I'm looking for a 6'8" to 7'2" drop shot rod blank for pond fishing and possibly kayak fishing in the future.

I built a ML Fast Rainshadow Immortal 6'8" thinking that it would have a similarly soft tip, but found it to be too stiff for drop shot. However, it's a great Ned Rig(1/10oz head), shaky head, or wacky rig rod, so I will be keeping it.

I've searched around the forum for recommendations and found varying opinions and preferences on drop shot rods and wanted to see if anyone had a recommendation for my specific use.

I bank fish at a very pressured public pond within walking distance from my house and the only effective techniques in most cases are finesse or flies.

The banks have overhanging trees, so I tend to prefer between 6'6" to 7' rod length, with preference for 6'8" or 6'10".

I use 10 or 15 lb Daiwa J-Braid x8 on a Daiwa Tatula LT 2500 on the Immortal 6'8" ML and am planning on buying either a Daiwa Tatula LT 2000 or 2500 with 10 lb braid and 6 or 8 lb co-polymer or flurocarbon leader using a 12 to 15 turn Alberto knot.

For terminal tackle, I will be using 1/8oz tungsten weights in most cases, going up to 3/16oz only when the wind gets bad, and dropping down to 1/16 oz if using a bigger plastic bait than usual. I use the Zoom Tiny Flukes in most cases, but sometimes improvise with finesse worms or cut off sections of worms.

Here are the blanks that I've looked at:
-American Tackle Bushido Drop Shot DS69/4-10
-Rainshadow Immortal IMMS72ML and cut off 2-4 inches off the butt section
-Rainshadow Revelation REVS610MLXF

I'm leaning towards the Revelation or Immortal more than the Bushido as of now, but I wanted some opinions.

My budget for the whole build is around $150 to $200. If I end up with a cheaper blank, I'll go for titanium Alconite or SiC Fuji KL-H KR Concept Guides starting with 16H - 8H - 5.5M - 4.5 runners and tiptop. If I end up with a more expensive blank, I may do a hybrid of Titanium and Stainless Fuji Alconite Guides.

When tying drop-shot rigs do you use circle hooks or "J" hooks? My experience is when I'm bait fishing I get more hook-ups and a lot fewer gut or gill - hooked fish when I use circle hooks. All I have to do is crank them in and release them alive and mostly unharmed if they're too small.

I use mosquito hooks for the smaller baits when I want the soft plastic to swing freely or throwing it next to a dock piling. If I want to throw it next to or along a weed edge, I'll often throw it on a 1/0 or size 1 EWG or a worm hook and Texas rig it.

I think all of the blanks you are considering will work OK. Bushidos and Revelations are at what I consider the sweet spot in the price vs value curve. I have the Immortal without shortening and have used it for Neds especially, also a little drop shot. I think a little faster action with a little more power would be better for drop shot. Once you get past the soft tip you want a good backbone. The XF action implies that. If I were choosing I think I would go REV. I haven't built the one you are considering, but other Rainshadow RX7's and Revelations perform like higher priced blanks.

You can write Batson-they have plenty of time now to respond to emails.

Michael,

Thank you for your input on the Immortal! That's exactly the type of feedback I was hoping to get.

I had a chance to talk to Karry Batson over the phone a few days ago and he suggested the REV610MLXF over the Immortal as well. He suggested the Immortal for fishing open water rather than from the bank. He also suggested their ML Inshore blank for people who prefer moderate fast tapers.

The REV610MLXF blank weighs in at a featherlight 1.5oz, so I'm leaning towards the REV rather than the Bushido which weighs in at 1.72 at an inch shorter.

Do you have any feedback on the titanium guides rather than stainless on a drop shot rod? My thinking was that since my rod tip is pointed up 90% of the time that I'm fishing a drop shot, I would probably want a very light tip to make the rod balance towards the butt more. Seems like the Titanium SiC guides will cost me about 90-100 dollars including tip top. That's a bit more than the blank itself, so I'm wondering if it's worth it to spend that much rather than a standard SS Alconite guides which would only cost me 40 including a titanium sic tiptop.

