Drop shooting is one of the most popular techniques for bass. Drop shotting is a great way to present worms subtly and elegantly that largemouth can’t resist. You can actually work the edge of a weed bed that has been hard hit by anglers and still catch a big one.
This technique requires a fine presentation so a standard bass rod without a strong backbone is probably not the best option. You don’t have to spend over $1,000 on a high-end rod.
Continue reading! We will discuss what to look for in a drop shot rod, and we’ll also review some of our favorite models.
Here are our top picks for the best drop shot rods.
Casting
- Abu Garcia Villain 2.0 –Our Choice!
- St. Croix Premier Series
Spinning
- G. Loomis IMX-PRO DSR –Our Choice!
- Dobyns Fury
- St. Croix Mojo Bass
The Best Drop Shot Rod Review
Best Casting Drop Shot Rods
Abu Garcia Villain 2.0 –Our Choice!
Specifications |
Pros |
Cons |
| Materialgraphite Length6’7′, 8’6″,9’9’6″,10′, 11’1″, 13’14’ and 15′ Weight:#3 to #11 Take action fast Pieces4 |
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Summary
Length 6′ 10″
Power/Action Medium-light/Extra-fast
Material Graphite
Handle: Split EVA foam/casting
Guides 10 + tip/titanium
Size of the lure: 1/8 to 1/2 ounces
Line weight: 6-12 lb
Pieces1
Abu Garcia’s Villain series casting rods have won more than a few conversions from Shimano and G. Loomis. The Villain is a quality casting rod that offers top-quality quality for a very affordable price.
You’ll notice two key things about the medium light Villain. It’s sensitive and has enough power to muscling large fish. You should be aware that Abu Garcia’s version of a medium-light rod may be slightly stiffer than the average. This is why I would call the rod medium.
You can find more casting rod options
Despite having a backbone, the tip can translate bottom composition, soft bait movements, and actions of bass to your fingertips. The bottom will tell you if it is sandy, rocky, or muddy. You can also feel the changes in it.
The tip is flexible, making it easy to work a worm. With a few clicks of your wrist, you can make the worm gyrate attractively and the Villain will have the authority to set the hook.
That’s my opinion about drop shooting.
The Villain has 11 titanium guides that are truly exceptional quality. It also features a comfortable, durable EVA foam handle.
Pros
- Amazing sensitivity
- Excellent backbone, more like a medium than an average-light
- Excellent guides
- Excellent handle
- You can get great action with your bait
Cons
- For anglers looking for a medium rod, this rod may be too light.
- Casting will be affected by lighter lines
St. Croix Premier Series PC70MLF
Specifications |
Pros |
Cons |
| Length7 Power/ActionMedium-light/Fast MaterialGraphite Handle:15 1/2 “Cork/casting GuidesAluminum oxide inserts in black chrome frames Size of the lure:3/16 – 5/8 Ounces Line weight:8-14 lb Pieces1 |
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Summary
St. Croix is a respected name in the fishing industry and we love their rods. A St. Croix rod in my hand is enough to satisfy me. This is a general rule that the 7′ Premier medium-light does not break.
The St. Croix is light, balanced, and well-made. It offers the perfect balance between strength, sensitivity, and power for drop shot rigs. You can play a Senko, worm, or other game with the fast tip. The medium-light backbone provides you the power you need to set up a hookset or fight. This blank is strong and the St. Croix excels at drop-shotting.
This rod, although medium-light, is rated to handle a heavier lure than the Abu Garcia. The Premier is a formidable rod and can withstand a lot of punishment. However, I think the Abu Garcia is a better choice if you prefer a more stiff rod.
Premier’s Fuji guides have a smooth and sturdy feel, making them a popular choice for many manufacturers.
The handle is another strong feature of the St. Croix. It’s made from premium natural cork and is long enough to hold two hands. This feature is very useful when trying to push a brute of a tree stump or tree stump.
Best Spinning Drop Shot Rods
G. Loomis IMX-PRO 820S DSR –Our Choice!
Specifications |
Pros |
Cons |
| Length6′ 10″ Power/ActionMag-Medium/Fast MaterialGraphite Handle: Cork/spinning GuidesFuji K-Frames Size of the lure:1/8 – 5/16 ounces Line weight:6-12 lb Pieces1 |
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Summary
G. Loomis rods can be used as a comparison group to judge excellence. These incredible performers are not cheap, but they are worth every penny.
