I’m looking to build a rod specifically for this technique and would appreciate some recommendations on a good blank. I’m basically looking at Rainshadow, MHX and possibly a St.Croix blank. I’m currently using a rod I built on a Forecast spinning blank, but it doesn’t work all that well with +1/4oz. weights, which would be my mid-range target weight. 

 

St Croix 610 mlxf sc5.  For the cost of a custom a megabas xxx might be worth a look.  This is what I am considering next.

http://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1066_2694_2696&products_id=12666

The St Croix 5S610MLXF is my #1 DS blank.  I'm going to be ordering a Rainshadow ETES610MXF soon too.  I wiggled one at the ICRBE and liked the feel.

All excellent suggestions. One more for the mix a little outside the box: rodgeeks c470xs. A mh but real soft fast tip. 

I did the Revelation REV610MXF done by Tigerodz and is very nice. All my other rods are G Loomis GLX and I don't feel that I gave up anything going this way.

2 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

All excellent suggestions. One more for the mix a little outside the box: rodgeeks c470xs. A mh but real soft fast tip. 

I have one of these I keep threatening to build for tubes.  Picked up a C2 in that action/power at the ICRBE for stupid cheap too.  So many blanks, so little time!

On ‎4‎/‎2‎/‎2018 at 3:18 PM, Batson said:

Immortal lineup, IMMS610MXF, is my personal favorite where you get high performance at a great price.
 

I'm putting the finishing touches on one with that blank now. Obviously, I haven't used it yet, but it feels great in my hand. I'm excited to try it out this weekend!

I’m not much of a drop-shot fisherman, but I need an excuse to build another rod (moma’s Watchful eye, you know).  That Immortal looks like the ticket. That and some quality guides get me right at what I’m looking to spend. Thanks 

Finally pulled the trigger on a ETES610MXF.  It should be here next week!!

1 hour ago, S Hovanec said:

Finally pulled the trigger on a ETES610MXF.  It should be here next week!!

Do you cast a drop shot or just fish it vertically? I'll sometimes use a weight vertically that may overload a light rod if casted too aggressively. 

8 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Do you cast a drop shot or just fish it vertically? I'll sometimes use a weight vertically that may overload a light rod if casted too aggressively. 

Mostly vertical.  And yes, I fish weights way over the rod rating!!

Batson's dropshot blanks are probably the most versatile blanks I've ever used.

3 hours ago, grub_man said:

Batson's dropshot blanks are probably the most versatile blanks I've ever used.

 

I've built a few of the older RX7 610MXFs and they were more powerful than what I like in a DS rod.  The Eternity felt more like what I like.

On ‎5‎/‎4‎/‎2018 at 2:51 PM, S Hovanec said:

 

I've built a few of the older RX7 610MXFs and they were more powerful than what I like in a DS rod.  

I loved them for light shaky heads!

2 hours ago, S. Doolittle said:

I loved them for light shaky heads!

 

I use them for tube rods.

My first build was a casting rod on the RX8S822.5 (older version of the eternity 610MXF).  I built it primarily for 1/8 - 1/4 oz ball heads and 3" - 5" grubs, for which it is incredible.  It's absolutely the best rod I've ever used to cast 1/8 oz buzz baits. It's also great with light shaky heads, light T-rigs, and weightless plastics, though I tend to reach for my slightly more powerful 823 for the shaky heads and T-rigs.  I don't drop shot a lot, but it gets the job done well.

 

I don't particularly care for either of those XF blanks for tubes, but when I fish a tube, it's generally a 4" tube (Venom, similar to Cabin Creek, not particularly thin walls) with 1/8 - 1/4 oz stuffed inside and rigged Texposed.  The tips of those blanks are just a little soft for lifting the tube up and over cover for my taste.  I generally fish my tubes on MB783 or MB843 type blank.  For Bitsy Tubes or the thin walled finesse tubes, it's a bit different.

My Eternity arrived today.  I must say, I like it more than I remember liking it at the show.

Point blanks are terrific blanks-I built two 691MXF's for my son, he loves them.  I built as casting rods and they are very versatile rods.  I don't know if he's used them for drop shot; he usually spins for drop shot, but I see no reason why they would not work well.  The XF Point Blanks all have very stout butts, so they cast about any weight and get into the butt power fast when fighting fish.  Don't be limited by the 6' 9" lineup, look at the longer ones too.

Really been wanting to try that rod geeks blank with the extra soft tip!  So many blanks so little time.  Maybe I"ll just order it and a point blank to try it out.

14 minutes ago, sarcazmo said:

  So many blanks so little time.

No lie there.  I have at least a dozen in the rack waiting for me!