Strange, And Quite Funny Drop Shot Occurrence..... Is This Normal?

[Zeeso]

So, I have been fishing a small lake located by my old house, where the males are now guarding the nests. I have been reading and looking for the best technique to get them to bite and saw a lot of good results when using a drop shot rig. Ill admit I am pretty traditional , but am starting to expand my techniques to try and better myself as a fisherman overall. I set up a drop **** rig on my medium light spinning set up, hooked up a small 4 inch chompers drop shot worm, and started my quest to catch a specific bass that was getting on my nerves because I have seen him there for about a week straight but he was not interested in my tube. I worked on him for about a half hour, and finally got him to bite....

But he bit my drop shot weight, not the worm. I shrugged it off and figured he just... missed. So I work on him for another 15 minutes, and he bites again.... yes you guessed it... he ate my drop shot weight... again. He did this two more times, needless to say I was dumbfounded.

I was using these weights specifically http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shopsreg;-XPSreg;-Drop-Weights/product/20871/101895?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL in the 1/4 oz size.... which is pretty small. This bass wasn't huge, but it was a decent 2 pound fish.

So I got this idea... I grabbed one of my replacement treble hooks I had sitting in my box, slid the weight on but didn't clasp it in, tied the hook about 5 inches below the weight, and slid the weight down until it was flush with the hook, and secured the weight in its clasp, about 15 inches below my hook where the weight would normally go by itself. I worked him for about 10 more minutes, and sure enough, he ate my weight again. I set the hook and it was a wrap. I caught a bass... on a weight with a treble hook. Not a huge one, but it was happy that I adapted to the situation and caught something on a strange rig that I would never think a fish would even be remotely interested in. I was worried that it would just snap my line at the treble, where the weight clasps on, because I can usually just pop my line after securing in that tight clasp as I believe it probably cuts the line to a degree, but it didn't.

Has this happened to anyone else? I am new to drop shotting and didn't even think of this possibly happening, well that's my story. May not be the most intense and interesting fishing story you have heard but I thought it was cool! Fun too! Thanks guys for any input you can share!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

He was clearing the bed of the debris (weight). When drop-shotting a bed use a longer leader and pitch past the bed, then drag the weight just close enough so the actual bait is on the bed but the weight isn't. Your solution was creative though.

[J Francho]

You want to use a longer drop line, and put the weight PAST the bed, not in it: http://www.bassresou...dding-bass.html

I also find they pick up painted weights more frequently than unpainted. To me, your solution is just snagging or snatching the fish, which doesn't seem very sporting to me.

[Aluma-Bass]

I have some do this but eventually they end up hitting the bait after several flips

[smalljaw67]

He was clearing the bed of the debris (weight). When drop-shotting a bed use a longer leader and pitch past the bed, then drag the weight just close enough so the actual bait is on the bed but the weight isn't. Your solution was creative though.

Clearing the bed of debris, for some reason they will do this and pick up rocks and weights but they will often let a plastic bait like a tube sit. Very resourceful but it won't happen for me as I no longer fish beds anymore but that is just me.

[Rangerphil]

You want to use a longer drop line, and put the weight PAST the bed, not in it: http://www.bassresou...dding-bass.html

I also find they pick up painted weights more frequently than unpainted. To me, your solution is just snagging or snatching the fish, which doesn't seem very sporting to me.

I would have to disagree with you here. If the bass ate the weight and he set the hook then it is no difference than catching a fish on a jig,crankbait or anything else. Just because it is a weight with a hook to us and not a piece of balsa wood with a hook does not make it any different. Of course this is as long as the fish bit the weight and there was no snagging involved.

[J Francho]

I would have to disagree with you here. If the bass ate the weight and he set the hook then it is no difference than catching a fish on a jig,crankbait or anything else. Just because it is a weight with a hook to us and not a piece of balsa wood with a hook does not make it any different. Of course this is as long as the fish bit the weight and there was no snagging involved.

I have the PERFECT bed fishing bait for you, then:

Seriously, the way that he describes rigging isn't fishing. Problem solving, yes. Fishing, no. The fish should bite the bait, hooks and all. Otherwise, we might as well just use as many hook points as is legal (15 in NY) above the weight. Any econ officer up here sees the rig, you're getting cut off and written up.

[senko_77]

You want to use a longer drop line, and put the weight PAST the bed, not in it: http://www.bassresou...dding-bass.html

I also find they pick up painted weights more frequently than unpainted. To me, your solution is just snagging or snatching the fish, which doesn't seem very sporting to me.

I have the PERFECT bed fishing bait for you, then:

Seriously, the way that he describes rigging isn't fishing. Problem solving, yes. Fishing, no. The fish should bite the bait, hooks and all. Otherwise, we might as well just use as many hook points as is legal (15 in NY) above the weight. Any econ officer up here sees the rig, you're getting cut off and written up.

