Last Updated on January 10th, 2021
Best Drop Shotting Rod: Editors Choice – Only Top Models Reviewed
Hottest Picks
How We Found the drop shotting rod
10 Experts Interviewed
30 Drop Shotting Rods Tested
HOW WE DECIDED
We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.
30
Models Considered
58
Hours Researched
10
Experts Interviewed
124
Consumers Consulted
BOTTOM LINE
The Shakespeare brand brought this Ugly Stik GX2 to the fishing community in 2013 as a new modern redesign of the ugly stik series.
Compared with the original first realised version, this one is an absolute improvement.
Now it is a remarkable rod with a sensitive handle that allows you to detect smaller catches and its materials contain more graphite and less fiberglass, that make this rod tough to handle heavier catches and more durable.
The Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite is another high quality pole to match your reel, it comes among the world’s best fishing poles on the marketplace these days in its category.
This product is flexible and compatible with different kinds of lines. It is using 35% more graphite than the GX2 to give even more strength and sensitivity.
This graphite structure provides the stik an above average strength but retains the overall weight.
St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rods are built to St. Croix’s exacting standards, crafted on premium SCII graphite blank and finished with 2 coats of proprietary Flex-Coat cure.
The Triumph features black-frame guides with hard aluminum-oxide inserts and a Fuji DPS
and offer super light and crisp performance from a really well balanced rod.
Fenwick is a company that exists on the fishing equipment market for over 60 years and their products have been tested through the years and have always proven their worth.
Fenwick Eagle Fishing Rod comes as a new rebranded model of Fenwicks GT, but like a budget-friendly model.
Built using stainless steel guides with stainless steel inserts, these rods are lightweight and corrosion resistant, which makes them easy to operate with.
St. Croix Mojo launches another excellent choice for your drop shot rig. The St. Croix Mojo Inshore is a medium-power, fast-action rod made with St. Croix’s popular SCII graphite.
The line guides are constructed from corrosion-resistant 316 stainless steel to ensure that rest will undoubtedly be a secondary concern.
The superior-high-quality SCII Graphite imbibes in this rod the responsiveness you need to identify one of the pickiest strikes.
PROS
- Single piece stainless steel line guides
- Great durability
- 7-years warranty
- Easy for packing
- Multiple weight options
- Budget-friendly
- Strong and durable
- Strong tip
- Easy to use
- Versatile for dropshot
- Multiple weight options
- Budget-friendly
- SCII graphite blanks
- Designed on standards
- Fuji DPS reel seat
- Premium-grade cork handle
- Aluminum oxide guide inserts
- 5 year warranty
- Moderate-Fast action
- Stainless steel guides with stainless steel inserts
- Multiple length options
- Hook keepers on each rod
- Durable and well-made
- Lightweight
- Saltwater rated
- Good weight and rod balance
- Easy casting
- High sensitivity
CONS
- The guidelines are not always perfectly placed
- Heavier than similar rods
- Flexibility issues
- Heavier than other rods
- More expensive than other rods
- Needs frequent resetting
- Soft backbone
- Rod has more whip and less backbone
Why Trust FishingLab
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If you are new to drop shot fishing, well, you will definitely need to read on and see which is the best drop shotting rod.
Dropshot fishing can be a bit intimidating to learn, but once you have the basic knowledge and the equipment it is easy to tie one up and start getting the drop on the bass in your local lakes and rivers.
In this guide we will show you what you need to know about the best rods, hooks, and best fish finders at the best value for the money, and as well to learn the simplest and most effective way to drop shot fishing.
Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Fishing Rod
Best of the best
Bottom Line
The Shakespeare brand brought this Ugly Stik GX2 to the fishing community in 2013 as a new modern redesign of the ugly stik series.
Compared with the original first realised version, this one is an absolute improvement.
Now it is a remarkable rod with a sensitive handle that allows you to detect smaller catches and its materials contain more graphite and less fiberglass, that make this rod tough to handle heavier catches and more durable.
