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Printed Oct 14, 2022 9:15 AM
Drop shotting has gone from a fringe approach, appeared down upon by some hardcore bass anglers, to a staple for catching largemouth, smallmouth, and noticed bass. Whereas it’s generally known as a limit-getting presentation, it’s remarkably efficient on large bass, too.
The suitable drop shot rod is a crucial aspect for fulfillment whether or not bass are 2 ft or greater than 50 ft deep. Whereas many anglers attempt to get by with a do-everything 7-foot medium or medium-light spinning rod for drop shotting, the intricacies and nuances of the approach could demand completely different sticks for various circumstances—and naturally, finances is an element, too.
Whether or not you’re simply getting began drop shotting, otherwise you’re a grasp of vertical finesse methods, I’ve made selecting your subsequent rod simpler by discovering the very best drop shot rods for a wide range of budgets and fishing types.
Why It Made the Lower
This space-age-looking rod has premium elements expressly designed for drop shotting.
Key Options
- Size: 7 ft 1 inch
- Lure Ranking: 1/8 to 1/2 ounce
- Line Ranking: 6 to 12 pound mono and 6 to twenty pound braid
- Cut up EVA grip
- Worth: $290
Execs
- Size must be snug for anglers of all sizes
- Light-weight however super-strong
- Light-weight guides and elements for all-day use
Cons
- Some may not just like the daring coloration
Product Description
California bass professional Brent Ehrler is an distinctive tactician throughout the board, however he made his popularity—and earned a few of his greatest wins, together with an FLW championship—with finesse methods. He’s not afraid to make use of mild line in conventional energy fishing eventualities, and whether or not it’s a shaky head or one of many finest drop shot baits, he’s uber-confident.
That reveals within the Tatula Elite AGS, which is remarkably light-weight, but musters unbelievable power to maneuver huge bass from the depths. On the identical time, it’s additionally forgiving sufficient that you simply received’t pull the hook on a smallmouth that surges or jumps boatside. I discovered the X45 carbon fiber clean to be exceptionally delicate, even in depths of 30 ft or extra whether or not I used to be utilizing straight fluorocarbon or braid with a fluoro chief. The AGS (Air Information System) guides are actually mild too.
This rod is outstanding in all features, and whereas it’s not cheap, in case you’re solely going to get one drop shot rod it might be a more-than-solid alternative.
Why It Made the Lower
No expense was spared in constructing a rod that feels each breath a fish takes in your lure, and exudes stability and bespoke development.
Key Options
- Size: 7 ft 2 inches
- Lure Ranking: 3/16 to five/8 ounce
- Full AAAA-grade cork grips
- Line Ranking: 8 to 17 kilos
- Medium-fast motion
- Worth: $550
Execs
- Extraordinarily light-weight
- Kevlar wrapping for additional power
- Fuji elements
Cons
- Excessive value could also be a barrier to many anglers
Product Description
Western legend Gary Dobyns may reside and construct his rods in Texas, however he’s by no means forgotten his California roots. Finesse methods allowed him to win most of the almost 4 dozen boats he claimed in event competitors, and he was on the scene when drop shotting first began to achieve traction on American shores. He is aware of what it takes to tempt pressured bass of all three species, and this rod is an homage to his excellence.
It’s an insane stability of light-weight and power, with a Toray Nano clean, Fuji Titanium Torzite guides, and painted Fuji graphite reel seats. For those who’re going to spend the bucks on this sports activities automobile, you should definitely get an equally light-weight reel, lest you undermine the unbelievable stability of the rod. I’ve fortunately fished with among the Dobyns rods from his inexpensive lineups, and I’ve been thrilled with their efficiency, however that is for the angler who received’t accept something lower than high of the road.
Why It Made the Lower
This sub-$100 rod fishes like one thing far more costly and can deal with not simply drop shotting, however a wide range of mild line wants.
