Drop Shot Fishing Rods Compared

Why Use A Drop Shot Rod?

What Kind Of Rod For Drop Shot Fishing - Buyer’s Guide

Angling Requirements

Drop shot rigs can be fished effectively on almost any type of structure or cover, making it one of the most versatile technique-specific forms of fishing. You could drop shot a rig in one foot of water or deep at the bottom of lakes and rivers.

You can drop shot a rig vertically too. Some areas that aren't so well suited for drop shot fishing is through matted vegetation or tall weed beds.  As you're able to use a drop shot rig in almost every fishing environment, you'll be able to nab bedding fish, post-spawn fish, and even strong winter fish at the end of your line.

Rod Material/Composition

A high-quality rod that's suitable for drop shot fishing needs to be sensitive at the tip but still needs a good backbone. Many manufacturers created this rod type using several different materials. These rods are generally made from graphite, carbon fiber, or fiberglass.

Some manufacturers have composed a blend of two or more materials to achieve an even stronger rod. The strength of a rod can be measured by modulus ratings, and a rod with a high modulus rating can be made using less material. This simply means that the rod is lighter in weight and more sensitive.

Rod Length & Weight

Rod Action

A fishing rods action describes how much of the rod deflects (bends) when you put pressure on the tip. The best drop shot fishing rods tend to be either fast or extra fast in action. This means the rod will bend only at the top third part of the blank and allows you to feel every movement under the water.

A medium (also known as moderate action) will bend in the top half and can work for some drop stotting applications. Stay away from slow action rods as they will only bend in the lower third section of the rod, so you'll lose all of the sensitivity when tackling a bass or walleye. 

Rod Power & Flexibility

A rod’s power will ultimately decide how much flexibility the rod can endure without snapping. Heavier action rods require more pressure to bend, whereas light action rods bend much easier, giving more flexibility. The line and lure will also affect your rods’ accuracy if it’s not matched correctly with the power rating.

For drop shot fishing, a lighter power rod allows you to make good hook sets on light wire hooks without breaking your line. It will also give you more flexibility so you can move and feel everything under your lure and leader.

Tip Sensitivity

Other Features

A durable fishing rod will have some key features that can help when drop shot fishing. Always check the rod material, guide material, handle composition, and tip sensitivity before you purchase. These features will determine a quality rod over a basic, cheap one.

Often or not, reputable brands use their new technologies in testing even the cheapest rods to try to increase performance as much as possible. Once you’ve got the rod that fits your needs for drop shot fishing, you can get the hang of casting and reeling in an open space to get the grips of how it works. This will make it easier to use when you get the open water.

Price & Warranty

1. Dobyns Rods Fury Series FR 702SF

2. Fenwick Elite Tech Bass

3. G.Loomis NRX Jig & Worm Rod

4. G. Loomis E6X Spinning Rod

Another spectacular rod created by G.Loomis is the E6X Spinning rod. This rod is at a mid-price point, so it's a little easier to afford or invest in over the NRX model, but with less money comes less high-tech specifications. Overall, this spinning rod works a tad over most of its competitors at this price point and still is made with killer materials, making it the best spinning rod for drop shot rigs.

G.Loomis E6X rods fuse other proven, high-performing G.Loomis materials to form the blank. These materials with low resin content, reduced scrim, and a greater ratio of high strain rate carbon fiber blend together, creating a lightweight fishing rod that delivers tremendous overall strength and fantastic sensibility.

The E6X rod creates a sturdy wall thickness and minimizes weak points in the blank, resulting in precise action and flex for each application. Couple this blank with strategically placed cork grips that balance it superbly in the hands of the angler. Line friction won't become an issue either when your drop-shotting rigs. The E6X uses Fuji aluminum oxide guides that run a dream and can be coupled with braided lines.

For novice anglers looking for a high-quality rod at an affordable price, then choosing the best spinning rod could be the best choice for you. And, the E6X spinning rod is easy to use with a lot of great features suited for drop shot fishing.

5. PENN Squall

6. St. Croix Premier 2-Part Gr

When you're hoping to catch a walleye with a drop shot, you'll need a rod that's sensitive yet powerful; the St. Croix Premier spinning rod is a great choice. Anglers appreciate its high-performance without the high cost. Casting is made simple on the Premier rod, and the sensitive tip ensures you’ll notice when there’s any inkling of a bite.

This Premier series by St. Croix's one of the most popular and beloved rod series year after year and for a good reason.  It's built with premium SCII graphite blanks and high-quality components. The SCII blanks feature mid-modulus graphite fiber with a higher strain rate than fibers commonly used by some of its competitors.

