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

[Rockhopper]

Loomis 6'10" mag medium extra fast dsr for me.  The mag bass tapers quite a bit differently across their mag line than the traditional powers.  Check it out, you won't be sorry.

[Munkin]

6'10" ML rod I built on a NFC blank is what I have been using for Neds. I use this rod and a 6'8" MXF Avid for DS depending on the situation.

 

Allen

[Bosoxfan1598]

I use my Dobyns Fury. 7’ ML Fast with a Daiwa Tatula 2500. I use that for a lot of my finesse presentations. Fluke, Senkos, Ned’s, poop baits etc. 

[BassinBrett]

I have been using a St Croix 7 foot Legend for both.  It works and it is a nice rod.  Last  year I started building my own rods.  I am now making a NFC  X-ray MB 733. It should perform well for DS.  

[JMac603]

I'm a Daiwa fanboy. I love the AGS Tatulas. I drop shot with the 7'6" MML. I use small fine wire hooks and fish primarily big open water so I prefer a longer limber rod as it really keeps em pinned nicely. I throw heavier neds on the 7'3" (3/16-3/8 jig heads). Tubes I throw on the 7'4". My favorite is the 7'6" Chris Johnston rod for hair jig..it's VERY soft but it is PERFECT for hair jigs. 

 

When I travel, the most versatile rod I own comes with me. It's one of the NEW St Croix LTB spinning rods. The 7'3" power finesse rod. I can do so much with this rod because the tip is very fast and soft so I'm comfortable drop shotting, ned rig, lighter tube jigs, even moping because the tip is so good. I'm really happy and surprised with this rod. Headed up to 1000 Islands this spring and I'm bringing two rods; this one and my jerkbait rod and I'm covered for the bulk of how I like to fish.

[07Rapala]

7'3" St. Croix Victory ML, XF is my preferred for both, which is a problem sometimes since I only have one of them. Handles hair jigs and 1/10oz ned rigs fine on the light end. I have used up to a 1/2oz drop shot on the heavy end. It gets a little weird at that weight but it works. Works well up to 3/8oz.

[PaulVE64]

7-6 ml xf 

St C legendT walkeye 

[PaulVE64]

On 11/21/2024 at 6:17 PM, Spankey said:

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. 

Is there a difference?

There sure is on every set up ive used.

[DogBone_384]

For drop shot it's a FX Customs Extreme Angler  7'4" M/F.

 

For Ned it's a Kistler Helium 7' ML/F.