I use my G-loomis shakey head rod and love it for dropshotting but my dad needs one too.  I don't wont to spend $200 on a rod so any advice.

You need a specialized rod for DS & SH ? nope

Can you practice both techniques with any rod ? yup, I do fish with non specialized rods both technques.

Any rod will do the job, not as great as a rod specifically designed for the lure/technique but it will get the job done.

So for those techniques any UL,L,ML,M with a F/XF action rod will do the trick and you don 't have to cash out a couple of hundreds, it 's only a matter of knowing where to look. There are many good quality budget rods that will serve you well and won 't cost you an arm and a leg. Check for example the Shimano Clarus/Compre line of rods, lots of lengths, power and actions from where to choose.

Perfect timing! I just picked these guys brains last week on this exact thing last week. I went with:

Shimano Sahara FD Reel 2500/Bass Pro Shops Extreme XPS Woo Daves Rod Spinning ML 6-8" cut-away handle.

I got them together for like 149.99 I think. The rod alone would of been 99.99.

I got to use them this weekend and I am highly impressed and completely happy with my purchase.

Good Luck!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1247752536/0

    A 7' M Shimano Compre.  This is easily the best rod on the market for $100.00.

    This is a spinning rod by the way.

Raul is right on with that info. But i do have a suggestion for a good quality dropshot rod, check out the BPS Extreme 6'8" ML spinning rod. I have this rod and it is awesome for dropshotting.

Dmac, that is the rod I am talking about. I just the the one with the cut-away handle and I guess they call it the Woo Dave series. But it is an Extreme. Great rod.

Dmac, that is the rod I am talking about. I just the the one with the cut-away handle and I guess they call it the Woo Dave series. But it is an Extreme. Great rod.

Yup I got mine on sale for $65, put a symetre 1000 on it. Sweet combo

My son has the Falcon Lowrider drop-shot LFS-2-169 and loves it. It is around $100 and made in this country.

Crucial or Magnesium

I love my 6'8" crucial. I would highly recommend a Crucial, light and very sensitive IMO. And the 6'8" is the perfect size for me, handles shallow DSing and Some deeper stuff as well.

I love my 6'8" crucial. I would highly recommend a Crucial, light and very sensitive IMO. And the 6'8" is the perfect size for me, handles shallow DSing and Some deeper stuff as well.

+1.  I own the 7'2" M crucial DS rod.  The split grip and drop shot weight keeper  are pretty cool features.  You won't be dissapointed with this rod.

I love my 6'8" crucial. I would highly recommend a Crucial, light and very sensitive IMO. And the 6'8" is the perfect size for me, handles shallow DSing and Some deeper stuff as well.

+1. I own the 7'2" M crucial DS rod. The split grip and drop shot weight keeper are pretty cool features. You won't be dissapointed with this rod.

I also have the 6'8" MH Crucial DS and highly HIGHLY recommend it for casting a drop shot or vertical down to 30'.

Just to drop two other suggestions out there.. Kistler drop shot special and Tica drop shot rod.

I haven't fished either of these rods but have heard good things.

The Kistler looks great imho and supposedly rocks out but its like 130. Tica has a drop shot rod that's a quarter oz. lighter than the Loomis and it can be had for 59.99.

I'm interested to know what you decide and how you end up liking it!

Another vote for the Crucial.  I've got two a 6'6 and a 7'0.  Both are great senko rods and they double great with spinnerbaits with the fast action tips.  If I'm taking one rod to a lake for a few hours of shore fishing this is my all round choice.

Powell Max or Crucial