Am I limiting myself by using a M for dropshotting?

[Bassin_Harrison]

Somewhat new to drop shotting, I got into at the end of last summer and had pretty great success out of my kayak. 

 

I bought a new, higher end (for me) spinning set up last summer so that's why I took a crack at it. The rod is 7' Medium Fast, which I know is considered the most all around spinning set up. But am I going to lose a large % of fish because it's too stiff? Most guys seem to use a ML. I do fish around a lot of grass year round in MA ponds which also makes me feel like a M isn't terrible in my case. Just curious if I should make an investment for this season (I'm going off to college next year so trying to limit how much gear I get between now and then). 

 

Thoughts? 

[WRB]

Not knowing the rod brand/model or reel/line, a 7’ medium power fast action spinning is good for finesse bass fishing including drop drop shot.

Losing bass using a MF spinning rod isn’t an issue if you set the drag, trust it and keep control of the bass.

Tom 

[Bassin_Harrison]

3 minutes ago, WRB said:

Not knowing the rod brand/model or reel/line, a 7’ medium power fast action spinning is good for finesse bass fishing including drop drop shot.

Losing bass using a MF spinning rod isn’t an issue if you set the drag, trust it and keep control of the bass.

Tom 

Thanks Tom.

 

Here's the info which I should've put in the OP: ALX Ikos Soul, Daiwa Tatula LT 3000; 15 lb 832 braid to 8 lb fluoro leader. 

[TOXIC]

You have control over how hard you set the hook.  That’s where you have to be careful especially with braid and a leader.  Just remember to use a sweep hookset and to not try and cross their eyes.  That’s a fine setup for a lot of applications.  Except for the braid but that is a personal preference.  

[Bassin_Harrison]

4 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Except for the braid but that is a personal preference.  

Yeah the only reason I go with braid is because I'm rarely fishing deep clear water like highland reservoirs, usually small stained ponds with a ton of grass. If I had more set ups though I would definitely have a spinning set up with braid and one with straight fluoro. Thanks Toxic. 

[Deleted account]

There really is only one way to determine if a rod is going to work well for D-shot, or any other presentation...

[Choporoz]

6 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

There really is only one way to determine if a rod is going to work well for D-shot, or any other presentation...

This doesn't get said often enough. 

 

My drop shot rod was bought as a ned rig rod.   My chatterbait rod was bought to be my t-rig rod.  My spinnerbait rod was supposed to be the last jig rod I would ever 'need' to buy.  My current senko rod was purchased as a shakey head rod....my skipping senko rod was my wife's....shhh...she still thinks it is....my deep carolina rod was going to pitch....

[WRB]

43 minutes ago, BigBass'n_Harrison said:

Thanks Tom.

 

Here's the info which I should've put in the OP: ALX Ikos Soul, Daiwa Tatula LT 3000; 15 lb 832 braid to 8 lb fluoro leader. 

??

Tom

[EWREX]

a medium action rod from any manufacturer will be just fine for a dropshot and MOST other finesse techniques

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Drop shot is the one technique where you can over weight the rod a little without losing contact with the bait or load for long casts. A lighter power lets me work the bait subtly and feel light bites. A med power can help another site from deep water without over playing them. You’re not at any disadvantage from a landing standpoint. 

[Bassin_Harrison]

42 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

There really is only one way to determine if a rod is going to work well for D-shot, or any other presentation...

Oh I totally agree with this, find what works for YOU for sure. Only reason I ask is because I'm a high schooler who can't get a rod to test for each application so it's easier for me to put together other opinions and see if what I'm rocking with is going to do the job, you know ?

[Deleted account]

11 minutes ago, BigBass'n_Harrison said:

Oh I totally agree with this, find what works for YOU for sure. Only reason I ask is because I'm a high schooler who can't get a rod to test for each application so it's easier for me to put together other opinions and see if what I'm rocking with is going to do the job, you know ?

 

Yeah, but you already own the rod, no?...

[Bassin_Harrison]

Just now, Deleted account said:

 

Yeah, but you already own the rod, no?...

Yes, and I've caught a few fish on a dropshot with it since last August. My question with this post was really does a M vs a ML really make a difference for dropshotting, am I going to struggle with getting fish in the boat because it's a stiffer rod. And clearly the general consensus is no, so that's great. 

 

But in general I liked what you said, it's 100% true for anybody who can do it. I just mean I don't have the money or space to buy a rod, see what application it works for and then buy another one for whatever application that rod couldn't cover. My goal is to have a few versatile rods and I wanted to know if I was going to be wasting my time using a dropshot with a "stronger" rod. 

