Dropshot/finesse Rods

[basslips]

Looking to step up and get a quality spinning rod. Mainly for dropshot and tube applications. Will spend up to about $150 but less money for a quality rod is ok too!

Looking real hard at the Savvy line of Dobyns rods, either the 693 or 702. Also interested in a Powell 6103 MEF or a Max rod and a Kistler 6'9" MH Finesse Special.

Any insight? There is absolutely no where near me to handle any of these rods.

[J Francho]

My last Kistler of five finally broke this spring. I can only relay my own experience, 100% failure. Maybe not all Kistler's fault, but certainly raises an eyebrow, considering the only other rods I've broken in the past few years are an 11 year old Avid, and a 20 year old Berkley Series 1 Accu-Flex.

I use two rods for finesse: Avid AVS63MLXF and AVSMXF. Both (actually all three, 2x MLXF) are set up with 2500 size CI4's and 6# Invizx. Great setups. I will say, I don't use these for tubes, but I primarily use heavy tube jigs, 1/2 oz or more, and prefer my light crankbait rod for this, an AVC70MM - yep, a casting rod.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I'll second the XF Avids as a finesse/drop shot rod.

[philsoreel]

I bought the Savvy 702 as my first shakeyhead rod and sold it. I think you can find a much better rod for this application than the 702. I'm no drop-shot Guru like some others^^^^^^^ so I'll let them suggest the rods. I'll be using my 7'2" Med X-Fast Cumara and have been told it's perfect for it.

[J Francho]

One reason I don't go longer for drop shot is simply that I'm primarily dropping it beside the boat, and watching it on the sonor. If I was casting it, or shore bound, I'd definitely go longer.

[dude loves to fish]

The Kistler Finesse Special would be my choice. I've owned this rod for several years and it works great, never have had a problem with my rod. Super light and very sensitive.

[ww2farmer]

One reason I don't go longer for drop shot is simply that I'm primarily dropping it beside the boat, and watching it on the sonor. If I was casting it, or shore bound, I'd definitely go longer.

On the flip side I primarily pitch my drop shot out from the boat, cast it, or drag it while drifting with the wind. So for me a 7' rod is better, but I can drop in the cone and fish effectivly this way as well, if I did that more often a shorter dedicated DS rod would be in my boat.

As for my choice of rods, I too use an Avid. I like the 7' Med. light power, fast action mated with a 2000 size Daiwa Exceler. The rod is plenty sensitive, light, just the right ammount of power for DS'ing and has a soft tip which IMHO is important when using light lines and smaller hooks. For the last few years I always had this reel spooled up with Trilene 100% fluorocarbon in 6lb test, loved the abrasion resistance, knot strength, sensitivity, and reliablity of this line, but I hated the managability of it on the smaller spinning reels I liked. This year problem solved, I use 10lb Power Pro braid as my main line and tie 4-5 feet of fluoro. to it with an alberto knot. I am still getting the same ammount of bites, have had zero issues with big fish and the alberto knot, and now no more line management issues.

[Jaheff]

I was wondering if you have any experience with the Crucial Drop Shot rod Francho? I got one a few weeks back and I think it's too much rod for 6#. It's rated 6-12, but using it on the low end of rating isn't working for me.The lake I fish is too clear for more than 6.

[J Francho]

Only played with it in the store. I feel like my M and ML Avids are a bit "less substantial," but that's just an off the cuff opinion.

[Hooligan]

I was wondering if you have any experience with the Crucial Drop Shot rod Francho? I got one a few weeks back and I think it's too much rod for 6#. It's rated 6-12, but using it on the low end of rating isn't working for me.The lake I fish is too clear for more than 6.

I'm in 100% disagreement that the rod is too much for 6lb. Whether it be the 6-8 or the 7-2, the 1/8 oz and small dropshot baits are where both of those rods excel. It handles lighter line much better than heavier, for that matter, I'd hesitate to put 8lb on them at all. I rarely fish those two rods anymore because I fish my Cumara and Avid, but in situations that I know I'm going to be fishing lighter lines, light weights, and tiny dropshot baits I reach for the Crucial.

As for my "All around" finesse rod I have a pair of Avid AVS68MXF.

[Jaheff]

I'm in 100% disagreement that the rod is too much for 6lb. Whether it be the 6-8 or the 7-2, the 1/8 oz and small dropshot baits are where both of those rods excel. It handles lighter line much better than heavier, for that matter, I'd hesitate to put 8lb on them at all. I rarely fish those two rods anymore because I fish my Cumara and Avid, but in situations that I know I'm going to be fishing lighter lines, light weights, and tiny dropshot baits I reach for the Crucial.

As for my "All around" finesse rod I have a pair of Avid AVS68MXF.

Hooligan, it's the CRC-D66M model.I'm just saying I wish it was closer to a medium light for 6#.It's fine for exposed hooks, just i feel on a hookset with a texas rigged creature bait, I would break the 6# line with that rod. I'm just comparing this to another spinning rod I have that's a ML.Maybe I just need more than 4 outings with it, to get a better feel.

[J Francho]

X-Fast tapers can be a little misleading in feel. They certainly seem really soft at the tip, but you go from tip to through transition to backbone pretty quick, and I've found that on the surface they feel a bit stiffer, and probably are. More of the rod is backbone - makes sense.

If you're breaking off on hooksets, and you're sure its not bad knots, abraded line, or whatever, then its a drag issue. Set your drag a bit lower. I know when I first started trying braid with a light fluoro leader, I was snapping the leader. I was VERY surprised to see that I have the drag set 7 lbs. when I actually measured the force. 2.5 lbs. is plenty to gently slow a running fish, and protect 6# line on both the hookset and ensuing battle.

[Jaheff]

Good advise Francho. It's not that i have broken my line yet,but the three fish out of five fish i have goten bite on texas rigged, I didn't get the hook in them cause i'm affraid to give a good hookset with 6# on this rod.With nose hooked worms, my land ratio is way better.So paying more attention to my drag setting and giving it a good rip will probably solve it.Thank You.

[J Francho]

Take a look at Owner Offset Down Shot hooks. 2/0 work great with skinny, 4-6" worms. They have a funny eye for drop shotting, but it doesn't interfere with bullet weights. The this wire penetrates easily with light, wrist snap set.

http://www.tacklewar...page-ODSOW.html

[Jaheff]

Yep Francho you just nailed my problem. I was using size 1 offset hooks thinking it gave the 4.5 robo worms better action or small creature baits. I think i'll step up to a bigger hook. Thanks again.

[WdyCrankbait]

Welcome to the Forum Basslips!

I just ordered the 6103 Powell last week, should get it Monday. I'll let you know what I think of the rod when the UPS man/woman makes an apperance.