Best Drop Shot Rods for Bass Fishing
Three spinning rods for drop shotting bass, from the Abu Garcia Vendetta I fish to a Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS, plus what I look for in a drop shot rod.
The short answer
For drop shotting I want a 7 foot spinning rod in medium to medium-light with a fast or extra-fast tip, so I can feel subtle bites and still land big fish. I fish the Abu Garcia Vendetta 7' medium and would switch to a medium light if I could. The Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS is the researched pick for anglers who want a rod built for finesse and drop shot.
Top picks at a glance
| Product | Length | Power and action | Line rating | Lure rating | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The one I fish Abu Garcia Vendetta 7' Medium Fast Spinning Rod | 7' | Medium, fast | 6-12 lb | 3/16-5/8 oz | Check price (Vendetta 7' Medium Fast Spinning Rod, affiliate link, opens in a new tab) |
| The power I would pick (not fished) Abu Garcia Vendetta 6'9" Medium Light Fast Spinning Rod | 6'9" | Medium light, fast | 6-10 lb | 1/8-1/2 oz | Check price (Vendetta 6'9" Medium Light Fast Spinning Rod, affiliate link, opens in a new tab) |
| Built for drop shot (researched, not fished) Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS Finesse/Dropshot 7'1" Medium | 7'1" | Medium, fast | 6-12 lb | 1/8-1/2 oz | Check price (Tatula Elite AGS Finesse/Dropshot 7'1" Medium, affiliate link, opens in a new tab) |
Abu Garcia Vendetta 7' Medium Fast Spinning Rod
Best for: Drop shotting with room to fish other presentations
My drop shot rod. A fast tip lets me feel subtle bites, and there is enough backbone to land big fish. It is lighter than my Ugly Stik, so my arm lasts longer. Hands-on pick.
Pros
- Fast tip shows me the subtle bites
- Enough backbone for big fish
- Lighter than my Ugly Stik, so I tire slower
- Rated for my 10 lb line and 3/8 oz weight
Cons
- Medium is a middle-of-the-road power; I would pick medium light for pure drop shotting
Abu Garcia Vendetta 6'9" Medium Light Fast Spinning Rod
Best for: Drop shotting with lighter weights and line
The medium light in the same Vendetta family. Medium light is the power I would choose for drop shotting if I swapped rods, and this is the only medium light Vendetta I could find. I have not fished it, so this entry rests on the manufacturer specs and my experience with the 7' medium.
Pros
- Medium light is my preferred power for drop shotting
- Same Vendetta line as the rod I fish
- Rated for light weights and small baits
Cons
- Shorter than the 7' I use, though length matters less to me than power
- My 10 lb line sits at the top of its rating
Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS Finesse/Dropshot 7'1" Medium
Best for: Anglers who want a rod made for finesse and drop shot
A Daiwa spinning rod listed specifically for finesse and drop shot, with lightweight carbon-framed Air Guide System guides. I have not fished it, so this entry rests on retailer specs and brand reputation. Model TTEL711MFS-AGS.
Pros
- Listed as a Finesse/Dropshot rod
- Air Guide System guides that Daiwa says are lighter and more sensitive
- Rated 6-12 lb line and 1/8-1/2 oz, which covers my setup
Cons
- Medium power, not the medium light I prefer
- One reviewer found it sensitive but thought the action was not ideal for drop shotting
A drop shot rod has two jobs. It has to let you feel subtle bites, and it has to have enough backbone to land a big fish once you set the hook. I fish with a 7 foot rod in medium to medium-light with a fast or extra-fast tip, and every rod on this page is built around that idea.
A quick note on how I wrote this
I fish the Abu Garcia Vendetta 7’ medium myself, so that entry comes from my own use. The other two rods rest on manufacturer specs, retailer listings and brand reputation, and I say so each time.
What I look for in a drop shot rod
- Length: I like about 7 feet. Length is not a big factor for me, though.
- Power: medium to medium-light. Medium light is what I would choose for drop shotting, and medium is the more versatile middle-of-the-road pick.
- Action: fast or extra fast, so the tip shows me the bite.
- Weight: a light rod. My Ugly Stik was fine for drop shotting, but it is heavy, and I tired faster with it than with the lighter Vendetta.
Abu Garcia Vendetta 7’ medium: the one I fish
I use this rod for my drop shot setup: 10 lb braid, a 10 lb fluorocarbon leader and a 3/8 oz weight. The rod is rated for 6 to 12 lb line and 3/16 to 5/8 oz lures, so that setup sits comfortably in range. If I could swap it for a medium light, I would, but the medium is a solid all-rounder. You can see how I rig and fish it in my drop shot guide.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Abu Garcia Vendetta 6’9” medium light: the power I would pick
Abu Garcia does not make a 7’ medium light Vendetta, so the 6’9” is the medium light I could find. It is rated 6 to 10 lb line and 1/8 to 1/2 oz lures, which suits drop shotting and smaller baits. I have not fished it. If you want the lighter touch I prefer, it is the one to look at, and you can see it in my finesse spinning combos too.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS Finesse/Dropshot: built for it
This 7’1” medium fast rod (model TTEL711MFS-AGS) is sold specifically as a finesse and drop shot rod. Its carbon-framed Air Guide System guides are lighter and more rigid than standard guides, according to Daiwa. It is rated for 6 to 12 lb line and 1/8 to 1/2 oz lures, so my 10 lb line and 3/8 oz weight fit. I have never fished it. One reviewer found it sensitive but thought the action was not ideal for drop shotting, so treat it as a rod to research further rather than a sure thing.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)What about the premium rods?
The G. Loomis GLX Dropshot rods have a reputation as some of the best drop shot rods you can buy. I have never fished one, so I am not recommending a specific model here. That reputation comes from other anglers’ reviews, and the rods cost far more than the three above.
How to choose
- Pick medium light for pure drop shotting, or medium if you want one rod for other presentations too.
- Look for a fast or extra-fast tip.
- Keep the rod light, because you will hold it for hours.
- Check the line and lure ratings against your setup. Mine are 10 lb line and a 3/8 oz weight.
- Pair it with the right reel. My spinning vs baitcaster comparison explains why I drop shot on spinning gear.
Specs come from manufacturer and retailer tables. Only the Abu Garcia Vendetta 7’ medium entry reflects my own use. The Amazon pages cover several models, so confirm the length, power and model number before ordering.
For more spinning rods, see best spinning rods for bass.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best rod for drop shotting?
I like a 7 foot spinning rod with medium to medium-light power and a fast or extra-fast tip. It lets me feel subtle bites and still has the backbone to land big fish.
Is medium or medium light better for drop shot?
Length matters less to me than power, so I would pick medium light for drop shotting. Medium is a good middle-of-the-road setup if you want to use the same rod for other presentations.
Should I use a spinning or baitcasting rod for drop shot?
I drop shot on spinning gear, and a lighter spinning rod lets me feel the bites. If you are weighing spinning against a baitcaster, my spinning vs baitcaster comparison covers it.
Which rod do you drop shot with?
The Abu Garcia Vendetta 7' medium fast spinning rod, with 10 lb braid, a 10 lb fluorocarbon leader and a 3/8 oz weight.
Does rod weight matter for drop shotting?
It did for me. My Ugly Stik was fine, but it is heavy, and I tired faster with it than with the lighter Vendetta.