Any input on a drop shot rod for Lake Ontario Smallies? They fight like a super breed of smallies. A sensitive rod but strong enough to handle the 5 to 6 pounders. They already broke 2 cheapy rods this season.

Open price range

 

I love my Loomis 852 DSR and handled a 4.5 SM just fine.

you will run out of $$$$ before good options for this technique.

My MB Addermine is also awesome in this area

16 minutes ago, NHBull said:

I love my Loomis 852 DSR and handled a 4.5 SM just fine.

you will run out of $$$$ before good options for this technique.

My MB Addermine is also awesome in this area

These look really nice and they look solid. What kind of reel did you put on it? I didnt know what i was getting into with my Canadian Tire cheapo, the smallie fight is amazing, felt like my wrist was gonna brake

3 minutes ago, Dingaling man said:

These look really nice and they look solid. What kind of reel did you put on it? I didnt know what i was getting into with my Canadian Tire cheapo, the smallie fight is amazing, felt like my wrist was gonna brake

Ci4’s

G.Loomis PR844S

 

I love my Megabass Levante Series rod for Drop Shot.

I use a fenwick HMG medium for dropshot. Ive caught many 5 pounders on it. Also caught one over 6 on it in chaumont bay.

    It about a $125 rod. Not super expensive.

On 8/18/2020 at 1:32 PM, Dingaling man said:

Any input on a drop shot rod for Lake Ontario Smallies? They fight like a super breed of smallies. A sensitive rod but strong enough to handle the 5 to 6 pounders. They already broke 2 cheapy rods this season.

Open price range

 

Consider the G Loomis NRX 872s for a drop shot rod on big water with big fish. I used it for those purposes on Lk St Clair.

My Shimano Crucial drop shot rod has worked for several years fighting Ontario and St. Lawrence River smallies.  I upgraded to a Kistler Helium a couple years ago and pulled in one of my biggest brownies ever (6.38) drop shotting on the river with it.  Took forever to get her in but the rod worked great.

I like a longer rod when I drop shot. My absolute favourite the last couple years has been a Cabela’s walleye prodigy. It’s a 7’6” m/l, not an expensive rod by any means but I love the action and sensitivity of it. I’ve caught lots of smallmouth up to 6lbs, with no problems at all, and a super high hookup ratio. It’s got enough flex to really handle big fish on light line, and it doesn’t put you in the poorhouse buying one. 

I love my Dobyns DX 742 for big fish in deep water. Tip is sensitive yet butt section powerful to handle fish. I have Ci4 4000 on mine and the bigger reel allows you to bomb a cast out and balances perfect with the 742. 

If money wasn’t a consideration I’d be dropshotting on either a 7’ medium st croix legend xtreme new model or a loomis conquest 7’6” medium. I generally like a longer rod, so an 892 nrx would be a great option as well

For me the biggest thing is how comfortable the rod handle is in my hand and how well it balances with the reel weight. The handle comfort is going to be a bit different for everyone. I have pretty big hands so a lot of rods (especially those with the bare blank near the reel seat) are not comfortable for me.

 

My advice is to go to a tackle store and hold a bunch of rods and find the one that just seems to melt right into your hand. When you hear the angels sing you will know you have the right one. 

 

Overall, pretty much any medium to medium light, 7', ~4-12lb test decent quality rod will do.  Just find the one that is right for you.

 

If you are breaking rods then perhaps you are high sticking fish when trying to land them. With a properly set drag you should not be able to break a rod on a fish.