Drop Shot In A Creek?

[gall]

ok so as it suggest any tips or suggestions or drop shotting a creek its max depth 6ft but usually ill fish pockets that are 3-5ft and ill be wading this time of the year i wanna finesse cause these smallmouth go into total shutdown but any tips or suggestions would be great 

[Sam]

Experiment with the space between the hook and weight to find out which length is best.

 

You want some current to move the bait.

 

If you can "match the hatch" with your bait go for it. Otherwise a nice four-inch worm of your choice will suffice.

 

And don't forget to "wacky" rig the worm on your #1 hook. You will be surprised how that will attract bites.

 

Just flip and pitch your way to heaven.

[gall]

ok thanks my next question is should i cast out pretty far? since im wading i know i cant drop it straight down ha be kinda pointless and i mean i 99% of the time am using a variation of a craw dad but i use jerkbaits in this time of year but ive tried a few times before with a smal zoom finesse worm in green pumpkin 

[Bassfishing375]

My creek fishing experience is very minimal, but I had some success with the drop shot. I used a Yum 3" Mighty Bug in Watermelon Red and I would drag it on the bottom. I had a 6" leader so when  dragged it the bait would be right of the bottom. This has been very successful for me, but again my experience in creeks is minimal. Hope this helps. 

[gall]

it does i mean i tried but didnt really give it to much time just cause the snags but im gonna devote more time to it

[bartdude186]

ok so as it suggest any tips or suggestions or drop shotting a creek its max depth 6ft but usually ill fish pockets that are 3-5ft and ill be wading this time of the year i wanna finesse cause these smallmouth go into total shutdown but any tips or suggestions would be great 

 

I fish creeks every now and then, and i have found that any watermelon colored super fluke on a drop shot in the current stirs up the smallies.

[gall]

i mean ive tried watermelon red flake for worms and everything and never got any response out of them like lmb in ponds and lakes i fish i mean it seems green pumpkin anything they are on it 

[bartdude186]

i mean ive tried watermelon red flake for worms and everything and never got any response out of them like lmb in ponds and lakes i fish i mean it seems green pumpkin anything they are on it 

 

Throw something pink at em 

[tatertester]

Red is killa!

[gall]

ha i mean im just trying to figure out the best way to do it in moving shallow water thats been the toughest aspect for me

[Bluebasser86]

ok thanks my next question is should i cast out pretty far? since im wading i know i cant drop it straight down ha be kinda pointless and i mean i 99% of the time am using a variation of a craw dad but i use jerkbaits in this time of year but ive tried a few times before with a smal zoom finesse worm in green pumpkin 

 

Don't be so sure of that. I've caught some really nice smallmouth that were swimming right in front of me. The key to it is to sneak as quietly as you can (they're going to know you're there regardless but if you're too loud they may shut down or take off). I've found walking upriver works best since they face into the current and the silt you stir up will be washed downriver away from them instead of towards them. Once you get to where you're a drop or short flip away, stand still and take in the scenery for a few minutes and let the fish calm down. Then you can accurately and quietly drop your rig right in front of them. 

IMO, if you're looking for something to present a plastic at a distance in a stream or small river you're better off with a split shot rig or shakyhead. Casting a drop shot a long ways in shallow water basically defeats the purpose of fishing one. 

[jhoffman]

Try your creeks at dusk/just after dark. I can catch fish behind the house when the water is ankle deep at dusk, during the day they wont touch anything thats not live.

[Jay Ell Gee]

I am going to take something bluebasser said and emphasize it. Try a split shot rig.

Experiment on the shot size for current, but I would start with 4 inch worms. I start with a number 4 or 2.

Elaztech strike king 4 inch finesse worms FLOAT behind the split shot rig, current moving the little worm would be crazy good, 4 inch curly tail robo worms, 4 inch zoom dead ringers, zoom super fluke Jr's.... All on a 1/0 wide gap. Heck, maybe a sluggo. 3 or 4 inch senko. Small 3 inch craws, sky is the limit.

If there was EVER a creek rig worth mastering, the split shot rig is it.

You can cast it upriver and it will fall very well In those shallow holes. The current will provide it plenty of movement. Some 8lb copolymer line and you will be in business!

Give it a "shot."You'll be glad you did.

[gall]

ive used that style before with great success its just the water is so clear here which makes it so tough 

[Munkin]

_{Try a Zoom tiny fluke in alwife and keep your DS leader at about 6". Personally I find it hard to fish a DS in the river or creeks because it is so hard to keep the panfish away. The other bait you should try since you mentioned green pumkin is a Zoom meathead worm.}

 

_Allen

[Djman72]

Find big boulders/snags/ water ripples and toss the dropshot on the side of the break in the water current and wait. You'll get the smallies with that.

 

I liked flukes, small worms, and even a craw/creature bait to use like this. If all else fails tie on a mepps and catch em with ole' reliable.

[gall]

thanks guy for the advice and yeah i have the same problem with shakey head rock bass and blue gills are always nipping at it and the rock bass just plain eat it but ill deff have to give those tips a try thanks 

[MidwestFishing]

The small fish can be a pain but try a light football shaky head with small plastic craws. Cast up stream, gently lift lure off bottom and let the current move it for you. You will have to fish through some smaller species but this is quite effective for finicky smallies in creeks and small rivers.

[WhiteMike1018]

Like the others said, just experiment with the leader length etc.

 

One of my favorite all time creek fishing baits is a 4 inch berkley power worm in red shad. Iv'e caught everyhting out of small creeks on this bait, bass, sunfish, perch, pickerel etc. Rig it on 6lb test with a 1/16 ounce bullet weight. Its pretty dynamite.

[paangler13]

I use this rig a lot in the creeks and rivers around here. In fact I have used a "drop shot rig" since i can remember. My dad and his brothers called it a river rig. I will make long casts with it, but I try to stick with small flips and pitches. I think it works best(hung up the least) with casts less than 25 feet.

 

I would make one suggestion;  You are going to get hung up fishing creeks in this area! Instead of using a drop shot weight, use split shot. The ss will slide off the tag end of the rig saving the hook and plastic. I like enough weight to keep it ticking the rocks in the "main channel", that way it will drop into eddies and slack behind current breaks. As far as what to use, try everything! I use this rig in summer with a hellgramite or stone cat copy. 

 

Good luck!   Jim

[gall]

thanks pa angler and i know all about hangups ha and the idea with the ss is genius i wanna give a new look and i mean the traditional texas rig gets the job done but i like trying new things

[BaconStealer303]

For creeks my best lures are 3" or 4" wack rigged senkos, drop shot works well too especially w/ gulp alive minnows, and can't wait to try river2sea standing yabbies that I picked up should work great too

[gall]

yeah senkos are something i use a lot of ive been using a light weighted hook i got from w-mart and they are like 1.50 they are made for senkos and ive been throwing those in breaks and around bigger boulders and have had great luck with them