Best dropshot rod around $200

[carterbassMN]

I'm looking to add a dropshot rod to my arsenal for this upcoming season. I have been looking at the St. Croix avid dropshot rod, does anyone have an opinion of it? I'm willing to spend around $200. 

[Spankey]

I fish quite a few SC rods for my soft plastics. Filled a size void recently by picking up the Avid 6’3” ML- X Fast. Will be a great addition. Shorter than normal for me but it’s not that short. 
 

Ready to pull the trigger on a reel but waiting for a sale to kick in shortly. 

[haggard]

10 hours ago, carterbassMN said:

I'm looking to add a dropshot rod to my arsenal for this upcoming season. I have been looking at the St. Croix avid dropshot rod, does anyone have an opinion of it? I'm willing to spend around $200. 

Funny, I saw the subject line and was about to respond with a vote for the St. Croix Avid even before I saw the rest of your post.

 

I highly recommend the AVS69MLXF (MSRP $210, I think).

 

Bought it last year during the Bass Pro Spring Classic sale even though it wasn't on sale - it was what they had in stock so I grabbed it. Fished it for one season and it quickly became my most-used, most productive rod and now my favorite go-to spinning setup. I use it almost exclusively for paddletails on light jig heads and finesse skirted swim jigs with paddletail trailers, but if/when I ever do drop shot, that will be the rod. It's light enough to be light, but it's not noodly, and stout enough to handle a decent size feisty fish without feeling stiff. 

 

Highly recommended.

 

Mine is paired with a Stradic CI4+ 2500 which balances really well on it, and 6 lb copoly (YZ)

 

[J Francho]

I have 2x AVS63MLXF and 2x AVS63MXF that cover most of my DS needs.  I prefer a shorter rod for vertical DS, but the 6-9 version works as well.  Mine are all paired with Stradic CI4 reels spooled up with 6# Tatsu.