Drop Shot Rod...

[ib_of_the_damned]

What is the general consensus about the rod power and action? I have been using a 7' M/F Vendetta and looking to purchase a drop shot specific rod. I have looked at the Daiwa Ballistic 7'2" ML/F, it looks pretty promising. I just purchased a Phenix Recon 6'9" "ML/F" (turned out to be a L/F) and it is way to whippy and soft for my liking, I will be returning or exchanging it. I want sensitivity for feeling the bottom and for those light bites. $160 is the most I am willing to spend. I do not like white, green, orange, blue, or yellow rods. Thanks!

[Hooligan]

I want an XF on my dropshot rods, without a doubt. If you can get your mits on one the Rage 6-8 Medium XF is a good rod, or if you want a little heavier rod, the Crucial Dropshot 7-2 MH XF (CRSDX72MHA) is a very, very good rod. Spend a little more if you're not absolutely firm and get a Cumara Dropshot and the only thing better is an NRX.

[ib_of_the_damned]

Out of curiosity, why would a XF taper work better than a F taper? Wouldn't you want a little bit of give in the tip so the bass can inhale the bait without feeling any resistance?

[Hooligan]

XF has greater recovery and will move the bait more effectively. XF doesn't mean inflexible, it just means you have more control over the bait. With the right XF, it will give plenty and you'll FEEL it faster, get better hooksets, and be able to feel everything without delay. Typically, XF is going to have slightly more tip flexibility than a Fast rod. The Fast will bend further into the blank, not just at the tip, which presents a whole different set of issues.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

I bought a 7'2"M/XF Pinnacle Perfecta Tournament Class rod late in the season last year and have found it to be quiet a nice dropshot rod. Plenty of power and back bone for the fight but with a lighter tip. It really allows you to work your bait without moving it too much. Handled an 8lb channel cat really well with 6lb FC when I went to Guntersville earlier this year.

[NorcalBassin]

I want an XF on my dropshot rods, without a doubt ...the Crucial Dropshot 7-2 MH XF (CRSDX72MHA) is a very, very good rod.

I have the M version of that rod and have been very pleased.

[Crankenstein Crony]

I agree with Hooligan about the Crucial Drop Shot. I've got one and they are awesome rods! I prefer the 7'2 ML XF. It's super sensitive, I feel more light hits on this rod than I've ever felt on my other drop shot rods. The Crucial is awesome!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A drop shot terminal rig can be tied with all sorts of varying tackle. Do want to "Bubba Shot" flipping a 1oz weight and 6" worm to weeds or verical fish a 3" finesse bait with a 3/8oz weight? The latter is the more traditional use for rods marketed as Drop Shot rods. A St Croix AVS69 MLXF is very good here.

[Hyrule Bass]

$160 for a drop shot rod? crazy, i do just awesome drop shotting with a $35 ugly stik

[J Francho]

True, drop shot is just a terminal that can be tied on just about any rig you own. I grew up fishing like this, using similar "off the bottom" or "catfish" rigs. In a traditional sense, the XF taper on Saint Croix's SCIII blanks (Avid/Rage) is purrrrrrrfect for traditional finesse dropshot. I use two, a ML/XF from super clear water and 4# line, and a M/XF for 6# line and general conditions. I use a shorter rod than most, simply because it's more comfortable to keep the bait in the narrow beam cone on both my bassboat and kayaks. Especially the latter. When I was stuck on shore, a 7' rod worked great for me.

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

I don't see myself buying one anytime soon, but I'd like to have the Loomis DSR. I've found the 6'10 length to be just about right for spinning rods.

I guess Ideally I'd like a 7' rod, and 6'6 or so rod for casting DS, and vertical DS. I think the 6'10 ends up being a good comprimise No idea about the action though. Never used on.

[ww2farmer]

I use a 7' ML/F St croix Avid spinning rod, quite a few 4 - 5.5 lb fish (mostly smallmouth) have been boated with this rod. It's all I use that rod for. BUT, if and when it ever needs to be replaced, I will be going with a slightly shorter 6'9" ML/XF St croix. For the simple fact that, while not impossable, because I do it a lot with the 7'er, but fishing in the sonar cone with a little shorter rod would just make like a little easier.

[J Francho]

I think we are both influenced by the same guy with the short rod theory, LOL.

[ww2farmer]

I think we are both influenced by the same guy with the short rod theory, LOL.

Yeah, that guy is absolutly no good........especialy for my bank account LMAO

[RyneB]

I use a 7' medium Duckett micro magic, im happy with it. This rod does other things for me, but when i drop shot, its always on this rod. Its light, sensitive, and has a fast tip.

[ib_of_the_damned]

I hear what you all are saying about the drop shot specific rods. I think I may have narrowed down what I am interested in...

