I've got six spinning outfits and seven baitcasters. I consider my best spinning rigs are my Rogue ultra light and my Crucial ML 6.6' with a Shimano Symmetre 2500. I'd like to get a new ML spinning rig to use primarily for drop shotting, and am willing to spend $500-600. My first choice for a reel is a Daiwa Sol 2500, or a Shimano Stradic. The rods I'm looking at are Rogue, Lucky Craft, St. Croix Legend, and GLoomis GLX. What combo would you put together for my situation? Would you have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

id go fishing with what you have. ive been out fished by my father using shakespeare gear on more than one occasion.

i am not against dropping $$$ on rods though. i like Falcon and Fenwick rods but the Loomis rod gets a ton of play by RW so the GLX wouldnt be a bad idea i guess.

is the Sol with the $$$ over the Symetre? youll have to ask someone else but i couldnt imagine a Symetre ever having a problem.

I don't have any experience it, but the new Shimano Stradic CI4 looks pretty sweet. I am pretty sure another member posted a review on it not too long ago.

I'd go with a Shimano Crucial 6'8" dropshot rod and whatever 2000 size spinning reel you like for 6 lb fluoro (the Shimano Biomaster 2500 is a 2000 size Japan market reel that is very nice).  I was a newbie on dropshotting and was glad I read some posts (BFHP) on why you want a "hinged" rod like the Crucial with a very soft fast tip but plenty of power down the blank.  And the price ain't bad either!  Less than $300 for the pair bought 2 yrs ago.  I use lots of Rogue rods (my fave!) but the Crucial is custom tailored for this presentation.  

if you are willing to spend that much money because you want to have some really, really nice stuff, then go with the Sol and the GLX. If your intention is to get good gear while saving a bit of money, grab a Daiwa Tierra or Shimano Stradic and go with the Legend Tournament or Shimano Cumara.

The easy answer is the new CI4 matched with a GLX SJR843S.

8-)

RW,

Please correct me if I am wrong but I don't believe the SJR843S comes in GLX. Also, it is a MH rod. I know that Loomis rods are a little overrated when it comes to power, but I own the SJR843S IMX and it is certainly more powerful than ML rods from other manufacturers. Did you mean a different model in GLX?

Dawia with a St. Croix rod. I am a huge fan of St. Croix and own several of the premier and trimph models. I have a St. Croix reel as well, the avid series, check them out.