Drop Shot Hooks

[TetraFish'n]

I have been stocking up on my collection of drop shot hooks lately. For the last couple of years I have been using the Gamakatsu drop/split shot hooks. I have been pleased with them, but decided to try some new styles this year. I recently purchased a few different styles of the drops shot hooks with swivels, such as the VMC Spin Shot and Mustad No-Twist Shot hooks. I perform this technique using a bait caster and have learned to hook my bait so it spins less, so I haven't had a ton of problem with line twist. However, I would like to prevent as much twist as I can. 

 

So my question is, do these hooks that are not directly tied to the line impart as much as action to the lure? I have noticed how the hooks have a large gap between the eye and the shaft they swivel around. Although it is a short distance, the hook has to reach either end of the shaft before there is a force causing it to move. It seems to me that when I'm jiggling the bait it would not be vibrating as much in the water. 

 

Thanks,

Josh

[Munkin]

Gama drop shot hook

Owner mosquito hook

Stand out hook (cannot remember who makes it)

Gama size 1 ewg hook

 

These are what I use depending on the bait and cover.

 

Allen

[Fishes in trees]

I have cycled through many different brands of hooks for drop shot fishing.  My current favorites are Gamakatsu Wicked Wacky hooks.  Bps stocks them in sizes from 1/0 thru 5/0 and I use them all.  If I am going to tx rig a bait, my first choice is the Lunker City Texposer or the gamakatsu skip gap hook.  Note that this is for bubba drop shot fishing, when I go finesse, my mind isn't made up at all and I try a different one nearly every time.

[Megastink]

Size 1 Gammy Drop Shot hook. That is ALL you need. Too heavy a hook effects the baits natural action. I know a lot of guys tell you to shake it in place, but thats not how I do it. I drop, deadstick for 20-30 seconds (when 90% of my bites occur), pick it up, shake three times, deadstick again another 15 seconds. Repeat. Too heavy a hook means too little action.

[Sam]

You can use any hook on a drop shot.

 

From a Texas rig hook to a small size 8 Gamakatsu Octopus hook and anything in between.

 

Personal preference.

 

I have used a 1/0 weedless hook as I was throwing in the brush as I had the worm Texas rigged and also thrown a small drop shot hook by nose hooking the plastic worm.

 

You can wacky rig your plastic on a drop shot, too. Give it a shot.

 

Remember two things about the drop shot:

1.  You want the current to move the bait for you with you holding the rod so there is some slack in the line.

2.  You want to raise your rod to set the hook.

 

If the hook is in the front of the mouth or in the lips then you may need a longer hook.

 

Just my two cents.

[ww2farmer]

VMC #2 spinshots.

[S Hovanec]

I used to use the Gammie dropshot hooks. After breaking a couple hooks on fish, I gave them all away and switched to Owner Mosquitos. I use from #8 to 2/0 depending on the bait.

[Felix77]

VMC #2 spinshots.

Another vote for the Spinshot. I use #1's.

[RoLo]

Welcome to the forum:

 

Gamakatsu Drop/Split Shot Hook

Size 1 or 1/0 depending on the trailer.

 

Roger

[Tim Kelly]

I prefer the gamakatsu worm 39 hook. The owner mosquito hooks are a good second, but they have offset points (reversed?) which makes it more difficult to put the baits on straight.

[WIGuide]

I've tried a few now and have kind of settled on the VMC spinshots. I haven't noticed any real difference in action but have noticed a reduction in line twist using my spinning rod. I usually use anything from a #1 to a 2/0 with the standard style otherwise a 1/0 or 2/0 when I use the wide gap version. I'm looking forward to trying the new Trokar versions when they come out too!

[MainelyBASS]

IMO the gimmicky hooks that have the mechanism to prevent line twists are the opposite idea of what drop shotting is meant to be about. For me the idea and beauty of DS is the light line and tiny bait presentation when the bite is difficult. The spinshot type of hooks have a lot of exposed metal that is very shiny. When using a 3 or 4" bait, the hook can easily stand out more than the bait. In regards to line twists, for me it is not a concern due to the fact that I use braid as my main line, followed by a 6lb fluoro leader. When my line starts to wear due to twists, I just tie on a new leader.

