Recently found this board and love it. Glad there is a lot of participation. I'm recently getting back into fishing. I bought a really cheap spinning rig to learn how to drop shot last year. I am now looking to upgrade this set up to a mid-priced rig. I plan on using this for drop shot, weightless texas rig, and wacky rig senko. What are your opinions on power for kind of a finesse catch-all as I plan on only having one spinning set up for a while? Would you recommend medium-light or medium? Action will be fast. 

I do all my drop-shotting on a medium-light.

 

You're saying mid-price - dollar amount for rig?

 

I find myself reaching for ML rods more and more often for spinning applications 

13 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I do all my drop-shotting on a medium-light.

 

You're saying mid-price - dollar amount for rig?

 

I say mid-price, but it's probably still on the low end. Mid-price for me. Between $150-200 total for rod and reel.

Hello and welcome to the forums. Not sure how long you have been out of fishing, but you will find that power and actions very from manufacturers. Lots of variables to consider but in general terms, a medium powered rod with a fast to extra fast will offer a lot of versatility, length is user preference.

 

Open water, a medium light is a lot of fun, sparse cover a medium power rod is better suited, and heavier cover or around wood a medium heavy is the best bet. 

 

My favorite spinning rod for the applications you mentioned is a 6'8" M-Xf carbonlite 2.0 rated of 1/8-1/2oz lures (in st croix, Abu Garcia, Fenwick, and a few other brands this would be a medium light, as they fish a little heavier) . I usually fish from the bank or a kayak in sparse cover area. This may help give you a point of reference. Good luck to you in the search for the perfect rod, it's a lot of personal preference in the end. 

10 minutes ago, kdubracing said:

I say mid-price, but it's probably still on the low end. Mid-price for me. Between $150-200 total for rod and reel.

You're in 'my range' - my most expensive rig retails for about $230

 

My personal choice - Pflueger President XT 25 or 30 ($79.99) on a Dobyns Fury 661SF or 702SF ($119.99) - puts you right at $200 before tax.

I

9 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

You're in 'my range' - my most expensive rig retails for about $230

 

My personal choice - Pflueger President XT 25 or 30 ($79.99) on a Dobyns Fury 661SF or 702SF ($119.99) - puts you right at $200 before tax.

I agree, but I’d give thought to upgrading to a Dobyns Champion XP DC 682SF it’s a little more money, but Ilove this rod for a wide range of finesse applications.

I just got a KK Speed Demon Pro 6'10" Drop Shot rod  ML/F. Not a bad rod for the price point. Especially when on sale.

I also have a Dobyns FR702SF that I use for NED rigs but can be used for Drop Shotting.

24 minutes ago, mc6524 said:

I

I agree, but I’d give thought to upgrading to a Dobyns Champion XP DC 682SF it’s a little more money, but Ilove this rod for a wide range of finesse applications.

Ya, but he's got a $200 budget for rod AND reel - the Champ XP would take the whole schmeer by itself.

On December 21, 2019 at 7:23 PM, kdubracing said:

Recently found this board and love it. Glad there is a lot of participation. I'm recently getting back into fishing. I bought a really cheap spinning rig to learn how to drop shot last year. I am now looking to upgrade this set up to a mid-priced rig. I plan on using this for drop shot, weightless texas rig, and wacky rig senko. What are your opinions on power for kind of a finesse catch-all as I plan on only having one spinning set up for a while? Would you recommend medium-light or medium? Action will be fast. 

I use Major Craft Iovino* finesse spinning rod 6'9" medium fast, 1/8-3/8 oz drop shot weights, standard price $130, with TW sales 25 days of Christmas may offer a discount. Similar rod is MC Nanoace spinning rods at $100.

Reel I suggest Shimano SedonaF1 2500 about $70 or Sahara F1 about $80, less during sales.

Daiwa spinning reels are just as good as Shimano, the important feature is a Smooth drag becuase you are using light line and light wire drop shot hooks.

Tom

*Don Iovino  is a Hall of Fame angler who is considered the Father of Finesse fishing. Don tuned this signature spinning rod specifically for finesse bass fishing.

On 12/22/2019 at 8:46 AM, mc6524 said:

I

I agree, but I’d give thought to upgrading to a Dobyns Champion XP DC 682SF it’s a little more money, but Ilove this rod for a wide range of finesse applications.

For feel , touch type applications try to spend a little more than the non - sale $100 range such as a Dobyns Sierra 702 SF , St. Croix , Daiwa Tatula ,  etc. Also look at Daiwa spinning reels in the $79 range as I believe you get the most bang for your buck with Daiwa spinning reels .