skeletor6

I don't think anyone here can really answer whether the feel on the Berkley will suffice. There are people on all ends of the spectrum on rod sensitivity. There are those that feel they have all they need with a Ugly Stick, and those who won't touch a sub $100 rod for their needs I have the 7' version of the berkley lightning shock rod. It does all I would ask a $40 rod to do. I would imagine that if you got yourself a very nice spinning setup, that you would manage that rod to handle both techniques you mentioned. Even if it was pushing the capabilities of said rod. The reason I recommended the CUSDX72M is because it can handle both techniques you mentioned and can fish a dropshot extremely well. Not many good dropshot rods can actually handle shakeyheads. The tip on them will be too soft or the rod will be underpowered. That is where I feel the length comes into play with the specific rod I mentioned. For one you are going to get greater and easier casting distance. I don't just drop most of my dropshots, I cast them. Furthermore, with the 7'2'' I find it much easier to handle the fish when they are making their last run by the boat. Also, with that length of rod you are getting more tip-speed on your hooksets which allows for the versatility of being able to handle shakeyheads even with its soft tip. This is something I feel is too big of a stretch for the CUSDX68M. Also, I own said rod so I can vouch for it. I was in the same situation as you a few months ago and searched for many rods to do what you are asking. I actually got a Loomis 6'10'' NRX SYR first, because I figured a shakeyhead rod can fish both a shakeyhead and a dropshot and a dropshot rod can only dropshot. It may follow course for a lot of technique specific dropshot rods, but not all. The CUSDX72M is one of them as well as a couple others out of your price range. If you look around you should easily be able to find that rod for well below its retail and I am not just talking barely below $200 shipped.

X2! The Shimano Cumara CUSDX72M would be my choice. It is an excellent rod for both techniques. If you can find this rod on a discount or used you will have found yourself a gem for dropshotting and flickshakes specifically. Not to mention it will match your shimano perfectly.

65# braid is the choice by many for frogging. That's what I would use it for. It works very well for that application

Thought it should be mentioned for the OP to make his decision since it was put in a way that the 1000 reel is just lighter. The lighter weight comes with a cost of drag performance.It may or may not be important to the OP, just thought he should know.

If you have the extra money to buy the recon I would. The sensitivity of the Recon is very good and definitely better than the ***. To me that is very important and, thus, the rod I would choose.

It also has half the drag as the 2500.

VMC Spinshot Dropshot hooks is what I use. Eliminates line twist completely and is the best DS hook IMHO.

Welcome to BassResource, you are at the right place. You should be asking yourself if you need the extra line that the 3000 stradic accommodates for. Also, when dropshotting I use 8lb or 6lb line so the stradic 2500 spool is definitely big enough to accommodate for all of my dropshotting needs. Unless you are dropshotting with 12lb or over line I would recommend going with the 2500 size. Everything is the same between the two except for the size of the spool, so performance should be the same.

Yes that BSR 852s GLX is a beast of a spinning rod. I would take it over the NRX due to its action. if you got the money its definitely worth it! One of the best spinning rods you can buy IMHO.

Braid to mono works well when fishing something like a c-rig where you want the bait behind the weight to float. That is probably the only time I would go braid to mono.

X2 Great post!!! Exactly why I posted about having a soft tip in so many threads on the subject. Really good description on the different types of bites, there certainly are a few different ways that fish take a dropshot bait and they all have their own unique feeling. With my Cumara and Seaguar Tatsu I can feel everything. I don't use braid for the technique because the technique does require one to shake the worm on a semi-slack line and braid does not transmit on a semi-slack line. Excellent post above me^^^^

Is this the IMX? If so, that is a fair price. If he was not your friend I would ask at least $160 though

