ChrisD46

I traded some work to help out a buddy with a bad leg in exchange for a brand new, steel blue, one piece, full cork handle , 7'0" ML Fast Cabela's Tourney Trail IM7 (still in plastic wraps - must be from around 2013 which was never used ) ... The rod blank is perfectly straight as are all the rod guides when you look down the rod at eye level . I had seen this same rod in an IM8 blank recently (split grip) in the store - but I like the feel of this older model IM7 better (go figure) ... We will see how it performs soon mated with a Abu Garcia Cardinal 300 series 301 spinning reel with 10lb. braid .

I probably should have kept on topic to spool diameter focusing on how the braid comes off the spool for max casting distance without line slap , wind knots - or the "woofer" as KVD describes any line issue where reel , rod and line are not in harmony !

I was thinking the : "Goldie Locks" spinning reel for braid / drop shot would be in that 2000 series / 2500 series size where the predominant size mono listed for the reel is in that 6lb. to 8lb. range . I suppose there are crappie fishermen who even drop down to a 1500 series with light braid and a light rod without excesive braid line issues.

I should have noted that what I am seeing is the first one or two of the bottom larger guides are smaller - from there to the tip the guides are about the same size as prior generations . I'm looking at several 6'9" ~ 7'0" ML rods for drop shot / ned rig (all have smaller bottom two guides than my older spinning rods) . Lastly I should note - what ever rod I select will never see more than 10lb. ~ 12lb. braid as a main line used with the rod .

Between a 1000 series to say a 3000 series spinning reel - what size is best for drop shot and bass using 10 lb. braid line ? I know FC as a main line does better with a larger diameter spool to reduce line twist - is the opposite true for spinning reel spool size and braid as a main line (i.e. smaller spool size with braid is better ) ? ... Thanks in advance for replies !

Upon looking at a variety of newer spinning rods - it appears there is a trend for using smaller diameter rod guides than spinning rods produced just a few years ago . I notice this the most with the largest diameter spinning rod guide closest to the spinning reel... It made me consider if this may be due to the popularity of braided line (and possibly to reduce rod weight ?) and if so , do smaller spinning rod guides play a part in added casting distance , better line control - or both when using braided line ? Your thoughts and experiences using braid with newer , smaller rod guide spinning rods ?

After additional research - I believe the 6'9 ~ 7'0 ML Fast / XFast spinning rods may allow for a quicker hookset (i.e. smalljaw67) which reduces deep hooking (which I hate) . Most 1/16th mushroom style jigheads sporting 1/2 a ZinkerZ are more often than not easily inhaled thus increasing deep hooking concerns . Some even suggest a drop shot rig presents less deep hooking concerns than a Ned Rig . If that's the case , even though a ML Fast / XFast spinning rod feels a little stiff to me - if it helps me with better bite indication and more easily get a good hook set in the mouth versus deep in the belly of a bass - then I am all for learning to like a ML Fast / XFast spinning rod for the Ned Rig !

Rebel makes a Pop-R 65 series (I believe) that weighs closer to 3/8th oz. and is in - between the mag size and the smaller 1/8th oz. size . I use that 65 series with success on BC outfit with 14lb. Stren . Check out the another site web site as they have a great selection (plus the in-between size I mentioned) .

Speaking of inexpensive - Cabela's has their : Tourney Trail IM8 ML Moderate / Fast spinning rods on sale for $35 . Not sure of their quality , or if IM8 is too high of modulus to have the right action for Ned Rig ... At least the price is right .

Thats because all the MidWest Finesse guys are sucking the inventory dry in the Central US ... Try either coast and you will find plenty . Actually who knows why ? However where I live Strike King Zeros and Zman ZinkerZ are easy to find ... TRD not so much as it is still a somewhat new soft plastic .

I will look into some of these rods - I stumbled upon a Phenix Maxim I read about which seems to have technology beyond it's price point . Hard to go wrong though with Shimano (new Zodia ?) and St. Croix .

Thanks for the comments Smalljaw , T9 and others ... I have both Gophers and Zman SroomZ in 1/16th #4 & 1/15th (not sure the Zman hook size ) . I am going to continue to study a bit further . Currently I have a 6'6" BPS Extreme ML F and a 6'6" BPS Microlite L moderate action . Most of the rods I'm looking at by the popular manufactures are ML to M and F or XF actions - perhaps for a reason !

I believe the above application favors a drop shot rod - perhaps something in a 6'8" - 7' ML spinning rod which handles from 4lb. to 10lb. line and lure weights from 1/16th oz. to 3/8th oz. * While there are a number of spinning rods in the above specification and $ range - the problem with most is they are a 80/20 XF action and lack a good parabolic 60/40 rod bend which better allows for a: "reel set" (i.e. reel down on a fish and ease back the rod to set the hook) . I find all the ML drop shot rods I have checked out so far in the price range to have good tip flex but alas they are a stiff XF action and have that 80/20 rod bend make up which is poor for the requirments of a MidWest Finesse / Ned Rig working with small jigheads which have a #4 or #2 hook . Can anyone suggest a good drop shot rod with the action and performance I am looking for at $150 or less ? ... Thanks in advance !

