for money rods. I know the Tackleshack has a fantastic deal for dropshots at the moment (I know because I bought one yesterday).

haha shame its so far away :( but i got a heap of vouchers for gotone (my local tackleshop) today for my birthday so i think ill go get one on payday :D if you dont mind me asking what do they normaly retail for?

Most people rate them pretty well for their segment. Think they are usually on the order of $100. (I think they do one set up with a grey rod and then pro ones for a fair bit more). You wont have a problem with the raiders though. Best to try them out in the shop and see which one you like better.

Go see mark at gotone mate, he will stear you in the right direction.

yeh thanks doush ill be going to see him on friday just wanted to see what people who fish with them think :)

I'm chasing a Berkley dropshot Tournament Pro Snapper Spin 6-8KG but cant find any for love or money. Honsu told me he thought they were not making them anymore. But I'm still looking.

Cheers
Dale

The dropshots are a heap better than the raiders, very good for the money they are a good introductory plastics rod

double post*

on what line class rod you are looking at?

2-4kg huggy

dont get a 6-8kg for a 2-4kg line class it will feel like a broom stick on all the fish you will be chasing on 2-4kg.

yeh i was going to go the 2-4kg rod. its only going to be for bream, whiting and the odd flathead no need to go any higher.

if budget allows it, t-curve would be somewhere near the top of my list ($220)

if you can live with a one piece 7'2 one piece rod a starlostix tournament pro lite ($180) is well appointed

Other options include Daiwa Tierra ($150) and Live Fibre bream rods ($100). There are more, but you get the idea.

All prices are from memory, so they may be out but I think they'll be close. I'd take the reel you intend using into the shop and stick it on as many rods in your budget and scope as you can to see which one feels right - if it feels awkward or unbalanced, dont buy it.

the dropshot (series II) IM6 tends to be stiffer than the raider, although the dropshot tournament IM7 is more supple but at around $170 is more $$ but a better blank.

I predominatly use my dropshot for deep, say 5-10m, SP work in the blackwood for example, while the raider for lighter stuff to say 4m. However I use the dropshot offshore for light plastics and it handles fish no problem and the stiffer blank hepls at depth obviuosly

Thats just me though.

I have used the tournament and it is very nice for the money.

the trion is worth a look.  

i was looking at buying a bream rod too.

just wondering; would these rods would be suitable for small hardbody lures too?

Perfect for small hardbodys

I can second the tierra and the tcurve :) Got both of em

then they will be fine.

my two HB's are 7'6" 2-4kg raider but I like this lenght as I am 6'4" and it throws a mean light lure with good accuracy. My other HB rod is a plueger Trion 2-4kg which for the money as it was the cheapest is just dynamite. I really like the spilt grip.

For HB's the dropshot IM6 2-4kg is just a little stiff and not supple enough in the tip to feel/work lures. the Tournament 2-4kg is better though but more expensive.

the raider 1-4kg is good for HB's bt I use mine for SP.

as huggy says if you have more $$ then there are more options but these rods are good entry levle rods before you expand to real money rods

all good for 2000-2500 size reels and the sol is my pick

But back to the original question. Dropshots IMHO is a sure bet for a starter trying to upscale his gear. The tournament Pro series is an upgrade on the basic dropshot.

Dale I had 4 Drpshots (3 left) including the one you want. Wouldnt part for love or money with the 2 pros I have. We fish the Dampier area and they are all pre-rigged with slices and plastic jigs heads for the "you dont know what could happen" scenario. And the dropshot and especially the pros are the go. I have a couple of Tcurves and one is my prefered bottom jig rig (a Lacunas), the other sadly is a spare for the dropshots and stay home. Only room for 12 rods between the 2 off us on the boat.

2 troll, (plus rigged spare), 2 bottoms, 2 squid, 1 plastics rigged, 2 slices rigged, my baitcaster (ian miller something but I love it) and a Sabiki rig. Had a 10wt fly but a GT ate it for breakfast, now carry a 8wt but havent used it in anger. 2 Scared.

3 rigs r dropshots and I would not part with them.

Great rods that will progress you from "couldnt catch a cold " to something a bit more serious.

Cheers

Neels