5 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

My two cents... My ds setup is a shimano expride 610ml paired with a jdm stradic c2000s. It sticks to 'em like superglue, very high landing rate, super light, balanced, sensitive, it's an absolute dream to fish all day. Not quite high-end but you'd be hard pressed to put together a better $400 combo.

i have the 72 medium light in the expride b and im really impressed with it. it has a nice soft tip but when you get back to about the 4th guide it stiffens up nice. ive had no problem keeping 4 pound smallies away from snags with 15 pound braid and 8 pound leader. very good sensitivity also.

What region are you fishing, Smallmouth, Spots or LMB or all 3?

Tournament angler? Skilled with finesse drop shot and upgrading? 

My humble opinion $$$ doesn’t buy performance in spinning combo’s over $250 each for rod or reels, it buys status. If you have the expendable cash go it.

Tom

 

 

21 minutes ago, WRB said:

What region are you fishing, Smallmouth, Spots or LMB or all 3?

Tournament angler? Skilled with finesse drop shot and upgrading? 

My humble opinion $$$ doesn’t buy performance in spinning combo’s over $250 each for rod or reels, it buys status. If you have the expendable cash go it.

Tom

 

 

LMB in California. I do fish tournaments monthly. I’d consider myself well-familiarized but far from an expert when it comes to drop-shot. I’ve been absorbing all the knowledge I can as a co-angler for the past year. 
 

$$$ not an issue, but I don’t feel like I need to spring for the newest and shiniest thing. I’m wanting something more sensitive and refined than what I’m currently throwing: Daiwa BG 3000 on a Dobyns Fury 703SF. 

The reel isn’t a factor with presenting a drop shot, only comes into play fighting bass and balancing the rod. You are paying for smooth drag and firm quite drive train.

The rod is more important regarding balance, weight ( 3.5 oz or less) comfortable handle,  tip XF action and power to hook set with upward lift. 
line; the line can dampen everything like feed back and soft plastic natural movements and management on the reel spool.

All your choices are excellent.

My choice of line is 7 lb Sniper, no braid as it kills slack line feedback to detect light strikes negating everything you paid for.

Also not a fan of casting a drop shot rig more then 45 degree angle away from the boat. If casting I use the slip shot rig as it’s been more effective for me.

I would add Shimano Vanford 2500 to your list, light weight with all the performance needed.

Tom

On 8/27/2022 at 9:37 PM, QED said:

A Shimano Poison Adrena 267ML coupled with a Shimano Stella FK 1000 or Shimano Vanford 1000F would work well for finesse drop shot use cases.  Really enjoy using mine.

Couldn’t find that rod in stock, but what about its counterpart, the 2610UL/M? Looks like a killer

I have the PA 6'10 ULM and to me it wouldn't be a good drop shot rod. Its a little too light on power to throw any slightly bigger baits. 

To me the tip is ultralight and the rest of the rod blank is med light. I use it to throw 1/32 to 1/8 jigheads with small plastics.

I would opt for the 6'10 med light expride instead of the PA.

1 hour ago, onthefritz said:

Couldn’t find that rod in stock, but what about its counterpart, the 2610UL/M? Looks like a killer

Haven’t used that one but based upon its specs, it appears to be close to UL at the light end of the line weight range (which I am OK with) so if you are experienced with lighter power rods for bass fishing, then it might be a viable choice.

For anyone else stumbling upon this thread, I think I’m going to take advantage of TW’s 15% off for Labor Day and pick up a Vanford 2500 and Orochi XX Whipsnake. It will save me a little money this time around while still getting a rod & reel which kicks ass. I’ll hop back in here to provide my thoughts after I’ve put some hours in with them!

On 8/27/2022 at 2:53 PM, onthefritz said:

Looking to get into my first “high-end” spinning combo, a dedicated finesse/dropshot rod. I keep thinking I’ve narrowed it down but then as soon as I do, I find something else that appealing. Here’s the three combos I’ve considered so far:

 

 

Megabass Destroyer P5 (JDM) Landsat 6’11” ($475 @ TW); paired with a JDM ‘19 Vanquish C3000 ($350 @ Digitaka). 
 