I may call back to Batson or email them to ask more about the REV610MLXF blank.

Have you looked further? There are two blanks that would fit your needs, the United Composites UC66LXF and UC70LXF. Both are durable with the Dual Helix construction, enough for kayak use without much concern, my 66 has been doing it for 15 years. Both have just a bit less power in the butt like you wanted. Both are rated 2 to 10 lbs line, 1/32 - 5/16 oz lures.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/2020 10:56AM by Spencer Phipps.

It is my opinion that the titanium vs stainless weight difference on the small guides used on a rod like this, like 4 mm KB's and KT's for the Fuji KR lineup is inconsequential. I will use titaniums on inshore rods primarily used in salt water, but not often on fresh water rods. I use only Fuji KR guides-they look like jewelry and have never failed me. For this rod the KLH16, KLH8, KL5.5M as you state would be the appropriate reduction train. While there is little difference between 4's and 4.5's, I use 4's on most spin rods. If you have not already, go the the Anglers Resource web site and use the software to locate your reduction train, the KR software , not the NGC.

Relative to salt water, the Fuji Corrosion Control guides are fine for salt and are available with different finishes and ring materials. What I generally use are alconites for the guides and SIC for the tiptop. It's the only "guide" that will ever tend to groove.

Spencer,

Looks like I can't find those rods in stock at the retailers. Angler's Workshop and Getbit both have a couple week wait for them to custom order it.

Spencer Phipps Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Have you looked further? There are two blanks that
> would fit your needs, the United Composites
> UC66LXF and UC70LXF. Both are durable with the
> Dual Helix construction, enough for kayak use
> without much concern, my 66 has been doing it for
> 15 years. Both have just a bit less power in the
> butt like you wanted. Both are rated 2 to 10 lbs
> line, 1/32 - 5/16 oz lures.

Michael,

I did visit anglersresource and go through the KR software to determine the guide sizes. Thank you for the suggestions on the guides. I felt like I was being a bit ridiculous buying guides that are more expensive than the blank. I've changed my order to KLH16 SS Alconite, KLH8 SS Alconite, KL5.5M Titanium SiC, 4.5KB Ti SIC, 4.5KT Ti SiC runners, with 4.5 Ti SIC LG Tiptop. Just replacing the 16H stripper and the 8H reduced my cost by 25 dollars or so.

I chose to go with the Titanium the rest of the way because Mudhole doesn't have the 5.5M in Polished SS alconite in stock and I figured that the weight is more important towards the end due to the fulcrum than it is closer to the reel. I chose 4.5s for the braid to leader connection. I'm sure the 10lb braid to 6lb fluro Alberto knot goes through 4mm runners, but I had bad experiences with a true 4mm micro guide equipped casting rod(with higher lb test) when I was starting to bass fish. I'm a bit paranoid about the true micros.

Michael Danek Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It is my opinion that the titanium vs stainless
> weight difference on the small guides used on a
> rod like this, like 4 mm KB's and KT's for the
> Fuji KR lineup is inconsequential. I will use
> titaniums on inshore rods primarily used in salt
> water, but not often on fresh water rods. I use
> only Fuji KR guides-they look like jewelry and
> have never failed me. For this rod the KLH16,
> KLH8, KL5.5M as you state would be the appropriate
> reduction train. While there is little difference
> between 4's and 4.5's, I use 4's on most spin
> rods. If you have not already, go the the Anglers
> Resource web site and use the software to locate
> your reduction train, the KR software , not the
> NGC.
>
> Relative to salt water, the Fuji Corrosion Control
> guides are fine for salt and are available with
> different finishes and ring materials. What I
> generally use are alconites for the guides and SIC
> for the tiptop. It's the only "guide" that will
> ever tend to groove.

Paul, one thing about micros on spinning rods versus casting rods is, if your leader connection knot happens to hang up a little in one of the guides on a spinning rod, it's not going to back lash your reel all to heck.

