Possibly one more finesse rod, need help...

[fishraptor]

Just bought the Basscat a year ago so basically only one "light" year of experience Bass fishing with the new toys (boat/rod & reels). Bought quite a few rod/reels, many per suggestions from this site and now wish to add one more finesse setup but having trouble determining which one to get and could use some advise. Plan on focusing a LOT more this coming year on finesse fishing.  

 

The only two finesse rods I currently have are:

 

Wright and Mcgill - WMESRMSH72S1, 7'2", Fast, 1/8-3/8oz., 6-15lb.,  (marked Shakey Head/Senko on rod) BUT listed as a "drop shot" rod  on all of the online store sites.  

 

NRX 842S SJR, 7', Fast Medium, 1/8-3/8oz., 6-12lb.  (listed as "Soft Plastics / small jigs)

 

Even thought both rods list throwing the same weights....he W&M rod and the NRX feel pretty different. The W&M is very wippy and soft (parabolic)  while the NRX is quite a bit more stiffer  but much more sensitive and accurate casting is a breeze. 

 

I use both for drop shotting & Texas rigging.  (have not tried shaky head yet) 

 

 I was considering buying another finesse rod POSSIBLY for drop shotting (labeled specifically as such) but not positive if that would be the best move. Since I will be focusing much more on finesse fishing I like the idea of having three rods rigged up on the boat ready to go, possibly:   1 rigged wacky, 1 texas senko & 1 maybe creature/lizzard option.  Would assume I should lean towards spinning rod considering application and most likely rig with a Stella.  Since I am still new at this I would like to get some suggestions from the members on wether they feel my consideration of another finesse rod (possibly drop shot) makes sense,  or... considering what I have already as far as rods....if I should be considering a slightly different application of a finesse rod considering the  3 rigged soft plastic setups I wish to have ready on the boat listed above ..... what do you feel would be my best option.  I believe I have all of the OTHER necessary applications covered (topwater, jerkbait, deep cranking, lipless cranks and such) with the other rods I have,  but again... if anyone feels I am lacking in a certain area I would very much welcome their suggestion/s on what I should add to the collection, possibly with the application and a specific rod/reel brand per such.   

 

 I have been looking on the Net at high end drop shot rods. The ones that seem like they might be a nice choice I have listed immediately below, however if anyone feels that there are others I should consider,  please by all means advise.  I am looking for shear quality and not real concerned about price, I would say if I found some really really sweet I would go up to $650.    I am a big fan of diversity so I kind of like the idea of adding a new rod brand to my collection, one that I do not  currently have, regardless of it's application,  but that is NOT set in concrete and I WOULD get another of same brand if it ends up being my best option. 

 

The few finesse rods that I thought would be a good choice  are:

 

 

NRX 822DSR

 

Phenix K2

or

Phenix Ultra MBX S700L or S700M

 

Hi end Megabass (possibly Destroyer)  Not sure what specific models to consider...

 

St. Croix Legend Elite or Extreme   (LES76MLXF) (I already have two St. Croix's but they are for my Saltwater fishing)

 

*** ??

 

Also would assume some of the elite rods from overseas (JDM) might be a nice choice but don't know specific brands/models..... 

The rods that I currently have are listed below so you know which rod brands I would prefer not to duplicate BUT will if ends up being my best option. 

 

Megabass OROCHI XX - F4.1/2-68xx Jerkbait special (6.0 Metanium reel)

Kistler Z-Bone - LEXF-4MH-73 (6.3 Daiwa Zillion SV TW reel) My all purpose rod

Steez STZ-741XHFBA-XBD (7.1 Steez ST TW reel) Frog / Topwater rod

Dobyns Champion XP - DC 736 C SH - (7.1 Steez ST TW reel) 2nd frog/topwater rod) 

Dobyns Champion XP - DC 806 CB - (5.0 Abu Garcia Revo Winch) Mag/Crankbait 10XD rod)

NRX 842S SJR - (Daiwa Certate reel)  Soft Plastic/Jig rod

Wright & McGill - WMESRMSH72S1 -  (Pfueger President 6930 reel) - Drop Shot / Shaky Head

Fenwick Eagle - FE60L (6' , 1/16 to 1/8oz, 2-8#) Trout rod

St. Croix Avid Inshore, 7' , MH/Fast, 10-20#, 1/2-1 1/4oz. (my saltwater rod)

St. Croix Avid Inshore, 7', H/Fast, 15-30#, 3/4-2oz. (other saltwater rod)

 

In regards to the Phenix K2, I know it's blank is highly touted and used in customs as it is super light and extremely sensitive BUT read a few guys snapped their rods super EARLY for no apparent reason so that scares me a lot.  Was thinking of calling Phenix personally to discuss.... ??

 

I look forward to hearing any suggestions anyone might have,

 

Thanks.....

 

Fishraptor

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

Wow!!!!  A post after my own heart.     Forget these guys with a 20 word post. 

 

Can't help with your choices.  Best of luck narrowing it down to one or two rods.

 

My finesse rod is a 40 plus year old Lightning. 

[WRB]

Spinning finesse rod consider Major Craft Don Iovino finesse rod.

Tom

[fishwizzard]

Semi-joking response, spend $400 and buy both an Orochi XX Dropshot and XX Stinger Shot rods while they are around and onsale, fish them both to see what "style" of DS rod you prefer, sell them for 75% of what you paid, then buy a high-end rod that is close to the one you liked best.  

 

I picked up the XX Drop Shot this fall and chose it over the Stinger as I was going to t-rig my plastics more often then nose-hooking them, but some days I wonder about that stinger tip.....

[The Fisher]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Spinning finesse rod consider Major Craft Don Iovino finesse rod.

Tom

This ^^

[IndianaOutdoors]

I like having a dedicated drop shot rod so I can agree with that train of thought. As for rod choice, this po boy can't help you with the high end stuff.  I use a 6'9" ml Fenwick HMG and a cheap Abu reel.  I'm no pro but it works for me.