Drop shot fishing is a very effective way to catch huge bass. It works great when fishing in shallow waters, deep waters or any other situations where it seems like bass don’t want to take the bait.
In fact, when the fishing gets tough, to entice those finicky fish to bite, many fishermen turn to drop shot fishing. However, to capitalize on every bite having the right rod in the boat is essential.
In this post, we are going to talk about what makes a good rod the best rod for drop shot fishing and 6 of our top favorites.
Table of Contents
What is the best drop shot rod?
Here is a quick preview of our top 6 options, for more information on each product please keep reading.
- G. Loomis IMX-PRO 822S
- G. Loomis IMX-PRO 820S
- G. Loomis NRX Jig and Worm Stick
- Lew’s Fishing Speed Stick
- St. Croix Mojo Bass
- Wright & McGill Skeet Reese
What To Look For In A Good Drop Shot Rod
Before we take a look at some models on the market, let’s answer 3 important questions many fishermen have when searching for the best rod for drop shot fishing: What is the best power rating for a drop shot rod? What is the best action? What is the best length?
Power: When drop shot fishing more important than a powerful rod is getting a sensitive rod. In fact, the more sensitive the fishing pole, the better. This will allow you to feel what is going on under the water and help you to know the exact moment the fish inhales your bait and when to set the hook.
My Recommendation: I would recommend that a good drop shot rod have a power rating in the medium to the medium light range.
Action: Probably one of the most important features that make the greatest difference between a fishing rod and the best drop shot rod is the rod action. This is an important feature to take into consideration because the action of the rod will affect the action of your lure. For example, if you have a stick that it is too stiff, the action that is imparted to the lure will be limited.
My Recommendation: I would recommend looking for a fishing pole that has an extra fast to fast action tip.
Length: When it comes to choosing a good length much depends on your personal preference. Some people like to choose a long rod as it will allow for a longer cast, while others feel more comfortable with a shorter rod. They may feel that they have more control with a shorter one and can make more accurate casts.
My Recommendation: In this area, I would recommend that you choose the one that will make you most comfortable while on the water. Keep in mind that most drop shot rods on the market are in the 7-foot range.
Now that we have considered those important tips, let’s take a look at a few options on the market today.
You may also enjoy reading: 5 Popular Uses For A Medium Light Spinning Rod.
- Length: 6 feet 10 inches
- Lure Rating: 1/8 ounce to 5/16 ounce
- Action: Extra Fast
- Power: Medium
- Line: 6 to 12 pounds
Brand new to the market is the G. Loomis IMX-PRO 822S DSR, this is an excellent rod specifically designed for the drop shot angler in mind.
One thing we really like about this option is the power rating. Yes, it does have a little more power than we recommended earlier, but this can actually work to your advantage. You will notice that fishing around heavy vegetation and trees that a little more power will help you to control the fish better and prevent it from getting hung up in the laydown.
The IMX-Pro 822s is made from a super sensitive and lightweight material. This will help you to detect the lightest of bites and hopefully land more fish.
So if you are looking for a new drop shot rod that has all the bells and whistles, I would definitely check out the G. Loomis IMX-PRO 822S.
Learn more about the IMX – Pro Series in the following video:
- Length: 6 feet 10 inches
- Lure Rating: 1/8 ounce to 3/8 ounce
- Action: Extra Fast
- Power: Medium Light
- Line: 4 to 8 pounds
Another great drop shot rod in the G.Loomis IMX Pro line up is the G. Loomis IMX-PRO 820S DSR. What is the difference between the 822s and the 820s? The biggest difference is the power rating. The 820s has a medium light power rating.
Why would I recommend fishing with a medium light over a medium power rating?
I would recommend going with this option if you plan on doing a lot of drop shot fishing in deep and open water situations. In these situations, you aren’t going to need the power factor to horse the bass back to the boat. Your main focus is going to be detecting bites when your lure is 20 – 30 feet deep. That is where the medium light is going to make a difference.
You will notice that the 820S to be a little bit lighter, a little more sensitive and thus easier to detect those deep water bites.
