Drop Shotting (Going To Give It A Try)

[TheBig1]

Ok, well my wife and I are tired of not catching any fish when we go out.  I've watched a couple of BassResourse's videos by Glenn about drop shotting and we are ready to give it a try and hopefully start putting some fish in the boat, if not I'll be blaming him for it.

 

This coming Friday we're going to strip the boat of all but drop shot gear and hit the lake.  It's a learn it or go home empty type deal.  Don't ask about our setups, we're still in the upper echelons of the Wal-Mart phase.  We'll be upgrading soon enough to something decent but for right now we're just going out to get some bites.

 

I bought an Eagle Drop Shot kit from Wal-Mart since I've never done it before as well as some of those #1 size VMH swivel hooks.  The only thing that I did not do, that I have read to be suggested, is to put 10-15lb braid on our rods.  Unfortunately for this coming trip on Friday we'll be fishing with straight 8lb mono that's already on there because my one 6'6" spinning rod quadruples as my senko, shaky head, trout/shiner, and now my drop shotting rod.  We'll just have to back off on the drag to fight any bigguns.  To go on the hook I bought some Robo Worms as well as some 4" Gander Mountain finess worms all with straight tails.

 

Does anyone have any advice for our upcoming trip?

[mod479]

Read this if you havent:  

 

http://www.richz.com/fishing/articles/dropshot.html

 

There is much good reading on the dropshot rig in the archives of this site. Search function: arrange threads by # replies or views. Rigging, baits, techniques....its all there for those who want to look.

 

After that, get on youtube and watch anything about dropshotting by Aaron Martens or other pros.    

 

The gear you've got is fine. What alot of guys find out with braid/leader setups is how easy it is to straighten out a light wire dropshot hook when trying to cross the fishes eyes. Not neccesary, simple lift up firmly and keep pressure when you feel a strike. 

Mono is known to be stretchy, and you might need to actually give them a good snap to set the hook, you'll figure that out on the water. Suggest something in between the 2 until you know.

 

What kind of weights does that kit include? Unless you're sight fishing leave the light weights in the box, rig up with one that gets you to the bottom quickly and allows you to work the bait without bouncing it up and down. My suggestion is 1/4oz as a starting point.  

 

You've got some finesse worms, good, I catch most my DS fish on simple 4-5" finesse worms. Rigging is up to you. They can be nose hooked, wacky rigged, and TX rigged on a specialty hook. Since you've got VMCs, stick to nose hooking and wacky for now. A pack of 3" senkos would be a good buy, natural colors or black. Wacky rig them, use a longer line between hook and weight to allow a good fall.   

 

Flukes videos are full of great advice to get you on your way, might also look at his "finding fish" video too. The dropshot rig can be very effective, but only if you're around fish!

[Bmurr7]

Also, don't get discouraged. Drop shotting does produce fish under tough bite conditions, but so does a shaky head, weightless senko or wacky rig, or the right crankbait... And if you want to put fish in the boat, you may end up having to try all those and more depending on the day, weather etc. Where I'm going with this is that you want options. Finding what the fish want can take time but you want to have the ability to adapt. Nothing is more frustrating than getting out there and realizing I should have brought something else/ more" .Maybe instead of ONLY bringing DS gear, bring your usual gear (which should include your finesse gear) and focus on drop shotting and if that isn't producing fish, switch it up. that's why we have so many setups right? Any way have fun, be safe and just work the techniques as best you can, try them in different ways and get creative with it.

[livetofish28]

Give it a try it is an awesome technique that I am just starting to get used to doing and is becoming one of the staple rods in my arsenal. Also don't be afraid to throw it in stained water. It still works and it catches good fish too lol

Tight lines

Andrew

[MikeinFresno]

the go to worm out here in CA is the ZOOM 4" trick worm in watermelon, green with red flakes.

 

  The actual fishing of the drop shot Ive seen a few basic methods. One is to just hang it over the side of the boat with 50-100' or so of line out and just drift. It will drag along and bounce as it goes, giving it that just right wiggle. The 2nd is to cast out and then drag back 3-4' and reel in the slack. i think this is too fast a technique. I use the third, cast out and jiggle the rod tip while slowly pulling it toward you. Reel in the slack and let it sit for a few seconds and then jiggle it towards you again.

 

ALL of these techniques require the weight to stay in contact with the bottom at all times or the bait just wont jiggle, bounce, swim along. If you are drifting and lose contact with the bottom them you have to use more weight to keep it down.

[JeziHogg]

Remember, don't over work a DS. Let it sit and let the current give it action, and once in awhile bounce it back.

[TheBig1]

Thank you everyone for the great tips, I'll be sure and try to be patient enough to allow it to sit.  Mike, it's funny you said about the Zoom 4" Watermelon w/red flakes because after a discussion with my wife over the weekend at Gander Mountain, that's exactly what I bought only the Gander Mountain brand.

 

I'm excited to try it and hope that I pick the right spot/terrain to do so to gain confidence.  I'll be looking for those points, drop offs and weed line areas to work.

 

Again, thank you to all.

[Bk4]

When I'm in doubt I dropshot.

[TheBig1]

I can't wait, I just hope I find success in it.

[spartyon8]

I have tried it all and nothing works better than a leech (live or gulp).

[Fisher-O-men]

Roboworm, 4.5" straight tail, Oxblood Red Flake.  Especially good in clear water, but will catch fish anywhere!  I would ditch the swivel hooks and just go with a #2 mosquito.  If in weeds I use a very small EWG offset hook.  Not sure the # size, but only about 3/4" long.

