Drop Shot/shaky Head Rod(S)

[nynoles]

I am new to both of these techniques. I want to do a little of each this year and was wondering what I could do in terms of rods (the cheaper the better as I am in graduate school and need to save the money if possible).

I currently have a couple spinning set ups and one is a 6'6 ML but is a 2 piece. So I don't really know where to go with a new rod purchase in terms of length and power in order to potentially get into these 2 techniques this year. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[J Francho]

I personally like a specific rod for a very narrow definition of each of those techniques. For now, your current ML will work fine, until you outgrow it, or develop a preference for something different. Save your $$$ for some 6-8# fluorocarbon, hooks, weights, plastics, and jigs.

[Fishes in trees]

Start with what you got. Buy some jig heads, hooks & weights & soft plastic baits. Don't be in any huge hurry to get new rigs. You don't say where you live, but somewhere there has got to be a fishing tackle store near you. Drop by and see what they recommend for drop shot or shakey heads.

Should they say "what's that ?" then you know not to spend your money there. Go into the archives of this category. I can recall several threads about the "best" and "best bargain level" of drop shot and shakey head rods & reels.

[McAlpine]

I agree, if cost is a concern just stick with what you have. Spend your money paying off those school loans!

[nynoles]

Start with what you got. Buy some jig heads, hooks & weights & soft plastic baits. Don't be in any huge hurry to get new rigs. You don't say where you live, but somewhere there has got to be a fishing tackle store near you. Drop by and see what they recommend for drop shot or shakey heads.

Should they say "what's that ?" then you know not to spend your money there. Go into the archives of this category. I can recall several threads about the "best" and "best bargain level" of drop shot and shakey head rods & reels.

I am originally from central new york, but now reside in the buffalo area for grad school. Thanks for the advice. I will focus on just learning the techniques and doing a little fishing with them with what I have.

I agree, if cost is a concern just stick with what you have. Spend your money paying off those school loans!

I will definitely stick with what I have for now. The school leans can wait until after I get done with school, for now it's time to worry about next summer's fishing adventures. haha.

[smalljaw67]

I may be able to help here. I don't know what kind of line you are using but I believe I can set you pretty good with usin mono so that will save some money for you. I'm going to sound like a broken record to some but I never experienced the kind of quality in a value rod before like I have with the new Fenwick Elite Tech smallmouth rods. The 6'9" medium power, extra fast action will work fantastic for shakey heads and drop shots especially with mono, you match the rod to the technique and the line. It is the reason you see some manufacturers make a shaky head rod with a moderate or moderate fast action and others have a fast or extra fast, it has to do with line. If you use braid or flouro a moderate action in the rod is good to have since the line doesn't have any stretch, and with no stretch you don't need much force to set the hook so the moderate action rod has more flex that compensates for zero stretch. The extra fast action is good with mono, you set the hook and the line stretches but the rod has extra backbone to provide more pressure to compensate for the added line stretch. Amazon has the 6'9" M-XF smallmouth rod for 80 dollars, I've been able to feel bites in 26' of water using 8# mono and I caught those fish that bit, you could also go with the 6'9" medium light, fast action which would also be a good choice, but I feel the medium is more versatile as it can handle a wider range of weights but either would work well for what you want to do. I apologize if it seems like I'm pimping these rods as I'm not affiliated with them at all, it is just I'm really happy with the performance of mine and I'm an angler that has been using equipment that costs much more than these rods so I've been exposed to some good product and these rods are good product for sure.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I personally like a specific rod for a very narrow definition of each of those techniques. For now, your current ML will work fine, until you outgrow it, or develop a preference for something different. Save your $$$ for some 6-8# fluorocarbon, hooks, weights, plastics, and jigs.

x2 good advice

[bman310]

x2 good advice

X3!

[nynoles]

Thanks guys for the advice. Since I won't be getting another rod how about some advice for some soft baits and some jig heads for shaky head and baits for drop shots. I am up in NY and I can handle the color selection portion, I just need some advice in terms of baits. Thanks in advance for any help.

[J Francho]

Roboworms, Zoom Finesse Worms, Gulp! Alive Minnows and Leeches. Bite Me! shaky heads and the Strike King football shaky heads work well adn should be easy to find.

[3dees]

your in school and can't get caught up in this game and there really is no need to. I'm an older guy who's been fishing for 45 years. if I had to use a different rod for each different technique I would'nt have room in my boat for anything else. I'm not saying it's ok to use a flippin rod for dropshotting with 6# line, but it seems that we

are going a little overboard. I wonder how we ever caught any fish 20-30 years ago. learn to use what you have now. as you grow in the sport you will decide on what you need.