Very true, lure weightings will tell you a lot. I would be careful though, many spinnerbaits are actually heavier than what they are advertised as weighing. Someone had a thread on it where they weighed different types of baits and the spinnerbaits were heavier than their listed weighting. I feel a 7' MH/F rod works perfect for my spinnerbait needs up to 1/2oz, but I have been throwing more 5/8oz and 3/4oz and my Loomis MBR844 IMX works very well for this. Any H/F rod will do for the heavier spinnerbaits. I feel the smaller rods like 6'8'' and 6'6'' are great for target fishing with spinnerbaits. They work well for the purpose and they are much easier to cast to a spot than the 7' rods for me at least. I grew up fishing spinnerbaits on a 6'6'' MH/F rod and it did a fine job at it, I can just cast longer with the 7' rods which my situation calls for more. For line, I use 12-15lb FC it helps get the line deep and is good at not getting tore up by sharp objects.

For your situation I also feel a MXF rod would be perfect. Definitely take a look at the St. Croix Avid 6'8'' MXF it is a very versatile spinning rod that can handle most of all your finesse applications. A cheaper option would be a MXF Fenwick elite smallmouth, not quite as good as the avid but price/performance is good. For a more expensive option, look at a BSR 852s GLX. Nonetheless, I would not worry about not having enough power with a medium powered rod. Many people have caught some very large fish with a Medium and medium light powered rods. As long as your drag is set right and you will be fine. You are not going to be able to just overpower and drag the fish out of cover like you would a heavy casting rod, but that is not the goal with finesse outfits and techniques.

*** *** black will solve all your problems its a very nice rod in that price range. If I had to choose id take the veritas over the mojo fwiw.

How well do these protect the rod? I have the covers that came with my NRX's and usually put my rod in the plastic cases they are shipped in when I go to travel. So I was wondering if the rod glove offers padding or what you guys have found in its usage for the rod? Thanks

Same here. As an all around line I feel it is much better by my standards.. It is more sensitive than invizx and more abrasion resistant as well while not being overly stiff and unmanageable. Invizx is stretchy but handles VERY well. That's its strongpoint imho. They had a buy 1 get 1 on sniper and at that price I would rate it by far the best price to performance fluorocarbon available.

By most flexible I am assuming you are wondering which has the best handling. Seaguar invizx wins that vote for me and handles better than the 2 spools of sunline sniper that I have. Sniper is a better all around line imho though. Vanish is a horrid FC line and there are far better choices. Also seaguar tatsu has extremely good handling while also being great in many other aspects. This would be my choice if you are looking for a very good handling line that also is tough, abrasion resistant and sensitive. As others have mentioned kvd l&l will do wonders to make FC more manageable. Good luck!

I am glad you found something in that price range that suits you well. I, personally feel that it is just your subconscious telling you to go cheaper on your rods to buy more shimano reels! Just messing with ya, the setup matches well with the chronarchs. I agree with your philosophy for moving baits, less sensitivity is needed and I go all out for sensitivity when it is required, but for moving baits it is far less essential. The only comment that I would make is for you to try the *** 13 to see if you like it if you hadn't had the chance yet. Besides that I'm glad you figured out your situation. Now its time to go buy yourself some more reels with all the money you saved. You need a core 50mg if you don't have one yet and a shimano Stella!

Dowen I am glad you got the information you were looking for.

X2!! I own the CUSDX72M and it is an exceptional dropshot rod, very sensitive with the perfect length and tip IMHO. I also have heard good things about the DX702SF and also heard it is very versatile as well. If you are deciding between the DX702SF and the DX742SF know that the 742 is slighly more powerful.

