Drop Shot Weights - Are They All Necessary?

[Felix77]

Looking for my drop shot members to help out here.

 

In general there are 3 different styles of drop shot weights on the market.

 

Round ball (clear bottom, scarce rock bottom)

pencil (weeds, chunk rock)

teardrop ( ??? )

 

I keep reading about the various applications for each with the exception of the teardrop kind.

 

Is the teardrop supposed to be "the best of both worlds"?  

 

Couldn't you get away with just one type?  If so which ones?

 

 

Thanks

[georgeyew]

I only use the round weight for the sake of simplicity. The weights are cheaper than the speciality ones, so if i snag and lose one, it's not a big deal.

[eyedabassman]

They are so easy to change,I fish the round and the long skinny drop shot weights.But the long ones work better in rocks.Because they are so easy to change I fish the two I never fished the teardrop.I think you can get by with two,I don't think you need all 3!

[Flukeman]

I have a little of each, but mostly use cheap tin tear drops. My setups are so sensitive I can feel every little thing on the bottom with the cheap weights. I also do not like the "line pinch" tie on. They usually pop off when trying to unsnag the weight. Where if they held on a little longer I could have "bow strung" the weight free. I use the circle tie ons. I do use the pencil style when I am power drop shotting in weeds with heavier gear. Also use the cheaper weights with the circle tie.

[Oldplug]

Yes. I do not see how you could fish it with no weight and get the most out of it. If i was going to do that i would just go to a unweighed worm. I use split shot and the cheap bell sinkers that have the swivel through them. I also use a variety of sizes of weights all the way up to 3/4 oz. Further I do not own what can be described as a drop shot rig. I use a regular rod and most of the time it is bait casting. I sometimes cast a drops hot and receive it along the bottom like a Carolina rig.

[quanjig]

I use both the round and pencil style. I have better luck with the pencil style when finess dropy and better luck with the round when bubba dropy. I tie a small overhand knot at the bottom of my drop line and have better results of my weight not slipping thru the line pinch! Granted when it snags it takes a little more to get unstuck but more often than not, if I have to break it it just happens at my overhand knot and I lose the weight unless I'm hook snagged then, I loose it all!

[J Francho]

I almost exclusively use the round.  Pencils work well in current, but I don't fish current much.  In still water, as the pencil falls over, I feel a second tick and I don't know if it's a fish, or the weight falling over after it hits the bottom.

[quanjig]

Wow J, you must have spidy senses to feel stuff like that!!

[Darren.]

I almost exclusively use the round.  Pencils work well in current, but I don't fish current much.  In still water, as the pencil falls over, I feel a second tick and I don't know if it's a fish, or the weight falling over after it hits the bottom.

 

John, are you using tungsten or lead? I use pencil style, lead, from BPS. Depending on the bottom, I don't usually feel the tip over - could also be because I'm using 1/8 oz sinkers that are *maybe* an inch long.

[J Francho]

It works the same when you pick up the bait.  It's not immediately off the bottom with a pencil.  The ball is just simpler.  Besides, it's we have a mold for

[J Francho]

John, are you using tungsten or lead? I use pencil style, lead, from BPS. Depending on the bottom, I don't usually feel the tip over - could also be because I'm using 1/8 oz sinkers that are *maybe* an inch long.

I've used tungsten, but we've been pouring our own ball style from lead for a few years. I rarely use anything less than 1/4, with 1/2 and 3/8 being my go to sizes. Two reasons I go heavier: 1. I often have to get the bait to zip by smaller, more aggressive smallies to get to the big ones on the bottom. 2. I'm usually fishing pretty deep, often in wavy conditions, and the heavier weight keeps the bait in place.

[lmbfisherman]

I usually use the pencil style, really no reason why just like them more than the round guys.  I do have a couple round ones, never used them..mind you I have only started the drop shot at the end of last season so...I should give the round ones a try to see if it feels better. 

[Darren.]

I've used tungsten, but we've been pouring our own ball style from lead for a few years. I rarely use anything less than 1/4, with 1/2 and 3/8 being my go to sizes. Two reasons I go heavier: 1. I often have to get the bait to zip by smaller, more aggressive smallies to get to the big ones on the bottom. 2. I'm usually fishing pretty deep, often in wavy conditions, and the heavier weight keeps the bait in place.

