Drop Shot Rod Actions

[Skeet22]

I've never done a bunch of drop shotting but want to work on gaining confidence with it. Everything I read says to use a fast or extra fast action.. It seems to me that a moderate action would be the way to go to aid in fighting a fish on light line. Hookset should not be an issue being light wire drop shot hooks do not take much pressure to penetrate the fishes mouth. I understand the stiffer the rod the more sensitive it will be to help detect bites but from my experience wacky worming with owner mosquito hooks when the fish bite they almost hook them selves and with the Lighter rod and light line it seems there would be no problem detecting a bite even with the slower action.

Does anyone drop shot with a moderate action rod vs a fast or extra fast?

Im looking at the veritas ML moderate for drop shotting in 6'9" length.

[J Francho]

It's not my preference. A medium or medium light power, x-fast action spinning rod has PLENTY of bend with a fish on to protect the hook. In fact, I use a 6-3" rod, which is short by many standards. To answer your other question, Rich Zaleski uses a parabolic rod for this, and he's drop shotting fool:

http://www.richz.com/fishing/articles/dropshot.html

http://www.lunkerville.com/lunkerville1/richz1.html

http://www.lunkerville.com/lunkerville1/richz2.html

http://www.lunkerville.com/lunkerville1/manwithaplan.html

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Your probably talking 6#-8# line so a Med Power Fast action rod paired with a reel that has a decent drag should make landing fish no problem. A moderate action helps more with trebel hook lures that have mass and can be thrown when the fish head-shakes.

[SDoolittle]

Does anyone drop shot with a moderate action rod vs a fast or extra fast?

Im looking at the veritas ML moderate for drop shotting in 6'9" length.

I think you'll be happy with that rod. I use a Kistler Mag TS 6'9" Medium Light Moderate, and I have been very pleased with it.

[Skeet22]

Thanks for those links J Franc, I kinda had the same thought that with light flourocarbon and a ML rod it should still be plenty sensitive even in the moderate action.

[J Francho]

Action shouldn't have ANYTHING to do with sensitivity. Some of my touchiest jig rods are moderate fast.

And also keep in mind when watching Rich Z in action that he doesn't use drag. Locked down and backreels.

[NitroZ9]

You might be interested in looking at the Denali Jadewood Dropshot rod. It's a 6'6'' med. rod with a moderate fast action. It's under $100 with a limited lifetime warranty. I use the Rosewood series Dropshot Rod with the same action in 7 ft. The fast tip allows you to efficiently cast and shake your rig while the rest of the blank gives you the back bone and flex to handle large fish with light line. I dropshot a lot and it really works well for me.

[Skeet22]

Action shouldn't have ANYTHING to do with sensitivity. Some of my touchiest jig rods are moderate fast.

And also keep in mind when watching Rich Z in action that he doesn't use drag. Locked down and backreels.

While I tend to agree with that, the common thought is that a faster action gets into the backbone quicker therefore making the rod "stiffer" which leads to more sensitivity. My thought is that it has more to do with the quality of the blank, line etc and the light bite will be detected whether its a fast action,moderate action etc. A subtle bite will not put enough bend in the rod for the action to make a difference. Yet I read many articles stating the faster tip will be more sensitive..

[J Francho]

Maybe, if you are watching the tip to feel the bite. You'd be surprised how many people do this.

[Skeet22]

No I use to do that while cat fishing with ugly sticks when I was a kid.lol If I watch anything its my line where it meets the water but mostly feel..

[J Francho]

It's why braid is so sensitive, LOL.

[Skeet22]

sometimes I wonder if I should be using a moderate rod to punch mats..between the braid and ultra sharp hooks its very easy to blow a fishes mouth open. I may try switching to a heavy co poly or Flourocarbon to solve this though and I will not have to deal with the line wrapping around the rod tip while flipping anymore either. That gets pretty frustrating sometimes..

[Hyrule Bass]

No I use to do that while cat fishing with ugly sticks when I was a kid.lol If I watch anything its my line where it meets the water but mostly feel..

my ugly stik actually makes a great drop shot rod. sensitivity is severely overrated if you ask me...

[J Francho]

You can keep preaching that mentality, but you will remain in the minority. Think about it. You are sensing a bite. Sensitivity is what that's all about.

[.ghoti.]

skeet22, I have the rod you asked about, Veritas 6'9" ML-Mod spinning rod. I have a Supreme XT spooled with #6 mono, and it is a fine drop shot rod. You will be happy with it, I'm sure. It is good for other applications like very small cranks, light weight jighead/grubs, small flukes, etc.

On the other hand I have a St Croix LTB 6'9" ML-XF casting rod which I use for drop-shotting. It also works nicely for this application.

The LTB is more sensitive than the Veritas, no question about it.

Is that because it's an XF versus a Mod? I have no idea.

Or because it's a better blank? Probably.

Or because it costs more than twice the price of the Veritas? We all have to justify the cost of some of our gear, even it it means we're BS'ing ourselves. LOL

[NitroZ9]

When I'm fishing techniques that require more sensitivity, ie., texas rig, dropshot, shaky head, C. Rig, etc., I want every edge I can get. That's why I use a rod with a high modulus blank and low stretch line, such as flouro., in order to transmit subtle vibrations as well as possible. When fishing dropshot and shaky head on spinning gear, I use braid with a flouro. leader. Not only does that combo. eliminate line twist, in combination with a high modulus rod, it provides maximum sensitivity. The modulus in rods differ. Normally, the higher the modulus, the higher the price. I think you can probably get to a point in price where you are gaining no more benefit. I just try to get the highest modulus rod I can afford.

[Skeet22]

I may give the braid with flouro leader a shot. I assume you use a swivel to attch the flouro to braid which would help with line twist?

[J Francho]

I use braid and leader only for shallow, weedy conditions. An Alberto knot is the best for braid to leader.

[islandbass]

I hear you and that too is my perception. My lamiglas Drop shot special rod is has a moderate fast action and I love using this rod.

[NitroZ9]

I may give the braid with flouro leader a shot. I assume you use a swivel to attch the flouro to braid which would help with line twist?

I do not use a swivel to attach the flouro. to the braid. You don't get the line twist and coiling with the braid like you get using only mono, flouro., etc., on a spinning reel. You can continue using the braid for a long time and not need to replace it. Since any kind of braid is no where near invisible, I use the flouro. leader. I'm not sure the name of the knot I use to connect them but it works. I don't use braid in other situations where I would need a leader. Only finesse fishing in clear water.