Have a few questions. I've built one rod already and was surprised at how well it came out and performed. I'm noww going to attempt a dropshot rod and have the following questions:

1. I'm thinking about the rainshadow ISB822.5

2. Thoughts on guide sizes, height and spacing.

3. I'm thinking about Fuji SIC Titanium guides

4. Need advice on handle length

5. Need thoughts on a dropshot weight holder

6. I'm thinking about using a split handle w/exposed blank - pros/cons?

Any advice on the above questions as well as any other suggestions on dropshot rods would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Rob

1. I'm thinking about the rainshadow ISB822.5

I have built several of these and the are a nice blank, NOT made for throwing heavy lures, as the tips are thin...4.5 I think? So think lighter lures with this blank reguardless of its ratings

2. Thoughts on guide sizes, height and spacing.

I'd normally go 25, 12, 8, 6666-flys (depends on the reel as well)

3. I'm thinking about Fuji SIC Titanium guides

very nice guides, but I may go with the Baston Zirconium Ringed instead, depending on what you want

4. Need advice on handle length

ONLY YOU can make that decistion as YOU have to fish with it and it should be taylored to your wants and needed. Mine normally range from 7" up

5. Need thoughts on a dropshot weight holder

cant help you there as I wouldn't want one personally

6. I'm thinking about using a split handle w/exposed blank - pros/cons?

I make all my spinning rods split grips unless thats not what is wanted


DR

I've made about 6 dropshot rods on that blank. All have been split grip, with only a single exotic burl ring, turned down, for a foregrip. I make the handle according to what the customer wants, but try to the butt come to about 2" from his elbow when holding it normally.
As for guides, most have been made with Batson guides. I don't have the build sheets in front of me, but use 25mm stripper. I use the modified New Concept method in the library above, and make the intersection guide and all others to the tip 7mm fly guides. Just need to play around with the static testing to get them in the right place. I guess the Fuji titaniums would be a little lighter, but would also be pretty expensive.

This is a nice blank. Several people that have these say it is one of the most responsive rods they have ever used. And, it is pretty tough. One guy has caught a 22# saltwater drum and a 29# flathead catfish with his. He uses this rod for all sorts of purposes.

Steve Broadwell

Nice blanks for that purpose and some others also. I have one in casting and spinning. Very versatile blank.
The Pac Bay HLS or HLD hook latch may work for what you want. I think they are in the Misc, section of the Pac Bay site with the other hook keepers.

Rob
I live and fish near most of the central California foothill lakes, where dropshoting may be the #1 bass fishing technique. A blank I recommend to my customers is the rainshadow ISB841. Like most rainshadow blanks, this blank has more power than its stats would suggest. Hook sets are a non-issue as this blank has plenty of backbone. Yet the tip is soft enought to impart the proper action on the bait. IMHO
Merry Christmas
Jeff Helm
Riverbank ca.

Rob;
Sorry, I overlooked your question on the drop shot holder. I have made a few custom holders, sort of like the ones Kistler uses. I make them out of spinner bait wire. They work fairly well, but aren't perfect. I wish someone offered such a keeper - they are a pain to make!

Rob,
For info, I've got a few hook keepers left very similar to the Kistler type. They are made from the loops that are put into weight molds. My buddy found them and they come 100 in a package. There are a few mods that we make to them but them work perfect on bass rods. Shoot me an email and I'd be glad to send you a couple. Randy.

We carry a drop-shot hookkeeper.


Bob McKamey -- Custom Tackle Supply