Drop Shotting

[bassguytom]

X2 for the VMC spinshot hooks. I use these hooks with roboworms or lake fork shads. The lake fork shad produced better than the hammer shad for me this year.

[Comfortably Numb]

Here is a screen shot from the JP Hammer vid. Anyone nose hook like this?

 

[Comfortably Numb]

Maybe kind of gimmicky but I have been having good results with the stand out style hooks.

 

and this little bait which has a floating tail

 

[Loop_Dad]

Here is a screen shot from the JP Hammer vid. Anyone nose hook like this?

 

 

I hook like that sometimes when I use shorter bait mainly to make sure the tail face the way I want it to face.

[Loop_Dad]

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

 

Why do you use different set ups for rec fishing and tournament? If you catch more/better fish with your tournament set up, why not use that all times?

[PondBoss]

I am a big fan of the Big Bite Baits Shaking Squirrel worm.  I have always used the Trokar drop shot hook, but bought a pack of the VMC spin shot hooks the other day to try.  Also got a pack of the Squirrel tail worms to drop shot as well.  The tails float, makes it look awesome when you shake it. 

[Rangerphil]

I use the vmc spinshot hooks with robo worms and love it. I have also used the small senkos hooked wacky style with good results. Robo worms do float but not for long. When I catch one they usually shake the worm off and I am constantly netting the worm before it sinks. They can get expensive!...lol..

[gripnrip]

I am a big fan of the Big Bite Baits Shaking Squirrel worm.  I have always used the Trokar drop shot hook, but bought a pack of the VMC spin shot hooks the other day to try.  Also got a pack of the Squirrel tail worms to drop shot as well.  The tails float, makes it look awesome when you shake it. 

I love those baits as well.  I used them for a tourny on shaky heads.  The tourny was on Grand.  I got 2 good keeper bites and landed them both.  I would have weighed 1 fish otherwise.

[rangerboy]

pink or purple 4 in robo worms are my fav.

[J Francho]

Why do you use different set ups for rec fishing and tournament? If you catch more/better fish with your tournament set up, why not use that all times?

 

It has nothing to do with better hookups or catching more fish; it's a time management thing.  The Spin Shot hooks do a great job of eliminating inherent twist, but rigging is time consuming.  I don't get enough twist in one day of tournament fishing, so I use the single knot and regular hook.

[Thad]

Roboworms or Reins Bubbling Shaker for most occasions. Most of the time I will use a Robo Rebarb hook because of where and how I fish them.

[MarkH024]

What is a preferred weight you guys use on very soft or silted bottoms? A lot if lakes i fish are very soft bottom with a decent amount of vegetation.

[Power Bass]

My favorite drop shot bait is the Poor Boy's Jr Erie Darter, but I also like the Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm and the Fat Roboworms. I fish them on 6lb Invisx and a #2 octopus hook. 

[Loop_Dad]

It has nothing to do with better hookups or catching more fish; it's a time management thing.  The Spin Shot hooks do a great job of eliminating inherent twist, but rigging is time consuming.  I don't get enough twist in one day of tournament fishing, so I use the single knot and regular hook.

 

Ah makes sense. I never fished a tournament.

[Felix77]

Here is a screen shot from the JP Hammer vid. Anyone nose hook like this?

 

 

 

I do.  It helps keep the Zoom Finesse worm more horizontal with an exposed hook.

[aharris]

ahh...the HAMMER!! You been catching them Felix??

[Felix77]

ahh...the HAMMER!! You been catching them Felix??

 

Not yet.  Lakes are still frozen up here.  Dying to get out.  Just booked a trip to Dallas, TX for a few days.  I'm hoping to catch my fill there to get me through this winter.  It's in a few weeks.

[Dyna7329]

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

Completely agree with this combo. Hooked my biggest LM on it last year, 5lber.