Best_Dropshot_Rods

The best dropshot rod increases the effectiveness of a drop shot rig in catching predatory fish that like to stay suspended in the water by placing a life-like lure right in front of their noses where they can’t resist a bite. Drop shot fishing is active, easy to master, versatile, effective where conditions are tough and a lot of fun. All these make it a favorite technique for plenty of anglers and its popularity is growing every day.

The right rod is crucial for success dropping drop shot rigs, sensing bites, setting hooks and fighting fish. So what is the best drop shot rod for the job? Overall, the ideal drop shot fishing rod will be a 7-feet long, medium light power rod with a fast action tip. To answer this question more specifically, we have evaluated and put together a list of the best dropshot rods that have the features and specs required to drop fish effectively and that have been tried and found to offer the best performance for drop shot fishing. Check them out below.

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1

OUR TOP PICK

Fenwick Eagle Spinning

Fenwick Eagle Spinning


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Summary

Features: 5'6"- 8' lengths, medium, medium light and medium heavy powers.

The Fenwick Eagle offers time-tested and proven performance at a great value. It is a great rod for building a drop shot rig and offers a variety of lengths and power options to choose from. The 7-foot length with a medium light power offers the best performance for dropshot fishing. The graphite blank is both lightweight and sensitive as well as strong and durable. Stainless steel guides and inserts are strong, anti-corrosive and lightweight. The burled cork handles feel good in the hand as you wait for the fish to bite.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Graphite construction gives the rod amazing sensitivity
  • Strong and durable construction
  • Comfortable and durable cork handle design
  • A variety of length and power options
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2

EDITORS CHOICE

Okuma Scott Martin

Okuma Scott Martin


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Summary

Features: 6'6" to 7'11" lengths, medium light, medium, medium heavy and heavy powers, drop shot baitcaster and spinning rod options.

If you're looking for the best dropshot rod for bass fishing, this is it. These tournament concept fishing rods were designed by Scott Martin, one of the best professional bass anglers, and made by Okuma, one of the top rated fishing brands. They're built to excel in all areas from casting, lure placement, bite detection, hook setting, fighting, and landing fish.

There is a variety of lengths and powers to choose from. The best specs for drop shot fishing are the 7' 0" and 7' 2" lengths with medium light powers and 1/8 ~ 1/2 lure weight ratings. They have great sensitivity and deliver smooth casting and retrieving performance.

Other features that make them some of the best drop shot poles include the ultra-sensitive 30-Ton carbon blank construction, lightweight, comfortable and sensitive EVA split grip and EVA foregrip, and a hook keeper.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Designed by a bass fishing pro and technique-optimized
  • Ultra-sensitive blank construction
  • High-quality construction, fit and finish
  • Lightweight, well-balanced and comfortable handle
  • Work well with all fishing lines
  • Great selection of lengths and powers
  • Limited lifetime warranty
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3

BEST VALUE

UglyStik GX2 Spinning

UglyStik GX2 Spinning


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Summary

Features: 7' feet, medium power, 6-15 lb. test line rating, 1/8 - 5/8 Oz. lure weight rating

Ugly Stick fishing rods are known for their strength and durability. The GX2 rods are equipped with better balance for a lighter feel and improved components for durability. The also ditch the `ugly' look of the original and adopt an eye-catching, modern look.

Graphite and fiberglass blank construction make the rod strong and durable. However, it also makes the rod stiff and not as sensitive as a full graphite blank. The brand's signature clear tip design adds to the rod's strength and sensitivity.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Strong and durable build
  • A wide range of power and length options
  • Blank is harder to break than a graphite rod
  • 2-piece construction is easy to pack and transport
  • A 7-year warranty guarantee
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4

St. Croix Mojo Inshore

St. Croix Mojo Inshore


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Summary

Features: Medium light and medium heavy powers, 7 feet and 7 feet 6 inch length options.

You can't go wrong with Saint Croix when looking for a quality, high-performance fishing rod. With its specs and strong, sensitive and lightweight graphite construction, you're going to find this Mojo inshore rod a joy to drop shot fish with not just because of how great it looks but also because of its resiliency and the impressive drop shot fishing performance it will deliver.