Paul...I use almost this exact set-up for my smallmouth adventures.

15lb J-Braid on the 2000LT with 6-8lb leader. I went up to the 2500LT for my 7'2-7'3 rods.

I built my rod on the Bushido DS69/4-10 and love it. I used fuji KH16/8 then 5M and 4.5 or 5 runners. Alconite.

The blank is fantastic. Straight. Sensitive. Soft tip but not floppy. Tough. Nice wall/backbone.

I would venture that I go with a 1/8oz jig/ned/DS about 90% of the time.

If, well when I break it, I would no doubt go back with the same blank.

Paul Park Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> I use 10 or 15 lb Daiwa J-Braid x8 on a Daiwa
> Tatula LT 2500 on the Immortal 6'8" ML and am
> planning on buying either a Daiwa Tatula LT 2000
> or 2500 with 10 lb braid and 6 or 8 lb co-polymer
> or flurocarbon leader using a 12 to 15 turn
> Alberto knot.
>

I went ahead and bought the following. I'll try to remember to update this post when I finish the build and go fishing a few times.

Blank
-Rainshadow Revelation REV610MLXF
Guides
-Fuji KL-H KR Concept 16H - 8H - 5.5M - KB4.5 - KT4.5x5 - 4.5LG tiptop
Seat
-Fuji DPSD 16 Seat
-Fuji KDPS 16 Hoods

I'm trying to mimic Kistler's grip layout with no winding checks, focusing on a clean, utilitarian build.

I do really enjoy drop shotting as it's so effective in the pressured ponds. I may even build another with the Bushido blank with the alconite guides for a kayak rod eventually.

Thank you all for the feedback!

I build a MH worm rod on at revelation and my buddy loves it. you will have yourself a great rod.

With 15 pound test braid and 15 pound test leader even a double uni will pass through 4mm micros well, but if you want to be super safe, learn the FG knot. The smallest and strongest knot for leader to braid. Not a piece of cake, but can be done with practice.

With 15 pound test braid and 15 pound test leader even a double uni will pass through 4mm micros well, but if you want to be super safe, learn the FG knot. The smallest and strongest knot for leader to braid. Not a piece of cake, but can be done with practice.

Take a look at BC Grey corrosion control frames, I love the look. By the way, sounds like a great rod. Less is more.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/26/2020 08:06PM by Lynn Behler.

Paul....keep us in the loop on this build.

I love the 6’8-6’10 ML slot for my smallmouth rods.

If they are a little soft for my liking, I have a trout/walleye rod...a little stiff and I have a great tube/fluke rod.



Paul Park Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I went ahead and bought the following. I'll try
> to remember to update this post when I finish the
> build and go fishing a few times.
>
> Blank
> -Rainshadow Revelation REV610MLXF
> Guides
> -Fuji KL-H KR Concept 16H - 8H - 5.5M - KB4.5 -
> KT4.5x5 - 4.5LG tiptop
> Seat
> -Fuji DPSD 16 Seat
> -Fuji KDPS 16 Hoods
>
> I'm trying to mimic Kistler's grip layout with no
> winding checks, focusing on a clean, utilitarian
> build.
>
> I do really enjoy drop shotting as it's so
> effective in the pressured ponds. I may even
> build another with the Bushido blank with the
> alconite guides for a kayak rod eventually.
>
> Thank you all for the feedback!

I also like the less is more, i do not like to add weight unless I need to. Really have fallen in love with Baston Rapid Speed Spin MVT Toray reel seat.

Consider building on an North Fork Composites blank. Given your price constraints, I would look at the IM or the Delta series.

For an IM blank: [northforkcomposites.com] (about $106 shipped)

For a Delta blank: [northforkcomposites.com]

Manufactured in USA.

Thank You,
Alex

Too late, did not realize that the price in cart is different from the price listed. I thought NFC blanks were way outside of my price range. I may look into one for a casting rod soon.