You are pulling hairs here. A "dedicated drop shot rod" = a rod that will be dedicated for dropshotting only. If you are going to use a rod that you will dedicate for dropshotting only then you will want a "dropshot specific rod". The OP never designated that he wanted an all around spinning rod that could meet all of his spinning rod needs as you mentioned with your 6'6'' premier that you bought 5 of. Frankly, I feel that 6'6'' is too short of a rod to dropshot with, it does not have the length to control the fish when dropping the bait straight down.. One could dropshot with a G. Loomis BSR 852s GLX (a great spinning rod), but that does not make it a rod that is great for dropshotting, its tip section is too stout and it is better for jigs and weightless plastics. Point being, as I mentioned above, many rods can dropshot, but there are rods that are better than others at it. If you are wanting to get a dedicated dropshot rod then you are going to want a rod that is made for dropshotting since it is dedicated for that technique. I gave the characteristics that one should look for in a dropshot rod and recommended many different ones trying to help the OP find a rod that he could dedicate for dropshotting. I can not speak on behalf of the 6'10'' MLXF rod you mentioned, but St. Croix when they announce their lineups gives each rod a designated usage. The St. Croix Legend that I owned was labeled "Finesse Jig", but I found it to be much better at different things. Furthermore, take the Shimano Crucial and Shimano Cumara dropshot spinning rods that I recommended. That is a whole lineup that are all dropshot specific rods. That is much different than a lineup of rods that one so happens to be labeled "dropshot". Members I spoke with about the 6'10'' MLXF St. Croix found it a very nice and sensitive rod that they could use for many things, maybe not the best dedicated dropshot rod. I dont know, that is why I did not recommend it. Furthermore, I would be far more confident in using a 6'9'' Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth ML/F for dropshotting than a 6'6'' St. Croix Premier. The rod is exceptional at its price range of $100 shipped (or less at some local places), it is extremely light and sensitive, has a nice soft tip, and fishes above its price point. Some people like having rods that they use solely for one purpose. There is nothing wrong with that and if you have enough outfits to do so then I say why not. A dedicated dropshot rod can be very useful if the technique is very effective in the waters you fish and I know of many members who choose to have a rod that they use solely for dropshotting and will not tie anything else on but a dropshot. In such a case, you want a rod that is a dropshot specific rod designed to have all the characteristics that one would want in a dropshot rod.

Only thing is the OP designated he wanted a dedicated DS specific rod. I, personally, have found a use for such a rod and know many others have as well. A ML/F rod, by characteristics will end up having a softer tip and lighter power that will work good as a dropshot rod. Note earlier the fenwick elite tech smallmouth ml/f. Medium power XF rods that are not dropshot specific rods I feel have too stout of a tip for dropshotting specifically. Usually, a medium light rod will have a softer tip since it is a lighter powered rod all together. Dropshotting can be a very effective technique if you are fishing the right waters and conditions and the OP seems to think so since he clearly stated wanting a DS specific rod.

