Texas Rig / Shakey Head / Drop Shot Combo?

[HoggBoss]

Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice. I'm planning on picking up a half-way decent spinning rig that will be effective for fishing shaky's, drop-shots, T-rigged Senko's, etc.. I was wondering what you guys might recommend for a rig that would be effective for these applications.

Is 7' too long to be practical? I thought it might be better for more line take-up on hook-set though opposed to 6" or even 6'6". F or XF tip? I'm not sure what size reel, I guess that comes down to balance and line capacity.

The lakes up here in NE Ohio I fish the most are generally very shallow (relatively). I wouldn't expect to be fishing these applications any deeper than about 20ft at the most. More often than not it'd probably be more like 15ft give or take. I'm not sure exactly how that translates into weight, but I'm guessing 3/8oz would be fine. And I'm thinking 8lb test for open water.

Thanks in advance and let me know if I'm missing something or if I'm way off-base!

[hitchhiker]

Powell 703 MEF  7ft  1/8-1/2oz  x fast medium power 6-12lb line.

It's good for texas rigs, small jigs, senkos, and will work for drop shotting, split shotting, and shakyheads as well.

Mine's set up with a Soron STX20 with 15lb power pro and usually 6 feet of fluoro leader, 6 or 8 lb most of the time.

[midnighthrasher]

Shimano crucial or compre 6'6 to 6'10

[brushhoggin]

i have the Powell Maxx spinning rod for a while and absolutely love it for these applications. it has really nice backbone along with a flexable tip allowing you to dance those plastics. durable quality rod that won't break you or let you down.

http://www.***.com/Powell_Max_Spinning_Rods/descpage-PMS.html

[Paul Roberts]

I would say any 6-6 to 7ft M or MH fast spinning rod in your price range would do the trick. Think line strength you'll be needing -that will help you choose the power. If you'll be using 8lb most often go with a M. If you will be using 12lb more, go with a MH.

Brands?? TONS to choose from. For the type of techniques you are talking about, I'd go for a high quality rod on this particular rig, since sensitivity is esp important here.

As to spinning reels see this thread:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1265879981

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I use a 7'M-XF Damiki Dark Angel and a 2500 Shimano Stradic CI4 with 8lb P-Line Floro-Clear for those exact purposes and have no problems with it. 

As Paul said, M for lighter lines, MH for larger lines. 

[Blade-Runner]

St. Croix. PS/AVS 70MLF.

20-series (~100+ yds. 8#) reel.

[Lucky Craft Man]

Here, in my opinion, is the ultimate Shaky Head, Drop Shot, and T-Rig senko rod on earth, the G Loomis GLX BSR852.  This thing can do it all and do it all extremely well.  If I can only take one spinning rod with me and I know I will be drop shot fishing, shakyhead fishing, and senko fishing, this is the rod I take.

[Hooked_On_Bass]

Here, in my opinion, is the ultimate Shaky Head, Drop Shot, and T-Rig senko rod on earth, the G Loomis GLX BSR852. This thing can do it all and do it all extremely well. If I can only take one spinning rod with me and I know I will be drop shot fishing, shakyhead fishing, and senko fishing, this is the rod I take.

I just purchased the casting version of this rod (BCR 852 GLX) for my shaky head duties.

[HoggBoss]

Thanks a lot for the input guys! I wish the Loomis was in the budget, but I'm in the middle of a conversion project on my boat right now.

Right now, I'm leaning toward the Powell. I don't think I've ever read a negative review of any of their rods. I'm sure it wouldn't disappoint.

[Skunked in DR]

Here, in my opinion, is the ultimate Shaky Head, Drop Shot, and T-Rig senko rod on earth, the G Loomis GLX BSR852. This thing can do it all and do it all extremely well. If I can only take one spinning rod with me and I know I will be drop shot fishing, shakyhead fishing, and senko fishing, this is the rod I take.

