Dropshot setup

[MerderInc]

Hey everyone, 

 

Over the summer I set a goal to get better with finesse fishing so I started doing dropshot, ned rig, and neko rig.  Turns out I really love it so I'm wanting to put together a couple of spinning rod setups for it.  I already have the rods, St Croix mojo's but I've been disappointed in the reels I've used so far.  I had a 13 source X, but I returned it after about 3 outings because of the line twist issues I had.  I'm not really sure what I should be looking for in a finesse reel.  I've always been a fan of Pflueger reels all my life and have 4 or 5 Presidents.  I've read some articles and seen some buyers guides but they're all over the place.  What should I be looking for when I'm shopping for reels for these 2 setups?  Thanks

[EGbassing]

Why not a President XT? I love mine.

[MerderInc]

1 minute ago, EGbassing said:

Why not a President XT? I love mine.

Me too.  I have a couple.  But does the reel size matter, and when people mention drag in referring to drop shot what are they talking about specifically?

[Choporoz]

20 minutes ago, MerderInc said:

 I had a 13 source X, but I returned it after about 3 outings because of the line twist issues I had. 

"Line twist issues" are generally more about the line (and presentation) than about the spinning reel.

 

To me a 'better' spinning reel is (pretty much in this order, though I might switch top two):

1.  Smoother than others (handle)

2.  Smoother than others (drag)

3.  'Durable'

4.  'Weather  tolerant'

5.  Relatively light

6.  Feels 'right' in my hands, on my rod

Everything else is secondary (except maybe price )

 

[EGbassing]

10 minutes ago, MerderInc said:

Me too.  I have a couple.  But does the reel size matter, and when people mention drag in referring to drop shot what are they talking about specifically?

I use a 30. A 25 would be fine too. And could you rephrase that question? I'm not sure I understand what you mean.

[MerderInc]

1 minute ago, EGbassing said:

I use a 30. A 25 would be fine too. And could you rephrase that question? I'm not sure I understand what you mean.

Sure.  Is it just about the drag system being smooth and doing its job?

[EGbassing]

1 minute ago, MerderInc said:

Sure.  Is it just about the drag system being smooth and doing its job?

I'd say so. If the drag isn't smooth or doesn't start spinning immediately it can snap the line.

 

Edit: My President XT drag system is perfect.

[MerderInc]

2 minutes ago, EGbassing said:

I'd say so. If the drag isn't smooth or doesn't start spinning immediately it can snap the line.

 

Edit: My President XT drag system is perfect.

Do you use straight FC?  over the summer I've been using a 6# braid with a 6# FC leader on it.  Aside from when it snagged and broke at the snag it's never been a problem.  I have however had some line twist under the spool with the braid though.  

[Choporoz]

6 minutes ago, MerderInc said:

Sure.  Is it just about the drag system being smooth and doing its job?

I grew up using spinning gear for walleyes and northern pike....big reels, big line, etc.  Smooth drag was nice, but I didn't key on it -- when using 20# test, some slight 'roughness' in the drag was rarely noticeable.  When using 6# test on 5# bass, you've got a whole other story going on....even slight bumps in the drag may result in break-offs....letting a fish run out smoothly is huge.  That's one reason lots of drop shotters don't even use their drag as much as I do; they 'back-reel'

[EGbassing]

9 minutes ago, MerderInc said:

Do you use straight FC?  over the summer I've been using a 6# braid with a 6# FC leader on it.  Aside from when it snagged and broke at the snag it's never been a problem.  I have however had some line twist under the spool with the braid though.  

I use braid to flouro, but I wouldn't use anything lighter than 10# for the braid. I use 15# braid to 8# flouro.

[Scarborough817]

honestly if you can afford a tatula lt get one i love mine for my dropshot setup 

[Spankey]

If you don't want to break the bank the Shimano Nasci is a nice reel. This took the place of the Symetre. I have many of the Symetres, i think it is better for the most part. Shimano factory guy told me they stopped the Symetre because the lost the rights to use that name. Something like  that. 

 

I do fish with a higher end Daiwa and Abu Garcia (they are good stuff) but they are not necessary. 

 

To me drop shotting, split shot, Ned and Neko fishing with 6'10"-7' M ML rods means more than anything. 

 

But it I understand a $15.00 reel is not going to last. 

[PersicoTrotaVA]

Pflueger supreme xt. One of the best spinning reels I’ve ever owned and/or used. I use it on my ned rig set up with 6lb mono(doubles as a small spinnerbait rig for crappie). I’ve hauled in 5+lb fish on it and it never quits. Drag is smooth as a baby bottom and it feels good in the hands. A little pricier than the president xt(I own 2 of these as well) but well worth it. 

[Fishingmickey]

Merderinc,

     The drop shot technique in itself can produce serious line twist issues with the bait spinning on the drop and the retrieve. Not sure if this applies but when fighting a fish that is pulling drag do not turn the reel handle on a spinning reel.  This will produce significant line twist!

