drop shot custom made help

[BASSEDOUT]

hey, I would appreciate any help I could get here. I'm looking to have a drop shot rod built for me but not sure where to start. I dont know which blank or basically anything. what are some things I need to research or try out for this process. I bought a bunch of older g loomis rods and I have the most sensitive rod rigged up for a drop shot and use it a lot. I'm gonna treat myself since I won my fantasy league. thanks

[S Hovanec]

Shoot Mike at Delaware Valley Tackle a message.  He will be able to help with your choices and hook you up with a nice custom.  Myself, I prefer the power and action of St. Croix's MLXF blanks for dropshotting.

[BASSEDOUT]

I did a little while ago I figured id ask on here as well so I could come up with a few more ideas or things to help him out. I have read k2 blanks are good as well. I also found a blank while researching a while ago, that was real sensitive and lightweight. people loved it but I cant find it for the life of me. supposedly it was so sensitive that you would just pull up a little on the rod and you could tell by the way it loaded up if she was on there for the bites you cant feel when they suck it in. but you couldn't pull the bass outta the water with it cause it would snap. I have no idea what that blank was called or who made it. I do know I need more cork in front of the reel cause that's where I hold my rod when I drop shot, and I need decent length of cork for the butt to rest under my forearm. I have no idea about the eyes or how many I should have.

[Turkey sandwich]

Welcome to the forum!  The search feature on here is probably one of the best, and definitely the forum's most underutilized feature.  Look for other threads on custom builds and learn what you can from the dialogue.  Also, really, shoot @Delaware Valley Tackle a message on here.  Mike is super helpful, and your thread reminded me that I need to get back to him about replacing some guides for me.  

[spoonplugger1]

Bassout,

There was a time when some made their dropshot rods for exactly your purpose with the long foregrip and short rear grip, made for a very balanced light in the hand setup. Rogue Rods was the only production factory rods that I remember. Might have a graphite tube gripped version still around if you would like a pic.

Some took a short cigar grip used on the lighter powered fly rods and used that as their foregrip.

[BASSEDOUT]

a picture would be awesome. I know it was a really general question I threw out there just didn't know if someone would recommend a certain blank or guides or real seat that I either have to have or should never get based off of their experience.

[Angry John]

Best blanks pheonix k2, st croix sc5, nfc, and some really like the rainshadow blanks.  I have the 610mxf sc5 blank and it is the best I have ever fished.  Some of the megabass and daiwa rods are very nice but you cannot get those blanks.  

http://pointblankrods.com/2015/04/27/69/

I am very interested in point blank and they are supposed to be premium but I don't know anyone that has used one.

[spoonplugger1]

My favorite drop shot blank still is the US built Rainshadow RX8+S822.5 which is no longer available, get with Batson to find out what is it's replacement. I use micro-guides.

Hope the pics got to you.

[BASSEDOUT]

yes I got them thank you. that's basically how I fish it with my finger on top the blank. maybe a little shorter in the front and have it rounded down to the blank instead of cut right off but that's what I'm looking for. thank you. is there any difference in grips other then personal preference? 

[fish'n Jim]

Start with what # test line your going to use.  

Then how long you want it?   one or two piece.   (I'm assuming your talking spinning)  6-7' is the norm.

Then the action; med to fast action is preferable.   Depends on how you fish them and what you like.   I'd go more parabolic(med) if the line is very light, but faster if need more back bone and heavier line.   I use 10# fluoro and 8-10# fluoro leader.  

That will determine the blank specs.   Then you match those against what the manufacturers offer.   Always go with the lightest strongest blank.   They cost more but last and feel better.

As far a real seats, stay with a quality manufacturer, since it has to last the life of the rod.   I prefer screwlock style over rings.  

Handles; many options here.   I'm an oversize cork man myself.    Most of my rods will float.   No sense leaving them on the bottom, if you don't have too.   A $200+ custom rod and a $150-300 reel is no cheap outfit.   Can be many hours to dredge one up, not a tournament friendly operation.  

ps: Personally, I use a 6' Fenwick boron rod that I made for walleye, talk about no longer available, but it's priceless.  You can feel 'em breathing on it.   I bought a spare blank after realizing how good these were, and this is the last one, wish I'd bought more.   They just were too pricey compared to the graphites of the day, didn't catch on/sell, but still cheaper than what's out there now and out perform.

