$120ish Drop Shot Rod Options

[BossHoss]

Hey I am new to this forum and in addition to becoming a fan of it, I am becoming a big fan of the Drop Shot. I am looking to upgrade my rod a little bit and was looking at several around the 120$ price range.

The rods I was somewhat focusing on include the e21 carrot stick offerings, Falcon Lowrider/Cara (on sale if I can find one), or a Kistler Dropshot Special (KDDSS69). I am in no way locked in to these though. I fish a lot of farm ponds so its not like I am putting it at 100ft with my eyes glued to the depth finder. In case it matters I would be paring the rod with my pflueger president xt, 1/8 to 1/4 Owner weights, and Roboworms .

I look forward to your input, and thanks for the help.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

For a few bucks more you can pick up a Crucial Drop shot rod.  Fantastic rods.  I've got one of the Spinning and the Casting.  Can't beat them for the price.

[bigfruits]

used st criox avid 6'9" mlxf

check out the replacement warranty

[BlaineFred]

carrot sticks are on super clearance sales at $89 or $99 at several places...

Cabela's Club has the XMLTiS69DS drop shot rod on sale for $99, normally $189.  I have several of the baitcasting rods, and I'm very happy with them. 

[BossHoss]

Yea I meant to have the Crucial on my list. I really like the exposed blank in the fore-grip. However, I can't help but wonder about the length of the reel seat grooves. Do you find yourself gripping more reel seat than cork on the Crucial? I usually grip with 2 fingers in front of the reel shaft and 2 behind btw. This is one of my complaints with the rod I have now so I would like to avoid it if I can in my next one

I have used a few St. Croix rods for offshore fishing. There is no question that the warranty they have is lights out. I guess if I could find one cheap enough I could even trade up through the warranty to a Legend Tournament or something. Any ideas on where to find a large selection of used rods other than the fleamarket section of course.

   As far as the carrot stix go I have heard that they newer rods are not to the level of quality that they were when they won all those accolades at iCast, but I don't know if that is true.  Cabela's also has a Quantum Superlite on sale for 80 bucks and they retail for 230$, but you can't help but wonder what the reasoning might be for such a sale.  I have had bad experiences with Quantum reels in the past, but no experience with their rods

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Pics below. Feels comfortable to me. Obviously your tastes will differ from mine. Take your reel to a retailer near you that carries the rods and put it on there and try it out. Thats the best way you'll be able to check for yourself.  As far as the warranty goes, lifetime over the counter replacement.

How I usually hold it

Two fingers above and below like you mentioned

[Stasher1]

Pics below. Feels comfortable to me. Obviously your tastes will differ from mine. Take your reel to a retailer near you that carries the rods and put it on there and try it out. Thats the best way you'll be able to check for yourself. As far as the warranty goes, lifetime over the counter replacement.

How I usually hold it

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d55/Doughboy1501/IMG_0057600x450.jpg

Two fingers above and below like you mentioned

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d55/Doughboy1501/IMG_0060600x450.jpg

Not according to my local BPS. According to one of the Mgrs of the fishing dept, they had a meeting with Shimano early this year where Shimano asked them to "Look out for Shimano's interests" so they only do the over-the-counter free replacement for the first year. After that, it has to be sent back to Shimano...on your dime.

[BossHoss]

Pics below. Feels comfortable to me. Obviously your tastes will differ from mine. Take your reel to a retailer near you that carries the rods and put it on there and try it out. Thats the best way you'll be able to check for yourself. As far as the warranty goes, lifetime over the counter replacement.

Thanks for the pictures... it didn't end up looking like I thought it would once you held it in your hand.  I would go to a store and try out all of these in person, but a store that has all or even some of the rods I would like to look at in stock is hard to come by in my area.

[Tuckman]

In my hodge podge collection of rods I have accumulated a few lowriders, a cara, a carrot stick, and a crucial.  All are fine rods. The carrot stick is by far the most sensitive, I know some people have had reliablity problems with them but I have not had any problems so far.

I have had great luck with falcon rods for the last few years. From the originals up to the caras.

