couple of questions: Drop shotting and Fising Flukes

[Maneframe]

First of all, this is my first post. However, I have been reading on here alot. I really enjoy this site.

I am new to bass fishing and love it. I have been fishing the last couple of years, but didnt get serious till last year. I purchased a boat and hit the water every chance that I get. I have been experimenting with different things. I really love fishing soft plastics mainly t-rigged. This what I have the most confidence with, however I have thrown crankbaits and spinnerbaits quite a bit.

I have 2 questions:

I am wanting to try the drop shot this year, what is the best way to rig one of these and what bait/knot /weight should i use?

Also, i want to try a fluke this year. Do i need to use a weight with these if so what size? Also would a spinning rod and reel work better for this technique?

Thanks in advance.

[MonarkMcfaster]

Welcome aboard!!  I can't really answer your drop shot question but I can the fluke.

It all depends on how deep you want to go with it. Generally speaking I fish mine weightless on a 6'6" spinning gear with 12lb mono.

[NorcalBassin]

Drop shottin has turned into one of my most productive techniques. I generally tie a drop shot hook (palomar) approx 18" up the line and then pull the tag end back through the eye to make sure the point is up. Tie on a 1/8 to 1/4 oz weight and nose hook the plastic of your choice, and then you're all set. You may need to vary the distance between the hook and weight based on the water you're fishing and where they're holding, but this should at least give you a start. Good luck!

[Hot Rod]

I am wanting to try the drop shot this year, what is the best way to rig one of these and what bait/knot /weight should i use?

Also, i want to try a fluke this year. Do i need to use a weight with these if so what size? Also would a spinning rod and reel work better for this technique?

Welcome!

Tie a palomar knot for the drop shot but leave a longer tag end than usual, I prefer about it to be about 8-12" of tag end.  Its best when starting to tie the knot to run the loop starting from the hook point side of the eye out towards the other side.  This will help the hook point ride up.  You can also facilitate that by passing the tag end back through the hook point side after you tie the knot.

Then you can put on what ever weight you like.  I prefer a regular old split shot for most applications as they are cheap and slide off if it gets hung up.  I like 1/8 oz to 1/4 oz depending on depth.  But for starters use the heavier weight till you get the feel.

As far as the fluke goes.  I fish mine mostly without weight.  Sometimes I'll wrap a bit of solder around the hook shaft to give it a bit faster sink rate if I think it needs to run deeper.

I also prefer a baitcaster whenever I can use it because you don't get as much line twist, especially important with a fluke.  But with the smaller flukes rig weightless you have to use a spinning rod.  For that reason I'll often use a ball swivel and about a 12" leader to help with line twist.  You can change the size of the swivel to change sink rate as well.

Hope that helps

[Morelures]

When fishing the Drop shot, once you feel your weight hit the bottom practice feeling the difference between actually moving the bait instead of the weight. Allot of times you can slowly move your rod tip up and when you feel the weight that is when you want to let your line go semi slack. As you get the feel for it you will know just when you are about to feel the weight and that is when you should drop your rod tip again. This is what gives the bait a natural quivering action. Using this presentation the only time you want to move the weight is when you want to actually move the bait to another location.

This rig is also deadly just dragging it slowly as well, sometimes pausing for a few seconds. Most people think of this rig as a deep water rig only but you can through it at any depth. I like using 8lb flor test.

Using a heavy weight will help you feel the rig better. But I have had more hits on the fall using a light weight.

I love to throw this rig in the front of docks or against bridge pilings and make the bait look like its eating off the structure like minnows do. 

Im looking forward to checking Flukes vid out.

[J Francho]

Here's your drop shot manual: http://www.richz.com/fishing/articles/dropshot.html

[Josh Bassman]

Fluke Jr's are awesome drop shot baits. I've thought about "power shotting" with the large flukes, but haven't tried it... Yet!

[Maneframe]

Thanks guys, I am just ready for some warm weather so I can try it out!

Last year, I encoutered lots of suspended fish and could never seem to get them to strike. Hopefully, incorporating these techniques will help me put them in the boat this year.

[Crestliner2008]

Welcome aboard! J Franco gave you the best source for DS information. Pay attention to the hooks Rich Z. is using. You never want a "beaked" type hook. Rather get the straight point as he describes.

The small 2 3/4" fluke type plastics make outstanding DS baits. And do not forget to get several bags of Roboworms.

[BassChaser57]

As for flukes, fish them weightless. I fished them using spinning tackle for years. I love spinning because you can skip the fluke under just about anything. Most the time a little twitch, twitch, pause is all it takes to get the attention of a bass but play around with the retrieve and remember you can put a fluke on any rig including a Texas Rig and it will catch fish.