[BASSEDOUT]

alright heres what I'm working with so far. I have a a scheduled call with dvt on sat to figure some things out but for now I use 10lbs braid to 8lbs fluoro leader. I was thinking about a 6' 9 length but I really don't know... I'm only 5'9 so I thought shorter would be a little better I didn't know 6'7 was the norm so I prob need to rethink the 6'9 length. I mostly pond tournament fish cause that's all my boat can handle. I cant take on the de river in my boat, but I plan on getting on someones boat to fish those kind of waters. so normally I cast  in the ponds and fish it slow back to boat, I would like to be able to tell by the tip and the rod loading up if I have a fish on there for the real subtle bites, I cant to that with the rod I have now not sensitive enough. but i would also need it to be able to fish deeper water and handle strong current later on. and yes its going to be a spinning drop shot rod, the reel that I am putting on it is the on I currently use which is an abu Garcia stx30 6:2:1 I'm open to changing reels, but that's what I'm working with now. any thoughts or comments would be awesome... thanks

[.ghoti.]

6'7" is normal? Sez who? Custom is all about getting exactly what you need and want. Custom is getting what fits your needs, applications, style, transportation, location, etc. when all the factors are considered, there is no normal.

 

If I were to build a dropshot rod for myself, i would have the following thoughts. For vertical presentation, a short rod, maybe 6'-6'3". For casting, 6'10"-7'2". 

[roadwarrior]

This is the Rainshadow Immortal I am using:  IMMS72M 

 

http://www.rainshadowrodblanks.com/product-line/immortal-bass-spinning/

[Andy007]

On 12/31/2017 at 10:14 PM, spoonplugger1 said:

My favorite drop shot blank still is the US built Rainshadow RX8+S822.5 which is no longer available, get with Batson to find out what is it's replacement. I use micro-guides.

Hope the pics got to you.

Sorry if I'm getting off topic..... I'm building the immortal 6'10 MXF and was looking for what guide spacing you used? 

[Batson]

3 minutes ago, Andy007 said:

Sorry if I'm getting off topic..... I'm building the immortal 6'10 MXF and was looking for what guide spacing you used? 

This is only a suggestion of guide size and placement, definitely static test and adjust accordingly.

 

Guide Placement (In inches from the tip top)
XBLFTLG05  3.3125"
XBLFTLG05  6.750"
XBLFTLG05  10.1875"
XBLFTLG05  13.75"
XBLFTLG05  17.375"
XBLFTLG05  21.25"
XBLFTLG05  25.3125"
XBLFTLG05  29.375"
XBLFTLG05  33.675"
XBLFTLG07  38"
XBLFTLG12  43.675"
XYTLG20  49.5"

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

What's your theory on guide placement? Especially the number of guides. 12 guides seems like a lot on a sub 7' rod. I'd likely use 8 or 9, whatever static testing indicated. 

[Batson]

There’s no rule, just suggestions. That’s where we start out the blueprint builds and adjust from there. Obviously a smaller guide will work just fine as well.

[mllrtm79]

@BASSEDOUT, being from DE you can't be far from Smyrna, stop in and talk to Kenny at Red Mill Tackle, he has always been more than happy to discuss rod building and specs, wants, etc. I try to get up there just to bs around from time to time, as there is a wealth of knowledge in the heads of the "older" fishermen that (usually) is free for the asking. Every time I go in there I learn something. If you're from downstate too far to feel like driving up there you can catch him at the fishing expo in Laurel on Feb 3rd. There is a shop over outside of Denton MD that builds rods as well, but I don't have any first hand knowledge of their work. 

[johnmyers]

I just had UPS drop new rod about an hour ago. Had a drop shot rod built from a Rainshadow Revelation 6'10" drop shot blank by Scott Dobbins of Tigerodz. My other rods are all Loomis GLX and I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the Rainshadow is. Scott is a great guy to work with