[Deleted account]

5 minutes ago, BigBass'n_Harrison said:

Yes, and I've caught a few fish on a dropshot with it since last August. My question with this post was really does a M vs a ML really make a difference for dropshotting, am I going to struggle with getting fish in the boat because it's a stiffer rod. And clearly the general consensus is no, so that's great. 

 

But in general I liked what you said, it's 100% true for anybody who can do it. I just mean I don't have the money or space to buy a rod, see what application it works for and then buy another one for whatever application that rod couldn't cover. My goal is to have a few versatile rods and I wanted to know if I was going to be wasting my time using a dropshot with a "stronger" rod. 

 

I still don't get it, but ok. It's not you, it's me. 

[Dan N]

That’s a nice set up. I just got an ALX rod last summer, love it. To me that would work for any finesse fishing.

[WRB]

Drop shot usually is rigged with light wire strong Mosquito style for nose or wacky hooks or longer light wire cover shot for weedless rigging.

Nose hooks you lift and reel to set the hook, weedless a firmer lift and reel hook set.

Too off set the braid line and medium fast rod set the drag at 2 lbs using dead weight ( 2 pint plastic water bottles). After actual weight drag setting you will be able to guesstimate the feel of 2 lbs in time.

Tom

[JustJames]

48 minutes ago, BigBass'n_Harrison said:

. My question with this post was really does a M vs a ML really make a difference for dropshotting, am I going to struggle with getting fish in the boat because it's a stiffer rod.

You already got an answer from @Delaware Valley Tackleand the best one if I would say so.

 

[Scott804]

I really like to dropshot with a medium light. Obviously a medium light could be anything because of manufacturer standards, but I find myself enjoying dropshotting on medium light rods more. That being said, every single time without fail that I have to dropshot on a medium rod I am always pleasantly surprised. If someone told me I would be forced to dropshot on a medium rod forever I probably wouldn't lose sleep over it. So if you WANT an excuse to buy a fancy dropshot rod... you have one. But if the old bait monkey isn't on your shoulder, I really don't think you're losing out on much. 

[Bassin_Harrison]

1 hour ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

You already got an answer from @Delaware Valley Tackleand the best one if I would say so.

 

100%

59 minutes ago, Scott804 said:

But if the old bait monkey isn't on your shoulder, I really don't think you're losing out on much. 

Not at the moment... sadly? ?

[cyclops2]

With 15# and 8#  You can increase the drag  to 8 pounds very safely. Nothing will break . I have a small scale with a hook and a loop at each end. Have someone hold the scale with the line tied to the hook. Walk away until you are at the distance most fish bite at. NOT CRITICAL at all. Start pulling  & adjusting the drag knob until you are ABOUT at 8 pounds.  Plus or minus a 1 pound  is close enough.  

 

As soon as you feel resistance or a fish taking? Crank fast & pull rod TIP backward hard enough....... so the DRAG SLIPS from being tight enough..............

 

Enjoy more positive hookups.  ?

[WRB]

1 hour ago, cyclops2 said:

With 15# and 8#  You can increase the drag  to 8 pounds very safely. Nothing will break . I have a small scale with a hook and a loop at each end. Have someone hold the scale with the line tied to the hook. Walk away until you are at the distance most fish bite at. NOT CRITICAL at all. Start pulling  & adjusting the drag knob until you are ABOUT at 8 pounds.  Plus or minus a 1 pound  is close enough.  

 

As soon as you feel resistance or a fish taking? Crank fast & pull rod TIP backward hard enough....... so the DRAG SLIPS from being tight enough..............

 

Enjoy more positive hookups.  ?

8 lbs will. Read the MF spinning rod!

Try lifting a gallon jug of water, it weighs 8 lbs.

Tom

[cyclops2]

None of mine yet.

 

But if you are sure of this. Override me again.  It does not bother me to be corrected.

[WRB]

19 minutes ago, cyclops2 said:

None of mine yet.

 

But if you are sure of this. Override me again.  It does not bother me to be corrected.

Try lifting 8 lbs with any of your rods. 

Tom

[MN Fisher]

8 minutes ago, WRB said:

Try lifting 8 lbs with any of your rods. 

Tom

What was that snapping sound I heard?

[cyclops2]

Reel Is rated for 22 pounds of drag. 

 

  NO ONE lifts any fish out of the water by using the rod in a FULLY BENT .....U.....shape.

Mouth lift it or lift it with the FISHING LINE. 

 

Most experienced anglers USE  a rubber net that is large enough to do the job.   Fish swims into the net. The person is trained enough to ONLY LIFT the fish STRAIGHT up..........With the net pole / handle straight up & down Nothing breaks. Fish is not thrashing around on  end of a broken rod.

 

As the fish size increases to a point that common sense says do not bend the rod any further the REEL SPOOL is taking the force.  NOT the over bent rod.