Key Options
- Size: 7 ft
- Lure Ranking: ¼ to 1/2 ounce
- Line Ranking: 8 to fifteen kilos
- Motion: Medium-light
- Flex: Quick
- Cut up Grip EVA Deal with
- Worth: $100
Execs
- Light-weight
- Uncovered clean reel seat for direct contact with the clean
- Fuji guides
Cons
- Not preferrred for heavier (over 1/2 ounce) drop shot weights
Product Description
I’ve examined a number of of the Falcon BuCoo rods over the previous couple of years, notably in the course of the Out of doors Life finest spinning rod check. I’ve additionally purchased a couple of extra for my very own use, and but I’m however shocked each time I discover myself grabbing for one on a day of “enjoyable fishing” over a rod that prices two or thrice as a lot.
Regardless of the low value level, Falcon makes instruments that you simply wish to fish that merely really feel snug in hand and cargo up proper for each the forged and the hook set. This one is not any completely different. The EVA grip is snug in hand and the Fuji elements—typically discovered solely in costlier rods—are foolproof and failsafe. I’d haven’t any hassle counting on this “cut price” rod with cash or the fish of a lifetime on the road. In truth, I feel you can be pleased with a complete arsenal of BuCoo rods.
Why It Made the Lower
This rod is longer and barely beefier than the standard drop shot rod, which permits extra snug use of heavier weights, particularly in present or wind.
Key Options
- Size: 7 ft 7 inches
- Lure Ranking: 1/8 to ¾ ounce
- Line Ranking: 8 to 14 kilos
- Flex: Quick
- Cut up grip EVA deal with
- Worth: $129
Execs
- “Further” size strikes quite a lot of line on the hook set
- Handles weights within the ¾ ounce class with ease
- A number of customized elements made expressly for Phenix
Cons
- Some anglers could discover 7 foot 7 inch size unwieldy or unable to slot in sure rod storage
Product Description
Phenix Rods has a protracted historical past of constructing specialty rods on the west coast, beginning with “doodling” rods within the Nineteen Seventies. Since then, they’ve change into a revered nationwide (and worldwide) firm, making instruments for numerous species and each bass approach conceivable, however their spinning rods nonetheless match the corporate’s heritage.
A lot of the rods designed for drop shotting are medium-light or medium motion. Whereas this one is designated a “medium,” it’s just a bit bit heavier than the others in that class. Meaning in case you’re fishing in deep water, heavy present, or different circumstances that make using a ½ ounce or higher weight obligatory, you received’t be overpowered or lose management. The 7 foot 7 inch size permits for lengthy casts if wanted, however extra importantly, it picks up quite a lot of line when you might want to transfer an enormous fish that has grabbed your bait. It includes a customized one-piece reel seat and proprietary SiC guides. The camouflage split-grip EVA deal with makes them stand out as effectively.
Why It Made the Lower
When fish are pressured, and ultra-finesse is the one strategy to catch them, this rod supplies the stealth to idiot them and the heft to beat them.
Key Options
- Size: 6 ft 10 inches
- Lure Ranking: 1/8 to three/8 ounce
- Line Ranking: 4 to eight kilos
- Motion: Further Quick
- Flex: Magazine-light
- Cut up grip cork handles
- Worth: $250
Execs
- Tangle-free SeaGuide Hero One Information Prepare
- Premium cork handles
- Made within the USA
Cons
- Could also be too mild for fishing heavier drop shot weights deep and/or in present
Product Description
This can be a enjoyable rod to fish when the bass are being tough. I appreciated it with a Ned Rig and shaky head, however it actually excelled with a light-weight drop shot. I discovered that I might use weights as mild as 1/16 ounce round riprap, which meant the delicate plastic received down, however nothing received snagged or buried within the rocks. But I nonetheless had sufficient muscle to get the fish out to security.
The snug Fuji reel seats and premium cork deal with present sensitivity for all-day fishing, and the carbon clean is simply stiff sufficient to drive the hook house with certainty, whereas the delicate tip prevents you from overworking your lures. A whole lot of rods on the sunshine aspect really feel like toys or whippy noodles, however the GCX Drop Shot 820S DSR is a purpose-driven software meant for critical anglers—and in case you’re not already a critical angler, it will allow you to to carry out like one.
Why It Made the Lower
This rod combines worth, versatility, and precision, and it’s made within the USA with premium elements.
