ChrisD46

Thanks for the replies - your experiences sound reasonable ...

+1 ... What FFF said !!

Not to threadjack - but can someone please explain to me why you wouldn't just stay with 6lb. FC InvizX or Sniper for drop shot ? ...Wouldn't braid for drop shot be a disadvantage anytime the line is slack while working the rod tip ? ... Lastly , I saw Dave Mercer fish an identical drop shot set up to his fishing partner except Dave's fishing partner was using 6lb. FC while Mercer was using braid to FC leader - Mercer got smoked so badly by his partner that he switched up to a straight FC drop shot set up and imediately began matching the hook up / catch ratio of his partner - that spoke volumes to me !

A reel repair man mentioned to me that he sees a lot of novices adjust their centrifugal brakes WITHOUT / BEFORE adjusting their spool tension knob back to ZERO tension on the baitcaster reel ... He claims that you want to get all of the tension off of the reel sides BEFORE you open up the cover plate and adjust the centrifugal brakes or you risk doing damage to the reel ... Well I must be a novice because I never heard that before - but I stand to be corrected if what he says is right ? ... Easy enough to be sure to back off all the spool tension on the reel before making any centrifugal brake adjustments ... Your thoughts & experiences ?

My Football Jig Setup (for bottom bouncing) : 15lb. Seaguar AbrazX FC Line , 7:1:1 Baitcast Reel , 7' MH Rod.

Cool worm - will release bubbles from time to time due to captured air in the holes .

If fishing from shore : <6'6" rod length to prevent rod tip slap on the water surface while working a jerk bait ...If fishing from a boat or elevated position then a 6'6" length (or greater) jerk bait rod length is fine ... Ask me how I know !

+1 ... This is a budget line - at least step up to Sufix Elite !

Zeth is correct - good starting point . For ease of getting started and reducing line twist - check out #2 size VMC Spin Shot drop shot hooks , 6lb. FC line to top hook eye , 12" ~ 18" 6lb. FC line leader length tied to bottom eye , add a 1/8th oz. drop shot weight and then finish by nose hooking a Robo Worm in Aaron's Magic ... 'bout as good as it gets !!

+1 ... MarkHO24 nailed it !! ... This is where I get mine - great price and service - you can't go wrong !!

Best way I found is to rig the cut tail worm is with the "small rudder" end of the worm sideways (either left or right side - doesn't matter) as this catches water on the fall and aids in movement ... If dragging a cut tail worm on the bottom , rig the cust tail worm's "small rudder" facing down as this can add a little lift to the worm and kick up a little disturbance on the bottom (especially good this way on a C-Rig) ...Hope this helps !

While a traditional split rig is good there is always a concern that anything you use to crimp directly onto the line (split shot) can cause a weak spot and then a source for a line break . ** Try using a 1/16th to 3/16th oz. bullet weight using a reverse bobber stop , slide the bullet weight up your line to desired length away from the soft plastic , adjust bobber stop - then go fish ... Safer more modern way to rig the split shot or "C-Rig Lite" AND you can make adjustments on the fly to the weight length away from the soft plastic !

My situation calls for more of a horizontal : " Cast out ,<15ft. water depth , slowly drag or short hops and use rod tip to subtly twich the bait without lifting the weight (1/8thoz - 3/16th oz) off of the bottom . After reading replies it appears a soft tip / XF is more the norm , my only concern is whether I can control a 7' or 7'1" drop shot rod without it feeling unweildy or imparting too much action to the bait ? ... Seems like the 6'8" ~ 6'10" range is easier to control ?

Thanks for the replies so far - it appears that 6'8" to 6'10" ML range is going to be in the ball park . As for action , I'm thinking more in the fast (vs. extra fast ) camp but that depends on the rod . This rod will most likely only see 6lb. to 8lb. FC line and as I stated before , I already have a good shakyhead set up so don't need a drop shot rod to pull double duty .

As the title states - what do you like & suggest as a spinning drop shot specific rod for under $100 ? (* I hand picked a Shimano Sellus (Shakyhead) technique specific spinning rod that has exceeded expectations - anyone tried the drop shot specific Sellus ?)

+3 on the President !

This nails it !

What specifically is the : "Rage Rig" ??

Normally I use larger capacity size spinning reels for bass (30 , 35 & 40 size) when using 7lb. to 10lb. FC line for bass (less line coiling) . Now with a switch to Braid + FC leader I'm thinking the braid coming off in tighter coils (i.e. 20 & 25 size spinning reel) would be better and prevent more tangles from braid hitting the first rod guide in larger coils due to a larger size spool diameter ? ... Also you don't need the larger 30 ~ 40 size reels when <20lb. braid is the same diameter as 4lb. - 6lb. FC ? ... Am I on the right track here ?

I am hearing good claims of the new Okuma Ceymar ($50.00) spinning reel ... lots of bang for the buck .

I appreciate all the replies + tips !!

No boat currently - anybody ever fish a suspending jerkbait (i.e. 2 ~ 4 ft. suspend depth) from the bank with any success ? ... I received a couple of Smithwick Rogues from Santa and want to learn the best way to use them (if possible) without access to a boat - thanks in advance !

7lb. Sunline Sniper - great all around FC for a spinning reel (drop shot , shaky head , T-Rig , Senko) ...Remember that FC sinks - if that is a concern then better look at something else . Wild Card : P-Line Flouro Clear in 8lb. It is inexpensive and may work well for you ...

Just read this report : http://fishpaa.com/2014/12/finesse-meets-power-with-paa-pro-gary-yamamoto/ Curious if anyone has heard of or seen this new braid yet ? * Is it possible it is simply re-branded SX1 Hi - Viz Yellow (the line spool & lable are very similar to SX1) ?

Strike King ball & football jigheads in 1/8th oz. easy to find - a little harder to find but still very good are offerings from Gambler and Spot Remover .