Best baitcasting rod - For Drop-shotting?

[FryDog62]

Looking for specific model recommendations in the $100-200 range, and also the $200+ range.  

Thx!

[FryDog62]

The only drop-shot specific baitcasting rod I’ve seen is St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass - 6’-10” ML.  

 

Anyone used it, or are aware of any other drop-shot b/c rods?  Thx

[68camaro]

There are quite a few choices based on your pre fences, weight use etc.  If fishing open water you can get away with ML, but if alot of vegetation/timer I'l look at med.

 

I am partial to Dobyns for under and over $200, plus Megabass for over.

[DogBone_384]

I use a 7’ ML/F Kistler Magnesium 3 and 6’ 10” ML/F *** paired with a PXY68 or Shimano Brenious.  A++ no matter which combination I play with.

[FryDog62]

1 hour ago, 68camaro said:

There are quite a few choices based on your pre fences, weight use etc.  If fishing open water you can get away with ML, but if alot of vegetation/timer I'l look at med.

 

I am partial to Dobyns for under and over $200, plus Megabass for over.

Can you tell me which specific models, length, power, etc?  Thx! 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Use the same power, action and length as you would for any other rig of the same weight in the same conditions. The drop shot terminal rig can be employed in a lot of ways. The real technique specific application is vertical jigging finesse baits in open water targeting fish seen on electronics. This is where the <7' MLXF spinning tackle shines. 

[Mjmj]

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-MJRRODS.html?from=basres

 

This rod was made specifically for drop shoting.

This rod is more sensitive than my St. Croix premier

[FryDog62]

Thank you, assume you’re referring to the 6-10 Med-XFast model...for drop-shotting..?

[Angry John]

I'm going out on a limb here and going to say that the blank makes the rod.  I like a st Croix sc5 mlxf.  Point blank and phoenix both make good blanks.  The ml k2 blank is what my partner uses and that rod is amazing for drops hot and a lot more.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Phenix_K2_Torzite_Casting_Rods/descpage-PK2.html

[FryDog62]

On 1/21/2018 at 12:19 PM, Angry John said:

I'm going out on a limb here and going to say that the blank makes the rod.  I like a st Croix sc5 mlxf.  Point blank and phoenix both make good blanks.  The ml k2 blank is what my partner uses and that rod is amazing for drops hot and a lot more.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Phenix_K2_Torzite_Casting_Rods/descpage-PK2.html

Great rod.  Do you know if Phenix Fast action rods are more like most companies’ Extra Fast?  I know they are light and sensitive, just wondering about the action rating.  Thx

[Angry John]

No one's rods are faster than st croix in my experience.  Point blank has some that are faster I have herd but those have to be built and I have never handled one.  The k2 in my hands felt like a proper fast but I like faster actions in lower powers unless it's a cranking rod.  Not in love with the spit handle but that is my limitations not the rods fault.

[Mjmj]

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

Thank you, assume you’re referring to the 6-10 Med-XFast model...for drop-shotting..?

Yes. I love this rod. Just don't try to boat flip a 4 1/2 pounder. You'll have a two piece rod. ?

[68camaro]

4 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

Can you tell me which specific models, length, power, etc?  Thx! 

Check out Dobyns site: http://dobynsrods.com/rods/

 

They have a series from $80 to $339. Each series has a couple dedicated drop shot but some people use others for it. If you are looking for one all around rod for different dropshoting I'd look at:

 

    $339 - DX701 or 741 in Extreme series or drop down to Champion series for $90 less

    $159 - Sierra series, never tried one but people really like them.

 

Not sure how long rod you want I prefer under 7' since I fish out of yak, but others like 7'4", it comes down to personal preference and how will you use it.

    

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

48 minutes ago, Mjmj said:

Yes. I love this rod. Just don't try to boat flip a 4 1/2 pounder. You'll have a two piece rod. ?

Don't boat flip fish period. It's a misuse of your rod and worse yet, disrespectful and unnecessarily rough on the fish. 