\

I own the P5 landsat and purchased it for finesse and senko work. It is an amazing rod, super sensitive and great parabolic bend, but outside of SUPER light ned rigs its basically a dropshot rod. Senkos are way to heavy for my liking. 

I tried a ton of baits with it over the summer and really found that Dropshotting is where it shines.

 

Id suggest a NRX 852

On 8/30/2022 at 4:20 PM, onthefritz said:

For anyone else stumbling upon this thread, I think I’m going to take advantage of TW’s 15% off for Labor Day and pick up a Vanford 2500 and Orochi XX Whipsnake. It will save me a little money this time around while still getting a rod & reel which kicks ass. I’ll hop back in here to provide my thoughts after I’ve put some hours in with them!

Update: the Whipsnake is great. Really good sensitivity, I was using 6lb FC Sniper as a leader to 10lb Fireline braid. I like the action, it feels good to use. 10/10 would buy again. 
 

The Vanford.. I like it. But I’m not in love with it. I don’t take issue with the quality, but for this particular combo the Vanford feels just a hair too light. This rod with the Vanford 2500 balances just a bit on the “tip-heavy” side. After a whole day of fishing, I could tell they where the reel seat sits between my fingers was starting to feel mildly uncomfortable because of this (3 above, 1 below). Otherwise, the reel is smooth, the drag is smooth, and it performed well. I give it an 8/10. 

2 hours ago, onthefritz said:

[stuff deleted] 
The Vanford.. I like it. But I’m not in love with it. I don’t take issue with the quality, but for this particular combo the Vanford feels just a hair too light. This rod with the Vanford 2500 balances just a bit on the “tip-heavy” side. After a whole day of fishing, I could tell they where the reel seat sits between my fingers was starting to feel mildly uncomfortable because of this (3 above, 1 below). Otherwise, the reel is smooth, the drag is smooth, and it performed well. I give it an 8/10. 

 

Try the Shimano Stella then. The Vanford is a mid-tier, very light reel which I prefer where weight is an issue. The Stella is a bit heavier than the Vanford but is built to a higher level of precision.  I have several Stellas and Vanfords and for UL gear, I prefer the Vanfords but for light/ML rigs, I prefer the precision of the Stellas.

Update: 

 

I made a few changes. I put the Vanford 2500 on a new Expride B 7’ Light, and got a jdm Daiwa Certate 2500 for the Whipsnake. 
 

Let me tell you…. Both of these rods now feel INCREDIBLE. Wow. Each one balances almost exactly where my index finger sits with a 3/1 grip. It feels like these reels were made specifically for this matchup. 
 

Now, the Daiwa Certate? Holy crap, for $280 (Japanese imported) this reel is incredible. Whoever was saying previously that I should go with a Certate, you were right. It’s buttery smooth, and it’s still light enough that it’s not annoying but has enough weight that it just feels high-quality (and balances great on the Whipsnake). Not to mention it just looks amazing. 
 

Figured I’d update this post in case anyone is considering similar purchases.

2 hours ago, onthefritz said:

Update: 

 

I made a few changes. I put the Vanford 2500 on a new Expride B 7’ Light, and got a jdm Daiwa Certate 2500 for the Whipsnake. 
 

Let me tell you…. Both of these rods now feel INCREDIBLE. Wow. Each one balances almost exactly where my index finger sits with a 3/1 grip. It feels like these reels were made specifically for this matchup. 
 

Now, the Daiwa Certate? Holy crap, for $280 (Japanese imported) this reel is incredible. Whoever was saying previously that I should go with a Certate, you were right. It’s buttery smooth, and it’s still light enough that it’s not annoying but has enough weight that it just feels high-quality (and balances great on the Whipsnake). Not to mention it just looks amazing. 
 

Figured I’d update this post in case anyone is considering similar purchases.

That 7’ light is on my radar, would love to know how it performs as an all around finesse rod, especially compared to the 610ml.

On 8/29/2022 at 10:43 PM, padon said:

i have the 72 medium light in the expride b and im really impressed with it. it has a nice soft tip but when you get back to about the 4th guide it stiffens up nice. ive had no problem keeping 4 pound smallies away from snags with 15 pound braid and 8 pound leader. very good sensitivity also.

