I've managed to hack my way through several fly rods, and a few casting rods, but I've yet to do a spinning rod. So, my next intended project is to craft one specifically for drop shotting. What I'm wondering is if some of the XFast blanks by St.Croix or Shikari are good for drop shotting, or should I stick to a more moderate action? I currently use a pretty cheap rod for drop shotting, but pretty often I wish I had a bit more sensitivity....but I still don't want to spend a lot for this project. What are some good options?

Thanks,

Mike

I love the X-fast st.croix blanks both the 5C68MXF and the 4CMLXF. I use the 5C68MXF all the time and can't wait to use my new blue guy. To save money the SCIII blanks are great blanks for the money. Also All Star makes some great X-fast light blanks that are on clearance from Custom Rodbuilders Supply. I'd give Mr. Snedden a call and see what he has left.

Rainshadow has two blanks specifically designed for the drop shot. They have one in the RX series and one in the Forecast series . Both X-FAST and MED POWER. Might want to give them a look

Just built a rod on a Cabela's X-fast tip blank, it has a matrix butt, beautiful green color and fast and extremely sensitive, customer is going to use it for crappie ( large Mississippi type) and bass. Price was right on the blank. You will find it listed in their new catalog, I believe in the IM-7 section. When you call the order in they will inform you that the blank has been changed to a matrix butt.

Mike,
You'll seriously want to consider the St. Croix drop shot blank model 4C69MLXF or it's SCIII counterpart model 3C69MLXF. These blanks were designed specifically to fulfill the ideal for bass drop shotting.

Rich Garbowski
Richard's Rod & Reel

email: info@rodreel.com
807-486-0514

I have a dropshot rod built on the St. Croix 3C69MLXF blank and it works well with medium to large dropshot baits. I also have a "finesse dropshot" rod built on a Shikari SHII P7000 blank. This blank is XF with a very light tip for picking up soft bites with light line and small baits. The blank is 7', but I cut mine down to 6'9". This rod has done extremely well for me this spring in the colder water temperatures.

Batson Enterprises - Rainshadow/Forecast Drop Shot Blank ISB822.5 ( Matte Clear or Olive Green ) RX7 graphite. or SB822.5 ( Clear Gloss ) RX6 graphite. Both blanks are Xtra Fast. To see all the specs on them go to www.batsonenterprises.com. These were specifically designed for this application. If you have any questions please feel free to contact one of our many Authorized distributors or us.
Thank you for all the support..

Bill Batson
CEO
Batson Enterprises
Rainshadow/Forecast
877-875-2381
wbatson@olypen.com
www.batsonenterprises.com

I would recommend the Skikari P03, or the P7000 for super finesse DS applications. If you check out the rods reels board at wmi.org/bassfish there is a ton of discussion on DS blanks.

Scott Sheets

The Croix MLXF is a very unique blank. I absolutely hate the MXF but the MLXF is a different story. When approached about building a dropshot rod I looked at quite a few blanks looking for that desired hinged action. Two years ago there was really nothing out there that was made for it. I ended up using the 3S76MLXF cut down at the but to the desired length...usually 7ft. It turned out to be an awesome rod and many used it. Now Croix has come out with the 6'9" MLXF which is basically the same thing.

George Roth who's a builder who hangs on the BFHP site has switched to the Shikari P7000 which he feels is a bit lighter and has a better tip than the MLXF. Although I have not yet built one on this blank I certainly defer to his judgement.

The key to dropshot blanks is that dual taper hinged action.