Drop shot in THICK vegetation

[Vinny Chase]

My lake is growing wild with weeds and i have been fishing deep but am still getting caught up. What do you guys recommend? Pencil weights?

Thanks,

VC

[ww2farmer]

Slide a tungsten slip sinker like you would t-rig with on the tag end, point up, then tie a split ring on with a palomar knot to keep it there. I DS heavy weeds alot and have found this to be the best.

 

 

[LazyBASS1301600404]

wouldn't the slip sinker move around?  I am having a hard time picturing this.  Is it possible to draw a diagram?  I would love to try this rig out.  Thanks!

[Tuckman]

To add on to on ww2farmer's post - If you put a brass bead between the tungtsten slip sinker and the split ring/swivel you get a nice tapping sound that helps the fish home in your bait in heavy weeds.

[J Francho]

Since we're blowing up bubba rigs, I'll add my twist as well.  I'll rig up a 10" worm, and set the weight so that its right at the water surface.  Pitch in between the pads, and move that worm side to side, slashing in place at the surface - think jigger-poling.  Hang on.

[Nice_Bass]

honestly deep weeds i dont throw a DS. Only reason is I dont like to pull fish out of deep weeds with 6-8# test line. 

I usually opt for a keel weighted hook on a creature.   It can flutter off the bottom, and less junk gets hung like it would on  a c-rig.  (junk being on the glass and brass)

I use a 1/8 keel weight on a RT space monkey.

If you opt to DS, then a thin pencil weight would seem like your best option. 

Also, are you vertical, or horizontal?

[J Francho]

honestly deep weeds i dont throw a DS. Only reason is I dont like to pull fish out of deep weeds with 6-8# test line.

What would make you think that you have to tie a drop shot rig on just 6-8 lb. line?  What is preventing you from tying it on your flipping stick?  Its just a terminal rig, after all.

[Skinnyh2ofishin]

Slide a tungsten slip sinker like you would t-rig with on the tag end, point up, then tie a split ring on with a palomar knot to keep it there. I DS heavy weeds alot and have found this to be the best.

That is what I do, but here are some other options:

Bullet-shaped split-shot.  They work just like regular split-shot but will come through vegetation a little cleaner.  I haven't had any problem with them coming off the line on hard casts thus far, but they will come off like a standard DS weight if you get snagged in rocks or brush.  They also allow you to keep changing the length of the drop leader by just moving it up or down the line and re-crimping, and since it's below your hook the damage to your line is not important.

Also, The above bullet weight method can be used with a Carolina Keeper instead of a split-ring, which will allow you to move the weight up or down the line like the split-shot, but still have the extra weedlessness of a standard (or tungsten) bullet weight, and you can still use a bead to add sound too.  The Carolina Keeper can slide off the end of the line on hard casts if it's been used many times and become weaker, but I tie a couple overhand knots in the very end of the leader to give enough resistance to keep it all from coming off the end. 

[Vinny Chase]

Thanks guys i will try these out and get back to you!

[Nice_Bass]

honestly deep weeds i dont throw a DS. Only reason is I dont like to pull fish out of deep weeds with 6-8# test line.

What would make you think that you have to tie a drop shot rig on just 6-8 lb. line? What is preventing you from tying it on your flipping stick? Its just a terminal rig, after all.

Because there would be more practical uses with a flipping stick...you know... like flipping, or as stated, c-rig etc. 

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

No offense but your seriously mistaken."flipping" a dropshot into heavy cover will give the fish a whole new thing to look at other than some goofy creature or craw crashing down and smashing into the bottom.Especially on lakes with heavy fishing pressure where boat after boat is lined up day after day crashing baits down a pad or hydrilla line.

[Nice_Bass]

No offense but your seriously mistaken."flipping" a dropshot into heavy cover will give the fish a whole new thing to look at other than some goofy creature or craw crashing down and smashing into the bottom.Especially on lakes with heavy fishing pressure where boat after boat is lined up day after day crashing baits down a pad or hydrilla line.

No offense taken.  I am not sure you know understand the weeds i have, if you think you are going to get a drop shot down in them, and then be able to nimbly move a bait around and have a fish see it, then, no offense, you are seriously mistaken.  I think you are trying to conceive an idea in your mind, and not practically apply it out on the water.  They are two completely different species.   If you are talking working an edge is one thing, but honestly, have you ever tried to crash a drop shot through thick stuff?  I have, the weight goes through, bait stays on top.  I have had luck working it through, stringy and sparse stuff...but seriously, there are better applications.   

Now for me to get lit up by the board.   

[fourbizz]

I have used the bubba shot in this kind of stuff. There is several feet of water below that.

You dont know what you are talking about.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

Not picturing a scenario in my head. I live in Florida and know a thing or two about fishing weeds.Dropshotting with heavy line and large texas rigged baits, not nose hooked,is a little known practice around here. Now When it comes to fishing deep clear water or dropshotting in it with little 6#line then I would be lost.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

I have used the bubba shot in this kind of stuff. There is several feet of water below that.

You dont know what you are talking about.

Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner .Some people are more versitile than others and some don't need to be due to the waters they fish.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I have used the bubba shot in this kind of stuff. There is several feet of water below that.

You dont know what you are talking about.

Mmmm, looks like fun.

[J Francho]

honestly deep weeds i dont throw a DS. Only reason is I dont like to pull fish out of deep weeds with 6-8# test line.

What would make you think that you have to tie a drop shot rig on just 6-8 lb. line? What is preventing you from tying it on your flipping stick? Its just a terminal rig, after all.

Because there would be more practical uses with a flipping stick...you know... like flipping, or as stated, c-rig etc.

A flip is just a type of cast, useful for any type rod and bait. A drop shot is just a type of terminal rigging, useful on any rod and reel. Neither is a fishing technique, but both solve some pretty simple fishing problems.

What you fail to see is the difference between flipping a drop bait or jig, and using a "flipping" setup to deliver a bait rigged so that you can impart any kind of action to, while it stays in place, i.e. in the strike zone.

Will this get you more fish? Not on days when they'll eat an unbaited hook, but on a tough day, it can make all the difference.

Get on the water, and do. When you fail to get bit, leave your comfort zone, and try something different.  Think in terms of solutions, not magic baits or techs.