Drop Shot Rod Help

[LxVE Bassin]

I plan on adding drop shotting to my arsenal this year. I don’t want to spend too much money on a rod out the gate since I don’t know if I will even like the technique. The two rods I have narrowed down to is the Enigma Aaron’s Edge 6’10” ML/XF ($119) and the St Croix Mojo Bass 6’10” ML/XF ($130). The Enigma rod is a little cheaper but has a microwave guide which I have no experience with and I wonder if they get tricky with leader knots since I will be using braid and a flouro leader. Which one would you recommend and I would gladly take any other rod suggestions around the same price range. 

[MBB Nate]

I use a super super cheap Daiwa Laguna 8' Med Light XFast and I love it.  It was like $15 on clearance at Academy.  Both rods you listed will work great.

[CroakHunter]

I don't care for drop shotting, unless I'm going for numbers. Which is rare. But I use a 6'9 medium power lews mach 1 speed stick. Picked up the whole combo for 99 dollars. It's not a whippy rod and has what I consider an x-fast action. I use it for wacky senkos and Shakey heads under 1/4 ounce. It has served me well. Also the dobyns 702 fury is in your price range and it is a rod I plan to pick up. And from what I read its hard to beat a fury for the price. I have also used my 7ft medium baitcasting rod that I cannot mention for dropshotting and neko rigs and liked it as well. It is way under budget at 60 dollars

[Angry John]

The fenwick mlxf spinner works good for me.  I use it for dropshot and shakey head.  I prefer it to a dobyns champion 702 that runs a hundred dollars more.  I have both still.

[Yumeya]

Out of the two I would go with the St-Croix

[LCG]

On 03/01/2018 at 2:45 AM, Yumeya said:

Out of the two I would go with the St-Croix

X2

[fishwizzard]

I am in love with Microwave Guides and would go for the Enigma just bassed on that and the grip.  They are powerful ugly, but at ~$90 on ebay I might take the plunge as I am really curious about them.  

[Airman4754]

Get something with a stiff tip. You want a rod that you can feel 1/8oz with that doesn't turn into an overloaded marshmallow when it's windy and 20' and you need to fish 1/2oz. Usually a ML/F will do the job.

 

You don't really need sensitive, you just need to know you're on bottom and can feel the weight of the fish. Anything more is total overkill. 

[Airman4754]

 

If you're line watching with a drop shot you might as well not drop shot. There is rarely ever an actual bite that you can feel, if you do it's usually a tiny fish. This is for cast and retrieve. Vertical drop shot fishing is totally different and can be done with anything. You're just free spooling line and are in direct contact with a tight line.

 

For retrieval you need to be able to feel the bottom, not sensitive, just feel and be able to feel right when the weight of the fish picks up. The more your tip loads up the less you can do that. So, a stiffer tip will perform better across the spectrum of wind and depth, trust me on that one. 

[Angry John]

1 hour ago, Mosster47 said:

 

If you're line watching with a drop shot you might as well not drop shot. There is rarely ever an actual bite that you can feel, if you do it's usually a tiny fish. This is for cast and retrieve. Vertical drop shot fishing is totally different and can be done with anything. You're just free spooling line and are in direct contact with a tight line.

 

For retrieval you need to be able to feel the bottom, not sensitive, just feel and be able to feel right when the weight of the fish picks up. The more your tip loads up the less you can do that. So, a stiffer tip will perform better across the spectrum of wind and depth, trust me on that one. 

Thanks man. That's more the way I do it but it seems as others have a thing about line watching.  As I said I use feel but open to others ways as there is always more to learn.