Drop shotting is possible with the Loomis IMX-Pro DSR 6’10. This blank is exclusive to Loomis and features a Mag-Medium action. It’s stiffer than you might expect and provides more power than a similar medium power blank. You won’t find a better rod for drop shooting. In a fight, you won’t be holding a limp noodle.
Check out our buying guide to find the best spinning rods on the market today
The rod is very well balanced and light in weight. This rod is also likely to be a contender for today’s most sensitive rod, which speaks volumes about its blank quality. It has excellent action and power, and you can give your soft baits great play.
Loomis employs only the highest quality components, as usual. Loomis’ guide and handle quality are unbeatable, but you have to pay a premium!
Dobyns Fury FRP 702SF
Specifications |
Pros |
Cons |
| Length7 Power/ActionMedium-light/Fast MaterialGraphite Handle: Splitting/spinning cork-EVA foam GuidesWhat is the best way to get started? Size of the lure:1/8 to 1/2 ounces Line weight:6-12 lb Pieces1 |
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Summary
The Dobyns Fury Rods are the best choice for bass anglers. They’re also well-known for being affordable. While Dobyns rods are more expensive and have more advanced components, the Fury is a more affordable option.
Fury’s blank is likely to be on the lighter side of medium-light power, close to light power. This won’t please everybody, but it will be appreciated by some. Drop-shotting is a fine finesse technique that I have no problem with. You’ll need to consider other options if you want to muscle fish from cover using your rod.
The Fury’s lighter blank gives me great sensitivity. It helps me give my soft baits life-like action and it also makes it easier to sense every hit. The Fury shines in this regard, and I have no problem using a medium-light rod to set hooksets.
Split foam/cork handle that will leave you cold or happy. It is well-shaped and comfortable. It works great, even though we don’t know what Dobyns uses for the guide material.
St. Croix Mojo Bass MJS71MF
Specifications |
Pros |
Cons |
| Length7′ 1″ Power/ActionMedium/Fast MaterialGraphite Handle: Split cork/spinning GuidesAluminum oxide inserts in black chrome frames Size of the lure:3/16 – 5/8 Ounces Line weight:6-12 lb Pieces1 |
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Summary
St. Croix’s Mojo Bass Rods are a great choice for almost every lake. They offer outstanding performance at an affordable price. The 7’1″ medium/fast rod makes a great choice for drop shot rigs. It combines a tip that is designed for finesse and the strength and sensitivity associated with a one-piece design.
Extremely sensitive – those are the first words I think of when I think of this rod. With a good braid or fluorocarbon, you can feel every bump and the composition of the bass. You’ll never miss a strike, even a tentative one.
The blank’s stiffness allows the flexible tip to work a worm in the water. I also like the action this rod creates when using soft baits. This rod is stronger than the St. Croix Prime, but it’s still a good choice if you want a spinning rod with more backbone.
Expect the best Fuji components.
Although Mojo’s premium cork handle is great, some reels leave the threads exposed on their reel seats. This can be uncomfortable for many anglers. This rod is amazing, but I suggest you check this issue before you pull the trigger.
Our Picks: The Abu Garcia Villain 2.0, and the G. Loomis PRO 820S DSR
Drop shot rods must have the right backbone to support a strong hookset. However, they also need to be sensitive and precise. We love Abu Garcia and G. Loomis because of this.
Simply put, the Abu Garcia is super sensitive. It has a little more power than the St. Croix counterpart, but it is still very competitive in soft bait action, strike detection, hookset, and hookset. You can be sure of high-quality components, from the EVA foam handle, the blank, guides, and the reel seat.
It’s not surprising that the G. Loomis spinning rod was our favorite. Loomis’s reputation for being a rod maker is a testament to this. This rod is extremely sensitive and strong. It has a unique blank that offers more backbone but still provides feel and action. The Loomis is a great choice if you love warm cork handles.
The downside? Expect to pay more.
You won’t be disappointed with any of these rods, no matter what you choose.
We’d love to hear about your experience with drop-shot fishing. We would love to hear about your drop-shot fishing experiences.
How to Choose the Best Drop Shot Rod
While you don’t have to buy a rod that is specifically made for drop shooting, there are certain things all drop-shot rods share in common.
Take Action
The rod’s action is the point along which its length will bend under load. Fast action rods bend near the tip and are stiff for most of their length. Slow action rods, on the other hand, bend closer to their handle and reel the see, at, and curve over a greater portion of their length.
For finesse techniques like drop-shotting, we almost always choose a fast action. The tip should be sensitive and be able to give action to the bait. However, you also need the rod’s backbone able to apply power quickly to ensure good hooksets.
Description power and action
