Which high-end drop shot combo?

[onthefritz]

Looking to get into my first “high-end” spinning combo, a dedicated finesse/dropshot rod. I keep thinking I’ve narrowed it down but then as soon as I do, I find something else that appealing. Here’s the three combos I’ve considered so far:

 

St Croix’s new LTB, 6’10” ML XFast ($290 @ TW); paired with a Sustain FJ 2500HG ($309 @ TW). 

 

Megabass Orochi XX Whipsnake 6’11” ($349 @ TW); paired with a JDM ‘21 Exsence 3000MHG ($357 @ Digitaka).

 

Megabass Destroyer P5 (JDM) Landsat 6’11” ($475 @ TW); paired with a JDM ‘19 Vanquish C3000 ($350 @ Digitaka). 
 

…AND, if it seems these options are severely misguided then I am definitely open to suggestions! I’m a bit partial to Shimano reels, but it’s not a dealbreaker if you think something else does the job better for cheaper.

[Wprich]

St. Croix(and Loomis) fan here I have the Legend Elite 6'10" rod and love it sure you would like the Legend Tournament Bass as well.  I would go with the Shimano Exsence or a Shimano Twin Power as the reel, I have both and really enjoy using them.  NRX/GLX rods are also worth looking at as high end offerings.

[QED]

A Shimano Poison Adrena 267ML coupled with a Shimano Stella FK 1000 or Shimano Vanford 1000F would work well for finesse drop shot use cases.  Really enjoy using mine.

[onthefritz]

2 hours ago, QED said:

A Shimano Poison Adrena 267ML coupled with a Shimano Stella FK 1000 or Shimano Vanford 1000F would work well for finesse drop shot use cases.  Really enjoy using mine.

I like the idea of a 1000 size reel because obviously not casting very far for finesse, but the significantly lighter drag makes me nervous. Is that ever an issue, or is it still plenty?

[padon]

i have the stcroix and the megabass. both are solid but the whipsnake is a little more limited. i drop shot around grass some and texas rig when i do. the legend has the guts to do that but i dont think the whip snake does. if your strictly open hook either will do fine.

[PressuredFishing]

Plenty of information on the forums about this subject, justdon't skimp on line, be it PE or nylon

[onthefritz]

6 hours ago, padon said:

i have the stcroix and the megabass. both are solid but the whipsnake is a little more limited. i drop shot around grass some and texas rig when i do. the legend has the guts to do that but i dont think the whip snake does. if your strictly open hook either will do fine.

Good to know! That definitely makes the LTB more attractive. What reel do you have on yours, and do you feel that it pairs well with it?

[QED]

7 hours ago, onthefritz said:

I like the idea of a 1000 size reel because obviously not casting very far for finesse, but the significantly lighter drag makes me nervous. Is that ever an issue, or is it still plenty?

 

The drag is typically set to a fraction of the line lb test weight and with finesse gear I use sub-10 lb test line so the drag is definitely not an issue.

[MN Fisher]

11 minutes ago, QED said:

 

The drag is typically set to a fraction of the line lb test weight and with finesse gear I use sub-10 lb test line so the drag is definiting not an issue.

Yep - Drag rating should be pretty much ignored when looking for a reel for finesse fishing...you'll never use it's max rating...even on reels with ratings in the 7#-9# range.

 

With 10# braid going to a 6# leader....I got my drag set at about 2#....on a reel that has 18# max drag available.

 

 

[onthefritz]

1 hour ago, QED said:

 

The drag is typically set to a fraction of the line lb test weight and with finesse gear I use sub-10 lb test line so the drag is definitely not an issue.

This makes perfect sense, thanks

[RDB]

For bottom contact, I’m going to put more dollars on the rod than the reel unless I have an unlimited budget.  Personally, I would get the NRX+ 822s DSR (852s JWR a close second) and pair it with a Vanford.  I have Shimano’s that are more expensive but I have no hesitancy picking up the Vanford over the others.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I got my hands on the new LTB and the Orochi.  They were next to each other on the rack so naturally I compared them.  From handling them the Orochi felt like it had more power then LTB.  I also thought the whipsnake felt like it was another level overall compared to the 6'10 LTB.  Not dogging the LTB, it felt nice, just not as nice as the MB.  

You ever consider the Luvias or Luvias Airity?  

[Dwight Hottle]

You get better line control & casting distance with a 2500 size spinning reel than you do with a 1000 size reel. Digitaka has the Daiwa 19 Certate  LT 2500-H for $292.80 with free shipping. I love my Shimano's but the Certates are almost bulletproof & compare to the Stella but at a much lower price. 