[ww2farmer]

IMO the gimmicky hooks that have the mechanism to prevent line twists are the opposite idea of what drop shotting is meant to be about. For me the idea and beauty of DS is the light line and tiny bait presentation when the bite is difficult. The spinshot type of hooks have a lot of exposed metal that is very shiny. When using a 3 or 4" bait, the hook can easily stand out more than the bait. In regards to line twists, for me it is not a concern due to the fact that I use braid as my main line, followed by a 6lb fluoro leader. When my line starts to wear due to twists, I just tie on a new leader.

Nothing "gimmicky" about them. They work and they work well.....

[J Francho]

I use spinshots for fun fishing.  They can take time to retie, though, so for tournaments, I go with either a Mosquito hook or the Gam. split shot hook.  For hook size, I use anything from a #4 to 1/0 hook - match the hook to the bait you are using. If you have any fears about using small hooks, keep in mnd, my PB smallmouth was caught drop shotting with a #4 hook, a 5-12 Erie smallie.

[Champfishnva]

VMC spin shots!

[BenB54]

Gamakatsu Drop/Split Shot Hook

Size 1 or 1/0 depending on the trailer.

x2 on this.

[RandySBreth]

Owner Dropshot for weedless, any good octopus hook for open water, and my own wire weedgaurd tied on a Gamakatsu B10 Stinger hook for weedless wacky.
I never use the spinshot type hooks, instead I use superline mainline tied to a good ball-bearing swivel, then a flouro leader with the hook and weight on it.

[CWB]

VMC Spin-Shot has been working for me.

[WRB]

Owner mosquito size 1 hook for nose hooking or wacky hooking and Owner #5133 down shot hook size 1/0 for weedless hooking.

Don't over fish a drop shot, let the worm do it's own action by slowly jiggling the rod tip into slightly slack line.

The drop shot rig is a finesse rig and works best with finesse 4" to 6" worms.

Tom

[Lucky Craft Man]

I have used specific Drop Shot Hooks (Gamakatsu, Trokar, & Owner), Circle Hooks (Gamakatsu, & Mustad), several different Spin Shot Hooks (VMC, Decoy, and Gamakatsu) and there is one hook I just keep coming back to.  The fine wire Gamakatsu EWG work hook in size 2 to 1/0.  I know this is very unconventional but I seem to have the best success with this hook.  The fine wire really penetrates the hard mouth of the Smallmouth with minimal effort and the EWG style keeps the lure a little further away from the line so a Smallmouth can have the lure and hook in his mouth without biting onto the line (which either could add resistance felt by the fish or add friction to the system of having to start sliding the line through the jaws of the fish before you move the hook).  The EWG also seems to allow for the bait to slide out of the way and not add resistance by bunching up on a short shanked hook.  The only detriment that I have found is that a hard fighting Smallmouth could bend the hook if you start really applying pressure.  Other than that, the Gamakatsu EWG Worm Hook is my goto drop shot hook and it has landed me Smallmouth up to 6lb. 5 oz. (and I hope to be able to say it has landed me a 7+ pounder in the future).  Great little hook.

[WillieB]

Curious as to how the easy weight change system works on the gamakatsu drop/split shot hooks. 

[fisherrw]

vmc

[BasshunterJGH]

I use #2 & #1 owner mosquito and down shot cutting points 95% of the time. I'll go up to a 1/0 or 2/0 with bigger baits.

[BasshunterJGH]

Owner mosquito size 1 hook for nose hooking or wacky hooking and Owner #5133 down shot hook size 1/0 for weedless hooking.

Don't over fish a drop shot, let the worm do it's own action by slowly jiggling the rod tip into slightly slack line.

The drop shot rig is a finesse rig and works best with finesse 4" to 6" worms.

Tom

X2. Mosquito for nose hooking, down shot for weedless rigging. Btw roboworms and proworms 4 and 6 inch are my favorite ds baits.