[tonka_blue]

Just don't...... use a spinning rod. I had a partner who used one and his hook up percentage was way lower than a spinning rod 

[FryDog62]

8 hours ago, tonka_blue said:

Just don't...... use a spinning rod. I had a partner who used one and his hook up percentage was way lower than a spinning rod 

I know, it could be a tough switch.  But after 5 wrist surgeries, I can’t manage the torque on my wrist with a spinning reel.  Hard to explain, but a much better angle on my wrist with a baitcaster.  That’s why I’m looking for a rod as specific to drop-shotting as possible to minimize the adjustment (I hope).  

[tonka_blue]

6 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I know, it could be a tough switch.  But after 5 wrist surgeries, I can’t manage the torque on my wrist with a spinning reel.  Hard to explain, but a much better angle on my wrist with a baitcaster.  That’s why I’m looking for a rod as specific to drop-shotting as possible to minimize the adjustment (I hope).  

Ah that's a major bummer sorry to hear about that hopefully it will recover. I guess in that case I would definitely look into a reel that has a good drag along with some sort of ML...maybe even a jerkbait type glass rod could be good. The daiwa tatula sv reels might be a solid choice. One of the reasons I think he broke off so much was I was able to have a nice drag with the spinning reel. 

[evilcatfish]

The Major Craft Nanoace  Don Iovino model (6'10" M XF) is an excellent rod and provides a lot of bang for your buck. I absolutely love mine, light and just as sensitive as many higher end rods I've owned. Mine is paired with a Daiwa Pixy Type R and handles most all finesse techniques quite well. I highly recommend this rod. 

 

*Be advised that despite the medium rating its much more of a medium light. 

[WRB]

Don Iovino Major Craft Splash-It rod works good, little more power with the right tip action and overall rod weight is lighter then hs finesse rods. I use Don’s finesse spinning rod for drop shot most of the time because of the 5 lb line used.

Tom

[FryDog62]

7 hours ago, WRB said:

Don Iovino Major Craft Splash-It rod works good, little more power with the right tip action and overall rod weight is lighter then hs finesse rods. I use Don’s finesse spinning rod for drop shot most of the time because of the 5 lb line used.

Tom

I think there are 3 votes above for the Major Craft rods.  Two for the 6’-10” MXF and one for the 6’-8” MXF.  Probably both good for certain applications.  Which one might be preferred for drop-shotting in 18-22 fow with 8 lb test on a lake like... Mille Lacs or Rainy?

[evilcatfish]

8 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I think there are 3 votes above for the Major Craft rods.  Two for the 6’-10” MXF and one for the 6’-8” MXF.  Probably both good for certain applications.  Which one might be preferred for drop-shotting in 18-22 fow with 8 lb test on a lake like... Mille Lacs or Rainy?

I've used my 6'10" quite a bit in the depth range you mention with 6-8# line and its performed perfectly. I can't speak as to the other model, but I'm sure it would do well.

 

I really like this rod for tubes also (not the heavier double dipped tubes though of course)

[FryDog62]

44 minutes ago, evilcatfish said:

I've used my 6'10" quite a bit in the depth range you mention with 6-8# line and its performed perfectly. I can't speak as to the other model, but I'm sure it would do well.

 

I really like this rod for tubes also (not the heavier double dipped tubes though of course)

I checked TW and the 6’-10” they have isn’t Nanoace, it’s the Signature

series.  Is that the rod you’re referring to or is there a 6’-10” Nanoace that TW doesn’t carry..?

[new2BC4bass]

TW description says the Signature rod blank is made from an advanced Toray Nanoalloy.  If you look at the description for the Nanoace casting rods, you will find the blank description to be the same.

[FryDog62]

Thx, just trying to make sure I’m comparing the right rods.  I see a 6-8 and 6-10 in the Signature Series, but neither size in Nanoace... I believe a 6-9 but listed as a jig-worm rod.

[evilcatfish]

10 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I checked TW and the 6’-10” they have isn’t Nanoace, it’s the Signature

series.  Is that the rod you’re referring to or is there a 6’-10” Nanoace that TW doesn’t carry..?

The Iovino rods are an extension of the Nanoace line. If you scroll through the pics on TW you can see the markings. Or on my rod here it has the Nanoace logo then a little further down it says signature series in white script (sorry, crappy photo in my low light basement)