PROS
- Single piece stainless steel line guides
- Great durability
- 7-years warranty
- Easy for packing
- Multiple weight options
- Budget-friendly
CONS
- The guidelines are not always perfectly placed
- Heavier than similar rods
Summary
The GX2 spinning rod comes in various sizes and weights, available in ultra-light, medium, medium-heavy, and heavy versions and a 6½- to 7-foot long.
You can choose the one that you need, depending on the type of water you are fishing in and the catches that are your target.
The Ugly Stik GX2 has its best feature for their versatility and durability. The flexible tip gives the added versatility and its one-piece stainless steel guides provides the durability while eliminating insert popouts.
The Shakespeare company gives a 7-year warranty for this model, what is the most that any manufacturers give in this category.
When comparing to shimano and penn one year warranty, this comes as a great advantage, even than other Shakespeare products.
Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Fishing Rod
Best for the Price
Bottom Line
The Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite is another high quality pole to match your reel, it comes among the world's best fishing poles on the marketplace these days in its category.
This product is flexible and compatible with different kinds of lines. It is using 35% more graphite than the GX2 to give even more strength and sensitivity.
These boat spotlights are super bright. They clock in at 1360 lumens of pure white, LED light. You can see crisply and clearly in the dark with no warm, yellow tint to it.
PROS
- Strong and durable
- Strong tip
- Easy to use
- Versatile for dropshot
- Multiple weight options
- Budget-friendly
CONS
- Flexibility issues
- Heavier than other rods
Summary
This graphite structure provides the stik an above average strength but retains the overall weight.
The handles of this model are easy to grip and allow you comfort as fishing can get exhausting at times, assuring that the hooks will also be sturdy, making them dependable.
There are single piece stainless steel line guides in this model that make sure the guides don’t slip or pop out, no matter what kind of line you are using.
The Tip design is very sensitive and can feel even a tiny bite, that can improve efficiency in reaction time.
This model also comes in various size and weight options, with a range from 4’6′ to 7’6.
These rods have been known to last long with a basic care routine.
There is a 7-years warranty for this Shakespeare model like the GX2 and the price is very affordable
St Croix Triumph Spinning Rods
Bottom Line
St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rods are built to St. Croix's exacting standards, crafted on premium SCII graphite blank and finished with 2 coats of proprietary Flex-Coat cure.
The Triumph features black-frame guides with hard aluminum-oxide inserts and a Fuji DPS
and offer super light and crisp performance from a really well balanced rod.
PROS
- SCII graphite blanks
- Designed on standards
- Fuji DPS reel seat
- Premium-grade cork handle
- Aluminum oxide guide inserts
- 5 year warranty
CONS
- More expensive than other rods
Summary
The SCII graphite construction provides incredible strength, sensitivity and hook-setting power. While the Fuji DPS reel seat and finely tuned actions and tapers ensure enhanced performance, and two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish increase durability.
The premium grade cork handles also give you more comfort with St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rods and ensure you maintain a strong grip on your fishing rod.
There is a 5-years product warranty from the company on this product and multiple weight options and sizes, yet they hold a decent price.
Fenwick Eagle Spinning Fishing Rod
Bottom Line
Fenwick is a company that exists on the fishing equipment market for over 60 years and their products have been tested through the years and have always proven their worth.
Fenwick Eagle Fishing Rod comes as a new rebranded model of Fenwicks GT, but like a budget-friendly model.
PROS
- Moderate-Fast action
- Stainless steel guides with stainless steel inserts
- Multiple length options
- Hook keepers on each rod
- Durable and well-made
- Lightweight
CONS
- Needs frequent resetting
- Soft backbone
Summary
Built using stainless steel guides with stainless steel inserts, these rods are lightweight and corrosion resistant, which makes them easy to operate with.
Fenwick Eagle rod’s tip is very soft and sensitive.
The hook keeper and rod butt are added features to the Eagle rods that make them different from other rods.
The Eagle series have a wide range of length options between 6-feet and 8-feet, that allows you to have access to a wide range of quality rods to match your comfort level.
The graphite blank provides a good mix of lightweight feel and durable strength. Burled cork rod grips help keep handling this rod comfortable, especially during long waits during fishing.
