Finesse rod

[Neilslure]

I am wanting a spinning rod and reel for finesse fishing, primarily Shaky heads and maybe some dropshoting.

I walked around Bass Pro Shops and liked the St Croix line of rods. What kind of action should I look for to handle 8lb test and throw 1/8 to 1/4 oz lures?

Also what is your choice of reel? I looked at a Pfleuger Trion and liked it, however I have heard that their durability is not the best. Shimano also had several nice reels.

Looking to spend no more than $200 for the whole shabbang

[flathead266]

My finesse setup's a medium lite 6' 8" spinning reel with a Okuma Inspira 2500. I've got it spooled with 8lb now, only because I ran out of my 6lb floro. I really like this setup for my dropshotting using 1/16th to 1/8th oz weight. Have brought in some monsters with it. 6+ plus, just takes some fighting and tiring fish down. My rods a Shimano Crucial by the way.

[JeremyL]

Man I ment to let you play with my two set ups!! One is a med-light stcroix and one is the med, one with a Okuma reel and one with a shimano. I like the 7ft rods some like 6'9", I even have one that is 7'6" I use it for open water, easier to set the hook with a bunch of line out with the longer rod!!

[shawn706]

I've got 2 Trions an like um, bought both of um used off e-bay, and havent had any problems.

[herbertrhudy]

dont laugh too hard::I only have right at 55$ tied up in mine and it feels like a 200$ rig to everyone thats ever looked at it!!
7' 1 piece med/lt abu rod(20$)Okuma AV20(35$) well over 100 fish on it from 6oz up to 4#

[OldAngler]

I recomment the G-Loomis DSR822S for both drop shot and shaky heads. This is not a wimphy rod, and I use it to catch fish all the way down to 45ft in Arizona waters.

http://products.gloomis.com/gl...01407

[LanierSpots]

Neilslure. For that kind of money, get you a St Croix Premier series, 6-0 medium fast if you are mostly fishing docks or a 6-6 medium fast action if you are fishing more offshore or points. I prefer the 6-0 medium myself.

You can hook it up with a stradic or Biomaster 2000 off ebay and you will be there. Stick with the 2000 or 2500 series spinning reels for finesse fishing.

That is a great combo and you can drop shot with it.

Ryan

[elmicko]

For about $55 you can get a Tica Libra spinning reel. Excellent for the money. I think it has 10 bearings and the drag is excellent. I have been using one for 4 years and love it.

[Ranger 361V]

I'm using a Fenwick Techna AV 7' mm.....Shimano Symetre 2500 spooled up with 8lb Floro. Works out good for Shaky Heads, whacky rigged trick worms, small jigs etc. Just my set up....

Tom,

[teelman]

Neil,

Go to Dicks in Cary. They have the Okuma Stratus GT reels for something like $39 bucks or so. Decent reel for the money and 9 ball bearings. I have 2 of them and love them. I've used them in saltwater and freshwater and have yet to have a problem.

Also, they have a 7' M St Croix Premier I've had my eye on for quite awhile. They did have a 7'ML at one time. Might be able to get one in the spring when they restock, or check other locations.

I'm using a 6'6"M St Croix Premier and really like it, but would prefer to have the 7'

Hope this helps

chad

[mikemac10]

For shakey heads I use a 6 1/2' medium or medium light action st. croix avid with a 1500 shimano symetre reel, would be around $220 retail but you could probably find the rod and/or the reel for less on ebay or on the swap/sell forums on here.

[Mark Perry]

I primarily use a St. Croix Avid AS70MF spinning rod. It is 7ft and works exceptionally well for drop shotting and shaky heads. Its a medium action with a fast tip. I use a Team Daiwa Exceler 3000 reel. I like the 3000 size as its not too big or too small. Just perfect size for my hands. The Excelere 2500 seems too small to me while the 3500 is too large. This splits the difference just fine.

[Ranger_man]

For shaky heads i use a 7,1 medium extra fast tip gloomis glx(that i go from ranger for free) with a shimano symetre 2500

[SM]

teelman...since you live in Fuquay....go see Chris at the Tackle Box...a rather new tackle store on Hwy 55 towards Holly Springs. He is a really good guy and sells BPS stuff for same or less than BPS does. He carrys a real good variety of all types of tackle. I have frequented his store often. Trying to get him hooked up with Hookers Tackle and a few other BBC sponsors for him to become a distributor.

[teelman]

Thanks for the tip. I've been there several times. I usually stop by there on the way to or from Harris. He's right on the way for me. I've picked up some stuff from his store, several times, in fact.

Getting ready to post my boat for sale there too

He has some pretty good stuff, decent selection on soft plastics. Has a great range of selection, from high end down to snoopy rods.

I found a color there, actually by Zoom, that I've never seen anywhere else, including Gander Mntn in Greensboro.

[bassboogieman]

I went crazy. I'm hooked on Kistler Heliums, can't help it. My finese spinning outfit is a HE70MS. 7', medium, fast tip LTA, very nice rod and I really enjoy using it. Have a Pflueger President reel, with 8# Yozuri Hybrid line, on it and it also doubles for drop shotting. I also use a baitcaster on occasion for finesse worms, a 6'-9" G-Blank rod (wish I could afford more LTA's but until that day this works), medium w/fast tip. Pflueger Supreme with 10# Yozuri Hybrid on that one. Thinking about changing the reel to the new Pflueger Summit next spring to lighten it up even more.

[capticeman]

Take a look at the team Daiwa X drop shot rods. 6-3 and 6-10 awesome light rods!! they will take care of all your finesse needs. my 6-3 rod is hard to put down. match it with a SS whisker 1300 TD reel light as all hell. just a darn nice setup. good luck!!

[ss454]

I'm sure this is going to sound strange but I use a Quantum Affinity 7' noodle action and Shimano Sahara 1000. This rod has so much whip you can cast beetle spins as far as you want but enough backbone to catch just about anything under 10lbs. I caught a 13lb catfish on it this past spring fishing in the shallows and it never missed a lick. I like having the option to use my rigs for more than one purpose.

[Neilslure]

I ended up getting a St. Croix PS66MF rod and a shimano Sahara 4000 reel. Opted for the bigger reel so I can use heavier line for certain applications.