An old topic I know but how do you still like that specific model? I pulled the trigger on one for DS, Ned, and finesse swimbaits with a low end of 1/8 oz and high end of 1/4 oz. Do you think it'll be good for that?

On 9/10/2022 at 11:27 PM, onthefritz said:

Update: 

 

I made a few changes. I put the Vanford 2500 on a new Expride B 7’ Light, and got a jdm Daiwa Certate 2500 for the Whipsnake. 
 

Let me tell you…. Both of these rods now feel INCREDIBLE. Wow. Each one balances almost exactly where my index finger sits with a 3/1 grip. It feels like these reels were made specifically for this matchup. 
 

Now, the Daiwa Certate? Holy crap, for $280 (Japanese imported) this reel is incredible. Whoever was saying previously that I should go with a Certate, you were right. It’s buttery smooth, and it’s still light enough that it’s not annoying but has enough weight that it just feels high-quality (and balances great on the Whipsnake). Not to mention it just looks amazing. 
 

Figured I’d update this post in case anyone is considering similar purchases.

 

Your welcome

Mine is Conquest 702 SRJ paired with Exsence 3000MHG and I love it.

9 hours ago, Chaos10691 said:

An old topic I know but how do you still like that specific model? I pulled the trigger on one for DS, Ned, and finesse swimbaits with a low end of 1/8 oz and high end of 1/4 oz. Do you think it'll be good for that?

yes i really like it. i can use it for open hook drop shot as well as texas rigged roboworm.i think it will be excellent for your uses.

7 minutes ago, padon said:

yes i really like it. i can use it for open hook drop shot as well as texas rigged roboworm.i think it will be excellent for your uses.

Thank you 

On 8/28/2022 at 5:55 PM, SproDD79 said:

You may want to consider the Steez AGS finesse game special, I have it paired with an Exsence 3000MHG, I am very happy with it.

Hey other reviews on the Steez AGS Finesse Game Special spinning rod? Just picked one up for texas-rigged dropshots primarily, but for nose hook and other finesse techniques as well. Was looking for a rod that could replace my P5 Addermine and fit between my NRX+ 842S SJR and 852S JWR.

Mostly throw 1/4-3/8oz weights on a dropshot using 10lb suffix 832 braid to 7lb sniper fc. Thinking of pairing it with a 2023 Vanquish 3000. Have an Exist but saving that for my 842 since thats also my minnow rod.

On 8/30/2022 at 12:48 AM, WRB said:

 

My humble opinion $$$ doesn’t buy performance in spinning combo’s over $250 each for rod or reels, it buys status. If you have the expendable cash go it.

Tom

 

 

 Well, playing devil's advocate, I'll say at the $250 price point in spinning reels, you have to choose between light weight and rigidity (aluminum vs Ci4).  At the $400 price point you can have both light weight and rigidity (magnesium).

On 9/10/2022 at 8:27 PM, onthefritz said:

Update: 

 

I made a few changes. I put the Vanford 2500 on a new Expride B 7’ Light, and got a jdm Daiwa Certate 2500 for the Whipsnake. 
 

Let me tell you…. Both of these rods now feel INCREDIBLE. Wow. Each one balances almost exactly where my index finger sits with a 3/1 grip. It feels like these reels were made specifically for this matchup. 
 

Now, the Daiwa Certate? Holy crap, for $280 (Japanese imported) this reel is incredible. Whoever was saying previously that I should go with a Certate, you were right. It’s buttery smooth, and it’s still light enough that it’s not annoying but has enough weight that it just feels high-quality (and balances great on the Whipsnake). Not to mention it just looks amazing. 
 

Figured I’d update this post in case anyone is considering similar purchases.

i'm buying the Certate in Tokyo in November.  i already have the $$ hidden away in a sock..a very dirty sock. 

OP hasn't logged in almost 3 years and I've completely abandoned fairy wands [ducks flying shoe]

7 minutes ago, Bass Rutten said:

[ducks flying shoe]

[tosses a flash-bang into your corner]

 

I still love my 'fairy wands'

 

did he just call me a FAIRY?!  oh no he didnt!!! 

[runs for door screaming like girl]

 

Mind you girl is one level above fairy