[evo2s197]

I have the P5 Landsat with an Exist, I would get the the Landsat and since your partial to Shimano reels pair it with a Vanquish.

 

[SproDD79]

You may want to consider the Steez AGS finesse game special, I have it paired with an Exsence 3000MHG, I am very happy with it.

[roadwarrior]

28 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Certates are almost bulletproof & compare to the Stella but at a much lower price. 

 What?

 

 

[padon]

13 hours ago, onthefritz said:

Good to know! That definitely makes the LTB more attractive. What reel do you have on yours, and do you feel that it pairs well with it?

i just have stradics on mine because ive used them for 20 years and never felt like i needed anything more.

[FishTank]

Depending on how light or heavy you want to go on lure set up its self....... I like the G. Loomis 803S and the Vanquish 3000C. I have done really well on this set up for both drop shot and especially wacky rigged Senkos. 

 

 

[Dwight Hottle]

On 8/28/2022 at 6:57 PM, roadwarrior said:

 What?

 

 

Kent I have 5 different certate models & they have all been great. No maintenance required & all 5 have been flawless. I used  a buddy's stella extensively & never could appreciate much of a difference between the two. The only criticism I ever heard about the certate was its weight. 

 

"From Japan Tackle web site 

Daiwa All New 2019 Certate LT (light & tough) spinning is small, smooth tough reels, matching for both freshwater and light saltwater fishing. 2019 model has monocoque body to hold the largest internal mechanicals square, and to protect them from water. Monocoque body frame doesn't need spaces for screws, and it may hold over-sized drive gears inside.
The drive gears are made by cold forging and machine-cutting, to offer the longest life. Tough-digi-gear has the least gearing noise, while maintain the smoothness for long time.
Mag-seal system is employed at pinion and line roller, to enlong the life of the reel. Mag-seal is the water repellant system using magnetic oil and ring magnets, achieving both ilght friction and high sealing performance.
Ratchet on/off lever was removed to prevent water coming inside.

Aluminum alloy monocoque body frame
Cold-forged, machine-cut Tough-digi-gear
Zaion carbon Air Rotor
ATD Automatic Tournament drag
Seamless Air bail wire
Mag-sealed pinion top and line roller
Saltwater fine
Made in Japan "

 

[Darth-Baiter]

wow.  rarified air for me..that list!!  wow.

[TNBankFishing]

On 8/28/2022 at 2:39 AM, onthefritz said:

I like the idea of a 1000 size reel because obviously not casting very far for finesse, but the significantly lighter drag makes me nervous. Is that ever an issue, or is it still plenty?

Just my thoughts, drag numbers on reels don’t matter. It’s much more important that the drag is smooth and dependable. You’ll never need to hoist a 5+lb bass straight up out of the water on 6lb line. 
 

I’ve owned the Legend MLXF, NRX852s, and Expride ML. The MLXF was the best for finesse in hand. 
 

The current gem at less than 300 is the Megabass Whipsnake. I’d buy that stick if I was looking for a dedicated light line stick. 

[onthefritz]

20 hours ago, SproDD79 said:

You may want to consider the Steez AGS finesse game special, I have it paired with an Exsence 3000MHG, I am very happy with it.

I’ve seen a lot of people rave about the Steez AGS rods. But normally it’s the 7’6”MML they’re talking about. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t considered it, but is it worth $550? 

[SproDD79]

6 minutes ago, onthefritz said:

I’ve seen a lot of people rave about the Steez AGS rods. But normally it’s the 7’6”MML they’re talking about. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t considered it, but is it worth $550? 

I got mine 15% during a TW sale, after using it for a little while I sold my Megabass Landsat. I was a little worried about the guides being fragile,  but so far, so good. I'm very happy with it for finesse presentations, sensitivity is excellent and I find the grip to be very comfortable. 

[RDB]

1 hour ago, SproDD79 said:

I got mine 15% during a TW sale, after using it for a little while I sold my Megabass Landsat. I was a little worried about the guides being fragile,  but so far, so good. I'm very happy with it for finesse presentations, sensitivity is excellent and I find the grip to be very comfortable. 

FYI…Diawa just replaced a broken guide on my Steez Bottom Contact rod at no charge (I paid 1 way shipping) and it took less than 2 weeks to get it back.  I spoke to them before sending and they said they typically no cost replace AGS guides.

[Bass Rutten]

My two cents... My ds setup is a shimano expride 610ml paired with a jdm stradic c2000s. It sticks to 'em like superglue, very high landing rate, super light, balanced, sensitive, it's an absolute dream to fish all day. Not quite high-end but you'd be hard pressed to put together a better $400 combo.