I've always been scared off by the 3/8th max rating - can it handle a 5" or 6" senko?

[J Francho]

I'll start by saying you can get all this done with a M or MH spinning rod anywhere from 6' to 7' long.

Myself, I use distinctively different rods for each.

T-rig weightless senkos can be thrown on anything.  Really.  Match gear to cover.

Standard t-rigs with a bullet weight and worm hook are fished with casting gear, anything from M/F up to XXXXH/mod-fast.  Match gear to cover, and weight of the bait.

Dropshot...If you mean deep water, and light line, then I'd go with a 6-7' ML/F rod.  Since you're looking at shallower, and possibly some light cover, I'd go with the "so called" drop shot rods that are 6-8, or 6-9, M or ML power, and X-fast action.

For shaky head, I am actually now using a shorter rod, 6' to be exact.  Its M/F, a very simple rig.  I like the shorter length for greater control of the movement I impart with the rod.

I came up with these preferences over the course of years on the water.  Been drop shotting for quite a few years now, shaky heads for around four years, and Senkos, maybe three years.  Texas rigging worms and other plastics is something I've done for over 25 years (since I was 12) so that's an even more complicated deal.

You want to get started and get time on the water, get a spinner in the 6-6 to 7' range, fastish tip, and enough backbone to move a fish out of cover, and you'll be fine for all you listed.

[Lucky Craft Man]

Here, in my opinion, is the ultimate Shaky Head, Drop Shot, and T-Rig senko rod on earth, the G Loomis GLX BSR852. This thing can do it all and do it all extremely well. If I can only take one spinning rod with me and I know I will be drop shot fishing, shakyhead fishing, and senko fishing, this is the rod I take.

I've always been scared off by the 3/8th max rating - can it handle a 5" or 6" senko?

It can handle 5" Senko's easily.  I have never used a 6" version with it, but I suspect that the 6" might be pushing it.  This rod has a pretty strong backbone, so I think the 3/8 oz rating is pretty conservative.

[roadwarrior]

I fish a St. Croix Legend Elite, ES70MF/ Stella

2500FB/ Yo-Zuri Hybrid #6. Another rig I would

recommend is the G.Loomis SJR843S matched

with a Stradic 2500CI4.

8-)

[Big Bait Fishing]

a rod that i think you would be more than happy with is the Shimano Crucial drop shot rod , 7'2'' medium , extra fast . nice light weight rod that has good backbone and balance . at 160.00 bucks , very worth it ...http://www.***.com/Shimano_Crucial_Drop_Shot_Spinning_Rods/descpage-SCRDSR.html

[Lucky Craft Man]

a rod that i think you would be more than happy with is the Shimano Crucial drop shot rod , 7'2'' medium , extra fast . nice light weight rod that has good backbone and balance . at 160.00 bucks , very worth it ...http://www.***.com/Shimano_Crucial_Drop_Shot_Spinning_Rods/descpage-SCRDSR.html

I had this rod for a short time and will vouch for how good it is.  The only reason I got rid of it was that I could not get used to the Split Grip, so I sold it.  If you like split grips, this could also be a good option.

[bigfruits]

your rod description matches the bsr852 perfectly

also look at avid series if you want to spend less for a great rod. id look at the 6'8" mxf.

id definitely get an xf tip on the rod you decide on.

id pair it up with a 2500 stradic

[bigfruits]

I've always been scared off by the 3/8th max rating - can it handle a 5" or 6" senko?

i would not hesitate to throw a 6" senko on the 852. just dont whip it too hard.

[kikstand454]

on the MUCH cheaper side of things....

for the exact same techniques your are looking to do...

i use a shimano clarus 7' ml/fast with a quantum incyte 40 reel.

the rod is soft enough to throw anything... but its fast tip and 1/4oz rating give it enough rear end to do the job well. the incyte is the best reel you can get for $50 and if you can get it on sale... even better.

this whole rig (seperately) i got on sale for around $80.