Both the rod and its guides show longevity and they offer 5-years of warranty on this model.
St Croix Mojo Inshore Spinning Rods
Bottom Line
St. Croix Mojo launches another excellent choice for your drop shot rig. The St. Croix Mojo Inshore is a medium-power, fast-action rod made with St. Croix's popular SCII graphite.
The line guides are constructed from corrosion-resistant 316 stainless steel to ensure that rest will undoubtedly be a secondary concern.
PROS
- Saltwater rated
- Good weight and rod balance
- Easy casting
- High sensitivity
CONS
- Rod has more whip and less backbone
Summary
The superior-high-quality SCII Graphite imbibes in this rod the responsiveness you need to identify one of the pickiest strikes.
St. Croix Mojo’s rod power is medium light/heavy and its lengths lie in the range of 7 feet to 7 feet 6 inches.
The split grip cork handles are comfortable in your hand while giving you options for extra torque when you need it to haul in that trophy that will make your wife fall in love with you all over again.
The rod consists of a Fuji DPS reel seat, and tough aluminum-oxide line guides with corrosion-resistant frameworks, premium-grade cork.
The company gives a justified price for its features and a 5-year warranty, but still requires you to take proper care of this pole.
FAQ
What is dropshot fishing?
Drop shotting is a high finesse technique for fishing plastic baits, and consists of a small thin-wire hook with a weight attached to the tag end of the line.
Usually the bait is fished by letting the weight hit the bottom and then shaking the lure by twitching the rod.
How do you retrieve a dropshot?
Try a split or slip rig they both work very well being dragged slowly.
After the drop shot weight is on the bottom, hold the rod upright about 2 o’clock position and don’t move it or just move the rod tip with tiny shakes against the slack line for about 30 seconds, then drag it about 2 feet and repeat.
How to tie a drop shot?
While holding the overhand knot between thumb and forefinger, pass the end of the loop over the hook.
Slide loop to above eye of hook. Pull on both standing lines and tag end to tighten down the knot onto the eye of the hook. Now the feed tag ends back through the hook eye from above.
Final Verdict: The Best Drop Shotting Rod
When choosing a drop shot rod that fits your style of fishing you need to consider its length, power and action.
Getting this right means matching the sensitivity of the rod tip to the correct line and lure rating that you will be using. Sensitivity is definitely key when it comes to buying a good drop shot rod.
Graphite rod blanks make the best rods for drop shotting as they have a much better taper and allow for a quicker tip section.
In combination with drop shot rod and reel setup and best fish finder with best fish finder GPS combo you are ready to go.
The best rod length for drop shots will be between 6’6″ and 7′ long, pole for someone who is 5’6’ will be different length as for someone who is 6’4’.
Shorter rods are a little bit more sensitive and can detect more touches on the tip, that way you can react faster.
The advantage that a longer rod will give you is a longer range of distance and it can also take up more line quicker when you are striking.
Power is basically how heavy a lure or line that the rod has been built to perform best with.
A medium/light or a medium power rated rod for drop shotting is crucial to getting the right rod for line rated in the 6 to 12 lbs range.
These figures are always quoted in ranges so there is a little crossover between each of the powers at either end.
Lighter techniques require a lighter rod. An ultralight rod however would just be too light and not really suitable for bass fishing.
Rod action defines where on the rod blank the natural bend in the rod tip will start to form when you weight the line.
A fast action rod will bend higher up in the top one third of the rod blank whereas a more moderate or slow action rod will bend lower down towards the middle of the rod and the reel seat.
Faster action rod blanks will set the hook quicker and feel a lot more sensitive in your hand. They also load up well when you are trying to cast light lures.
We like to share product recommendations with you and hope you like them! Just to make you aware FishingLab may collect a small share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
I love to write for readers with a genuine interest in enjoying the fishing. Hence, I started this blog to provide you guides so that you can have a better and more pleasant fishing experience.
James Williams
Staff | FishingLab
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We like to share product recommendations with you and hope you like them! Just to make you aware FishingLab may collect a small share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.