Help! Rod for dropshots and wacky rigs!?

[jmarp33]

Sooo...Being new to fishing and having some success with finesse techniques, I’d like to upgrade my spinning gear and my head is spinning trying to pick my next rod. I’d like to purchase a new setup that I can dropshot and wacky rig plastics.   What rod will take care of both of these?!  Action? length?  Help me please!   I’m lost in all the various posts!!!  Budget is around $250.  Thanks!!!

[Glaucus]

$250 just for the rod or $250 for the rod and the reel?

[cookieman]

This spring got a Dobyns 704 sf spinning rod  for my wacky rigs and yum dingers. I fish heavy cover and pads as summer comes along. So far this is the best rod I own. If dont have alot of weeds or pads i would go with the 703

[Djohn]

If you are looking for a rod for both I would go with a 7 ft medium fast spinning rod and a size 30 reel.  For $250 you should be able to come up with a nice combo. I would checkout Fenwick, Abu Garcia, or Dobyns in the $100 range.  Any Reel in the $140 range will do nicely for you. 

[jmarp33]

5 hours ago, Glaucus said:

$250 just for the rod or $250 for the rod and the reel?

$250 for the rod..

[matbellon3]

I have the G.Loomis E6X 892s DSR and have been using for drop shot but more for pitching senkos around structure. Has worked well, really like the taper and power of these rods.

[Largies4Life]

My vote would go to the Daiwa Tatula Elite Series. If you can afford it, I would go the AGS route, I absolutely love mine. I have the 7'4" M-F, but I know many others like the 7'1" M-F as well. Comes down to personal preference at that point.

[evilcatfish]

9 hours ago, jmarp33 said:

Sooo...Being new to fishing and having some success with finesse techniques, I’d like to upgrade my spinning gear and my head is spinning trying to pick my next rod. I’d like to purchase a new setup that I can dropshot and wacky rig plastics.   What rod will take care of both of these?!  Action? length?  Help me please!   I’m lost in all the various posts!!!  Budget is around $250.  Thanks!!!

I think you should consider the new Megabass Levante shakyhead model. I’ve been pretty impressed with these gen 2s, currently own 2 and thinking about a third. Well balanced, light and sensitive, very nice rod at the $200 price point. There are lots of great options in your budget though 

[ChrisD46]

3 hours ago, cookieman said:

This spring got a Dobyns 704 sf spinning rod  for my wacky rigs and yum dingers. I fish heavy cover and pads as summer comes along. So far this is the best rod I own. If dont have alot of weeds or pads i would go with the 703

+1 Dobyns Furry or Sierra 703 would be very good for both techniques ... Having a 702 for drop shot and a 703 for wacky rigged stick baits would be even better !

[LCG]

My finnese rod is used for ned rigs, neko rigs, drop shot, and light Texas rigs. It is 6'8" m-xf, 1/8-1/2oz lure rating. It's a BPS Carbonlite 2.0 spinning rod and is pretty sensitive, very comfortable, and decently priced when on sale. I also use 10 lb yellow braid to 6lb yo zuri hybrid leader. 

[jmarp33]

3 hours ago, evilcatfish said:

I think you should consider the new Megabass Levante shakyhead model. I’ve been pretty impressed with these gen 2s, currently own 2 and thinking about a third. Well balanced, light and sensitive, very nice rod at the $200 price point. There are lots of great options in your budget though 

Worth the extra $100 to step up to the XX?  

[evilcatfish]

9 minutes ago, jmarp33 said:

Worth the extra $100 to step up to the XX?  

If you've got the extra money then sure, but the new Levante rods are "almost" on par sensitivity wise with the XX. If I were you I'd consider calling The Tackle Trap and speaking with Gary, his knowledge of Megabass rods is vast

 

https://tackletrap.com/

[WRB]

Drop shot spinning you don't need a highend expensive rod, the hooks are small dia wire very sharp tied directly to the line above the hook, strike detection is obviuos and hook set easy by lift and reel technique. You can also nose or wacky hook soft plastics using the drop shot rig.

It comes down to how heavy are the weights and depth of water. 2 or ML power fast action rods designed for drop shot or finesse presentations using weights to 1/16-1/4 oz. 3 or Medium power fast action for weights 1/8-1/2 oz.

The next decision is rod length and handle style, I prefer 6'8" to 7' with tapered foregrips over no fore grip. I use Major Craft spinning rods they are well made a balanced and have the style handle I prefer ideally suited for your application.

Tom

 

[bunz559]

One of the most versatile spinning rods I've used was my Dobyn's Seierra 703. Drop shot, ned rig, neko rig, wacky rig, weightless flukes. It does it all. 

[jmarp33]

1 hour ago, evilcatfish said:

If you've got the extra money then sure, but the new Levante rods are "almost" on par sensitivity wise with the XX. If I were you I'd consider calling The Tackle Trap and speaking with Gary, his knowledge of Megabass rods is vast

 

https://tackletrap.com/

Good suggestion on calling the Tackle Trap.    He pretty much echoed the same thing.   

[bunz559]

^^ Agreed, just ordered 2 Megabass rods from Gary @TheTackleTrap 

[WRB]

In my hands I can't tell the difference between Megabass Levente and Major Craft Don Iovino spinning rods and can't justify the additional  $70.

Each to his own preferences.

Tom

 

[bunz559]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

In my hands I can't tell the difference between Megabass Levente and Major Craft Don Iovino spinning rods and can't justify the additional  $70.

Each to his own preferences.

Tom

 

I've always browsed passed the Major Crafts on Tacklewarehouse. With little reviews, I've always just window shopped. But read another forum post about them and started researching. I think I'll give Major Craft a shot some time in the future. 

[evilcatfish]

1 hour ago, bunz559 said:

I've always browsed passed the Major Crafts on Tacklewarehouse. With little reviews, I've always just window shopped. But read another forum post about them and started researching. I think I'll give Major Craft a shot some time in the future. 

I have 3 of the Nanoace/Iovino series and really like them, they perform very well and the price is right. I say go for it

[Trappernewt]

On 5/29/2019 at 11:56 AM, jmarp33 said:

Worth the extra $100 to step up to the XX?  

YES!!! 

The Orochi XX is amazing but the Destroyer is in a class all it’s own. ?

 

[offsidewing]

I've owned some many rods over the past 5 years.  At this price point I would suggest thr St Croix Legend Tournament Bass in 6'8" MXF.  Great for finesse applications with fluoro and plenty of backbone for 5/0 Gammys on braid or mono.  

 

I can't overstate how quick, painless, and polite the warranty dept is if you ever have an issue with the rod.

[Westcoast]

I have a couple rods I’m using for dropshot these days. Got a Megabass brigand which is above your price range but I’m really digging it. Next I use a 7’ ml zodias which has served me very well and now has been relegated to my ned rig rod. I do very much believe that the zodias fishes above its price point and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. 

[bowhunter63]

I’m short and love the 7 ft 6 carbon light medium with a fast tip. Can cast a long way but picks up line fast.