It is sensitive enough to feel the slightest bites and packs plenty of backbone for nice hook sets and fighting fish. You're also going to love the comfortable and nice looking split grip cork handles that also add to its sensitivity. If you're just getting started in drop shot fishing, the 7 feet length and medium light power rod is the easiest to learn with.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Corrosion resistant and suitable for saltwater use
  • Lightweight and comfortable to use
  • Well made for performance and durability
  • Extremely sensitive graphite rod
  • Great balance between sensitivity and flex
  • Stylish looking rod with nice cork handles
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5

Shimano Sellus 2-Piece Spin

Shimano Sellus 2-Piece Spin


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Summary

Features: Medium power, Fast action, 2-pc construction, 6' and 6'8'' lengths.

The Shimano Sellus series of rods are built for light line fishing and include technique specific actions. This top rated drop shot top is very sensitive thanks to its fast action tip and 24-ton carbon construction. Feeling what is happening to the lure won't be an issue. The medium power and strong construction give it the flex and backbone to fight fish without snapping the light line. The shorter lengths give you more control and accuracy when dropping your rig. The drop shot version has split grip foam grips for comfort and enhanced feel. Another nice thing about this rod is that it has a multipurpose hook keeper.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Sensitivity is incredible
  • Strong yet lightweight build
  • Breaks down into two pieces for portability
  • A well-balanced drop shot rod
  • A lot of rod for the money
  • Features a versatile hook keeper
  • Backed by a one-year limited warranty
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6

Piscifun 4 Pieces Travel

Piscifun 4 Pieces Travel


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Summary

Features: 6'6" length, medium power, fast action, 8 - 17 lbs braid, mono, fluoro or super lines and 1/4 - 3/4 oz lure weights

One of the best things about drop shot fishing is its simplicity. It is easy to pack drop shot fishing gear in a compact backpack when backpacking and fish whenever the opportunity presents itself. The 4 pieces design of this Piscifun rod makes it the perfect rod for travel. It breaks down to 4 short pieces that easily fit inside a backpack.

When it is time to fish with it, graphite construction means its lightweight and easy to handle and has excellent sensitivity for detecting even the slightest bites. The fast action delivers excellent casting distance, enables accurate hook setting and adds to the rod's sensitivity. The rod is also designed to flex easily. A multi-purpose hook keeper keeps dropshot weights snug. The downside to these features is that the rod is light and delicate and breaks easily when bringing in fish.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • 4-pieces construction offers excellent portability
  • Budget-friendly price
  • Fast action tip and great sensitivity
  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Extremely flexible rod
  • Features a multipurpose hook keeper
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7

Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0

Abu Garcia Veritas 2.0


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Summary

Features: 6'9" long, medium light power, 1-piece construction

The Veritas fishing rods by Abu Garcia are a top favorite for many anglers. A well-balanced strong yet lightweight design, medium light power, and the length make this sleek rod one of the best dropshot rods. It has a great feel for drop-shotting so you can detect the slightest bite. It is Texas rigged for all bait application.

It features a spiral core construction technique that greatly increases the strength and durability of the rod and makes the tip stronger without sacrificing lightness. This makes it flexible and comfortable to use while equipping it with fish-fighting backbone. Overall, it is a great finesse rod for drop shot fishing. You'll enjoy fishing with it but beware that it breaks easily.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Balanced, lightweight design for comfort
  • Strong and durable build
  • Great sensitivity and flex with sufficient backbone
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8

Dobyns Rods Fury Series FR 702SF Medium/Light

Dobyns Rods Fury Series FR 702SF Medium/Light


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Summary

With a 7'0" length, medium light power, fast action tip, 8-17 lb. test line and 3/16 - 5/8 oz. lure weight rating, this is the best drop shot rod. If you're a beginner, this top rated drop shot is the perfect rod to start with. The high modulus graphite blank is lightweight, sensitive as well as strong with the right amount of stiffness. It also features a Fuji reel seat, Kevlar wrapping and AA grade cork grip with a hi-density Hypalon butt.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • The ideal combination of specs for dropshot rigs
  • Well balanced and easy to use
  • Strong yet lightweight construction
  • Great sensitivity and casting performance
  • Versatile and also suitable for jigs, Texas rigs, Senkos and shaky heads
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9

Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Micro Honeycomb Dropshot Rod

Wright & McGill Skeet Reese Micro Honeycomb Dropshot Rod


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Summary

With this 7-feet 2-inch, medium light power, 1 piece rod, Wright & McGill is offering a well-crafted drop shot rod designed for peak drop fishing performance starting from sensitivity, feel, to casting accuracy. This is definitely one of the best drop shot rods with all the essential features.