      I use a good high quailty small swivel at the top of my drop shot rig. I know there are several brands of dropshot hooks that have the swivel built in because of the problems with line twist while dropshotting.  Gamakatsu makes the swivel shot, VMC calls theirs the spin shot. Hope this helps and don't mean to come across wrong on the reeling while drag is being pulled out.

Fishingmickey.

[WRB]

Line twist shouldn't be a early on problem using braid with a spinning reel, it takes a while to twist braid.

You may have line loops caused by engaging the bail by turning the reel handle in lieu of flipping the bail over by hand.

By whatever reel balances with you rod within your budget.

Tom

[LCG]

I use a st Croix mojo 6'8" m-xf with a pflueger president xt size 30 for finnese techniques. Usually with 10lb braid to a 8lb leader. No line twist issues while drop shotting. But I always stop the line with my finger and close the bail by hand. Also make sure the knot is centered at the hook and the bait is hook centered. The reel is good value, smooth drag, light, braid ready spool, good gear ratio, and I like the cork (ish) handle. 

[Boomstick]

I use a 6'9"  ML/XF Avid X (same quality blank as the Mojo Bass) and a Daiwa BG 2000. The main advantage with the BG over the President is a slightly larger sized spool which helps not losing line loops. I also prefer braid to leader on spinning reels, but it's not a requirement if spooled correctly.

[MerderInc]

18 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

Merderinc,

     The drop shot technique in itself can produce serious line twist issues with the bait spinning on the drop and the retrieve. Not sure if this applies but when fighting a fish that is pulling drag do not turn the reel handle on a spinning reel.  This will produce significant line twist!

      I use a good high quailty small swivel at the top of my drop shot rig. I know there are several brands of dropshot hooks that have the swivel built in because of the problems with line twist while dropshotting.  Gamakatsu makes the swivel shot, VMC calls theirs the spin shot. Hope this helps and don't mean to come across wrong on the reeling while drag is being pulled out.

Fishingmickey.

Thanks.  I use the VMC spin shots and really like them.  I think my issue with the *** source x was the spool was too small and causing the line twist.  I also may have had a bad reel as the retrieve was not very smooth. 

[ChrisD46]

I like Daiwa 2500 ~ 3000 series spinning reels from the Revros or Legalis series on up to what ever you can afford .

If you are closing the bail by hand , pulling the line taught when you do and still having line twist issues - then go to braid plus a FC line leader using a FG or Crazy Aberto knot to join the two lines . Lastly check out VMC swivel #1 drop shot hooks used with Zman Trick Shotz soft plastics .

[gilkeybr]

One of the nice things I notice about my one higher end spinning reel is it has much finer adjustment of the drag plate.  I would compare it to a micro-ratchet wrench as opposed to a tradition ratchet.  Other than that, I don't notice a big difference in smoothness/etc.

[MerderInc]

2 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

I like Daiwa 2500 ~ 3000 series spinning reels from the Revros or Legalis series on up to what ever you can afford .

If you are closing the bail by hand , pulling the line taught when you do and still having line twist issues - then go to braid plus a FC line leader using a FG or Crazy Aberto knot to join the two lines . Lastly check out VMC swivel #1 drop shot hooks used with Zman Trick Shotz soft plastics .

I went to a larger spool and that seemed to fix the problem.  Love the VMC spin shot hooks.  I use them and do the FG not FC leader to brain. 

Thanks for all the great input.  It's refreshing to have every response be positive and not have half the replies be people telling you that you're an idiot for asking and not already knowing.  

[ChrisD46]

On ‎9‎/‎11‎/‎2018 at 10:38 AM, MerderInc said:

I went to a larger spool and that seemed to fix the problem.  Love the VMC spin shot hooks.  I use them and do the FG not FC leader to brain. 

Thanks for all the great input.  It's refreshing to have every response be positive and not have half the replies be people telling you that you're an idiot for asking and not already knowing.  

*Merderinc : You are in Indiana - Midwest , USA ...  Don't  hospitals there provide a Ned Rig set up at birth before sending you home with the parents ?

[MerderInc]

1 hour ago, ChrisD46 said:

*Merderinc : You are in Indiana - Midwest , USA ...  Don't  hospitals there provide a Ned Rig set up at birth before sending you home with the parents ?

Never saw it before this year.  Pretty small town and I've been self taught on pretty much everything I know.  Basically forums and YouTube are my best resources on fishing.

[fishwizzard]

Does anyone else use a casting combo for drop shot?  I tried it this season and I think I like it.  Line twist with a floro mainline isnt much of an issue and with a shallow spool I dont mine swaping my line out more often.  The downside is obviously backlashes, if that weight flys off you can kiss your spool of line goodby.  

 

 

[Log Catcher]

I use a main line, a barrel swivel, the use a leader to set up my dropshot. The swivel type hooks. Using some of the hooks Fishingmickey first mentioned would also be good.