Key Options
- Size: 7 ft 1 inch
- Lure Ranking: 3/8 to ¾ ounce
- Line Ranking: 6 to twenty kilos
- Motion: Quick
- Flex: Medium
- Cut up grip cork and EVA deal with
Execs
- Excessive-modulus blanks are mild and intensely delicate
- Fuji VSS reel seat transmits the lightest bites
- 15-year transferrable guarantee
- Made within the USA
Cons
- Some anglers could choose an extended rod
Product Description
If it’s a must to choose one do-it-all rod for mild to medium vary finesse methods, this may be a strong alternative. It sits on the decrease finish of premium rods by way of value, and it might probably deal with shaky heads, Ned Rigs, Neko Rigs, wacky worms, and drop shotting.
It might not be St. Croix‘s most costly collection, however they don’t skimp wherever, from the Fuji Idea O guides to the VSS reel seat and even a premium locking nut. They use high-grade cork, too, however there’s a small part of froth proper behind the reel seat. The U.S.-made rods are constructed with care, together with an additional layer of Flex-Coat on the guides to be sure that they keep solidly in place. For those who’re stepping into another person’s boat and solely have room for one spinning rod, you may’t go improper with this one.
Issues to Contemplate
Size
Seven ft is a pleasant all-around mark for this system, permitting you to maneuver line on the hook set however nonetheless retailer it simply. On the identical time, you may wish to go longer in huge water or with huge fish, whereas smaller anglers may choose one thing nearer to six ft 6 inches. But, extra size could be a drawback in shut quarters, or when pitching the drop shot.
Energy
For essentially the most half, drop shotting is a lightweight line approach, the place finesse and stealth present a bonus, however you continue to want energy. That’s not only for huge fish—you’d be shocked at how a lot chaos a rampaging 2-pound smallmouth may cause. More often than not, you’ll seemingly be utilizing 1/8 to three/8 ounce weights, however once you stray to the sides (or outdoors) of these margins, it could demand a lighter or heavier rod.
Deal with
Some anglers choose cork, and others choose EVA foam. Some like cut up grips, whereas others like full grips. Select one you’ll wish to maintain in your hand all day, ideally with blank-through expertise and an uncovered reel seat that can allow you to really feel the lightest-biting bass.
Funds
You should utilize a real cut price basement stick and expertise success, and it’s additionally attainable to move to the uppermost areas of the rod economic system for customized options. It’s eminently attainable to get a tournament-ready high-quality rod within the $100 to $250 vary. Relying on what you may afford, and what number of you’ll must fill out your arsenal, there’s an inexpensive risk for everybody.
FAQs
Q: What’s the finest drop shot rod size?
The very best all-around size for a drop shot rod is 7 ft.
Q: What’s the finest drop shot weight?
The most typical weights for drop shotting weigh 1/8 to three/8 ounce.
Q: How a lot do drop shot rods value?
An excellent drop shot rod might be had for $100 to $250, and the ultra-premium rods value over $500.
Q: What line ought to I exploit for a drop shot rod?
A reel spooled with the finest fluorocarbon or a braid with fluorocarbon chief is good for drop shot fishing.
Methodology
I’ll admit it—whereas I’m not afraid of spinning deal with and embraced the drop shot comparatively early in time, I nonetheless don’t use it as a lot as I ought to. That has began to alter as I’ve collected and examined rods devoted to the approach—and now I’ve caught largemouths to 7 kilos and smallmouths to five on this comparatively new approach. I do know that it really works in a ridiculously wide selection of circumstances and likewise that the fitting rod makes an enormous distinction not solely within the quantity that you simply hook, however extra importantly, within the quantity that you simply land. With that in thoughts, I’ve compelled myself to fish them as a lot as attainable to take the guesswork away going ahead.
Remaining Ideas
A lot of “bubba” anglers initially resisted the drop shot, preferring to dunk heavy jigs or huge worms in those self same locations. Right this moment, nonetheless, all however essentially the most cussed amongst them have embraced it, and the few who haven’t are seemingly paying the value. A baitcasting rod and reel combo continues to be extra pure and extra environment friendly when it may be used, however they don’t excel for light-line methods. For those who skimp on a drop shot rod, it’s possible you’ll find yourself paying the value once you lastly discover that mega-school or hook right into a fish of a lifetime.
