Two Drop Shot Rods Recommendation

[bass1980]

I've been doing real well drop shotting this year and look to be better next year. I've been using a Shimano Cumura (black version) this year. Although it is a nice rod I'm left wanting something better. It's the 7'2 M drop shot rod. I feel it's a bit tip heavy and the blank is just alright. I'm looking to get a ML rod for open water and a Medium for fishing deep weedlines.

 

There are two brands I am thinking of trying. One is *** *** spinning rod. I have a bunch of *** baitcast rods and love their blanks but have not tried their spinning rods and actually have not read many people using their spinning rods. Just odd that their baitcast gets so much rave reviews while their spinning rods doesn't seem to be selling well.

 

The other is a Dobyns DX. From using my coworkers DX baitcast just a few cast the blank feels very similar to the ***, everything else feels different. Was looking into the 702sf and 703sf.

 

Anyone has any unbiased opinions on these rods please fill in. Again I need one for open water using 8lb lines and one for weedlines using 20lb braid with a 12lb leader. Last time I asked for opinions on a frog rod and BR people recommended me the Dobyns champ 735c and I bought one and was very happy with it. I hope this will work again.

[Arv]

I have the DX 703sf and had the 742sf. I really like the 703, which is why I still have it. I think the 702/703sf combo would suit you well for what you want. If you want an in-between rod, take a look at the 742sf. The one I had I really liked, but just didn't use it enough as I have other rods I like more. I don't dropshot much so I sold it. 

[David P]

The 702 is a VERY different rod, that is incredibly awesome, but very specific... Many don't understand that...  The 742 vs the 702 is an ENTIRELY different rod, power, etc...

 

 The 742 sounds like it would honestly work for both your 8lb fluorocarbon and your 20lb braid/12lb leader. It's got more backbone to it for sure. 

 

 The 702 is the most fun rod I have ever fished. It's extremely light, small, and just super finesse. Even 1.5lb fish load the rod up and make any fish feel awesome. That's not to say it can't handle big fish (I've caught them up to 7.5lbs on it), but it's definitely a FINESSE Rod. I use 4-6lb line on it. I use it with an 1/8oz drop shot weight. IMO, it's not a great all around drop shot rod, i'ts great for light line, open water, light weight drop shotting and nail weighting... 

 

 The 703DX or 742DX would be a better option IMO for what you're looking to do. 

 

 

ALSO, if you're fishing fishing heavy weedlines, you can always go baitcasting. Anything less than 12ft deep and around weeds, brush, any of that, I absolutely love drop shotting with a baitcaster and straight 12lb fluorocarbon. Can be an absolute blast!

[mod479]

My cumara (same one you've got 7'2" M/XF) sits home usually because the DX 702 does my dropshotting now. I just like the ML for what I do. You could get away with one rod really for open water / weed edges... the DX703SF. It's got more meat in the backbone for sure. If you want two rods to dropshot specific locations, get em both. Can't comment on *** rods, no experience with the brand.      

[kickerfish1]

I have fished a handful of good drop shot rods including the Megabass Orochi XX rod and still prefer my black Cumara 7'2 medium XF drop shot rod over everything else. I feel the way it casts the drop shot rigs, the way it allows one to work the bait delicately, and the ability to get a good hookset and keep the fish pinned has helped this rod stay a personal favorite. The 7'2 ML Cumara is decent but a bit too light and currently serves as a backup.

I don't have any experience with Dobyns spinning rods but I would probably keep the Cumara for open water and lighter cover and snag a slightly more powerful rod of choosing for the slightly heavier cover and bigger drop shot weights and baits.

[iabass8]

St. Croix Legend Xtreme 69mlxf. Best DS rod i've used.

[Rusty Shackleford]

I really like the ALX custom rod I use for dropshot. 6'10" ML/XF Diplomat

[Crankinstein]

I just got a 13 *** ML 6,10 rod for dropshotting. I had been using a BPS extreme 6,8  ML that I've had for 5 years and decided to upgrade when I starting dropshotting a lot more. The *** ML is very sensitive and has worked great so far. I too am a huge fan of their casting rods and I decided to check out if their spinning rods were just as good. The *** blanks are just incredible all around blanks and you really can't go wrong picking up any rod from the line up. I can feel a fish looking at my bait now, highly recommended.

[bass1980]

The 702 is a VERY different rod, that is incredibly awesome, but very specific... Many don't understand that...  The 742 vs the 702 is an ENTIRELY different rod, power, etc...

 

 The 742 sounds like it would honestly work for both your 8lb fluorocarbon and your 20lb braid/12lb leader. It's got more backbone to it for sure. 

 

 The 702 is the most fun rod I have ever fished. It's extremely light, small, and just super finesse. Even 1.5lb fish load the rod up and make any fish feel awesome. That's not to say it can't handle big fish (I've caught them up to 7.5lbs on it), but it's definitely a FINESSE Rod. I use 4-6lb line on it. I use it with an 1/8oz drop shot weight. IMO, it's not a great all around drop shot rod, i'ts great for light line, open water, light weight drop shotting and nail weighting... 

 

 The 703DX or 742DX would be a better option IMO for what you're looking to do. 

 

 

ALSO, if you're fishing fishing heavy weedlines, you can always go baitcasting. Anything less than 12ft deep and around weeds, brush, any of that, I absolutely love drop shotting with a baitcaster and straight 12lb fluorocarbon. Can be an absolute blast!

 Yes I've been using baitcast at times for drop shot. I am leaning towards my heavier duty drop shot with a baitcast using 3/8oz weight. Many times fishing weedlines you're totally not out of the weeds because it tapers at the edge. Then you are fishing below the weeds because down there it opens up.