You will also notice that this particular option has a smaller lure and line rating meaning that it is designed for smaller baits which can be difficult to feel with a heavier pole. Having a little less power and a more sensitive rod just might give you the advantage you are looking for when out on the water.
Don’t get me wrong, both of these options produced by G.Loomis are great rods. If you can afford it I would recommend getting them both, but if you can only get one, I would recommend thinking about where you will spend most of your time fishing.
Features
- Length: 6 feet 8 inches
- Line Rating: 6 to 10 pounds
- Power Rating: Medium
- Action: Extra Fast
Another high-quality stick created by G.Loomis that excels in the drop shot dangle game is its NRX Jig and Worm Rod.
This is an ultra light option specifically designed for finesse fishing with soft plastics. It is extremely lightweight and sensitive. You will have no problems feeling every minute flutter of your lure as it is under the water. Believe it or not, but this can also affect the presentation of your lure. A lighter and more sensitive stick is going to give a better and a more lively presentation.
Because of these features, You will also find that not only is it a good soft plastic rod, but it works quite nicely as a drop shot rod.
One thing I will say about the NRX is that it isn’t a cheap rod. It comes at a very high price point.
However with that being said and with a name like G.Loomis that continues to produce high-quality products. You have the assurance that you are getting the best of the best when you purchase this as your go-to worming stick.
- Length: 6 feet 10 inches
- Lure Rating: 1/8 ounce to 1/2 ounce
- Action: Extra Fast
- Power: Medium Light
- Line: 6 to 10 pounds
If you are looking for light gear to detect those bites, but not ready to spend a lot of money you might want to check out the St. Croix Mojo Bass.
This rod is made from SCIII graphite that makes it both sensitive and lightweight. In fact, their website claims it is 15 percent lighter than previous models put on the market by St. Croix. Lightweight is important while on the water as it will be more comfortable to hold, but it also can affect the sensitivity.
Add all these great features to a name brand that knows how to make a good rod such as St. Croix and you have yourself a great stick.
Features
- Length: 6 feet 10 inches
- Lure Rating: 1/8 ounce to 1/2 ounce
- Action: Fast
- Power: Medium Light
- Line: 4 to 10 pounds
The next on our list of the best drop shot rod is the Lew’s Fishing Speed Stick Drop Shot
This rod is made with the best 85 million modulus graphite. What does 85 million modulus graphite even mean? It means that you have a rod that is extremely sensitive, but durable at the same time. In other words, something that is not going to break after taking a few hits.
Another great feature to this rod is the winn spilt grip. This unique grip makes it extremely comfortable to hold as well as giving you a little more grip when fishing those tough weather conditions.
If you are looking for a rod that is lighter, faster and stronger check out the Lew’s Fishing Speed Stick.
- Length: 7 feet 2 inches
- Lure Rating: 1/8 ounce to 3/8 ounce
- Action: Fast
- Line: 6 to 15 pounds
Another affordable option on the market is the Wright & McGill Skeet Reese.
When drop shot fishing I can’t emphasize enough the importance of having a rod that is sensitive. Detecting the drop shot bite can be tough.
In fact, many new fishermen to the drop shot scene may have a hard time distinguishing the bite. To capitalize on the smallest of bites you need a sensitive rod. That is exactly what this rod has to offer. Made from 3 layers of high modulus carbon wrapped around a graphite core helps to make it a sensitive stick.
I also liked what they did to make it even more lightweight, such as a split handle design feature. Some fishermen like this design, while others do not. Personally, I like it because it fits comfortably in the hand.
Learn more about this fishing pole in the following video:
Final Thoughts…
Have you tried drop shot fishing?
If not, you could definitely be missing out on catching some giants. However, this isn’t the type of fishing where you can just grab any rod/reel setup and start fishing. You need to have the right equipment.
In this post, we have discussed 6 fishing poles that we have found to be some of the best rods for drop shot fishing. All these options have a medium to medium light action, an extra to extra fast tip, and they come in at a good length of 7 feet long. Best of all they are all top quality and built to last.
Which one is your favorite? Please share with us your thoughts in the comments below.
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