Drop Shotting Rod

[lunker-lander]

What actions and powers do you fellas use for the drop-shot? I have my "St.Croix Wild River"; 7'6''; ML; Fast Action, and I am wondering if this is too light or too long. I've heard longer is better, but I am concerned in the length area. I've tried a 3/16OZ drop-shot, and this rod feels like a noodle when shaking...

What do you Guys have to say?

-Lunk-

[Bob Smith]

My favorite is the Shimano Crucial Drop-shot (spinning), medium action, 7' 2".

[lunker-lander]

OK, Mike, thanks! My rod doesn't sound too far-fetched then, eh?

BTW, what line do you Guys prefer? Fluorocarbon I assume, right? 6LB?

-Lunk-

[Bob Smith]

I fish 20 pound Power Pro for my main line and 10 to 12 pound Seaguar Carbon Pro Flouro-carbon for my leader. I have used this in Lake Amistad with water clarity to 25' without a problem.

[BigBassin144]

I am planning to use either 10lb PP with 8lb fluoro leader, or All Fluoroclear, 8lb. As for a rod, I am getting a Shimano Compre either 6'6" M or the 7' M Both have the front grip exposed blank design.

This will not just be my Dropshot rod, but for all my finesse baits.

BB

P.S. It's a spinning rod.

[lunker-lander]

Hey, BigBassin, that sounds like a good rod, saying that our "Foremost Promoter", IslandBass, has that for a drop-shot rod.

BTW, this isn't going to be just my drop-shot rod either. I am going to use it for small Shakey Heads, Finesse Jigs under 1/8OZ, and skipping Senkos/Dingers/Tiki Worms...

-Lunk-

[Bob Smith]

You can use any of these rods, for multiple uses and they work great. Compre is a great stick also. Be sure to look for the exposed rod fore grip, it really helps you feel the bite.

[lunker-lander]

Do you think 7'6'' is too long though? Is ML too light?

-Lunk-

[Bob Smith]

Originally Posted by lunker-lander

Do you think 7'6'' is too long though? Is ML too light?

-Lunk-

I think the length is just fine, my preference would be a medium action, but a very very close friend swears by the ML and a fast tip. He does just fine with it so it comes down to simple preference. As long as your rod has enough backbone to get through a fight with a heavy fish, the ML action could be a plus. With today's super lines and sharp hooks, you can get away with lighter actions than before.

[islandbass]

Originally Posted by lunker-lander

Do you think 7'6'' is too long though? Is ML too light?

-Lunk-

My comfortable length limits would be 6'6" to just over 7' in length. At 7'6", it might be some work if you are fishing close quarters, although you will have great line control and leverage.

The two rods I use for drop shotting are a:

7' Lamiglas Drop Shot special (ML) (Main rig, can only be used on the weekends because it is 1 piece and doesn't fit hidden in the trunk)

6'6" Shimano Compre (MH) (Trunk Rod)

As for the action of ML, it is very easy to confuse a rod's action with its power. The term medium light action refers how the rod bends over its length. For an ML rod, it will usually mean that the rod's flex point will be somewhere in the rod's upper third section. A rod's action has little if anything to do with a rod's power. If one disagrees, take a look at the Loomis rod catalog and look at the rods with an ML action. They almost always will say, "with enough backbone to handle bigger fish.." or something like that.

I can also speak from personal expereince with my ML Lami rod. It has the perfect blend of action and sufficient backbone. I can keep a 4# bass away from diving under the dock with 6# invizx. I guess in short, it is not a wussy or whippy rod. If anything, the ML action might make it easier for you to work the bait. Again from experience, it seems it is with less "effort" that I can work my bait with my ML rod than my MH rod. It just seems "easier".

[lunker-lander]

Thanks, Ib! The only thing I'm really worried about is weight size. I will mainly use an 1/8 or 3/16 ounce weight, but anything heavier will make the rod feel like it's made of Jello.

By the way, Medium/Light refers to the rods power, the action is "Fast".

-Lunk-

[WallStreetAmigo]

Originally Posted by Bob Smith

My favorite is the Shimano Crucial Drop-shot (spinning), medium action, 7' 2".

I am getting this exact rod.... paired with a Shimano Symetre 2500 rear drag reel. Not only for dropshotting but for most of my soft plastics. The reason I chose the M rod is so that I can use a bit heavier lures but still have good tip action to improve finesse presentation.

[islandbass]

You're right, LL. I don't know what I was thinking. Long winter so far.

[lunker-lander]

Tell us about it! How much snow you have out in Wash., IB?

-Lunk-

[WallStreetAmigo]

Hey island, do you have more than the 3 feet of snow we have here?

