Good afternoon BR crew, I’m looking to outfit myself with a drop shot and ned rig rod and I have a dilemma. What is the right stick for me and my bodies of water? I trust everyone here has a varied set of experience with multiple brands and can help me branch out from my comfort zone on this purchase. 
 

Before listing the rods I’m eyeing, I will admit a single rod isn’t best for these two techniques, and I also know you do not need to spend a lot to get a quality product. I also fish exclusively from a kayak and every rod I take needs to be able to handle multiple duties. I live in east Tennessee so I fish deep reservoirs, moving water, and shallow lakes. I have a 7’ M Expride but it isn’t what I need for the tasks at hand. 
 

I’m most interested in the rods below, but if you have advice in the same league please feel free to speak up. 
 

2021 Daiwa Steez 7’1” ML - The 7’6” might be too long to net fish safely, the longest rod on my boat currently is a Megabass Javelin. 
 

Dobyns Xtasy 1 power - I just don’t hear much about the high end Dobyns, good or bad. Everyone who owns the champs or HPs love them though. 
 

Legend Elite 7’ML - I have two legend x casters and they are fantastic. The elite let’s my weekend warrior level of connection knots through the guides more easily. 

 

These are possibles -

 

Conquest - I don’t like recoils, and don’t really want an NRX because of them. GLX is a possibility, but I’ve honestly never really bought into anything other than the MBRs from Loomis. 
 

Megabass XX Shakeyhead - Can’t find a Windbuster to save my life. Addermine is discontinued. Shakeyhead might not be in the same class as the other options. 
 

What do ya’ll think? 

I think you should have a customer made to your exact requirements. Handle length, rod length and materials, reel seat design, guide train etc. state of the art 7’+ spinning rod should be under 3.5 oz and balance with the reel you use.

Tom

I’ve thought of this but the custom route doesn’t take into account replacements. Most companies have a program on high end equipment which allows a no questions replacement for a fee. 
 

Fishing from a kayak means I will break things, it’s a matter of time. 

Thas sad that you dont like conquest and NRX, Both of them would be what you looking for. I have 842 SRG conquest and I cant ask for something better than that.

The Conquests don’t have recoils, but at almost $700 are they that much better than a Steez or Legend Elite? They might be. Maybe someone can chime in if they have both to compare. 

20 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

I’ve thought of this but the custom route doesn’t take into account replacements. Most companies have a program on high end equipment which allows a no questions replacement for a fee. 
 

Fishing from a kayak means I will break things, it’s a matter of time. 

Alex at ALX is a custom rod builder that warrants his rod for lifetime, 90 day free trail period and does have a replacement program.

Not sure what site sponsor Mike at DVT offers? Give both a call and discus your options.

I can afford any rod but don’t let my ego get in my way of rod performance. Casting rod performance used for jigs and worms are critical to me and Alex made those rods. Spinning rods imo are not as critical and currently using SC Victory VS71MF that weighs 3.5 oz, good design cork handle and guide train, balances OK, not perfect, with Vanford 2500 reel.

Very good finesse outfit for my needs.

Tom

 

 

I agree with going the custom rod route.  But the Shimano Poison Adrena 267ML is a pretty decent off-the-peg finesse rod.  Works for me...

4 hours ago, WRB said:

Alex at ALX is a custom rod builder that warrants his rod for lifetime, 90 day free trail period and does have a replacement program.

Not sure what site sponsor Mike at DVT offers? Give both a call and discus your options.

I can afford any rod but don’t let my ego get in my way of rod performance. Casting rod performance used for jigs and worms are critical to me and Alex made those rods. Spinning rods imo are not as critical and currently using SC Victory VS71MF that weighs 3.5 oz, good design cork handle and guide train, balances OK, not perfect, with Vanford 2500 reel.

Very good finesse outfit for my needs.

Tom

 

 

I’ll give them a call Tuesday and see what my options are. I’d prefer torzite for guides but I’m not up on all the blanks. Ive been worried about dipping my toes into the custom pool. If Alex does back his work and offers a discount when I break the rod I might be tempted. 
 

For me personally jigs and bottom contact take the highest level of refinement. The issue is I’ve moved my senko rod to my medium legend x and my spinning setup would be better served with a true finesse option.  