It is made to be lightweight and sensitive so it feels good in your hands while ensuring that you don't miss a bite on the lure. The graphite blank is crafted to be strong yet lightweight, flexible and sensitive. The split grip and rubber handles offer a firm, balanced and comfortable grip while enhancing the pole's sensitivity. Zirconium line guides are lightweight and enhance casting distance. The large fighting butt adds to the rod's performance and durability.

  • What Makes This Dropshot Rod Stand Out
  • A specialized drop shot rod optimized for the technique
  • Lightweight with comfortable handles
  • Sensitivity is incredible
  • Strong and durable construction
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10

Lews Custom Lite HM85 Spinning

Lews Custom Lite HM85 Spinning


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Summary

Features: 6'10" length with medium-light power and 1/8-1/2 oz lure weight. The 7' length has medium power and 1/8-3/8 oz lure weight rating.

The Lews Custom Lite has just the ideal power rating and length for drop shot fishing. It can handle lightweight rigs, ensure a solid hookset and has the ability to fight large fish. Graphite blanks make it lightweight so it balances with light line and lures and sensitive so it is easy to detect bites. Winn Split Grip handles offer a firm and comfortable grip while adding to the overall feel by allowing direct finger contact with the rod blank. With the multilayered build, this rod is made to perform and last, which makes it good value for money.

  • Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
  • Lightweight and sensitive
  • Strong and durable construction
  • Backed by a limited lifetime warranty
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How To Choose The Best Dropshot Rod – Buying Guide

How_To_Choose_A_Dropshot_Rod

So what makes a good rod for drop shot fishing? To help you determine the best drop shot rod to go for and to answer the questions you will have when selecting a rod such as what power drop shot rod to go for? What action do I need? What is the ideal drop shot rod length? Here is a buying guide with the features you need to pay attention to explained. 

Power

A medium light power rod is ideal for drop shot fishing. Such a rod can cast lightweight dropshot rigs a long distance and has just the right combination of sensitivity, flexibility, and strength. It is sensitive enough to transmit the slightest bites to the blank and handle, has sufficient flex and backbone for good hook sets on thin wire hooks without ripping the hook out of a fish’s mouth and to fight running fish and bring them from cover while keeping the line intact. 

Length

A 7 feet long fishing rod delivers the best performance for most drop shot fishing situations. It casts a good distance, handles the ideal weight range of between 5g and 15g for most small and medium weight lures well and is great for fishing tight spots. It is also the ideal length for a beginner or junior angler looking to master drop shot fishing. Some anglers prefer shorter lengths that offer more control for accurate casting. Longer lengths are ideal for longer casts, seasoned anglers, heavier weights and fishing from a boat. 

Weight

When choosing a drop shot fishing pole, there are different aspects of weight to consider. First of all, the best drop shot rod is lightweight so it is flexible, sensitive and comfortable to handle even for long hours dropping rigs.

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Another aspect of weight to consider is the fishing line pound test and lure weight rating the rod is designed for. Being a finesse fishing technique, drop shot fishing requires 4 to 10-pound-test lines and 1/8 oz to 1/4 oz lure weights. A spinning rod with these line and lure weight rating will be great for dropping dropshot rigs. 

Then there are the drop-shot weights tied at the end of the leader line to keep the line steady and bait life-like. A round ball weight is dense so it’s easy to feel the action easily. It suits vertical fishing under sparse cover. The long, pencil weights are the go-to when fishing in snaggy, weedy or rocky settings.

Dropshot weights have a swivel for easier clipping onto the line and for easier movement of the weights when the angler wants to adjust the lure position.

