I'm looking for a dedicated dropshot rod.  What do the members here suggest for length and action?

 

My favorite DS rod is a St Croix 7'3 ML/XF - Panfish, Black Bass, Mojo, Victory, whatever....depends on what you're willing to spend.

Dobyns fury 702 on a budget, champ extreme 702 if you're not.

I just got into DS fishing this summer but I have a St Croix Mojo Trigon 6-10 ML/XF. So far so good.

<< or, you can do something like this >>

 

My drop shot rod is an old Cabela's Tournament Trail IM7, 4-10lb, 1/8-5/8 oz. It was originally a 7' rod, but felt a little too light for bass fishing. A few years back the tip broke...so I cut it down and installed new tip. It's ~6'9" now...and a d**n good drop shot rod. 

 

 

 

I was guessing that a medium action was a strong possibility but it's looking like a ML might be a better choice.  

Appreciate the feedback so far.  

Well I narrowed it down to 3 possibilities, all Medium, Fast and 7'+  

Cabelas and Basspro have none in stock.  Or anything else on my wish list.

Going to get one from Fish USA instead.  

Megabass Levante Whipsnake or Shakey Head

 

Shimano Expride  7'2" ML

I have my St. Croix Victory 7’3” MFX spinning rod on sale in the Flea Market with flexible tip section perfect for drop shot.

Tom

do you primarily want to drop shot light line and nose hooked baits? then a medium light can be fine. do you want to texas rig with a little heavier leader (say 10LB) some medium light rods can do that expride 72 ml megabass adermine others will be too light and youll have to jump up to medium.

Save your money and buy something more worth while.

^ Don't listen to the nay-sayer. He has an unhealthy bias against Drop-Shot for some silly reason.

 

Rod is on order.  My thanks to the insight from my fellow anglers.

8 hours ago, Tucson said:

Rod is on order.  My thanks to the insight from my fellow anglers.

Which rod? LOL 😆

too late for my suggestion. 

 

the lowly Phenix Maxim.  Med. 7'.  that thing is the sickest drop shot rod for me.   its my most fish catching est rod for a long time.  so many fish!!!

 

for me.  on a DS rod, the bait keeper HAS TO BE in the right place.  for me that is down below the reel.  that way I can clip in the sinker and the bait/hook is part way up, and will still clear a rod sleeve.    a drop shot rod with the hook keep above the reel is very unpleasant.  very. 

Ive been a SC enthusiast since I was 10 years old.  The older and current Legend Elite/Extreme 1/8-1/2oz ML F/XF were/are great.   The sensitivity of the Victory 6'10 ML XF and the changes they have been making, I wouldn't ever consider SC for a DS.  Performance wise, a Tatula blows anything SC offers for less than $300 away.  Victory feels amazing, balance and ergo wise, but what good is a finesse rod if you can't feel a tungsten weight dragging the bottom.  Sad to see.

Open hook with minnow baits I like a MLXF like a Loomis DSR or  St. Croix legend series 6'10" MLXF.  For dropping or dragging tx rigged worms I prefer a MF like a Loomis 842S or St. Croix legend series 7' MF.

On 10/24/2025 at 7:23 AM, Don Preller said:

do you primarily want to drop shot light line and nose hooked baits? then a medium light can be fine. do you want to texas rig with a little heavier leader (say 10LB) some medium light rods can do that expride 72 ml megabass adermine others will be too light and youll have to jump up to medium.

Great post  

 

JF10

Nose hooked baits, 6lb line.

Wound up with a Fenwick Eagle 7' 1", Medium, Xfast

It's a dedicated dropshot rod so I was able to focus on that exact use.

On 10/24/2025 at 8:17 AM, gim said:

Save your money and buy something more worth while.

Funny, but I have to agree.  I bought a DX702 with plans to go all in on drop shotting.  It spends more time at the bottom of the rod locker than any other rod I own.  I could list ten other rods I wish I'd bought instead.

40 minutes ago, Tucson said:

Nose hooked baits, 6lb line.

8# Revolve to 6# InvizX leader for all my DS applications.

My drop shop rod is 6'6" Progressive Glass spinning rod, MF/M with12# Tripolymer line. This works for me.

4 hours ago, Tucson said:

Nose hooked baits, 6lb line.

Wound up with a Fenwick Eagle 7' 1", Medium, Xfast

It's a dedicated dropshot rod so I was able to focus on that exact use.

Offered you a premium $200+ 1/2 price rod in excellent condition and you turned it down🤯.

Tom

^ To each their own, Tom. I would have (and did) gone with the St Croix Panfish 7'3" ML/XF for the same price as the Eagle. The Victory at that price is a steal.