This is a perfect example of why your the most retarded person on this site.

[Stasher1]

J Francho, what's the difference between what you posted above and something like this...

It's a piece of lead, a hook, and a small soft plastic. As long as the fish takes the hook into its mouth, it's no different at all.

[senko_77]

Zeeso, unfortunately your technique is not "JFranch approved" but I think it was an awesome idea. It does sound like the fish was trying to clear the weight off the bed, but hey, if that's what he is targeting, then stick a hook on there. I don't understand how JFrancho thinks that if the bass somehow chooses to eat the weight over the bait that it's not fishing. I guess bass are ONLY allowed to eat what we humans consider baits and not what we call weights. Lol. Keep on keeping on, man. Way to be versatile on the water and figure out how to get that fish in the boat.

[senko_77]

Thank you Stasher1 and RangerPhil. Glad I'm not the only one that sees his flawed logic.

[gobig]

Generally I agree with J but in this case I am with senko77, Stasher1 and RangerPhil.

[Gangley]

If the hook is in his mouth, its not snagging. Good on you for thinking outside the box and getting the fish to INHALE a hook. Job well done.

If your worried about local wildlife officers giving you grief (which you shouldnt) then use a small jig as a wieght.

[J Francho]

Apparently, I'm not entitled to an opinion on this.

[LgMouthGambler]

Perfect example of: Adapt and Overcome, way to use your brain for a solution. That IS what fishing is all about!

[J Francho]

From the NYSDEC Fishing Guidelines Book:

Snatching means taking fish not attracted by bait or artificial lure

with hooks, gangs or similar devices whether or not baited. Snagging,

lifting, and single hook snagging are types of snatching. Snatching is

indicated by repeated or exaggerated jerking motions of the fishing rod.

Snatching

Snatching, as defined on page 12, is prohibited at all times in all Great

Lakes waters including tributaries. Grappling hooks and snatching hooks

may not be possessed on Lake George or within 200 feet of the high

water mark of Lake George, except in a dwelling or building. Possession

of snatching hooks is prohibited on all waters except those where fish

may be taken by snatching. In waters other than the Great Lakes and

tributaries, snatching, but not blind snatching, is permitted January

1 through May 15 only as follows:

•• In Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester

counties, suckers may be taken from any stream.

•• In Delaware County, suckers may be taken from the West Branch

Delaware River, East Branch Delaware River and Charlotte Creek.

•• In Otsego County, suckers may be taken from the Unadilla River,

Wharton Creek and Butternut Creek.

•• In Fulton, Saratoga, Washington, Franklin, Warren, Clinton, Essex

and Hamilton counties, suckers may be taken from any stream except

the Mohawk River, the Hudson River downstream of Bakers Falls

including tributaries upstream to the first barrier, or tributaries

to Lake Champlain and Lake George upstream to the first barrier.

•• In Chenango and Madison counties, suckers may be taken from

the Chenango River downstream of Randallsville and the Unadilla

River downstream of South Edmeston.

•• In Otsego County, snatching and blind snatching is permitted with

hooks having no more than two hook points to take whitefish in

Otsego Lake from January 1 through November 30.

•• In Clinton County, snatching and blind snatching is permitted to

take burbot in Scomotion Creek from its mouth to Pardy Road from

December 1 through March 31.

The image I posted above is a snagging or grappling hook.

Special Regulations for

Great Lakes & Tributaries

Regulations for all Great Lakes waters including

Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Upper and Lower

Niagara River, St. Lawrence River and tributaries

to these waters.

At all times:

•• Snatching and attempting to snatching is prohibited.

See definition of snatching on page 12.

•• All foul-hooked fish must be immediately

released without unnecessary injury.

•• Use or possession of gaff hooks is prohibited

except when ice fishing.

•• Any action to frighten fish and move them

from concealment, including herding, driving,

kicking or stoning is prohibited.

Seasonal Regulations for Waters Listed in Both Tables on Page 32

Hooks

•• Hooks attached to any lure, except an artificial fly, must be free-swinging.

•• Hooks may have a gap (distance between the shank and the point) of no more than one half inch.

•• Use of hooks with added weight is prohibited, except that artificial flies with no more than

one-eighth ounce of added weight may be used. For the purposes of this regulation, the

method by which weight is added to a hook does not affect classification as an “artificial

fly” provided the conditions of the definition of an “artificial fly” (page 12) are otherwise met.

[ROCbass]

From the NYSDEC Fishing Guidelines Book:

The image I posted above is a snagging or grappling hook.