This graphite fiber increases sensitivity and power throughout the whole rod. It also has durable Batson Forecast hard aluminum-oxide guides with double-plated black chrome frames, making it quite beautiful to look at while still providing rugged performance.

Not to mention the Fuji TCS reel seats are of premium quality giving the rod a reliable, comfortable base for your reel. Finish this rod with a premium grade, full cork handles for comfort, and for plenty of fish fighting leverage. This rod is simply constructed, with premium materials and offers the ideal blend of durability and value in one package,

7. Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Fishing Rod

The elite version of this spinning rod has been created by Ugly Stik and has been beloved by anglers all across the US. Not only is it a great all-round rod, but it’s also the best drop shot rod under $100. It's known for its lightweight features and elegant design, as it's composed of added graphite for lighter weight and increased sensitivity.

It's an extremely balanced rod, too, thanks to the full cork handle with a new guide system. Balance is particularly important as you may be sitting by the water for a long time with many bites or without a single one.

Casting is made simple on the Elite spinning rod, and the sensitive tip ensures you notice when there's any bit of a bite. The rod is also quite elastic, meaning that it can endure heavier lures while it still recovers quite fast, and the bending does not last.

The Ugly Stik elite rod is convenient and comfortable for anglers of all ages. The rod is known for catching big and small species, and bass fishes won't be a problem here, too. This means you will not have to buy different rods for each fish species, so it can be very versatile for many of your fishing excursions.

Tips & Tricks To Efficient Drop Shot Fishing

When it comes to drop shot fishing, there are some tips and tricks passed on from one angler to another. Some of these include the following.

There’s one other thing to note when drop shotting; you can only learn so much from other anglers. Nothing beats getting a rod in your hand and trying it for yourself. You need to remember; the goal is to mimic a prey fish, so practice moving, casting, and know your tactic well before you get to the water will save you a lot of time and energy.

How to Rig A Drop Shot

Now that you’ve all the information you need on drop shot fishing, and you’ve found your number 1 pick from our list, you could be wondering if rigging a drop shot is an easy task. Well, the trick to successfully rigging a drop shot successfully depends on whether you’ve got the right equipment that compliments each other when it’s time to fish. Of course, you’ll need a rod, reel and fishing line. But the attention is in the smaller details.

Once you've gone through each step, take it apart and do it again. You may think you've got it right, but with more practice comes better rigs. There are tons of helpful YouTube tutorials that can also help you rig the perfect drop shot rod.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

How long should a drop shot leader be?

Having the right length drop-shot leader should be decided based on your fishing environment. Usually, you'll use a short leader which is 6-10 inches in length with compact spaces or with heavy drop shots. A longer leader that is 18-30 inches in length tends to be used more for longer casts or if you're fishing in 'hard to see' areas. This may include areas with a lot of rocks.

What kind of hook should I use for a drop shot?

What kind of line do you use for a drop shot?

As mentioned above, braided or fluorocarbon lines are a great choice for drop shot fishing. If you decide to use a braided line on the spool, use a fishing knot to tie on a fluorocarbon leader. Fluorocarbon has low visibility but has impressive strength, so you won't have to worry about losing your bait.

A good rule of thumb for beginners, use a line that is around 8lbs or lighter, even if it’s a braided line. For more experienced anglers, you can use a 10 lbs line but make sure the water conditions are suitable for thicker lines.

What are the best brands for this type of rod?

From our list, you'll find some top of the line rods from several manufacturers. G.Loomis has been featured with two rods perfectly in tune for drop shot fishing, and at different price points. Penn is also a very well reputable brand, and the rod and reel combo is another great choice. Lastly, Ugly Stik releases new top of the line, high-quality rods at great prices, too. It's crucial to choose a rod that's best suited for your needs first. Then you can check which brands have which warranties to finalize your decision.

What is the best drop shot bait?

Your bait is one of the most important pieces of equipment when it comes to drop shot fishing, as it's what elicits the bite from the fish. Tail shaped, whether pinned or paddle or curly baits, can all affect your success on the water. A good guideline to follow is to use bright baits in colored water and muted in clear. Some of these could be  Jackall Crosstail Shad,  Strike King Dream Shot, or a Zoom Finesse Trick Worm.

Where can I find the best-rated drop shot rods and accessories?

There are many options for you when you're buying your new drop shot rod. You can check your local fish tackle shop and look at the models they have to offer first. There could be a suitable rod there that suits your needs. If you don't see something you like, then there's always Amazon. They can deliver to your door, and you can have a choice of any of the best drop shot rods on our list.

Conclusion