Daiwa Exceler 7ft Spinning Rod

PAY AROUND

£49.99

This high quality yet affordable rod from Daiwa is absolutely spot-on for drop shotting. This type of short spinning rod is well suited to smaller venues, which is why on a very cold and windy winter’s day, it accompanied me to several predator hotspots along the tiny Oxford Canal.

But exactly what should you be looking for in a decent drop shot rod? As you’re going to be holding it for long periods of time it definitely needs to be lightweight and this whispish little beauty certainly is that, weighing a mere 4.3oz. It is also essential that the blank has just the right amount of stiffness in its tip to work the lure properly. If it’s too soft, it will simply pull-round cushioning the lure’s movements against the casting weight. If it’s too stiff you not only lose the rod’s sense of feel and transmission, it is likely to be too gutsy for the size of fish you’re likely to be catching, and will pull out the hook.

What you’re looking for is a compromise between these two characteristics and this pencil thin, two-piece, high modulus carbon blank designed for casting light weights between 2g and 10g delivers them delightfully well. It can impart lots of movement with a simple flick of the wrist, and has more sensitivity than a rom-com chick flick.

It also has some very impressive and tasteful furnishings, including a proper cork handle with a wooden butt cap, an original Fuji reel seat and superb braid-compatible titanium oxide lined guides.