Hard to go wrong with the Rage Craw , Paca Craw , Pit Boss and the like - but here is a sleeper recommendation Craw for you to try : The YUM Christie Craw (not the YUM Craw - it has to be the YUM Christie Craw) ... Just the right amount of action , good basic colors and very cost effective . Lastly , you will start to see this Christie Craw stocked in more and more places as YUM gets behind promoting this Craw soft plastic . * I have no affiliation with YUM or Jason Christie - he is from OK. and I am from TX . - that pretty much sums it up what we think of each other from birth however I give him props for designing a very good Craw !

There are good inexpensive drop shot rods such as Shimano Sellus (SUSDX68M is the model I believe for $49) mated with a President 20 spinning reel is approx. $100 . Below that a Berkley Lightening (as suggested by another poster) plus a housebrand spinning reel from Academy Sports , Cabela's , etc. for around and you will be well below $100 . If you can afford it - most Ned experts suggest 10lb. braid plus a 6lb. to 8lb. FC line leader or below that in cost a good co-poly 6lb. to 8lb. line from P-Line (CX, Fluoroclear) , Ande , Yozuri , etc. is suitable .

Like I said : This is REAL simplified !! Fish what ever color you want - Red Bug , Plum Apple , Kiwi , etc. plus many other colors not listed will work great at certain times . We can agree on one thing : If undecided - your best bet probably is Green Pumpkin !

Clear Water : * Sunny : Watermelon , Watermelon Candy , Watermelon Red * Cloudy : Green Pumpkin Stained : * Sunny : Green Pumpkin , California Craw / California 420 * Cloudy : Green Pumpkin , Junebug , Black & Blue Muddy : * Sunny : Junebug , Black & Blue * Cloudy : Black & Blue Although above is REAL simplified - I hope this helps ...I'm starting to love the some what new California Craw / California 420 color for most any conditions now (along with the always good Green Pumpkin).

^^This^^ ... A Booyah Pad Crasher (standard size !) is an awesome frog - great colors (start with Leopard frog or Cricket frog), body collapses well on the bite , very good hooks / hook up ratio , floats well and attractive price . If you want it to walk better just trim one of the legs about 1/2 inch shorter than the other one and it will kick out to the side better on a walk-the-dog type retrieve ... At Booyah Pad Crasher prices - it's fun to experiment with different colors and actions (by trimming the leg length on one side as previlusly mentioned) .

Nothing against a TRD but as others indicate - cut a Zero or ZinkerZ in half and have at it . Don't use a VMC Half Moon jig head (too big) and there are better options than the Outcast jig head as well ... Use either a ZMan ShroomZ 1/15th , 1/10th Finesse jighead OR for even more fun - go search the web for the following topics : * Ned Rig Jig Size * Ned Rig Jig Hook Size * Ned Rig Set Up * Ned Kehde * Ned Rig Tactics * ZinkerZ 2.5 inch * Mid West Finesse Jig Set Up * Mid West Finesse Tactics * Finesse News Network We expect you to report back around Nov. ~ Dec. time frame with an update

Just as an FYI - so far I have confirmed Megastrike , Strike King Coffee , Smelly Jelly and Pro-Cure all have been used with success on the Elaztech (ZMan , Strike King 3X) soft plastics . I am going to experiment with BANG and Kick'n Bass , Jack's Juice , Gulp , etc. and report back as I expect they should perform similar as above mentioned .

I have seen a reference to adding Pro-Cure gel scent to Elaztech soft plastics (Zman , Strike King) - just checking if anyone has tried Elaztech soft plastics with : BANG , Mega Strike , Kick'n Bass , etc. scents ? Conversely , are there any scents to stay away from ? ... I ask as I want to avoid placing a scent on a Elaztech soft plastic that would change the soft plastic structure or worse case - turn it into a melted pile of goo. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences in adding scents to Elaztech soft plastics !

VMC makes good quality / cost effective treble hooks as does Diachi .

^This^ ... Depending on the size of the popper - 12lb to 15lb mono is ideal .

I recently ordered the Bass Pro XPS poppers - while the construction / colors are fine - the poppers came with cheap #8 size trebles !! Funniest hook set up I ever saw - I could not believe how small the hooks were !! I will now try a #4 treble hook in the front and a #6 with feather in the back and see if it still floats . * When buying cheaper hard baits pay attention to the hooks used as that could be a key reason for the lower price - ask me how I know !

I asked about P-CX not P-CXX (which I'm familiar with) ... As always though Tom - I appreciate you chiming in .