Drop Shot Rod

[Hollisray]

HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT A NEW DROP SHOT RIG IN A SPINNING MODEL.

THE QUESTION I HAVE WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST ACTION FOR A DROP SHOT ROD?

FAST OR EXTRA FAST SEAMS THEY COME IN BOTH TYPES.

[Darren.]

I like an XF Medium rod for fishing soft plastics. This is what I've used for drop shotting, works very well.

 

As well, one rod manufacturers' Medium is anothers' MH (St. Croix). So if you can get your hands on the rod first, have someone at the other end hold the tip as you lift so you can feel the action. A lot of retailers will let you bring your reel in and test it out on various rods to see how the balance is.

[S Hovanec]

I prefer St. Croix's ML/XF offerings, especially in the SCV models.

[Bluebasser86]

I have 2 I use for DS, a 6' 8" ML/F Crucial and a 6' 10" ML/XF LTB. I like both a lot but it just depends on how heavy a weight I'm planning on using as the Crucial is a pretty light rod. 

[gravestone]

For me it's a plain vanilla St. Croix Premier 7' med. action  fast taper. Works just fine and also double duties as a crankbait rod.

[smalljaw67]

It depends on what kind of line you are using, I use a medium power, extra fast action using mono but if you are using braid then you may wan a fast or even a mod. fast rod for that. The extra fast is good for flouro or mono as both lines do have some stretch but braid doesn't so you need a little more give in the rod to absorb some shock, it is why you now see moderate action flipping sticks for guys using braid.

[CrossK]

X2 THE TOPIC

[iabass8]

i also prefer the mlxf st. croixs on the scv blanks.

[BobP]

I like the M/XF Shimano Crucial dropshot rod.  It has a "hinged" action with a soft 18" XF tip section mated to a medium power blank.  1/8 oz dropshots are no problem and it's strong enough that 5 lb bass won't give you any problems.

[skeletor6]

I like the M/XF Shimano Crucial dropshot rod.  It has a "hinged" action with a soft 18" XF tip section mated to a medium power blank.  1/8 oz dropshots are no problem and it's strong enough that 5 lb bass won't give you any problems.

 

Great point brought up here by Bob. It is not as simple as Fast or XFast. Dedicated dropshot rods are like the one described by bob. The so called "hinged" action is the manufacturers deliberate intent to create a softer tip section with the properties of an XF line. So a medium powered blank ends up having a ML tip-section with XF properties if that makes any sense.

If you have used such a rod, they are perfect for the technique. Plenty of give in the tip to work the dropshot correctly, but yet power in the blank to horse out what you need to. Many have different preferences for their rods which is understandable. Ideally, I prefer an XF action rod as mentioned above with that softer tip-section so you can shake the bait and not the wait applying the correct presentation throughout.

[kschultz76]

This is an interesting thread to me. I don't drop shot much, but it's a technique I know I need to practice and learn. I currently have a 6'6" LTB ML/F that is what I use when I attempt it today and use for other light presentations as well. Someday if I find it to be a technique that works for me I may get a more dedicated drop shot rod.

I love my St Croix rods but I'm considering other brands. The Megabass Orochi XX drops hot rod as well reviewed on TackleTour. Does anyone here have input on that series of rods? Wondering how that rod would compare to a LTB or Legend Elite/Xtreme.

[thehooligan]

6'8 medium fast cumara. Great rod for all finesse fishing. Can throw a 4 inch wacky senko and 1/16-1/8oz shakeyhead as well.

[BobP]

Different strokes for different folks.  I'm not saying that various "non-presentation-specific" ML rods won't do for dropshotting - but it's nice to have one specifically designed for the task.  And you can use it for other finesse presentations too.  When dropshot first came on the scene years ago, several western bass pros recommended the Shimano Crucial dropshot rods because of their hinged action.  Seemed rational so I bought one and have really enjoyed using it for that purpose and for other finesse presentations like splitshotting and shaky heads.  I don't know whether rod designers from other companies decided to use hinged actions on their dropshot rods, I just know the M power Crucial Dropshot works great and is built with high quality components.  IM-10 blanks and Fuji Alconite guides.  I prefer power presentations with baitcast gear whenever possible, but dropshotting is winning me over.  Enough that I bought a second Crucial dropshot rod in ML power just in case I need it for fishing smaller fish species.