amazon. You will get 2 day shipping and you will have a very light and sensitive dropshot rod to go with your Solstace. This rod fishes more like a $150+ rod and you will be very pleased with its performance. It blows away every Sub $100 rod out there or at BPS.

 

6 or 8lb fluoro will work fine. Seaguar Invizx would be my choice. 

[CC268]

I overlooked that you were using an ugly stick in my first response. The rod's properties are somewhat what you would look for in a dropshot rod, but ugly sticks are plain out dead and insensitive. Without a doubt save up $100 go online and order the Fenwick Elite Tech SMallmouth 6'9'' ML/F off of Amazon. You will get 2 day shipping and you will have a very light and sensitive dropshot rod to go with your Solstace. This rod fishes more like a $150+ rod and you will be very pleased with its performance. It blows away every Sub $100 rod out there or at BPS.

 

6 or 8lb fluoro will work fine. Seaguar Invizx would be my choice. 

 

 

Alright..it may be a while but I will eventually do that...it is actually $130 on Amazon

[CC268]

You should be fine with that Solstice, and I use 6 lb. floro (Invisix).  I'd spool a lot of cheap mono on that Solstice as backing then tie on a hundered yards or so of floro (or braid) and save a few bucks.

 

I've got a couple of the BPS Xtreme spinning rods and they'll work for drop shotting, they're on sale now for $79 and IMO it's good value for that price.  I'd go with the ETR68MLS myself for a DS rod.

 

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-XPS-Extreme-Spinning-Rods/product/11092205011617/#chart-container

 

That is tempting as that is a lot more reasonable for me

[Jeff H]

If you are on a budget, then consider a Berkley Lightning Rod IM6 in the 6'6" or 7' medium power models.  It will work just fine for drop shotting and only drain your wallet of $40 + tax.  Very capable rod for the price.  

[CC268]

If you are on a budget, then consider a Berkley Lightning Rod IM6 in the 6'6" or 7' medium power models.  It will work just fine for drop shotting and only drain your wallet of $40 + tax.  Very capable rod for the price.  

 

 

I saw those rods...that sounds great for only 40...anybody else have opinions on the Berkley Lightning Rod? I could pick one up tonight at Bass Pro and have it for tomorrow! Medium or Medium Light??

 

I could possibly do the BPS Extreme for $80...but that is definitely pushing it right now

[Dave P]

Go ML. I have one that I have used on occasion with good results. IMO, you will not find a better rod at that price point.

[CC268]

Go ML. I have one that I have used on occasion with good results. IMO, you will not find a better rod at that price point.

 

Alright so go with the Berkeley Lightning ML 7"....I noticed there is a "Shock" version too...what is the deal with that.

 

Just want to make sure I am not wasting money on something that is going to be "ehh" for dropshoting

[Capt.Bob]

You should be fine with that Solstice, and I use 6 lb. floro (Invisix).  I'd spool a lot of cheap mono on that Solstice as backing then tie on a hundered yards or so of floro (or braid) and save a few bucks.

 

I've got a couple of the BPS Xtreme spinning rods and they'll work for drop shotting, they're on sale now for $79 and IMO it's good value for that price.  I'd go with the ETR68MLS myself for a DS rod.

 

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-XPS-Extreme-Spinning-Rods/product/11092205011617/#chart-container

This is pretty sound advise in my opinion. The BPS Extreme is a great rod for the money, you would have to spend more than twice that to buy the same quality in a name brand rod. I am a St Croix addict but I think the Extreme is a better rod than the Premier and close to the Avid. If you get the 6'8" MLF you will have a quality rod with good sensitivity and rugged durability, finished with quality hardware!

[CC268]

This is pretty sound advise in my opinion. The BPS Extreme is a great rod for the money, you would have to spend more than twice that to buy the same quality in a name brand rod. I am a St Croix addict but I think the Extreme is a better rod than the Premier and close to the Avid. If you get the 6'8" MLF you will have a quality rod with good sensitivity and rugged durability, finished with quality hardware!

 

I know the BPS Extreme would be a good option....but how about the Berkeley Lightning? It would save me a lot of money but I don't want to buy something that is going to be pretty subpar

[Capt.Bob]

The BPS Extreme is a much better rod than the Berkley lightning rod, and in any configuration the Lightning Rod is not as good as the St Croix Premier, the Extreme's that I own are why, for the money this is what I would buy. I would save my money if I couldn't buy the Extreme or better, but my original statement stands as it being the best choice in your price range, JMO. And I have owned the lightning rods, they were not kept in favor of the Extremes.

[Darren.]

I know the BPS Extreme would be a good option....but how about the Berkeley Lightning? It would save me a lot of money but I don't want to buy something that is going to be pretty subpar

 

You'll be fine with the Lightning. A lot of us here started out with Ugly Stiks, and other "lower-end" rods and caught fish.

 

You have a limited budget, so stick to it. A lot of us have a habit of feature creep when talking to guys on budget, and that's not a problem per se, just what happens. A $40 dollar rod is fine, but if you only spend $20 more .... and next thing you know you're up to $100 and way over budget. And all of it is guys trying to help you.

 

Within your budget, there are a number of rods to choose from. Some aren't easily found without shipping, and that may or may not meet your budget. So if you're wanting to buy local and the Lightning is there, get it.

 

The Shock is the elder brother to the Lightning. Is nice, geared for braided line, etc., but most rods (even the Lightning) can handle braid these days.

 

Your reel is perfectly fine for drop shotting as well.

 

If and when you can afford to upgrade to finer gear, then do so. Don't fret now. You'll still catch fish.

 

You can even use your Ugly Stik, but as others have said, it is heavy (unless it is the Lite version) and not particularly sensitive. Works for some stuff just fine, though.

[J Francho]

If you can't afford much more than line, then by all means, spool that baby up with some 6# line, and get out there. I wouldn't say an Ugly Stik is "dead" by any means, but newer, modern tackle is so, so much more sensitive these days, and it doesn't take a small fortune to get there. Lots of good recommendations for new rods already.

[new2BC4bass]

Alright..it may be a while but I will eventually do that...it is actually $130 on Amazon

 

 

Prices fluctuate.  $130 today...$109 tomorrow.  I purchased a couple of the Smallmouth series when they were selling for about $71.  Word apparently has gotten out about how good these rods are, and prices no longer drop that low.  At least I haven't seen any that low in about 6 months or so.  Actually I think I saw the 6'3" MF casting rod around $99.95 on fleabay or Amazon.  The more popular sizes and actions seldom sell for that low of a price these days.

 

As already mentioned, you could go ahead and use the Ugly Stik while saving a bit more money.  Also keep an eye open for closeouts and closely follow the "For Sale" forums.  Never know when a great deal will come along.  Another option is to place a WTB ad.  Might be someone willing to part with one for a very good price if it isn't getting used much.  Especially to a college kid on a low budget.  I know I would if I had such a rod laying around unused.