I don't see how any of those regs would apply here. By this definition, snatching is taking fish with hooks when not attracted by bait or artificial lure. If the fish went over and picked it up, it was attracted by it. Either the weight, or the hook itself would be considered the lure in this case IMO. It's the same as dropping a bare hook in the water and having a bluegill hit it, which I see happen all the time. Also, he wasn't repeatedly jerking his rod attempting to snag the fish, so that doesn't fit either. All the stuff about where and when you can and can't ****** is irrelevant if he wasn't in NY. Finally, I don't have the reg book in front of me but IIRC last box is a specific regulation about the trout/salmon spawning run. Any jig over 1/8 ounce, or a keel weighted swimbait hook would fit the definition of a hook with added weight in that case, but it doesn't apply to bass fishing.

[Glenn]

Ryan,

You're perfectly entitled to voice your opinion - just do so in a respectful manner. Calling people names, or implying they're stupid has never been tolerated here. Ever. That's why I removed one of your posts.

You know that. Why do I even need to remind you, of all people?

In the famous words of Monday Night Football - C'mon Man!

[J Francho]

I don't see how any of those regs would apply here. By this definition, snatching is taking fish with hooks when not attracted by bait or artificial lure. If the fish went over and picked it up, it was attracted by it. Either the weight, or the hook itself would be considered the lure in this case IMO. It's the same as dropping a bare hook in the water and having a bluegill hit it, which I see happen all the time. Also, he wasn't repeatedly jerking his rod attempting to snag the fish, so that doesn't fit either. All the stuff about where and when you can and can't ****** is irrelevant if he wasn't in NY. Finally, I don't have the reg book in front of me but IIRC last box is a specific regulation about the trout/salmon spawning run. Any jig over 1/8 ounce, or a keel weighted swimbait hook would fit the definition of a hook with added weight in that case, but it doesn't apply to bass fishing.

They're examples why such rigs are banned in certain situations, and that support MY OPINION. That's all. A sliding treble on the tagline of a drop shot rig is impractical (a hang up machine) and is going to result in foul hooked bass. It's like a fish eating the bobber on a slip float rig - yes, it's happened to me - and getting hooked. It's not fishing, TO ME.

Ask an econ officer next time you see one what they think of the rig. I'd like to know.

[ROCbass]

They're examples why such rigs are banned in certain situations, and that support MY OPINION. That's all. A sliding treble on the tagline of a drop shot rig is impractical (a hang up machine) and is going to result in foul hooked bass. It's like a fish eating the bobber on a slip float rig - yes, it's happened to me - and getting hooked. It's not fishing, TO ME.

Ask an econ officer next time you see one what they think of the rig. I'd like to know.

Maybe I misread the OP, but I didn't get the impression it was a sliding treble, but that the treble and the dropshot weight were basically fixed together on the line, almost like a jig but not actually molded to the hook shank. I'm not sure if that changes your opinion any or not, nor does it matter to me if it does. You certainly are entitled to you opinion, and if you don't like the rig then don't fish it. I just don't see how it could be considered snagging, at least by the letter of the law here in NY, if the fish picks it up in its mouth. As far as asking an ECO about the rig, I have never run into one while fishing, so I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for a response to that, lol. I will say that even though I disagree with you in that I don't think there's anything wrong with the rig when fished the way the OP described, I do think that it would be enough to make an ECO suspicious, and probably wouldn't fish it myself for that reason.

[J Francho]

I don't think the OP was trying to foul hook the fish either. But I don't think the rig is kosher. A weighted treble hook is pretty much illegal in our waters.

[BrianinMD]

I would love to see someone explain to a DNR rep they were really not trying to snag fish with that rig. By the letter of the law its a rig used for snagging, in this one instance it got bit. That will not get you out of a fine if caught with it no matter what your personal thoughts on the rig are.

[Ratherbfishing]

I would love to see someone explain to a DNR rep they were really not trying to snag fish with that rig. By the letter of the law its a rig used for snagging, in this one instance it got bit. That will not get you out of a fine if caught with it no matter what your personal thoughts on the rig are.

Agreed. The rig was a clever solution to a problem however I doubt too many DNR folks would properly interpret your intentions if they happened upon you. They would not know you weren't attempting to snag a fish. As you described it, I don't think it's any more unethical than any other method a fisherman uses to dupe a fish however, just like the member who got fined for using a small silver casting spoon to fish for bass without a trout stamp, it'd be difficult to convince a "game warden" or a judge that your intentions were honorable. Not worth it.

[Bass Junkie]

He adapted to the situation... If he did snag it and posted this, he should be fined. If he did exactly what he said he did, I can find no fault in it. I would've tried it myself, but would not have set the hook unless the bass ate it. In his case it did, he did, he caught the fish.... It would be hard to explain to an Officer no doubt......

[bassh8er]

I have the PERFECT bed fishing bait for you, then:

Seriously, the way that he describes rigging isn't fishing. Problem solving, yes. Fishing, no. The fish should bite the bait, hooks and all. Otherwise, we might as well just use as many hook points as is legal (15 in NY) above the weight. Any econ officer up here sees the rig, you're getting cut off and written up.

If that was a Rage craw dipped in JJ's instead of a white grub, would that be sporting?