Drop Shot Rod? St Croix

[MichiganBass80]

I currently use a St Croix Premier 7' ML/F.  It's nice, but if I were looking for a new drop shot rod I would go with the 610ML/XF LTB

[WRangler506]

43 minutes ago, MichiganBass80 said:

I currently use a St Croix Premier 7' ML/F.  It's nice, but if I were looking for a new drop shot rod I would go with the 610ML/XF LTB

Yeah that's looking like a good option now. I was going to try a stradic FK 3000(or 2500) on it.

[Turkey sandwich]

I haven't fished the LTB, but I do have the above mentioned Avid X ML XF drop shot rod and really enjoy it.  Unbelievably sensitive, light, and handles a wide variety or lures well.  It's great for the dropshot and finesse plastics in general, but isn't usually my first choice for tubes or finesse jigs.  I tend to prefer a 7' Med power Fast action rod in both those instances.  

[Nscheele]

I also use an eyecon 6'6" medium light with a 2500 stradic fk. Works great for me, great sensitivity and balance. 

[stk44]

8 hours ago, Turkey sandwich said:

I haven't fished the LTB, but I do have the above mentioned Avid X ML XF drop shot rod and really enjoy it.  Unbelievably sensitive, light, and handles a wide variety or lures well.  It's great for the dropshot and finesse plastics in general, but isn't usually my first choice for tubes or finesse jigs.  I tend to prefer a 7' Med power Fast action rod in both those instances.  

I will second this for the 6'9 MLXF avid X. FANTASTIC rod and has all the attributes Turkey Sandwich has described. When I go river fishing, I always bring my MLXF avid X and my MF LTB.

I personally think it's a fantastic tube rod, I typically fish tubes with a 1/4 oz piece of tungsten with a t-rigged tube, mainly because the rivers I fish have too many snags for an open hook. I've fished up to 1/4" oz bitsy bugs with trailer and that is usually my tipping point when I switch over to the LTB MF rod. 

 

You can't go wrong with either of them.

[WIGuide]

I've got the 6'8" M/XF and 6'10" ML/XF both in the LTB line. The ML rod is an absolutely killer dropshot rod! Looking at the way you are going to be using it, I'd say that's the rod for you. You can dropshot with the medium power rod too, but it just seems a little overpowered for it most of the time. If your primary purpose for your rod is to be a ds rod, the ML/XF is the way to go. 

[Burntorangefan]

Hope this helps:

 

I have a LTB 63MXF that I really enjoy but felt was a little too stiff for DS.  Its a really common technique out here and we fish it A LOT in water up to 40 feet.  Anyway, the little 63 helped me land a 50" tiger Muskie last year if that gives you an idea of the power these rods have.  That being said, to me the Med is a little too stiff and I took advantage of being in WI last week and picked up a Legend Extreme 610MLXF.  I've not fished it yet but I'm pretty geeked to try it.  In my hands, it feels like the perfect combo for DS and Ned rigs.  I know people split hairs between light jigs and DS, but I plan on using it for both.

[J Francho]

I use two Avid models for DS:

AVS63MLXF and AVS63MF

 

They're strictly for vertical, deep DS in cover free water.  The ML is for 1/2 oz. weight, and the M for 3/4 oz. weight. I actually have two each, so I can keep fishing with less reties, or use two baits.  I don't generally cast with them, though you can easily pitch the weight.  They've served me well on Erie, Ontario, and several Finger Lakes.

[WRangler506]

Great information guys. Ill have to try my LT 63 ML and M just to see how short they feel to me. It sounds like the LT610ML is going to be awesome. Im excited to get it in my hands and get the Stradic FK (3000) on it.

 

Thanks for all the other comparisons also. Ill try out this 68MXF once the weather gets better here, but Ill be considering the 7MF also. I wondered about that 7 footer when I was picking the 68....

 

These rods are tough to buy like this but I plan on keeping only the ones that I fish the most.

 

The 7footer should throw heavier plastics and medium size crankbaits right? Not sure if the 68MXF will do the crankbaits very well.

[Burntorangefan]

9 hours ago, WRangler506 said:

Great information guys. Ill have to try my LT 63 ML and M just to see how short they feel to me. It sounds like the LT610ML is going to be awesome. Im excited to get it in my hands and get the Stradic FK (3000) on it.

 

Thanks for all the other comparisons also. Ill try out this 68MXF once the weather gets better here, but Ill be considering the 7MF also. I wondered about that 7 footer when I was picking the 68....

 

These rods are tough to buy like this but I plan on keeping only the ones that I fish the most.

 

The 7footer should throw heavier plastics and medium size crankbaits right? Not sure if the 68MXF will do the crankbaits very well.

The XF tips (or even fast) bend too high up the blank for cranks, imo.  You want something like their new Legend Glass.