Going to a dropshot specific rod from a generic setup

[JETSWU87]

I've been searching many threads about dropshot specific rods.

 

I started throwing a dropshot last year, and honestly fish it 90% of the time anymore.  I fish mostly shallow(less than 15ft) and for LMB, I only T rig with small roboworm hooks.  Since it's shallow water I'm casting this out all of the time.  I also am not afraid to throw my current setup around laydowns, got to hook them first to catch them is my thought.

 

Here's my current setup

 

6'6' BPS Carbonlite (original black blank) M/F

Pfluger president (2500 or 3000)

15lb braid to 8lb floro

Robo worm #2 hooks T-rigged usually fishing a zoom 4" finesse worm

1/8th ounce weight 90% of the time.

 

I don't have many complaints with my setup now, I love all the different ways you'll feel or not feel the bite.  However as everything in bass fishing, what could I be missing too?  I don't lose many fish, and have caught a few 4-5lbers.  With the M action I can't cast the light weight a mile, but still a good distance.
 

I'm shy to go with a ML setup as I'm T-rigging, I currently set the hook with a quick but smooth jerk.  I keep my drag pretty loose and adjust while fighting the fish.  It's a game.

 

So for you guys that may of fished with more a generic setup for dropshot, what are your experiences going to a higher end setup?  What am I missing?

[MN Fisher]

I wouldn't call my finesse rig 'higher end'. Matter of fact, it cost me all of $30.

 

Mitchell Avocet RZ-2000 on a matched 6'6" Avocet ML/F rod loaded with 8# mono. This is the rig I use for drop-shots, ned-rigs, weightless wacky - any light-weight finesse technique...even weightless T-Rigs. I like the ML for the sensitivity and I don't worry about straightening out my #1 hooks with it.

 

If the Medium rod is doing it for you, then I'd say go for it. I've got a President-25, but it's on my Ultra-lig rod for panfish and trout...great reel.

[WRB]

Don Iovino Major Craft finesse spinning rod is excellent for drop shot.

Tom

[islandbass]

I don’t know if going to an ML is going to be of much use to you with a T-rigged bait save for lighter wire versions. You should get one however if only for the sake of expanding your arsenal and delving deeper in to the truly finesse world. There is a place for this in bass fishing. 

 

One of the things about the finesse type of drop shotting since it isn’t limited solely to finesse fishing, is the typical drop shot hook has enough similarity to the “no need to set the hook” circle hooks. Yes, there is a hook set involved, but it is more or less reeling up the line to get rid of the slack and add a little tension to said line and that’s usually enough to make the rod tip bend for the “hook set.” The drop shot hook type (gammies and owner mosquitos) practically set make the fish set the hook on themselves. 

 

If your daring enough to go lighter in power to ML then the benefits of getting a higher end rod should be a significant step up in sensitivity and better components. And of course, never ever being able to go backward quality wise, is the downside of the dark side, lol. 

 

I think I see your bait monkey behind you. 

[TOXIC]

I have been dropshotting for many, many years and I say that only because I have tried many different setups.  I have found that first you have to establish what version of a dropshot you are going to throw most often (which you have).  That involves a lot of things like type of water (lake or river), depth of water you fish the most, size of bait, species of fish you are targeting, etc.  I have fished differing setups depending on a lot of these factors.  There's also a lot to consider on what YOU like to throw, that's why I never give anything more than very general recommendations when it comes to rods and actions.  Yes, there are some general "givens" but just in your write up, you lost me when you stated you like braid and a leader.  "Personally" this is what I use.....I just set up my dropshot for my annual trip to Lake St Clair (we leave to go up for a week starting this Saturday).  I use a 6'6-8" rod medium/fast with 6lb mono.  That's because I can be casting or drift fishing with this set up.  I can be shallow or deep with up to a 1/4oz dropshot weight (QuickDrop).  I can be in grass/cabbage or sandy clear bottom.  I too only T-rig my baits (Yamamoto Shad Shape worm or a 5" Pro Senko) on a #1 Gamakatsu EWG hook.  It's one of my go to rigs on St Clair.   

[JETSWU87]

8 hours ago, islandbass said:

I don’t know if going to an ML is going to be of much use to you with a T-rigged bait save for lighter wire versions. You should get one however if only for the sake of expanding your arsenal and delving deeper in to the truly finesse world. There is a place for this in bass fishing. 

 

One of the things about the finesse type of drop shotting since it isn’t limited solely to finesse fishing, is the typical drop shot hook has enough similarity to the “no need to set the hook” circle hooks. Yes, there is a hook set involved, but it is more or less reeling up the line to get rid of the slack and add a little tension to said line and that’s usually enough to make the rod tip bend for the “hook set.” The drop shot hook type (gammies and owner mosquitos) practically set make the fish set the hook on themselves. 

 

If your daring enough to go lighter in power to ML then the benefits of getting a higher end rod should be a significant step up in sensitivity and better components. And of course, never ever being able to go backward quality wise, is the downside of the dark side, lol. 

 

I think I see your bait monkey behind you. 

 

LOL This is true, slippery slope.  I don't own any "nice" rods, I'm a $100 rod kind of guy.  However I want to see the value in a higher end stick.  Since I fish this technique so much now I can see the value of it, if it's a noticeable difference.

 

Even though I'm T-rigging, I'm using #2 lightwire Robo worm hooks.  They are sticky sharp and hook anything from dinks to my PB on this rig of nearly 6lbs. 

 

I don't see myself fishing an exposed hook where I live, I really like the lack of hang ups I experience now.  I was a power fisherman before falling in love with the DS, I don't miss the hang-ups.

 

I see a lot of talk of the St croix rods here, I just want to make sure if I spend <$300 on a Rod...it's a noticeable difference vs my $100 carbonlite.

 

 

 

My main question for everyone here that has gone to higher end rods...was it a "I wish I did this years ago" experience or ehhh sure it's better experience.