[skunked_again]

Pics below. Feels comfortable to me. Obviously your tastes will differ from mine. Take your reel to a retailer near you that carries the rods and put it on there and try it out. Thats the best way you'll be able to check for yourself. As far as the warranty goes, lifetime over the counter replacement.

How I usually hold it

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d55/Doughboy1501/IMG_0057600x450.jpg

Two fingers above and below like you mentioned

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d55/Doughboy1501/IMG_0060600x450.jpg

Not according to my local BPS. According to one of the Mgrs of the fishing dept, they had a meeting with Shimano early this year where Shimano asked them to "Look out for Shimano's interests" so they only do the over-the-counter free replacement for the first year. After that, it has to be sent back to Shimano...on your dime.

i just took a Shimano Compre back to BPS, no receipt, the rod that was 18 months old, and had it replace.

[BlaineFred]

Cabela's also has a Quantum Superlite on sale for 80 bucks and they retail for 230$, but you can't help but wonder what the reasoning might be for such a sale. I have had bad experiences with Quantum reels in the past, but no experience with their rods

Most of the Quantums are sold out at Cabela's, except for a few M and MH models which may be too heavy for drop shotting.

[Stasher1]

i just took a Shimano Compre back to BPS, no receipt, the rod that was 18 months old, and had it replace.

I don't doubt that at all. Many people have experienced the same hassle-free exchange as you, but the blanket "over the counter free replacement" may not be true for all locations. Unfortunately, by the time you find this out, it's too late. YMMV.

[Ballpark Frank]

I have the 7'2" M XF Carrot Stix Dropshot and absolutely love it. I also use it for shakeys, weightless senkos, and light t-rigs. If you find one at the $89-$99 sale price, jump on it!!!!

[Dave T.]

For $140, the Powell Max spinning rods are an excellent value. The 6'8" MLXF rod would be great drop shot rod.

[flippin and pitchin]

One more option:  Lamiglas Excel XL702S.  made in the USA 100%, can't beat the warrantee and it's a quality product for under a hundred bucks.  Take the the 20 bucks you save and pick up some more Robo worms.

[BobP]

After reading a ton of comments from pros and dedicated dropshotters, I chose a Shimano Crucial dropshot rod a couple of years ago - and haven't regretted it.  The Crucial has a sensitive fast "hinged" tip but enough backbone down the blank to handle any bass.  There may be other rods that work great too, but the Crucial was purpose-designed for bass dropshotting, and I think that makes a difference.   

[hookingem]

I think the carrot stick drop shot rod would be a good option. Especailly for 89$ at TW.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

After reading a ton of comments from pros and dedicated dropshotters, I chose a Shimano Crucial dropshot rod a couple of years ago - and haven't regretted it. The Crucial has a sensitive fast "hinged" tip but enough backbone down the blank to handle any bass. There may be other rods that work great too, but the Crucial was purpose-designed for bass dropshotting, and I think that makes a difference.

One of the main reasons I picked up the Crucial drop shot rods was the blank design.  The tip on them is fantastic.  But the backbone is just great.  They were made for really drop shotting into heavier cover.  More than enough power to pull fish out of thicker stuff.

[BossHoss]

One more option: Lamiglas Excel XL702S. made in the USA 100%, can't beat the warrantee and it's a quality product for under a hundred bucks. Take the the 20 bucks you save and pick up some more Robo worms.

I would like to get my hands on an excel to try it out.  I have heard good things about them as well... And as far as the roboworms go... those fish tear them to pieces so fast.  I go through maybe 5 packs in a good weekend at my honey hole pond.

[BossHoss]

Well I ended up getting the Carrot Stix LTX drop shot rod... There were a lot of good options, but I just couldn't turn it down for the 80 bucks I got it for... I will let ya know how it does

[AbuGarcia-4-Life]

Thats cool just be careful cause they have a history of breaking ez hope you catch alot of fish with it

[SoFlaBassAddict]

For 80 bucks, why not try it out.  Whats the worst that happens?  You break it and exchange it or upgrade.  Hope it works out for you.