 

Maybe I am looking for just the 703sf and keep my heavier setup a baitcast. I would consider the 742dx if it's as light at the 7 foot models. I really want a light and balanced rod since my reel is a Stradic Ci4+. My cumura seems tip heavy to me. Still doable but I want something better.

[David P]

Dobyns rods are incredibly well balanced, even the 8fters are extremely well balanced. 

 

 The 742 is slightly more of a rod (length but also width of the blank down low). If you're STRICTLY drop shotting, I'd opt for the 703. If you want something you can throw a shakey head, senko, tube, and other stuff on as well as a drop shot, the 742 would be my choice. 

 

 Hope that helps a bit. 

[benthinkin]

From what I have heard lately 13 has been having problems with their blanks breaking. I cannot personally attest to that, just passing along what the pro shop guys were talking about.

[bass1980]

I have plenty of Envys and none broke. Well one broke but it was my fault but I got a replacement in 7 days. I'm not worried about he said she said. I know a few people with broken Dobyns and even NRX's...ouch.

[Fishing&Tennis]

I know this is kind of an old thread but Tackle-Warehouse's sale is ending and I have to decide soon. Does anyone know how the Megabass Orochii XX Dropshot/Stinger shot compares to the Dobyns DX 702 SF?

[21farms]

AFAIK, the orochi XX stinger shot isn't available yet and, even if it were, based on my experience with solid-tip rods, they're kinda one-trick ponies...great for dropshotting but they feel kinda weird with other techniques. also, megabass never goes on sale. i have the orochi XX dropshot rod and have fished the champ 702 and other DX dobyns but not the DX702SF. the orochi XX dropshot rod is nice but doesn't blow my doors off...i'm not sure if i was just expecting too much or what. one thing's for sure, it can definitely launch dropshot rigs a loooong way (maybe because of its taper?) but, most of the time, i don't dropshot that way. the lack of a hook keeper drives me nuts (yes, i know i can add a fuji EZ keeper but i don't like to). i've had many dobyns and, IMHO, you can't go wrong with a dobyns, especially a DX.

[tomustang]

You could not go wrong with a legend extreme MLXF

[JeziHogg]

Cannot go wrong with any Legend line up from St. Croix.

[Lunker Huntin]

I have had great sucess using my *** M for drop shotting, last trip out my buddie who uses a nice light weight fenwick for his drop shotting asked to use my 13 for a while and said he really liked it nice, light, and very sesitive. I really love that rod use it for all my lighter pastics fishing and you cant beat the price. Ive caught tons of bass, walleye, crappie, and even my biggest catch in utah a 8lb Tiger muskie on that rod. Love that thing best spinning rod Ive owned

[WRB]

Take a look at ALX Maestro 7' ML 2.5 power, fast action, off the shelf spinning rod, sale going on 10% off. Lifetime warranty, 60 day trail period. If you want a moderate tip for drop shot, give Alex or DVL a call for a custom rod to your specs.

Tom

[fisherrw]

id try a phenix m1 or a ultra mbx if you want to get expensive both are very good rods... I have personally tested both of them.. just my imput..

[kickerfish1]

Take a look at ALX Maestro 7' ML 2.5 power, fast action, off the shelf spinning rod, sale going on 10% off. Lifetime warranty, 60 day trail period. If you want a moderate tip for drop shot, give Alex or DVL a call for a custom rod to your specs.

Tom

Funny you should mention the ALX Maestro rod Tom. It is the first ALX rod I have purchased and just received the rod earlier this week taking advantage of their sale. I just cant see this as a drop shot rod at all unless you are talking magnum weights and possibly some sort of cover to contend with. The rod will be my go to tube, shakeyhead, and hair jig rod. It is quite powerful and will be a good rod to set hooks through plastic. Have you fished a drop shot on this rod? Personally I would go down at least a half or a power down in the ALX spinning rod series.

[WRB]

The OP was looking to fish cover and a little stronger rod would fill that niche, agree a 2 power with moderate tip action is a better choice for 6 lb open water drop shots.

All my ALX rods are custom specific for my jig and big plastic worms fishing, casting, not spinning.

Hope you enjoy your rod!

Tom

[kickerfish1]

I am sort of drop shot junkie so I will try them on the rod as well just to see how like it. My main concern would be hook up ratio while using a drop shot rig. The action, taper, and tip are far from what I would prefer. I do like the rod though I havent fished it yet to due to the lack of open water here. The rod seems to have a very nice and responsive blank and solid components. At $180ish shipped it appears to be a good buy. Drug a few jigs on the carpet with the rod and it seems to be good for what I intend to use it for. Once the spring rolls around I will put some time on the water with it using multiple techniques to see where its limitations may lie. At that point I will try to post a more in depth review.

Thanks for the well wishes Tom! Cant wait to give the rod a shot...

[Rusty Shackleford]

I am sort of drop shot junkie so I will try them on the rod as well just to see how like it. My main concern would be hook up ratio while using a drop shot rig. The action, taper, and tip are far from what I would prefer. I do like the rod though I havent fished it yet to due to the lack of open water here. The rod seems to have a very nice and responsive blank and solid components. At $180ish shipped it appears to be a good buy. Drug a few jigs on the carpet with the rod and it seems to be good for what I intend to use it for. Once the spring rolls around I will put some time on the water with it using multiple techniques to see where its limitations may lie. At that point I will try to post a more in depth review.

Thanks for the well wishes Tom! Cant wait to give the rod a shot...

 

When I was in the market for a DS rod, I called Alex and he steered me towards the diplomat. So far so good for me with that rod.