[TheBig1]

Roboworm, 4.5" straight tail, Oxblood Red Flake.  Especially good in clear water, but will catch fish anywhere!  I would ditch the swivel hooks and just go with a #2 mosquito.  If in weeds I use a very small EWG offset hook.  Not sure the # size, but only about 3/4" long.

 

Thank you for the tips, I'll be sure to keep this in mind.  I'll be checking out the #2 Mosquito hooks.  It's very confusing, there are so many hooks and varieties out there to choose from.

[ColdSVT]

I need to just sit down and give it an honest effort...i see way to many fish caught that way not too try it

I have a dropshot rod, weights and baits that just collecr dust lol

[gulfcaptain]

also depending on what your fishing around the longer cylinder style weights will hang up less then the round dropshot weights.  Almost any 4" worm will work great, last year I started using Kietech's Live and Swing Impacts dropshotting and worked out great.  Have fun.

[TheBig1]

also depending on what your fishing around the longer cylinder style weights will hang up less then the round dropshot weights.  Almost any 4" worm will work great, last year I started using Kietech's Live and Swing Impacts dropshotting and worked out great.  Have fun.

 

I was thinking about picking up some of those longer weights.  Although I understand each weight has it's own application I'm sure that you could use the longer weights in any application.  I was wondering the same thing about the 4" worm.  I'm actually a little bummed that I didn't sign up for the MTB last month and get some of those worms that came in it.  But I'm signed up now and can't wait until next week to get it.

 

I need to just sit down and give it an honest effort...i see way to many fish caught that way not too try it

I have a dropshot rod, weights and baits that just collecr dust lol

 

I agree, although I just bought the weights and stuff, I need to do it.  I hear too many good things about it and have waited too long to do so.  I have always been the shoot, move and communicate type.  I just want to sling baits and reel them back it.  Go, go, go!  I need to slow down, go deeper where the fish are and learn that by becoming more patient that I may perhaps have more fun.

[Fisher-O-men]

The drop shot bite is very different.  Often it is like someone tapping your line with a pencil.  Sometimes your line just jumps a little, so it is important to watch your line.  Occasionally your line just starts moving sideways or gets slack.  The fish do not often spit the DS bait, so when you feel something out of the ordinary,  reel down and set with only a flick of the wrist.  No need to break their jaw with those small hooks.

 

Watch Aaron Martins on YouTube! King of Drop Shot!

[FrogFreak]

When the top water bite is done, I dropshot. I love the technique because it just works. It's simple, don't over think it. Put a hook on (I use the VMC one with the swivel but I've also used good ole wacky worms in a pinch). Plop a weight on the bottom (you can even use worm weights if you want) and have fun. As others have said, keep trying plastics until the fish tell you what they want. I have had a ton of luck with the good ole 4 inch Zoom trick worm in natural colors. 20 in a package for under 4 bucks. I think the best line to use is fluorocarbon but Mono works just fine too.

 

I completely agree with your strategy to only take dropshot stuff out with you. It's the only way to really learn a new technique. I think Glenn mentions that in one of his videos about fishing a jerkbait. Just remember to have realistic expectations.

 

If it were me, I'd start on the weed breaks and points.If there's structure adjacent to either of these, Id concentrate there.

[TheBig1]

The drop shot bite is very different.  Often it is like someone tapping your line with a pencil.  Sometimes your line just jumps a little, so it is important to watch your line.  Occasionally your line just starts moving sideways or gets slack.  The fish do not often spit the DS bait, so when you feel something out of the ordinary,  reel down and set with only a flick of the wrist.  No need to break their jaw with those small hooks.

 

Watch Aaron Martins on YouTube! King of Drop Shot!

 

Thank you for that tidbit, I will be sure to keep an eye on my line and try to keep my enthusiasm down so I don't attempt to cross their eyeballs and rip it out of their mouths. 

 

 

When the top water bite is done, I dropshot. I love the technique because it just works. It's simple, don't over think it. Put a hook on (I use the VMC one with the swivel but I've also used good ole wacky worms in a pinch). Plop a weight on the bottom (you can even use worm weights if you want) and have fun. As others have said, keep trying plastics until the fish tell you what they want. I have had a ton of luck with the good ole 4 inch Zoom trick worm in natural colors. 20 in a package for under 4 bucks. I think the best line to use is fluorocarbon but Mono works just fine too.

 

I completely agree with your strategy to only take dropshot stuff out with you. It's the only way to really learn a new technique. Just remember to have realistic expectations.

 

If it were me, I'd start on the weed breaks and points.If there's structure adjacent to either of these, Id concentrate there.

 

Thank you for that.  I honestly can't wait to give it a try, I'm super excited for my next outing.  If this ends up being one of my favorite ways to bass fish the I'll just have to go out and spend money on a new setup designated specifically to that style of fishing.  I'd really hate to have to do that.

[CDobber]

Keep us posted on your results either way.  I took a Dad and his two kids (my students) out on the 'toon today for a couple hours of fishing.  All of us used crawlers....they did the ol' bobber/worm, probably 12-18" under the surface, I did a drop shot to the bottom...started in roughly 8-10 FOW  on a submerged island edge (anchored) and eventually moved more shallow to a weed edge in about 8 FOW.  None of us had any luck today.....sounds like the bite for bass, gills and many others is just tough right now.  Marked a decent amount of fish on the FF, couldn't encourage any takers.  I had all my plastics and probably could have thrown on senkos or other varieties, but figured (and have seen of late from shore) that even 'if' I can locate fish, they really only bite at crawlers right now.

[ColdSVT]

Gave it a try today

WORKED!

Certainly different feeling but it was easier that i assumed