Drop Shot On A Baitcaster

[Deleted account]

On 3/18/2013 at 11:15 AM, J Francho said:

Sure, if you're fishing relatively shallow, in moderate to heavy cover, it works great.  But if you're fishing deep, open structure it's much simpler to open the bail and let the bait plummet.  Spinning reels handle light line better as well.

Have you tried ordering $800 worth of JDM spools and bearings, and having some silk worms spin you some really thin line, and cooking some angel hair pasta al dente and putting a few micro guides on it, and.....

[J Francho]

56 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

Have you tried ordering $800 worth of JDM spools and bearings, and having some silk worms spin you some really thin line, and cooking some angel hair pasta al dente and putting a few micro guides on it, and.....

Not since 2013, when I made that post. 

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

Not since 2013, when I made that post. 

LMAO. Night of the living drop shot, the zombie just barely nicked me, looks like nothing, you think it will be ok?....look, brains, yum!....

 

[waymont]

I used a bait casting rig for drop shots and Ned rigs quite a bit last season.

Phenix Feather ML rod and 8lb FC.

it worked fantastic.

[fishwizzard]

5 hours ago, Deleted account said:

Have you tried ordering $800 worth of JDM spools and bearings, and having some silk worms spin you some really thin line, and cooking some angel hair pasta al dente and putting a few micro guides on it, and.....

 

Hah, I would like to see a side by side of a spinning reel and even an un-tuned finesse casting reel both dropping the same weight, if you don't run any spool tension I bet they end up being pretty close once you get up to heavier weights.

[Junk Fisherman]

Last year I picked up a Dobyns DX 742C and paired it with a Curado 70 MGL specifically for pitching dropshots on all the breakwalls I fish.  I ended up liking it so much that it became my primary dropshot rig that I'll use anywhere.  I use 30 lb PP Super8Slick  and a 8 lb leader.  My main sinker weight is a 3/8 oz but I have dropped down to 1/4.  Works like champ!

[DogBone_384]

My occasional drop-shot baitcaster is a 7’ ML/XF Kistler Helium with a Shimano Core50 on top.

 

I use spinning gear most of the time.

[Deleted account]

23 minutes ago, fishwizzard said:

 

Hah, I would like to see a side by side of a spinning reel and even an un-tuned finesse casting reel both dropping the same weight, if you don't run any spool tension I bet they end up being pretty close once you get up to heavier weights.

Yes, as you go deeper, and if you have wind and/or current, with the same line, it might be close around 1/2-1 oz, if its calm, no contest. 

 

[ryanerb]

Well Jared Lintner just proved you can use a baitcaster for dropshot, or as he called it 'bubba shot' or 'power shot' during the Feb 2022 MLF in LA. He was even fishing 16lb line due to some heavier cover. Obviously lighter weights can get tough.  Depends on how you drop shot. Try both, see what works best for you!

[FryDog62]

I use both b/c and spinning for drop-shotting. In reality spinning is better presenting the bait. You use more of your finger tips in the grip and use finer motor skills to provide subtle action, motion and feel. I prefer a baitcaster for heavy/Bubba shotting though..

[JayTee]

I drop shot using a Daiwa 20 Alphas Air TW reel on a Dobyns SUF704C rod.   Basically a BFS setup.  I use a 1/16oz weight and small 2 to 3 in lures in water no deeper than 7ft.   Works for me!

[QED]

Zombie thread but an interesting question.  Just weighed a finesse drop shot setup consisting of a small Gamakatsu drop shot rig/hook assembly, 1/16 oz pencil sinker and 4" senko on a powder scale - 0.31 oz.  If you factor in a 3" stick bait you're still close to 1/5 - 1/4 oz.  So unless one intends to go even lighter than that, most any decent ML rod and casting reel combo ought to be able to handle it.  I have several kilobuck+ BFS rigs but that's not required in this instance.

