What Is Your Go To Smallmouth Specific Spinning Rod Length, Power and Action? Focusing on Ned Rigs & Drop Shot

[Dan Turpin]

It's all in the title. Most likely something in the 6'10" to 7'6" length. Some may say Medium, but probably more in the Medium Light to Light powers. Guessing the majority would end with a Fast or even Extra Fast action? There might be a few more moderate-leaning folks, who knows.

[T-Billy]

7' give or take a couple inches, ML power, fast tip.

[TnRiver46]

6’6” medium

[Jaybert]

I like a 6’6” which is short by today’s standards but it’s my comfort zone for a spinning rod. Specifically I use a Gloomis SJR782 6’6” fast action, rated medium but fishes more like a ML I’d say.   Very versatile for the techniques you mention plus many other.  
 

I also like a 6’10” Daiwa Kage light extra fast.  Good for Ned and light drop shot but less versatile overall

[bowhunter63]

7 6 med xtra fast 

[A-Jay]

For DS MF ~Light braid to FC leader.

For Ned -  7'6" ML ~ Light braid to FC leader.

Here's some Ned action.

https://youtu.be/KuPRtdajOLU?feature=shared&t=116

A-Jay

 

[Jig-Man]

I use 7’ mlf and mf St. Croix Premier for Ned.  The ml is for weights under 1/8 oz and the m is for 1/8 and heavier.  They are used with 2500 and 3000 Shimano Stradics containing 15# braid and fluorocarbon leaders.

[Bucks Bass and Bourbon]

I have an Expride 7’2” medium light fast dedicated dropshot rod and have no reason to consider another. It’s very light, feels every little tick from the smallest perch and has handled multiple 4-5 lb smallies really well. Extremely happy with it. In fact I will probably buy another one so I can change up presentations without having time-tie leaders or switch baits when I’m on the water. 

[Spankey]

6’10” ML X-Fast

7’ ML Fast 

With 2500 and 3000 Shimanos

[Dan Turpin]

4 hours ago, Bucks Bass and Bourbon said:

I have an Expride 7’2” medium light fast dedicated dropshot rod and have no reason to consider another. It’s very light, feels every little tick from the smallest perch and has handled multiple 4-5 lb smallies really well. Extremely happy with it. In fact I will probably buy another one so I can change up presentations without having time-tie leaders or switch baits when I’m on the water. 

 

In your opinion, how would that rod throw a 1/8 oz Ned Rig?

[DogBone_384]

Kistler Helium 7' M/F.

[Bucks Bass and Bourbon]

16 minutes ago, Dan Turpin said:

 

In your opinion, how would that rod throw a 1/8 oz Ned Rig?

I have a 7’0” medium fast Expride that I use for wacky rigs and similar presentations and also use for ned rigs (Exprides are my go-to if you hadn’t already noticed) mostly because I like having a dropshot tied on at all times but also want another finesse presentation for versatility.  But if I only had the 7’2” medium light fast I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to throw neds on it, especially if I were using one of the lighter wire jig head hooks. I throw mostly 1/8 dropshot weights and have had absolutely no problem keeping fish stuck with that setup. I know that’s not an apples to apples comparison but practically speaking I would throw a ned on that rod all day and never have any doubts. 

[Dan Turpin]

56 minutes ago, Bucks Bass and Bourbon said:

I have a 7’0” medium fast Expride that I use for wacky rigs and similar presentations and also use for ned rigs (Exprides are my go-to if you hadn’t already noticed) mostly because I like having a dropshot tied on at all times but also want another finesse presentation for versatility.  But if I only had the 7’2” medium light fast I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to throw neds on it, especially if I were using one of the lighter wire jig head hooks. I throw mostly 1/8 dropshot weights and have had absolutely no problem keeping fish stuck with that setup. I know that’s not an apples to apples comparison but practically speaking I would throw a ned on that rod all day and never have any doubts. 

Thanks for the reply. I just bought the EXS72MLB after spending a few days trying to decide on the one Expride spinning model that would cover my needs the best. I am stoked to get home from work next week and pair that with my 3000 Vanford. It's Ned season round here.

[Bucks Bass and Bourbon]

You’re gonna love that rod. I enjoy dropshot fishing anyway but feeling all the little ticks and bumps on the bottom and the little thump and weight when you get a bite really makes a good rod worth it. 
BTW I keep it pretty simple when it comes to hooks and almost always use an Owner number 1 mosquito hook (not the mosquito lite) and typically use a 6 lb test fluoro leader. Sometimes 8 lb. Never had a problem keeping largemouth or smallmouth pinned. 

[Dan Turpin]

This year I threw a Dropshot more than a Ned, overall anyway. These winter months for me the Ned does seem to produce more. I just wanted a rod that could do both well, I felt like it was hard to go wrong with any of the rods in the lineup, which made actually deciding even more difficult. I started the thread after the rod was already in the mail, I was just interested in hearing others' opinions. Super dope to hear good things about the model I chose.

[MediumMouthBass]

I tried a drop shot once, it was the most boring minute of my life.

