Drop Shot Generalities

[bkohlman]

Purpose of this thread is to be general so please stay away from specific brands....thanks in advance!

 

What would you suggest to someone looking to start drop shotting?

 

What length/power/action for the rod?

 

What should one  look for in a reel?

 

What pound test of flourocarbon?

 

 

[JeziHogg]

6'10 ML XF, 6lb Flouro, 1000 size reel

[LMB ANGLER]

6.8ft to 6.10ft rod and even 7ft

 

medium, fast

 

spinning reel 1000-2000

 

6 to 12 pound fluorocarbon line

[Crappiebasser]

I use a 6'8" MLXF spinning rod. Any reel with a smooth drag. I use 20lb braid with a 6 lb flouro leader. Lately I have been fishing a heavier version on a 7'2" M casting rod with a 12lb leader in brush.

[Capt.Bob]

shallow water 6'3" MXF, 1000 size spinning, 15# braid w/6#fluoro. leader  

 

deeper water 6'10" MXF, 5.9oz size baitcast, 20# braid w/12# fluoro. leader

 

light hook sets required with these rods, when I started using the XF actions I had a bad habit of setting the hook to hard, with the lighter line, I more than once broke my line using to aggressive of a hook set, now a flick of the wrist at the slightest bite and it's golden. Any reel with a super smooth drag and I prefer reels with very light weight, and faster gear ratio's. 

[tomustang]

6'8-7'0 Medium Light Fast or Extra Fast rod, 1000-2500 reel, 6-10lb line, dropshot or spinshot hooks, teardrop or pencil style weights, any soft plastic (finesse worms, craws, etc.), slight lift up or to the side hook set.

[ww2farmer]

Nothing revolutionary here...............I use a 6'9" ML/XF rod, 2000 size spinning reel, 10lb braid main line w/8lb fluorocarbon leader.

[kickerfish1]

What you provided were general questions.

Are you vertically fishing them or casting them? Vertical fishing you can get away with a shorter rod and to an extent it makes it easier. For casting look for a longer rod. You can find companies offering 6'10 - 7'2 rods which help other casting distance.

Are you fishing the 1/4 and under weights or something heavier? For a general rod I would look at ML or Medium depending upon the manufacturer and the rod specs.

Your reel should be something small to mid sized. Something that is around or slightly less than 150 yards of 8# line. The drag should be high quality and capable of keeping fish pinned on lighter line without slipping.

You can use just about any kind of line though most options involve floro somewhere in there as a main line or leader. Typically 6-10# test is good but if I had to pick one I would say 8#.

Just remember to set your drag accordingly and if you use floro as a main line close the bail by hand and apply line conditioner as needed.

[Fishes in trees]

Don't just think of drop shot fishing as a deeper water/lighter line style of fishing.  Drop shot fishing is a way of presenting a bait with a weight.   Just like jig fishing, or tx rig fishing, or split shot rigging, or carolina rigging or whatever.

 

I carry several different drop shot rigs in my boat every time I go fishing.  More often than not, the "bubba shot" sees the most play.  By bubba shot, I mean fishing with a 7 1/2' pitching rod and 20 lb Abrazx fluorocarbon, generally a half ounce drop shot weight.  Just saying. . . . if your are limiting yourself to lighter rigs & lighter lines you are limiting yourself.  That being said, the prior posts about the  lighter line/rod suggestions are right on.

[skeletor6]

Short rods are pretty good for drop shotting vertically. I cast out my shots almost every time. I prefer a longer rod for such applications. 7'2'' is ideal for casting a shot. 6'10'' is alright too.

 

XF actions are important with a soft enough tip so you don't lift the weight off the bottom. Power of your rod depends on what kickerfish said, the weight and cover you are fishing. Anything from ML to MH really. 

[Dave P]

7 foot Medium fast or XF. It doesn't matter much to me either way. IMO, this rod allows you to do a little bit of everything finesse. I have braid on my reel now, but I prefer 8lb. flouro. I like to use circle hooks. Some people don't. 4 inch worm or "shad" and about 1/4 oz weight covers most of my needs.