Drop Shot Rod: Shimano Vs. St. Croix Vs. Loomis

[Vinny Chase]

Hey everyone!
I am looking to purchase a drop-shot specific rod that has a lot of sensitivity, is perfect for fishing in/near cover, and gives a good set.

Here are the three that I am choosing between:

 

1) New Shimano Drop-Shot Cumara (wish they had a 6'10")

2) G Loomis DSR822S

3) St. Croix LT 6'10" ML XF

 

Thoughts?

[bmlum415]

Try a dobyns dx702 or a champion 702 in there too, otherwise I vote for the cumara

[Vinny Chase]

Try a dobyns dx702 or a champion 702 in there too, otherwise I vote for the cumara

 

I probably have to cap myself at $250, but I will think about the champion 702.

[lmbfisherman]

I'd go with a Cumara, but my favorite DS rod has been my Crucial 6'8" ML/XF.  So I would gather a Cumara would be even more sensitive. 

[Vinny Chase]

I'd go with a Cumara, but my favorite DS rod has been my Crucial 6'8" ML/XF.  So I would gather a Cumara would be even more sensitive. 

 

That is the one I have been leaning towards, but I really wish there was more lenght options! Why a 7'2" for drop-shotting???

[lmbfisherman]

Some people prefer it that long, I don't, I would also recommend if you do go for a Crucial, find the previous Gen Crucial (All Cork) not knocking current gen, but  IMO it is tailor made for drop shot, comfort and excellent to fish with. 

[iabass8]

the st. croix XF blanks are a thing of beauty for working the bait /w a DS.

[jtesch]

Cumara, Cumara, Cumara

[Hi Salenity]

$250 would build a perfect DS rod. A MHX Hi-mod blank would be my choice. < this is the route I'm about to go.

[JeziHogg]

Get the LTB you wont be disappointed

[Hooligan]

I do t like the LTB ds rod. I do like the Cumara an awful lot. The Cumara is well suited to a wide range of weights and retains enough power to set the hook on fish if you're rigging weedless.

The 7-2 is very nice for dragging a ds, or in fishing very deep water. It's also nice for fishing larger worms like a 6" fat robo, or mag dreamshot.

The 6-8 is the best compromise of length and action, however, among the most popular lengths of rod. I would very much rather have a 6-8 vs a 6-9 or 6-10 for the vast majority of what I'm doing. The 6-8 has great accuracy and more than enough power to do just about anything in 18' of water or less.

Of those you mention the Cumara is my firt choice followed by the 822 Loomis. That said, if you're patient you can find a GLX for that money, and then, the whole thing becomes more complicated.

[Koofy Smacker]

Im pretty sure the Crucial comes in a 6'10" ML drop shot rod. Played around with it and it felt really nice. Strong backbone with a nice soft upper 8-10 inches. That said Ive been fishing with the Xtreme DS rod and its been nothing but a pleasure. Also has a strong enough backbone that I find myself using it for texas rigs and shaky heads if I want too. The LTB should come in a 6'10" and from all the LTB's I have I wouldnt hesitate to buy another

[Capt.Bob]

St. Croix would be my only choice, tried others and always went back to St. Croix regardless of action or length. Personally I prefer the LE 6'10" MXF, but if your on a budget the LT would be my choice that way you get not only a lifetime warranty but the best warranty in the business!!

[Fishes in trees]

You are talking "finesse" drop shot and not "bubba" drop shot, right?  When I am drop shot fishing around cover, I am much more likely to use a "bubba" approach, a decent pitching stick and 20 lb abrazx line and half ounce or so drop shot weights.

[motodmast]

Dobyns Champion 702 is the finest Dropshot rod i've ever used. the tip is super soft and allows you to make a rocket cast, then really twitch the bait w/o moving the weight, but when it comes to setting the hook, that soft tip ends fast, and there is quite a bit of power in the blank, this rod has had no problem handling 4lb smallmouth in 25ft of water, and if you know smallmouth, you know they fight like a SOB. 

 

i run it with either 6lb Fluoro, or 15lb braid with 8lb fluoro leader in heavier cover, both line choices are very sensitive.

 

also, the aesthetics on this rod are very appealing, comfortable cork and handle, excellent guides, lightweight & very balanced. its one heck of a rod, i cant imagine what the could improve on to make the rod in a DX version...

[skeletor6]

The cumara is the best bet in that price range imho. The 68 and 72 dropshot rods are perfect and have the exact action for dropshotting. Very sensitive rods as well.

[Bluebasser86]

I have the LTB rod you were asking about and it fishes a drop shot very well. I have the 6' 8" ML/F Shimano Cruical drop shot rod and it is almost too soft imo. I've never fished the Cumara though. 

[thehooligan]

Another vote for cumara.  I like dropshot rods, but i prefer just a medium action rod with a soft enough tip to cover a few techniques. I use the 6'8 medium action cumara and it works great for dropshot, shakeyhead, and flickshake/wacky rigged senkos....

[Vinny Chase]

Thank you all for the feedback. I am still leaning towards the Shimano, but I came across a Loomis DSR820S (not the GLX) for a great price. Does anyone have experience with this specific rod? How does it handle larger fish in vegetation?

Thanks,

VC

[David P]

I'd vote for the 702 Champion as well.. I use a 702dx but the Champion is extremely nice as well given your price cap. Can't go wrong!