Bait

Using baits or lures that fish will bite is important for drop fishing success. The best drop shot baits are neutrally buoyant so they hover on the water mimicking natural movements and tempting the fish to bite. Some of the most effective baits for drop shot fishing include finesse worm, Senko worm, shad style bait, craw baits, creature baits, wacky crawlers, and shaky worms. Nose hook baits that are three inches long or smaller and watermelon colors work great. 

Hook

Hooks used in drop fishing should have sharp points for hooking the baits in such a way that they make life-like movements. Their unique shape keeps the lure in a horizontal position at a right angle to the line.

Action

When drop shot fishing the more sensitive the rod, the better so that it is easier to feel what is going on with the lure and set the hook at the right time. This is why the one thing that dropshot fishing rods have in common is a soft tip. The ideal drop shot rod has a fast action tip that bends in the top third portion.

It helps with long distance casting, gives the bait natural looking movements, has excellent sensitivity and transmits even the slightest nibbles from the end of the terminal tackle to the handle, and its action enables a nice hook set. 

A fast action tip also has enough fish-fighting strength and complements the light-weight line used with drop shot rigs preventing line breakage when fighting fish. 

FAQs

What_Is_Drop_Shot_Fishing

Q: What Is Drop Shot Fishing?

A: 

Drop shot fishing is a finesse technique that uses a weight and a Palomar knot to make the hook lie horizontally in the water so the bait is suspended in the water life-like and moved in a natural pattern by the water so fish find the lure irresistible.

Drop shot fishing is excellent at catching predatory species such as perch, zander, and pike that like to stay suspended in the water. It is also an effective fishing technique for when conditions are tough such as in rainy and foul weather, in the cold of winter and above cover and structure. It can be applied in canals, slow-moving rivers, and still waters.

Q: How To Drop Shot Efficiently?

A: 

To drop shot efficiently requires a well set up drop shot rig composed of the right rod, reel, line and leader, hook, lure, and weight. How to rig a drop shot properly is explained next.

Drop the rig straight down on top of your target position until the line goes slack. Reel up until the line is taut and almost straight down and the weight is at the bottom keeping the line steady.

Without lifting the weight from the bottom, shake the rod gently to wiggle the lure and suspend it so it is in the zone where the fish are at and looks alive.

Patiently wait for a fish to bite. You may feel a tug, a slight motion or detect just a little more weight on the line. This is why a highly sensitive fishing rod that transmits even the slightest of bites is crucial.

When you’re sure the fish has the bait in its mouth, set the hook.

Q: How to Rig a Drop Shot?

A: 

A drop shot rig is made up of the main fishing line tied to a hook and a trailing leader line with a weight tied to its end so that the weight is at the bottom and the hook and bait are above it. To rig a drop shot, you will need a 4-10 pound test fishing line and leader and a drop shot hook, bait and weight. Here’s how to set up the rig:

Pick the hook between your fingers and push the line through the top of the hook eyelet. Leave a foot or longer tag end for the leader. Use a light braid for your main line and a fluorocarbon leader.

Using a Palomar knot, tie a small drop-shot hook onto the line, about 12 to 20 inches up from the end. The hook should be perpendicular to the line. You can reduce line twist by using a swivel above the hook. At the tag end of the leader line, tie a drop-shot weight.

Bait the hook with a lure by impaling a tip of the worm on the hook. Push it down onto the bend to leave an open hook. Point the hook up so it will stick the fish better. That’s it. You’ve rigged a drop shot.

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Mastering drop shot fishing will give you a whole new way to fish effectively in tough conditions. Having the best drop shot rod will enable you to enjoy everything that drop shot fishing has to offer. If you’re not sure what rod is best for you, check out our best dropshot rod reviews above.

All fishing rods in the list are top quality, effective at this technique and top rated drop shot rods offered by different brands and falling under different price ranges. Follow the buying guide to identify one that will suit you best. With the right rod, an effective drop shot rig and patience, you’ll be amazed at the effectiveness of this exciting finesse fishing technique at catching fish.

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Which is your favorite dropshot rod? Do you own any of the ones we’ve reviewed? Let us know how it performs in the comment box below