 

Thanks. Understand your reasons for heavier weights. The reservoirs I fish are, maybe at their deepest, 20'. I do have some 1/4, and I think 3/8, which definitely help with bottom feel better in windy/wavy conditions.

 

While I really want to try tungsten, the expense keeps me away. When 3 weights cost the same as 15 or so, I can deal with losing the cheap weight to Davy Jones' Locker, since they often get hung up.

[J Francho]

Unless you have some issue with the lead being larger, or lead is against the law, there's no reason to use tungsten.  Yes, you get "more info" from tungsten.  But I don't think it's that useful.  I can still feel what I need to feel from the lead.  Besides, the fish is supposed to eat the hook, not the weight

[Fishes in trees]

When I am fishing drop shots, I find that I get stuck less with the window sash style weights as opposed to the ball style.  There is a fine line here, primarily fishing bubba shot ( 1/2 ounce weights and 20 lb abrazax fluorocarbon).  I want my weight to "hang", that is how  you find underwater structure & cover.  I don't  want them to get "stuck"  For me, the sash style weights "hang" better and don't get stuck as often.

 

So anyway, back to the original question, I like the line clips, rather than having to tie a knot on the weight eye.

[flippin and pitchin]

I have some of each. I find myself using pencil syle 90 % of the time but I fish large rivers. There are some parts of the Columbia that the rock is volcanic and will eat DS weights so I will use hollow core pencil lead and crimp it on. If you hang up, it pulls off. Cut, crimp and go, just like drift fishing for steelhead.

[BassinB]

i buy the long pencil shaped ones in heavier weights and then I can cut them with the pliers down to the perfect size and weight that I want.

[ww2farmer]

I use the round the most. And 3/8's or 1/2 oz. is about the only size I use. Some exceptions...Bubba shotting, I use  a tungsten worm weight. slid on the tag end, pointy end UP, a bead, then a split ring or swivel tied to the end to keep it from sliding off. And I use the pencil shaped ones when I am dragging a drop shot in rocks , they hang up less

[Felix77]

I use the round the most. And 3/8's or 1/2 oz. is about the only size I use. Some exceptions...Bubba shotting, I use  a tungsten worm weight. slid on the tag end, pointy end UP, a bead, then a split ring or swivel tied to the end to keep it from sliding off. And I use the pencil shaped ones when I am dragging a drop shot in rocks , they hang up less

Like the idea for bubba shotting.  Do you put the bead there solely for a buffer between the weight and the swivel or to add sound?  Maybe both?

[ww2farmer]

Like the idea for bubba shotting.  Do you put the bead there solely for a buffer between the weight and the swivel or to add sound?  Maybe both?

Both....At times when I have been low on beads, I have just put a bobber stop between the swivel/knot and the sinker.

[mjseverson24]

I use all three. to me they all have their advantages, but more often than not fishing in the north I am in the weeds and this is where the pencil style works better. The round style and the bell shaped both work well in weed free environment, but if there is wood involved i use the round more often. 

[Comfortably Numb]

Unless you have some issue with the lead being larger, or lead is against the law, there's no reason to use tungsten.  Yes, you get "more info" from tungsten.  But I don't think it's that useful.  I can still feel what I need to feel from the lead.  Besides, the fish is supposed to eat the hook, not the weight

 

Unless you put Megastrike on it like Bobby does LOL

 

I also tie on the cheap old style bell sinkers usually in 3/8 or 1/4 oz. My lake does not have many rocks and when I get hung up its usually the hook on wood.

[Felix77]

Unless you put Megastrike on it like Bobby does LOL

 

I also tie on the cheap old style bell sinkers usually in 3/8 or 1/4 oz. My lake does not have many rocks and when I get hung up its usually the hook on wood.

 

True ... saw that at the Suffern, NY first hand.  Very funny!

[J Francho]

I've had beds on beds pick up the sinker, lol.

[retiredbosn]

I typically use the old style "casting" weights. If its really nasty I'll use a real drop shot weight its easy to break off and not loose three hook and bait