Drop Shot Details?

[Rangerphil]

Was reading another post and they were talking about using size 6-8 hooks. I have been using 1 and thought it might be too small. So what is everyone using as far as size and does it matter what species you are targeting, like smaller for smallmouth and larger for largemouth? Also, do you guys do good dropshoting in cold water like early spring 45-55 degrees? I love dropshoting but there is a lot I still need to learn about it. I usually don't fish it much in the spring because I am throwing jerks or cranks, am I missing out? Thanks

[Shane J]

Could be missing some fish, who knows. It does work well in temps like that, and I use a size 1 Gammie drop shot hook, no matter if I'm after LM or SM.

[Gatorbassman]

Could be missing some fish, who knows. It does work well in temps like that, and I use a size 1 Gammie drop shot hook, no matter if I'm after LM or SM.

X2

[Darren.]

I have used hooks down to size 4 and caught sizeable bass on dropshotting, etc. And fly fishermen catch bass and salmon on hooks even smaller... Just sayin.

[J Francho]

I match the hook to the bait, not the fish.  All hooks hook fish.  This fish was caught on a #6:

 

 

And this fish caught on a 5/0 hook on a bubba rig:

 

[Shane J]

That second one is purdy.

[nwmike]

that smallest hooks I have use are 4 with 2,1,1/o being my most common. remember hooks will vary between manufacturers and not all size 1 hooks will be the same size.I have actually gone away from most drop shot specific hooks and use owners ssw which are octopus hooks.

[thehooligan]

I use the size 2 gami's, they work great for me...

[wnybassman]

#1 Gamy is my go-to size, but not afraid to drop to #2 and have been known to use #4.  All depends on the bait.  Obviously you don't want to use a tiny hook with a big piece of plastic.  You need some hook exposure to be able to hook the fish without plastic getting in the way.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Was reading another post and they were talking about using size 6-8 hooks. I have been using 1 and thought it might be too small. So what is everyone using as far as size and does it matter what species you are targeting, like smaller for smallmouth and larger for largemouth? Also, do you guys do good dropshoting in cold water like early spring 45-55 degrees? I love dropshoting but there is a lot I still need to learn about it. I usually don't fish it much in the spring because I am throwing jerks or cranks, am I missing out? Thanks

I am the guy who wrote about using size 6/8 hooks for dropshotting. I have to agree with J Francho, it's all relative to the size of the bait you're throwing on the rig. I occasionally use size 2/1 hooks, but typically when I dropshot I am throwing small baits and fishing sloooow. Like really slow. Typically when I dropshot a 4" Senko is the largest thing I'll throw, and if I think to size up my baits above that then I also usually opt some other presentation. This is all a matter of what I feel comfortable with, however. There is no 1 way to fish a dropshot.

[Rangerphil]

Well looks like size 1 is the most popular size which is what I use. I drop shot mainly with robo worms and barley nose hook them so I may be able to drop down a size or two. Thanks for the replies and j francho those smallies are beautiful!! The only other thing is water temp. In early spring or prespawn would you fish this or stick to more conventional techniques like jerkbaits?

[J Francho]

Depends on what depth, and what they want.  In 40 FOW, a jigging spoon would be a better choice for a "moving" bait.  Like wise, I might not bother with a vertical spoon if they're shallow.  A drop shot works at all depths, both vertically, and horizontally.  Basically, anytime you want to keep the bait in one spot, while imparting any action, whether it be super subtle, or shaking the bait like mad.

[bmlum415]

Size 1/0 and 2/0 gamakatsu drop shot hooks all the time no matter for what type of bass or what time of the year