However small the swivel is, I would not cast it through the guides. i would keep it outside the guides at all times. The alberto knot tied correctly should handle all of your needs. Still I try to keep the knot outside of the guides, because it still is knot going though the guides whatever way you look at it. This can be unavoidable with too long of a leader. The metal surface of a swivel can ruin your guides and cause many problems and if you get a sharp section in your guides you can end up slicing your line up pretty good without even knowing. All good advice given above me! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Drop shot dedicated rods, have different tip sections that are softer than regular spinning rods. These tip sections are softer, you are correct in wanting a softer tip section so when you present the bait and set the hook you do not rip it from the fishes mouth. Usually, you will find that extra fast actions will have a stiffer tip, this is something that you do not want for dropshotting. Action designations are varied between companies, brands, and rod lines. Generally, if you are going for a spinning rod that is not designated as a dropshot rod you are going to want something with a slower action. Not exactly sure what your budget is, but the Megabass Orochi F3-610X4S Aaron Martens Limited is a great dropshot stick with what I would consider accurate descriptions in the rods power and action. It is designated as a medium light and has a moderate fast action. That moderate fast action correlates to a tip that is going to be softer in nature and have more give, which is something you want in a dropshot stick. Now, you said you are looking for a dropshot specific rod, so you will want something with a soft tip section. In my opinion I would look at the following rods. ~$100 Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth ML/F ~$150 Shimano Crucial Dropshot Spinning Rod (I would opt for an older model crucial with the full handles, get in the power you want ml, m, mh and get an XF action I will explain later why) ~$200 Shimano Cumara Dropshot CUSDX72M (love this rod, you can get the CUSDX68M, but I much prefer the 7'2'' version, find this one used or on closeout for a great value, very sensitive and versatile stick than can even throw some shakeyheads and flickshakes) ~$230 Phenix Ultra MBX S700L or S700M depending on the power you need (I haven't used this one, but have heard great reviews as far as sensitivity and drop shot capabilities, even the medium 7'6'' version) ~$350 St. Croix LES76MLXF...............heard great reviews on this as a dropshot stick. Long rod, but very sensitive and many use this blank to build off of which speaks to its capabilities. $399 Megabass Orochi F3-610X4S Aaron Martens Limited...............if you are looking for a unique JDM rod this is a good one. It fishes just like the older DGS megabass version that was around $600 or more. Great stick that is very capable as a dropshot rod. It also is versatile enough to throw some flickshakes, but is a dropshot specific rod. ~$500 G. Loomis NRX 822DSR Probably the best dropshot stick out there as far as sensitivity goes. It is an amazing stick for dropshotting. Note: with how soft the tip is, this rod really is only good for dropshot. If you get this rod you will probably only and always have a dropshot tied on. Pretty much the best as it gets for dropshot specific rods at the moment. Comments.....Many of the rods I listed do have that "Extra Fast" tip designation. Speaking for the Shimano's, if they are designated as a dropshot rod it will have a very soft and almost whippy characteristic tip. They will not fish stiff at all like a traditional XF tip that is not designated as a dropshot stick. The CUSDX72M that I own has the perfect tip for dropshotting and it is my dropshot specific rod right now. I love the length of the rod and it actually is somewhat versatile which is something that dropshot specific rods usually are not because they require such a soft tip that is not good for setting hooks on anything but thin wire sweeping hookset type situations. Rods that are not designated as dropshot specific rods you must be careful in selection as of making sure that the rod has the right tip-section that is soft enough to dropshot fish extremely well. I have done much research on dropshot rods and reviews as of what ones are good and what ones are not, the ones that I recommended fit my personal guidelines as being sensitive and having the right tipsection of the rod that is good for a DROPSHOT SPECIFIC ROD. There are many rods out there that CAN dropshot fish, but are not dropshot specific rods. If you are looking for something that is going to be very versatile, a dropshot specific rod is not the way to go. Off the top of my head some very good versatile spinning rods that you CAN dropshot fish with are the DX702SF, DX742SF,, Avid 6'8'' MXF and there are many others. Note, that these rods are not specific to the dropshot technique, but are very versatile rods. If you are only going to have one spinning rod, you are not going to want a dropshot specific rod. It will not have the power in the tipsection to set the hook well for small jigs/t-rigs and so on. I fish in very clear lakes where I feel it is in my best interest to have a dropshot specific rod. As far as price to performance goes I feel the Cumara (old version) is where it is at. I got mine for less than half of its retail value and it is plenty sensitive for a dropshot stick and it has the desired action and softness in the tipsection taht I look for in a dropshot rod. In the waters I fish dropshotting at times is very essential and really any of the rods that I have mentioned are more than capable of handling your dropshot needs. It all depends on your budget and preference in length and action. You may get recommendations that people use for dropshotting as well as many other techniques, these are versatile spinning rods, not necessarily dropshot specific rods. You are going to have to decide for yourself as of what you want. You can get rods that are stiffer in the tipsection that are able to dropshot, just won't be as good as the ones that are dropshot specific rods. I also encourage you to check out the following video. He is fishing the DGS megabass rod that fishes the same as the Orochi model that I have noted above. Notice how much the tip gives during his presentation and how he catches a very small fish, but it looks like he has a 5lb bass on there. That should give you a good idea about the technique itself and how the midsection of the rod is where you are going to end up fighting the fish. Not the tip of the rod, which is why a soft tip is desireable for the dropshot technique and presentation. Good luck and if you need anymore help in selection let me know.