[islandbass]

Fortunately, although it is cold here (Seattle area), our proximity to the salt water keeps the snow at bay except in the mountains. We might be getting our 2nd snow blast possibly this Sunday, but snow doesn't stay here for more than a week. Good old Pacific Ocean. We been in the low 30s at night and low 40s in the day.

[WallStreetAmigo]

Originally Posted by islandbass

Fortunately, although it is cold here (Seattle area), our proximity to the salt water keeps the snow at bay except in the mountains. We might be getting our 2nd snow blast possibly this Sunday, but snow doesn't stay here for more than a week. Good old Pacific Ocean. We been in the low 30s at night and low 40s in the day.

Man, we've been down to -20 celsius (convert it to F if you want to blow your mind!) We got at least a foot of snow yesterday alone. My wife and I always have a good chuckle when we see the snow advisory warnings for the Pacific Northwest.....a couple of inches and everyone is freaking out. Of course, we only laugh so we don't cry....Then we say WE WISH!!!!!

[Bob Smith]

This past week it got down to 16 f(above), here in North Georgia. I CANNOT IMAGINE living in your climate!

When I married my first wife, it was in Argentia, Newfoundland, in March. The skies were clear, it was -50 F, and there were icebergs in the bay. We got married and I quickly escorted her on the plane and went back to Sicily (Italy) where I was stationed, the temps were in the 70s and it felt wonderful!

[zooker]

Originally Posted by WallStreetAmigo

Man, we've been down to -20 celsius (convert it to F if you want to blow your mind!)

thats only -4 F degrees dude which aint THAT bad... i fished an ice tourny the temp was -40 F thats roughly -60 C..i placed second in that tourny.-it took 4 hours standing in front of a wood stove to thaw my coverall out enough to remove them..

it was 11 here bobber -right brisk it were..


zooker

[BigBassin144]

Originally Posted by WallStreetAmigo

My wife and I always have a good chuckle when we see the snow advisory warnings for the Pacific Northwest.....a couple of inches and everyone is freaking out. Of course, we only laugh so we don't cry....Then we say WE WISH!!!!!

My grandma is one of those people it'll snow like 1/4 of an inch and she'll say school should be closed. We also think it's funny that when they predict even a couple inches of snow, everyone like freaks out and runs to the store to stock up on food like it's imposible to drive in 3 inches of snow...

BB

[WallStreetAmigo]

Originally Posted by zooker

thats only -4 F degrees dude which aint THAT bad... i fished an ice tourny the temp was -40 F thats roughly -60 C..i placed second in that tourny.-it took 4 hours standing in front of a wood stove to thaw my coverall out enough to remove them..

it was 11 here bobber -right brisk it were..


zooker

It's much worse when it is that temperature almost every day from November to February..... Add in the wind chill and it's nasty. We take our kids out and they are as stiff as a board by the time we get home....LOL

[WallStreetAmigo]

Originally Posted by Bob Smith

This past week it got down to 16 f(above), here in North Georgia. I CANNOT IMAGINE living in your climate!

When I married my first wife, it was in Argentia, Newfoundland, in March. The skies were clear, it was -50 F, and there were icebergs in the bay. We got married and I quickly escorted her on the plane and went back to Sicily (Italy) where I was stationed, the temps were in the 70s and it felt wonderful!

You were the smart one bob....get in then get the hell out as fast as possible!

It's really not that bad living here. winters suck, but spring, summer, and fall are pretty nice. The fishing season is shorter than most, which I'm learning is a bad thing. If you like world class hunting, fly fishing, and trout/steelhead fishing, this area can't be beat.

[WallStreetAmigo]

Originally Posted by BigBassin144

My grandma is one of those people it'll snow like 1/4 of an inch and she'll say school should be closed. We also think it's funny that when they predict even a couple inches of snow, everyone like freaks out and runs to the store to stock up on food like it's imposible to drive in 3 inches of snow...

BB

Man, I wish I would've had a grandma like that when I was in school! My grandma made my mom go to school once during a major flood. The bridge was washed out and they had to cross the Columbia river on a makeshift floating wooden bridge! True story, I've seen the pics....Man, I'm glad my grandma never had decision making authority on whether or not I went to school...

[lunker-lander]

I ordered some 1/8 and 3/32 Ounce Tungsten River2Sea Mojo weights yesterday, along with a bunch of other stuff!

-Lunk-

[WallStreetAmigo]

Originally Posted by lunker-lander

I ordered some 1/8 and 3/32 Ounce Tungsten River2Sea Mojo weights yesterday, along with a bunch of other stuff!

-Lunk-

I'm thinking of getting some of those as well.