Drop Shotting

[aharris]

Hey guys, what's your favorite soft plastic bait for drop shotting? And do yall use the drop shotting rig hooks (the hooks that are mounted between a small swivle or do yall tie hook on with a uni knot or something similiar?

[Jaiden]

My favortite is a Chompers drop shot worm in watermelon red or green pumpkin. I use #2 Gamakatsu split shot/ drop shot hooks. I tie a swivel about 1 foot above the hook to prevent line twists. On the hook, I tie a palomar knot and attach the weight to the tag end.

[aharris]

My favortite is a Chompers drop shot worm in watermelon red or green pumpkin. I use #2 Gamakatsu split shot/ drop shot hooks. I tie a swivel about 1 foot above the hook to prevent line twists. On the hook, I tie a palomar knot and attach the weight to the tag end.

yea, that's what i do w/o the swivle. I just saw those drop shotting rigs at academy the other day and didnt know how they would work. I honestly havent seen much about them, but they looked kinda cool. You ever use Roboworms?

[CPBassFishing]

PTL finicky ticklers or jp hammer shads. neutral buoyancy so they dont drop the tail like roboworms. they just sit there level when you are not shaking them.

[aharris]

PTL finicky ticklers or jp hammer shads. neutral buoyancy so they dont drop the tail like roboworms. they just sit there level when you are not shaking them.

I saw those JP Hammer's on a website yesterday. First time I've ever checked them out. They have them for like 6 bucks for a 12 pack of them so I'm going to try them.

[J Francho]

neutral buoyancy so they dont drop the tail like roboworms

 

Roboworms float.  There is salt added, but only in the head section.  If you've ever fished them, and lost a fresh one, they return to the surface in a few minutes, after the salt dissolves.  I guess the only way to get the tail to drop, would be to hook it backwards.

[CPBassFishing]

Roboworms float.  There is salt added, but only in the head section.  If you've ever fished them, and lost a fresh one, they return to the surface in a few minutes, after the salt dissolves.  I guess the only way to get the tail to drop, would be to hook it backwards.

thats odd. i have the 6" and 4" roboworms and whenever i use them on a drop shot the tail doesnt float. it could be my hook? im using a 1/0 gamakatsu weedless wacky with the weedguard cut off. i tie a clinch knot and run the tag end down through the eyelet. i really must get some swivelshot hooks.

[aharris]

You ever heard of zipper worms? They work really well too...and they're fairly cheap. Like $4 per pack.

[CPBassFishing]

I saw those JP Hammer's on a website yesterday. First time I've ever checked them out. They have them for like 6 bucks for a 12 pack of them so I'm going to try them.

you will love them. so much action and pretty durable, you get at least 10 fish per bait when nose hooked.

[aharris]

thats odd. i have the 6" and 4" roboworms and whenever i use them on a drop shot the tail doesnt float. it could be my hook? im using a 1/0 gamakatsu weedless wacky with the weedguard cut off. i tie a clinch knot and run the tag end down through the eyelet. i really must get some swivelshot hooks.

those swivle hooks look pretty cool but I talked to my buddy who's uncle just  happens to be an elite seriers guy who loves drop shotting and he said he trusts the uni knot more, but who knows.

[J Francho]

Hey guys, what's your favorite soft plastic bait for drop shotting? And do yall use the drop shotting rig hooks (the hooks that are mounted between a small swivle or do yall tie hook on with a uni knot or something similiar?

 

For rec fishing and practice, I use the VMC Spin Shot hooks, and use a UNI knot.  For tournaments, I use a Gamakatsu Split SHot/Drop Shot hook, use a Palomar knot, running the tag end back through the top of the hook eye.  I match the hook size to the bait - it's an eyeball thing.  I generally fish straight fluoro, 6# Invisx, but if I'm fishing shallow docks or weed cover, I'll go to 20 Power Pro, or 832 and a fluoro leader.  I use an Alberto knot for the connection, and the same Palomar setup above.

 

Some REALLY good info about the drop shot, by Rich Zaleski: http://www.richz.com/fishing/articles/dropshot.html

[CPBassFishing]

those swivle hooks look pretty cool but I talked to my buddy who's uncle just  happens to be an elite seriers guy who loves drop shotting and he said he trusts the uni knot more, but who knows.

yeah the uni knot is usually all i tie, but it doesnt work one a drop shot because your line doubles back and comes out parallel to the main line. with a clinch knot the tag end is at the base so you can put it down through the eyelet. also, don't use a clinch knot for braid or fluorocarbon, it slips easily. but yeah that uni-knot is easy to tie and nearly unbreakable. 99% of line strength or something like that.

[J Francho]

thats odd. i have the 6" and 4" roboworms and whenever i use them on a drop shot the tail doesnt float. it could be my hook? im using a 1/0 gamakatsu weedless wacky with the weedguard cut off. i tie a clinch knot and run the tag end down through the eyelet. i really must get some swivelshot hooks.

 

That is a HUGE hook for those worms.  I use a #4 or #6 for Roboworms.  You don't need a monster hook for monster bass.

 

Caught on a #6:

 

[CPBassFishing]

That is a HUGE hook for those worms.  I use a #4 or #6 for Roboworms.  You don't need a monster hook for monster bass.

 

Caught on a #6:

 

alright i'll start using a size 2.

[aharris]

Man, i wish we had smallies like that around here. You can catch a 4 or 5 pounder, but it's really rare.

[CPBassFishing]

Man, i wish we had smallies like that around here. You can catch a 4 or 5 pounder, but it's really rare.

yeah my pb smallie was about 6 ounces LOL. also the only one i have ever caught.

[aharris]

I caught one about 3lbs and i thought i had a freakin mule! haha  Theres a river down here in SC that has them. We usually go wading in the summer time and catch them but they're usually small ones. It's fun though...kinda like trout fishing.

[Jaiden]

yea, that's what i do w/o the swivle. I just saw those drop shotting rigs at academy the other day and didnt know how they would work. I honestly havent seen much about them, but they looked kinda cool. You ever use Roboworms?

No, but another worm i like is the Bass Pro Shops Drop shot worm.

[gripnrip]

I like using the Jackal iShad.

[Hyrule Bass]

i got some floating worms in bubblegum color from Haw River Tackle that worked well for me last year

[Felix77]

I use #1 VMC Spinshot hooks.  Love them.  My go to bait is a wacky Zoom Finesse worm.

[MarkH024]

Some REALLY good info about the drop shot, by Rich Zaleski: http://www.richz.com/fishing/articles/dropshot.html

 

Thanks for sharing that. Great info. I don't drop shot much at all, but its my 2013 fishing resolution to do it more often. Been spending all winter reading up as much as I can about it.

[J Francho]

Thanks for sharing that. Great info. I don't drop shot much at all, but its my 2013 fishing resolution to do it more often. Been spending all winter reading up as much as I can about it.

 

There's two Lunkerville episodes featuring Rich Z.  I highly recommend them:

 

http://www.lunkerville.com/lunkerville1/richz1.html

 

http://www.lunkerville.com/lunkerville1/richz2.html

[thehooligan]

I use gami swivel shot hooks, size 2. Sometimes straight 6lb flouro, other times 10lb power pro with flouro leader. My favorite baits are 4-1/2 in roboworms, keitech live impact worms, and my new favorite, the vagabond airbait slimworm...

[Felix77]

Thanks for sharing that. Great info. I don't drop shot much at all, but its my 2013 fishing resolution to do it more often. Been spending all winter reading up as much as I can about it.

You and me both buddy.