Couple ?'s on the Drop Shot

[gotarheelz14]

1.) What weight sinker do you guys use for your dropshot? I bought some Dipsey "swivels" which are really just weights on a small little swivel which work great on the drop shot so far. I have a 3/8 oz version and a 3/16 version.

Just by fishing it, I am beginning to think that the 3/8 version might be a bit of overkill. All of the fish I have landed have "taken" the bait and swam with it. With the 3/8 oz, won't they feel the heavy weight and spit the bait or not be able to move it as easy?

2.) By design, the drop shot has most of the plastic offering away from the hook. Unlike a T-rig, it does not have a substantial part of the bait on the hook making it more probable that a fish could somehow avoid the hook.

so, how does a fish end up getting the hook in its mouth lol? Does he swallow it, AND some line or does he just barely get the hook in its mouth at times?

Carlos

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I usually use a 1/4 or a 3/16 weight.  I'll use a 3/8 if I'm fishing much deeper or if I'm casting it out instead of fishing it mostly vertical.  I'm not sure the real reason why the hooks are so small, but they do work.  I've heard it's because most of the strikes tend to come at the "head" of the bait.  Which would make sense.  It's a lot easier to swallow a small fish head first, the dorsal spines won't go down easily if the fish is going in reverse.  Most of my hookups with the drop shot are usually right in the lip or upper portion of the mouth.  Once in a while I'll get one thats hooked deep, but thats fairly rare.

[Hammer 4]

Unless I'm fishing deep water, and or in semi windy conditions, I seldom go over 1/4 oz. Although I have used a 1/2oz to try and get through some thicker weeds.. ;D

Also consider current, the stronger it is, the heavier weight you need in some cases.

As for hooks, I use Owner dropshot hooks in sizes 1,2, 1/0 and 2/0 depending on the bait. No need to set the hook, just apply steady pressure and the hook will set itself..Also, don't wait until you feel a fish pulling, i.e. taking drag to start haulin that pup in..as they can swallow the bait to quick, the idea is to hook them in the lip, the ds hooks usually get em in the corner of the mouth, which makes it easy to remove them. Once you feel the slightest tap, apply pressure.

I like to pop the barbs off my hooks, for an even easier removal.

[gotarheelz14]

Thanks for the advice guys. I caught five bass today at a local pond on the drop shot.

It was my first real attempt at the technique so 5 fish in about three hours is not bad at all considering the first 3 came in 10 minutes before the bite stopped (Sun came out blazing hot through the clouds and I swear it killed everything)

I did miss two fish today because I got too antsy and pop-set the hook with a snap of the wrist.

I'm going to get some 8lb Fluoro on this rod in order to feel everything. Then, i'm going to start mini sweeping and applying pressure and reeling at the same time in order to set the hook.

This should help me put even more fish in the shore!!!!

Thanks guys,

Carlos

[Gorgebassman]

For me it depends on what the current is for example when I was fishing Missouri lakes I rarely used more than a 1/4 oz weight but here on the Columbia River I use up to and over 1 oz because of the current. I suppose what I am trying to convey is use the lightest weight you can get away with while still being in control and keeping it on the bottom. 

[ww2farmer]

I use  1/4 oz when fishing the weedlines (12-15 fow) or when casting it shallow and dragging it back to the boat on the inland lakes around here. If it's windy I bump up to 3/8.  A 1/2 oz is MINIMUM on Erie when dropping straight down in 40' to smallies you see on the graph, and 3/4 oz is not over kill when drifting with it over humps/rock piles to keep bottom contact.

[Crestliner2008]

I use a 1/4 oz. most times, even fishing deep water (30' - 50'). Remember, once the sinker touches down, it's job is done for the most part. You impart no action, little action, or a lot of action to the worm via the rod tip. The worm is on slack line at that point. The job of the sinker is just to get your offering down to them quickly and maintaining a distance above the bottom.

The small hooks work because the point is up and as soon as the bass closes it mouth on your offering, it's all over - for most of the time. I'd highly recommend you use a Gamakatsu "Split Shot/Drop Shot" hook in size #2. Tiny....thin wire.....and viciously effective in keeping you connected. 

[scrutch]

IMHO sinker weight is dictated by how effectively you can jig the worm IN PLACE without moving the sinker off the bottom.  For instance, if you're jigging it wacky style and the sinker is dragging towards you, or current and/or wind is moving it, then you don't have enough weight. 

The object of the game with a dropshot rig is to keep the worm IN THE STRIKE ZONE as long as possible.

In regards to how does the fish get hooked:  If you are properly jigging, keeping your line tight, you should feel everything that even touches that worm.

occasionally you'll feel the "flutter" of a bluegill grabbing the worm.  They aren't hooked because they cannot "inhale" the bait like a bass can.  They bite the tip of the worm and run with it until you pop it out of their mouth. 

With some practice, you'll easily be able to tell the difference.

[scrutch]

Don't be afraid to go with a little heavier weight if you want. The bass will not feel the weight until its too late. By then you should already have the hook set.

This extra weight will allow you to impart more action on the worm without dragging it out of the strike zone.

[gotarheelz14]

Thanks guys for all the help. That last piece of info really helped. I guess I am just thinking about it all wrong.

For the life of me, I just cannot grasp how a fish can inhale a worm/hook that has a line running perpendicular to the ground.

Do they swallow the line with it too? Because if they do, then I can obviously see how the fish would get hooked...

Carlos

[scrutch]

See if you can find some videos online of bass inhaling food.  You'll see how then.