But ned rigs, are the only, and i mean the only slow/finesse type of fishing i can do. And i just love to throw them, whether it be for largemouth or smallmouth.

I am very different than most people with my ned rig setup, i will use a 7'2" M F rod. Its extremely stiff too. Paired with 10lb braid.

I cant cast far with any rod 7' or less, i cant stand wimpy ML rods either. And i also have the drag locked down. Ive caught hundreds of both species of bass and not one ever came off the hook, including my 4lb PB smallie.

The rod is made by a smaller brand, that most bass fishing guys hate on for having BOGO sales throughout their start. Its an Akylos, and its the best rod ive ever used. but ive yet to find a rod thats stiffer, casts farther, and has better sensitivity. The rod cost $60 years ago and was sadly discontinued....

I really regret not buying a casting version, but again since they are a smaller brand theres not many used ones for sale either....

But i will also rotate a MH rod in for ned rigs every once in awhile too.

 

People often think im crazy for fishing ned rigs this way, as its the opposite of the 99% of people who fish ned rigs, but it works for me and works well. However i would like to start fishing them on a baitcaster because my confidence in spinning gear isnt what it used to be. Oh and to make people cringe more, i fish ned rigs fast. The baits reeled back in within a minute.

[r83srock]

I don’t throw drop shot hardly ever. Ned’s I use a St. Croix triumph 7’ medium fast with a Daiwa regal 2500. Straight 10 or 15 lb power pro braid no leader.

[TOXIC]

Ned and dropshot are different for me.  Mainly because I am a finesse fisherman and in the finesse world small differences matter.  For my Ned’s, I am throwing a Quantum Smoke spinning rod, 7ft, ML, fast, with a Smoke 2500 spinning reel spooled with 6lb straight Excel mono. For a dropshot, I am throwing a CastAway Skeleton, 7ft, medium action with a Duckett 3,000 spinning reel spooled with Excel 8lb mono.  Most expensive part of those 2 rigs is the CastAway rod that I’ve had for a number of years and got when I was sponsored by them.  It’s the only rod in my collection that I would replace at full retail without hesitation.  Now that GSM has acquired Dobyns and Phenix, I may try some of their upper level to see how I like them.  

[Junk Fisherman]

7'6 ML for Neds and M for DS

My main DS weight is 3/8 so I go with a little stronger rod.  

I definitely prefer longer rods.  7'4" to 7'6".  

 

7'6 MML Daiwa Steez (The One) is fantastic for both of these applications along with most other smallmouth spinning techniques.  

[Columbia Craw]

7 ‘ ML Fast

[Spankey]

This has been a good thread post. It looks like we are all a bit different but close to being all in the same ball park. 
I don’t have a lot that I’m in the market for finding over the winter to use this upcoming season. But I think I’m taking a ML and a Med. set up and setting myself up to a braid line and fluoro leader. Most likely Power Pro and a SunLine leader of some time. 
Finesse fishing is a big part of my time out. Can’t say I’ve tried this yet. Only braid I have on is on a frog rod. Want to see what all the hype is about. Curious if there is an increase in sensitivity. 

[casts_by_fly]

On 11/20/2024 at 10:14 AM, TOXIC said:

Ned and dropshot are different for me.  Mainly because I am a finesse fisherman and in the finesse world small differences matter.  For my Ned’s, I am throwing a Quantum Smoke spinning rod, 7ft, ML, fast, with a Smoke 2500 spinning reel spooled with 6lb straight Excel mono. For a dropshot, I am throwing a CastAway Skeleton, 7ft, medium action with a Duckett 3,000 spinning reel spooled with Excel 8lb mono.  Most expensive part of those 2 rigs is the CastAway rod that I’ve had for a number of years and got when I was sponsored by them.  It’s the only rod in my collection that I would replace at full retail without hesitation.  Now that GSM has acquired Dobyns and Phenix, I may try some of their upper level to see how I like them.  

excel as in bass pro excel?  Any reason why?

[TOXIC]

10 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

excel as in bass pro excel?  Any reason why?

Yeah, since Bass Pro doesn’t make its own line, it’s made by a name brand company and rebranded.  The company has changed over the years but you get a good line at a good price.  Maybe even a premium line.  I change out pretty regularly so it’s a good deal for me.  

[TnRiver46]

Excel is great line , I’ve hauled in some monster striper with the 12 lb mono and a million SMB with the 6 lb 

[Further North]

My Ned Rig rod is a 7 ft. 9 in. ML TFO Inshore baitcasting rod with a Shimano Aldebaran 50 size reel on it.  Better than any spinning rod I've tried.  I keep my index finger touching the line where it comes out of the reel even when I am retrieving.

My Senko rod is a 6 ft. 8 in. St. Croix Legend Xtreme XF with an Abu Garcia Zenon MG-X reel.  Before this rod, I used a St. Croix Legend Tournament 6 ft. 8 in. MXF.  I use the same tactic with my index finger under the line to feel the lightest touch.

...I don't use a drop shot often, if I do I have another rod like the Ned Rig rod with an older Abu Garcia LTX on it that gets the nod for that.