I have recently got back into Bass fishing after not fishing since I was a teen. The last time out a friend of mine was showing me the drop shot and I was using a $7 rod and caught several fish but he caught like 20 fish that day. While he was throwing a swimbait with another rod I was reeling his in for him after it almost went out of the boat...he says go ahead and fish it. So I slowed down twitched it and nibble, nibble... hooked a fish. I couldn't believe the difference in the sensitivity. So now I'm like...I've got to get a better rod. He was using a 6.6 Falcon Lowrider Medium. But I have been looking at some of the Shimano Drop Shot rods. The local bait shop wants to sell me the 6.8 in MH. I like the 6.6 to 6.8 rod length but I'm not sure about the MH. I loved the sensitivity of the Falcon but if I can spend $30 more and get more sensitivity I'm willing to do that. I can't spend more than $130 and can get the Shimano for $125. Is there better rods than the one's mentioned for the price and of the ones mentioned is there that much difference in the two and the M - MH? All I want to do with this rod is drop shot.

if you like what you were using seems like a no brainer, go medium. why spend more if you were happy?

if you like what you were using seems like a no brainer, go medium. why spend more if you were happy?

+1

well....I was hoping someone may have used both rods and had opinion about both. for me if i'm going to spend $100 anyway I would rather get the best I can afford and what i'm looking for. as good as the Falcon felt if the Shimano is better for only a little more money i would rather get the best i can the first time. thanks for your opionions so far.

I was in the same place just a few months ago.  I haven't handled Many rods and don't know much about what brands are reputable.  But mostly I didn't want to buy one rod now and then find one better later on.  So I asked questions here on this forum and ended up with a $220 G Loomis IMX.  It is pretty close to an industry standard for high end rods.  Couple that with a $60 no questions asked replacement policy and I will have this rod for the res tof my life.  Once I learn its intimate feeling in my hand I will never have to relearn with another rod in the future.

Ask questions about sensitivity, warrantee, quality and fishing technique her on the forum.  

Or if you just want to choose between the two, whichever one you end up buying will be the better of the two after you learn its intimate feel.

Here is the thread were I asked about sensitivity upgrade or big upgrade.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1180712318/0

There are a number of good rods in your price range and Shimano has an even better replacement policy than Loomis, over the counter! If I were in your shoes I would spend the $30 dollars extra but buy a Falcon Cara, not the Shimano. That is if your local shop has them.  

You might want to check out bass pro shops if there is a store in your area or the website. Their rods are pretty good for the i have 3 extremes the greenones they have a couple different extreme combos. but the green ones are rated the highest in that series at 60 million modolous. and the rods are only 60 bucks baitcast combos at 120.00 dollars. I really like them  a lot nice and light and sensitve.

I apprciate all the opionions....I went up today and bought the Shimano. I got the 6.8 Drop Shot MH Spinning rod. It was between that one and a loomis M crankbait rod with a fast tip. I kinda wanted the casting rod because I didn't want to deal with line twist but ended up going with the spinning because the sensitivity was more important. I walk out the door for $134, didn't think that was a bad deal. I've got it loaded with and ultralight reel and 6lb florocarbon and trying it out in the morning. I will change the reel but that is the only small spinning reel I have right now. (I don't expect to catch much or anything big anyway tomorrow). I will let everyone know how it was and how well I like it just for reference.

Please keep us posted.

Since I fish mostly plastics I'm leaning towards the Shimano Crucial Drop Shot rod as well. Not necassarily for dropshotting, but for the sensitivity for the weightless plastics I use all the time.

Thanks!

after using this rod for the first time, i have to say it is defiantly the sensitivity i was looking for. i didn't get any bits while drop shooting but did catch a perch throwing an 1/8th ounce rooster tail. the hook was to big for the perch to get in his mouth but when he pecked the bait i felt it and set the hook, hooking him through the bottom lip up through his top lip. it was pretty funny to see. i think i will defiantly enjoy this rod. one side note: fluorocarbon and an ultra light reel do not work well together. ended up putting a bigger spinning reel on it and it was still light and felt good. it was a zebco 30 i believe. thanks for all the replies.

Get the rod you feel comfortable with.

I have a Kister Helium which is fantastic; a G. Loomis for cranking which is fantastic; Shimano rods which are excellent; BPS Woo Daves 60 million module rods which perform beautifully; and Ugle Sticks which are super for pond fishing.

With today's rod technology you really can not go wrong.

Just make the purchase and start saving for your next rod.

Remember, you can never have too many rods.