15 replies to this topic

[SoCalFisher]

I am going to get a Shimano Stradic CI4 and a rod but I am not sure which yet. I am looking to spend about $200 and want a rod for weightless plastics and drop shot. What rod and which size reel would you recommend?

[outdoorsman110]

Rage!!

[BASSclary]

St.Croix Avid 6'9" ML/XF - $180.

Probably one of the best rods out there for what you want to do.

[thehooligan]

I am going to get a Shimano Stradic CI4 and a rod but I am not sure which yet. I am looking to spend about $200 and want a rod for weightless plastics and drop shot. What rod and which size reel would you recommend?

I had a 2500 series ci4 paired with a dobyns champion 682 dropshot rod and it was amazing. Ended up picking up a fenwick elite series rod, which is also an awesome rod and put the ci4 on that. Wanted a very light rod for jerkbaits and topwater. Bought a 1000 series stradic fj and put that on the dobyns, its a very light dropshot/weightless plastic setup.

You cant go wrong with a 1000 or 2500 series ci4, i think the 2500 balances better with the usual 6'8 dropshot rod.

For rods, my picks would be the avid that bassclary recommended, the dobyns champion 682, fenwick smallmouth elite tech 6'9 medium light, or the shimano cumara.

[Mike__D]

To two choices for me would be the fenwick elite tech smallmouth 6' 9' medium with an extra fast tip or the st.croix avid 6' 8' medium extra fast.

I prefer to have a little bit more power in my rods.

Mike D

[Stasher1]

I am going to get a Shimano Stradic CI4 and a rod but I am not sure which yet. I am looking to spend about $200 and want a rod for weightless plastics and drop shot. What rod and which size reel would you recommend?

Which weightless plastics will you be throwing? If you're talking about Trick Worms, Finesse worms, or 3"-4" Senkos then I'd say 6'9" ML/XF Avid. If you're talking about weightless 5" Senkos, then I'd recommend the 6'8" M/XF.

I'd also steer clear of the Rage. Lots of complaints regarding build quality, and somehow St. Croix managed to take an Avid blank, add a smaller/lighter reel seat, smaller/lighter guides, and a foam grip and wind up with a rod that's heavier than the Avid.

[smalljaw67]

To two choices for me would be the fenwick elite tech smallmouth 6' 9' medium with an extra fast tip or the st.croix avid 6' 8' medium extra fast.

I prefer to have a little bit more power in my rods.

Mike D

X2 !!!

[SoCalFisher]

I think I will either get the Fenwick or the St. Croix but I am not sure yet. Which size reel would you guys recommend?

[NitroZ9]

Might also want to take a look at the Denali Rosewood Dropshot Rod for $200. I have one with a Stradic mounted on it and it is a great combo. It has an extremely good action for dropshot. Denalis are top of the line rods with quality components.

[outdoorsman110]

Hi Salenity and I both have Rages and ABSOULTELY love them, no complaints.

[quanjig]

Kistler magnesium dropshot rod

[smalljaw67]

I think I will either get the Fenwick or the St. Croix but I am not sure yet. Which size reel would you guys recommend?

I would look at a 2000 or 2500, I have a 2500 size reel on my Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth spinning rod and it is perfect. I think that size reel is just better suited to a medium powered rod but the 2000 would work without a problem.

[Stasher1]

I think I will either get the Fenwick or the St. Croix but I am not sure yet. Which size reel would you guys recommend?

If line capacity isn't an issue (and it rarely is when bass fishing), ignore the reels' model numbers and focus on the weight of the reel and how it feels when mounted on the rod. One manufacturer's 1000 might weigh more than a 4000 from a different company.

Case in point - I have a Ryobi Zauber 1000 that weighs almost 10 oz (280 g = 9.88 oz) and a Pflueger Supreme XT (9235XT) that only weighs 8.6 oz. One of them might look more appropriate on a 7' MF rod, but the other does a better job of balancing the combo.

[SoCalFisher]

If line capacity isn't an issue (and it rarely is when bass fishing), ignore the reels' model numbers and focus on the weight of the reel and how it feels when mounted on the rod. One manufacturer's 1000 might weigh more than a 4000 from a different company.

Case in point - I have a Ryobi Zauber 1000 that weighs almost 10 oz (280 g = 9.88 oz) and a Pflueger Supreme XT (9235XT) that only weighs 8.6 oz. One of them might look more appropriate on a 7' MF rod, but the other does a better job of balancing the combo.

Well I am getting the Shimano Stradic CI4 and I already mentioned so I was wondering what size I would want of that reel. I'm also still open to suggestions on rods.

[SoCalFisher]

Would the Phenix PHX-S692L work good for the techniques I already mentioned? It's 6'9", 4-10# line, fast action, 1/16-3/8oz casting weight, and is a medium light. There is also a 7'2" with the same specs. Then there is also a 7'2", 6-12# line, 1/8-1/2oz casting weight, and is medium. Which one would work well for weightless plastics and drop shot. I have a Phenix casting rod from the same series and it is amazing so I was just wondering if any of those would work for the techniques I want it for.