Just throwing out an option: Kistler Rods has many of the specs you are looking for and have a special this weekend. Buy a rod and get a free reel. Other discounts too. And they will donate part of the money to hurricane relief.

Howdy neighbor! 

I think you'd be happy with any of those 5 choices- all great rods. I use an Addermine for those techniques but, as you mentioned, they unfortunately discontinued those. Since you don't like the recoils on an NRX I'd recommend the Legend Elite or just eeny meeny miny moe your finalists.

I have the Tatula Elite 7'1" M/F. It's a great rod for drop shots but a little much for a ned rig. I also have a St Croix Avid X 6'9" ML/XF which is what I use for ned rigs and smaller plastics on a drop shot.

Ben @ thehookuptackle compared the wind buster to the newer megabass triza ageha in the following video. Somewhere around the 15:00 mark.

 

 

12 minutes ago, WistfulWoodsman said:

Ben @ thehookuptackle compared the wind buster to the newer megabass triza ageha in the following video. Somewhere around the 15:00 mark.

 

 

Very interesting…

Since you mentioned the legend elite, I would just note that their 610MLXF in elite, x, and extreme is one of my favorite rods of all time. 
 

Have not tried the 7’MLF so I can’t speak to it. Also of note, the extreme model of the 610MLXF is slightly softer with a touch more parabolic of a bend. 

3 minutes ago, Scud_Mufffin said:

Since you mentioned the legend elite, I would just note that their 610MLXF in elite, x, and extreme is one of my favorite rods of all time. 
 

Have not tried the 7’MLF so I can’t speak to it. Also of note, the extreme model of the 610MLXF is slightly softer with a touch more parabolic of a bend. 

Do you feel like the semi micro guides cause any issues with connection nots? 
 

If you had to pick between the three, what would you choose to cover both techniques? 

9 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

Do you feel like the semi micro guides cause any issues with connection nots? 
 

If you had to pick between the three, what would you choose to cover both techniques? 

I’ve never had issues with the guides. The avid x were particularly small and those were annoying with double uni connections. I tend to tie the Alberto as my connection knot, which is great for slipping through the guides. But when I get lazy I tie double uni knots and they still go through without too much of a problem. 
 

I do plan to switch to the FG knot because the Alberto tends to be the breaking point when I get a snag. 
 

I am fishing from a kayak so the shorter length is fine for me. I like the Legend X, it’s one of my favorite rods on the market. Plenty sensitive and I am one of the few who likes the color.

i have 2 of the legend tournaments in the 610mlxf. usually have a drop shot on one and a ned on the other. im sure the elite would be even better.i used to use an alberto and it did fine, now use an fg and its like no knot at all and east to tie once you learn it.

This is my favorite topic right here. Love high end spinners. If I had to choose out of this list it would be the new AGS Steez ML. The blue and black version is also very good! Also don't rule out a 842S GLX. Skip the SC elite and Xtasy. 

I am surprised no one has mentioned the Loomis DSR.....It fishes similar to my Adermine.  I LOVE both

Tatula 7'1" ML rod is so killer. It's not a super top their rod in price, but it is so good.

Perfect for what you want to use it for.

I'm a SC guy and have been very pleased with my LE's, LX's and L-Xtreme's in spinning rods.

3 hours ago, thunderblack said:

This is my favorite topic right here. Love high end spinners. If I had to choose out of this list it would be the new AGS Steez ML. The blue and black version is also very good! Also don't rule out a 842S GLX. Skip the SC elite and Xtasy. 

You’d go with the 7’1 over the 7’6? Any reason why? I only ever run 1 spinning rod, so I’m not sure if the 7’6 is more versatile. 

3 hours ago, NHBull said:

I am surprised no one has mentioned the Loomis DSR.....It fishes similar to my Adermine.  I LOVE both

Does the DSR handle ned rigs as well? I was under the impression it was strictly a one technique rod. 

1 hour ago, TNBankFishing said:

Does the DSR handle ned rigs as well? I was under the impression it was strictly a one technique rod. 

My DSR and SJR could easily pull double duty with ned.  Heck some ned hooks are now stronger than many #2  DS hooks.