First choice is the Daiwa Ballistic Spinning 7'2" ML/F ( I love the look of it and the power and action suit my needs)

The others are:

Dobyns Savvy Micro 7' ML (Not a fan of cork)

Powell Max 702MLEF (Not a fan of cork)

What do you guys think or suggest?

[Packard]

Why aren't you considering the Shimano Crucial 7'2" XF? They have it in ML, M, and MH. IT is a split eva like you want and will blow that Daiwa out of the water. The St Croix Rage 7'1" M/F will suit you well if you don't mind the full eva grip.

[ib_of_the_damned]

I was gonna order from TW and they dont have it in stock, the quoted time is 3/06(whatever that means) I am considering it, but I want a rod asap. I am returning a Phenix Recon that was supposed to be ML/F but turned out to be a L and it whas too whippy in the tip for my liking. I do not know if the Medium model of that same rod would feel the same...

[ib_of_the_damned]

Also if I went with the Shimano Crucial drop shot, the ML/XF seems like it is a little weak for my purposes, I know that everyone recommends a ML/XF but that rod is only rated to 1/4oz. I use weights that are 3/16-1/4 for casting distance and feeling the bottom. Should I just move up to the M/XF and feel better about the strength and longevity of the rod?

[NorcalBassin]

$160 for a drop shot rod? crazy, i do just awesome drop shotting with a $35 ugly stik

Not as awesome as you would do with a much more sensitive rod. However, if you're happy with your Stik stay with it because once you upgrade there's no going back!

I use weights that are 3/16-1/4 for casting distance and feeling the bottom. Should I just move up to the M/XF and feel better about the strength and longevity of the rod?

I threw 1/8 and 1/4 oz DS with a finesse worm for a few hours yesterday on my MXF Crucial... perfect combination. TW has both the M and MH in stock and I'd agree with staying away from ML if you felt that way with your Recon. Just my opinion, but I do not think that the Savvy, Max, or Ballistic match up with the quality of the Crucial. However, if you think you may not like the Crucial you should definitely go with whatever you think you'll be happiest with.

[Packard]

Also if I went with the Shimano Crucial drop shot, the ML/XF seems like it is a little weak for my purposes, I know that everyone recommends a ML/XF but that rod is only rated to 1/4oz. I use weights that are 3/16-1/4 for casting distance and feeling the bottom. Should I just move up to the M/XF and feel better about the strength and longevity of the rod?

I told you they have it in Medium and Medium-Heavy too. If you think the ML is too light and don't want to wait, then step up to the M. Most people use M or MH, not ML so I don't know why you are set on ML if your Recon was too whippy. NorcalBassin obviously likes his 7'2" M/XF. I don't know what kind of cover you are dropshotting in, but I use a 6'6" MH/F Carrot Stix Casting rod most of the time for dropshotting. I use the rig on schooling smallies in open water and want to get it to my kayak before it turns the rest of them off. With a spinning rod I have trouble doing that at the same efficiency of a casting rod.

[deep]

I hear what you all are saying about the drop shot specific rods. I think I may have narrowed down what I am interested in...

First choice is the Daiwa Ballistic Spinning 7'2" ML/F ( I love the look of it and the power and action suit my needs)

The others are:

Dobyns Savvy Micro 7' ML (Not a fan of cork)

Powell Max 702MLEF (Not a fan of cork)

What do you guys think or suggest?

I don't think very highly of the Dobyns Savvy spinning rods, sensitivity-wise. I have owned and fished the Powell, although never dropshotted with it. I'll be happy to advise you on the power and action of the Powell. PM me if you want to talk about it.

[Hound_dog]

The majority of my drop shotting is verticle. I go with a 6' M XF rod for my drop shot set up. I have one spool for my real with 6lb invizx and one spool with 8lb abrazx. I prefer the shorter rod because I am fishing it verticle. It makes it easier for me to have a shorter rod for this application. If I am going to be casting it out I will move up to my 7' M F rod for better casting distance. . I don't do much finesse fishing but when I do this is what I go with.

[ib_of_the_damned]

I decided to go with the 7'2" M/XF Clarus Drop Shot so I can save some money and use it towards some better fluorocarbon or lures. I took the rod out today and fished it for a couple hours, I have to say I am very satisfied with this rod. It is lighter and more sensitive than the 7' M/F Vendetta that I have been using, which I will now use for senkos, wacky rigs, and flick shakin. Thank you all for the input and and let me know if you guys concur with my decision!

[BobP]

X3 on the Shimano Crucial dropshot rod. I got one a few years ago after recommendations from some western dropshot pros. It has a fast action but light tip section mated to a medium power shaft, which has been described as a "hinged" action. Plenty of sensitivity but will handle big bass. Lifetime warranty and priced around $150. You can use lots of rods for dropshotting but I've enjoyed this puropse-designed one and I think it matches what you're looking for.