Rod Blanks

[MickD]

There are a ton of great blanks out there, and you've been told a lot of good names, but not much about the power and action you should be using. I concur that for first few builds, use a reasonably priced blank and guides.  All guides will handle all lines; it's more about what you want for finish, and it's about using the smallest, lightest guides you can use for max sensitivity (important in all fishing, but really important for drop shot). Your running guides should be the smallest you can use that will pass the knots you intend to go through the guides.   I suggest using Minima guides, light, handsome, not expensive.  Use a SIC tiptop-that is where the wear from braid will take place.

 

For a blank you want one with med or med light power, IMHO, and extra fast action.  A good blank that gets high reviews is the Revelation line from Rainshadow/Batson, specifically this one:

 

REVS610MXF-SBDrop Shot/Shaky head 6'10" 6-14 3/16-1/2 0.425 4.5 X-Fast 1.78 M $58.22

This was copied from Getbitoutdoors web site, but many carry them.  This can built into a rod of about 3.6 - 3.8 oz (split grip) and will work wonderfully for drop shot.  Go to the Batson and PacBay websites to get tips on guide placement if you're not sure of that.  Mudhole.com has good instructions on rodbuilding techniques.  Keep it simple for your first build.  One advantage custom rods of any price have over commercial rods is that you can do a much better job on the structural integrity of the grip and reel seat.  You don't want to skimp on epoxy like they do.

[MickD]

The site below is a very well run site with many experts viewing it every day, and it specializes in rodbuilding, no lures, jigs, spinnerbait building.  It has a list of sponsors along the left who can provide whatever you need, like the sponsors on the right at this site do so well with mostly lures.

 

http://rodbuilding.org/list.php?2

 

You can ask the simplest of questions on it without any abuse or condescension.  Everyone starts at the beginning, and most all the builders on this and that site understand and respect that.

[Iluvsmallies]

Thanks Mickd Im thinkin i will do aprice point rod now... Ive got that a lot in this thread and very thankful for all replies.

[Iluvsmallies]

Are you saying that the 3.6-3.8 oz you can do a drop shot casting ??

[Big Bait Fishing]

On ‎12‎/‎4‎/‎2015 at 7:09 PM, Iluvsmallies said:

Are you saying that the 3.6-3.8 oz you can do a drop shot casting ??

that's what BFS rods are all about , finnese casting rods .......

[.ghoti.]

On December 4, 2015 at 9:09 PM, Iluvsmallies said:

Are you saying that the 3.6-3.8 oz you can do a drop shot casting ??

Drop shot works just fine on a casting rig, with two exceptions.

If you have a long distance between bait and weight, it is difficult to throw on a casting rig.

If you're fishing deep, its a lot easier to just leave the bail open On a spinning reel, for a fast, straight drop, than to feather the spool on a baitcaster

[S Hovanec]

20 hours ago, .ghoti. said:

If you're fishing deep, its a lot easier to just leave the bail open On a spinning reel, for a fast, straight drop, than to feather the spool on a baitcaster

 

Yea.  I made a baitcaster guy look silly and convert him to dropshot spinning all in one trip.  Lake Erie in 50' of water.  I was hooked up and my fish was jumping before his bait was even near the bottom......on several occasions.

[Iluvsmallies]

Thanks for all the replies once again I will hopefully get started on this rod soon.