[waymont]

On 2/8/2022 at 5:11 PM, Junk Fisherman said:

Last year I picked up a Dobyns DX 742C and paired it with a Curado 70 MGL specifically for pitching dropshots on all the breakwalls I fish.  I ended up liking it so much that it became my primary dropshot rig that I'll use anywhere.  I use 30 lb PP Super8Slick  and a 8 lb leader.  My main sinker weight is a 3/8 oz but I have dropped down to 1/4.  Works like champ!

Ever use the 742c for t-rigs or 1/4oz jigs? I have a Champion Xp 702 that works great for this stuff.

[RB 77]

Out of all the setups I own, exactly TWO are spinning setups. One is a dedicated D-Shot set up that has never done anything else. The other is for every other single light weight/ line duty a spinning reel would be good for. Thats how important using a spinning reel for drop shotting is to me. I also say this being in So. Cal. where drop shotting can make the difference between putting fish in the boat or going home empty handed some days. 

[Junk Fisherman]

22 hours ago, waymont said:

Ever use the 742c for t-rigs or 1/4oz jigs? I have a Champion Xp 702 that works great for this stuff.

 

No but I am selling a 742C HP in new condition if you are interested.  I have two and don't really need both.  I could see how that rod would be great for those applications though.  

[Darth-Baiter]

on a baitcaster:  where do you store rigged up sinker when you are not using the setup?

[txchaser]

9 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

on a baitcaster:  where do you store rigged up sinker when you are not using the setup?

I flip it over the first ring if it is long enough. If not I'll hook the hook on the usual place and spin the weight around the rod a couple of times. And stick it in a rod sock if I'm done with it for the day.

 

[islandbass]

9 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

on a baitcaster:  where do you store rigged up sinker when you are not using the setup?

Easy. Use strip of Velcro. There are different forms of Velcro but this is ideal. 
 

VELCRO Brand ONE-WRAP Cable Ties, 100Pk, 8 x 1/2" Black Cord Organization Straps, Thin Pre-Cut Design, Wire Management for Organizing Home, Office and Data Centers https://a.co/d/1vO87og

 

Wrap that strip at the butt end of the rod and make it stick to itself. Now it’s time to use it to hold the DS weight. 

 

If the tag end is a bit long, wrap some of it around the rod butt such that the DS weight is at the end of the rod butt. Use the Velcro to hold the line and weight in place so that it won’t dangle.  You may opt to “cut” that Velcro strip shorter but long enough to do the job. 
 

You can also use those girlie round black and round elastic hair bands but a thin strip of Velcro looks better. 
 

I know, old resurrection post but I had to help a brotha out, lol ?.

[jdr99a]

I bought a BPS carbonlite 2.0 7’ ML casting rod to pair with a SLX MGL 70 to mess around as a semi-BFS rig. I’ve used it a lot for neds and stop shots. I use 1/15th oz ned jigs plus a trd or a roboworm and 1/8 oz ds weight and it’s been great. It’s not a true bfs setup but it does what I need it to do. 

[Junk Fisherman]

On 3/18/2013 at 10:02 AM, BassinBoy said:

Most guys prefer spinning rods for drop shotting... but I dont like the spinning rods I own and was wondering if anyone drop shots with a light baitcaster?

 

Anyone like it or do it?

Yes- I use a light baitcaster combo for dropshotting and it works quite well.  I use a medium action Dobyns 742C rod and a Zillion reel.  Since my main sinker weight is 3/8th ounce, castability is never an issue.  I started using the combo since I pitch a lot of breakwalls and the baitcaster is preferred for pitching but I'll often use the baitcaster for dropshotting in open water.  Overall, I do prefer using a spinning rig for dropshotting but if you're someone who doesn't like spinning rig then definitely give the baitcaster a shot.  

[TnRiver46]

I use bait caster for drop shot often in winter because my spinning reels are rigged up for what I’m casting.  Special spools and micro guides not required if you’re just dropping it. I usually tie a 6 lb leader onto whatever I’ve got on the baitcaster and just drop it down vertically.