Heavier Flouro For Drop Shotting?

[WSOzzie]

Has anyone successfully used a heavier flouro line for drop shotting? This is my first summer of DS, and no complaints whatsoever until the past couple weekends. I have lost a handful of 'large' fish due to line breaks.....not at the hook. Yes, the fish were biggest and heaviest of the season, so my frustration is high. Currently using 6 lb P-line on a Shimano Symmetre 2500 paired with Denali Kovert 6'10" M. 1/0 Martens hook w/ 3/16 sinker. As always, I appreciate the knowledge.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

I ocassionally use 16lb test if i am placing a dropshot in heavier wood cover. Not too manageable on most spinning reels, but easy enough on a casting reel.

[JGBassinAL]

Has anyone successfully used a heavier flouro line for drop shotting? This is my first summer of DS, and no complaints whatsoever until the past couple weekends. I have lost a handful of 'large' fish due to line breaks.....not at the hook. Yes, the fish were biggest and heaviest of the season, so my frustration is high. Currently using 6 lb P-line on a Shimano Symmetre 2500 paired with Denali Kovert 6'10" M. 1/0 Martens hook w/ 3/16 sinker. As always, I appreciate the knowledge.

 

I like to use 8lb Sunline Sniper for my drop shotting. I use braid and attach about a 6 ft fluoro leader as the braid will help with hooksets. When you say 1/0 Martens hook, are you referring to the Roboworm hook? I find it to be the best hook for drop shotting by far, and I believe if you switch to braid with a fluoro leader then you will be set. I like the 12 lb Sunline SX1 braid when I am drop shotting. Also, make sure your drag is set pretty loose. I set mine to where I can pretty easily pull out line when my spinning reel is engaged, and I have found this to really help with those bigger fish. With the braid with fluoro leader, you will still get a good hookset with a loose drag and then you can let the fish play themselves till they are tired and you don't have to worry about the line breaking.

[Raul]

It´s not a must to dropshot with hair thin line.

 

I wouldn´t dropshot with anything under 12 lbs test in most places of my everyday lake cuz it looks like this:

 

[ChrisD46]

8lb. fluoro was THE line to use for drop shotting - now braid as a mainline with a fluoro leader is becoming quite the deal ...Explain your setup : Braid to small Spro barrel swivel ? Line to line knot ? What line to hook , etc. ?

[WSOzzie]

I appreciate the replies.  Think I will go with braid mainline and a 4-6' flouro leader.  What is the down side of a swivel connecting the braid and flouro?  

[J Francho]

I match line strength to cover present - NOT fish size.  If you are breaking off from a fish - it's your drag, it's too tight.  If the fish is leading you to cover, and breaking off, your tackle is too light.  Let me break it down....

 

My dedicated, deep drop shot (light cover) rigs have no more than 6# fluoro.  I've landed carp close to 20#, and several large drum, browns, and steelies on this line. 

 

Step up in cover, and step up in line and tackle.  For moderate weeds, I move up to 15-20# braid, and an 8-12# fluoro leader.  Again, set the drag for the weakest point in your system.

 

If the cover is heavier, I'll step up to a casting rig, with 12-15# line.  Super heavy cover, I'll bubba shot with my punching gear, and 65# braid, no leader.

[Felix77]

I match line strength to cover present - NOT fish size.  

 

Agree 110%

 

I just finished the St Lawrence river and I used a drop shot setup with 15lb Braid and 10lb leader.

 

I also use a 6-8lb leader for regular drop shot.

 

My bubba shot is a baitcaster with 15lb FC.

 

This covers me for all situations.

[WRB]

I appreciate the replies.  Think I will go with braid mainline and a 4-6' flouro leader.  What is the down side of a swivel connecting the braid and flouro?

Too many knots! FC line weakens if stretched, try setting your drag with a scale at 2lbs for 6 lb FC and trust it!

Sunline Super Sniper 8 lb is the same diameter as P-line 6 lb.

Tom

[ColdSVT]

I use ten or 12# flouro leader tied to 20lb pp in my stradic....works great...i know i lose a lot more weights than anything lol

[ww2farmer]

I match line strength to cover present - NOT fish size.  If you are breaking off from a fish - it's your drag, it's too tight.  If the fish is leading you to cover, and breaking off, your tackle is too light.  Let me break it down....

 

My dedicated, deep drop shot (light cover) rigs have no more than 6# fluoro.  I've landed carp close to 20#, and several large drum, browns, and steelies on this line. 

 

Step up in cover, and step up in line and tackle.  For moderate weeds, I move up to 15-20# braid, and an 8-12# fluoro leader.  Again, set the drag for the weakest point in your system.

 

If the cover is heavier, I'll step up to a casting rig, with 12-15# line.  Super heavy cover, I'll bubba shot with my punching gear, and 65# braid, no leader.

Thats about how I do it too, except I am too chicken to move down to 6lb line, I use 8...and all my rigs are braid to fluoro leader.

[Sam]

Usually throw 7 pound test FC Sniper but it really gets twisted easily and makes a mess of the line coming off the spinning reel.

 

Yo-Zuri Hybrid in 8 or 10 pound test works well but you still get some line twist. Not as bad as the 7-pound test Sniper but still some line twist.

 

I have six pound PLine C21 that I will try one day.

 

The lightest line you can use is the best line to give you the "natural bait action" of the drop shot.

 

Only problem is the line twist and if you expect it and plan for it (bring a second spinning reel) you will be OK and your blood pressure won't blast through the ceiling.

[WSOzzie]

The lake that I fish is clear, and I would think that just using the 6 lb flouro-only these past couple of months has helped in fish count because of water clarity.  The line twists have been maddening, so I have had two reels set to go for that reason.  Sounds to me that fisherman-error is the reason for the breaks --- and I will loosen the drag.  I will also take the advice of most and set up a braid  ML to flouro leader rig as well a flouro-only 8lb Sniper setup. 

 

Thanks again, to all who took the time.

[J Francho]

Great idea to try both. Some guys love the braid and line in deep water, I don't I don't think there's a huge difference in the catching. I like simplicity of straight fluoro, and it works for me. I will say, as soon as I get into anything more than a hint of weeds, I switch from the light fluoro to the braid/leader rig. Good luck man, and report back how it goes.