# Test For Dropshot

[Weld's Largemouth]

what lb test do you use to create your dropshot rig? Im new to dropshotting.

 

Thanks

 

also, is monofilament alright to use? i know most people prefer flurocarbon, but dang that stuff is expensive

[JGBassinAL]

16 lb. Sunline SX1 braid to an 8 lb. Sunline Sniper FC leader.

[Raul]

Don'tcha think it depends ? In my everyday lake d-shotting with anything less than 12 lb nylon is downright stupid, in another 3 small lakes I fish 6 lb nylon is right.

[Catch and Grease]

Oh, I didn't realize there was only one strength line you could drop shot on....

Seriously though I've seen people dropshot on line as low as 6lb all the way up to 15lb+

[Weld's Largemouth]

Oh, I didn't realize there was only one strength line you could drop shot on....

Seriously though I've seen people dropshot on line as low as 6lb all the way up to 15lb+

but what about monofilament??

[bassguytom]

10lb Power Pro slick with an 8 lb. flouro leader and a VMC spin shot hook.

[Crankinstein]

Agreed with the post above, you can drop shot on anything between 6-15lb depending on water clarity, type of cover, depth, and type tackle used. Take a look at your local lake and make an assessment on those factors and they can help you decide. If I'm fishing a drop shot in water that's 25ft deep around submerged cover and that water's stained or on the murky side I'm going to use a little heavier line so that I can use slightly heavier weight and probably larger hook and worm. The opposite happens if the water is gin clear and I'm fishing 5ft around moderate cover. Its all based on conditions. I would recommend watching every Aaron Martens video you can find and you'll be a master of drop shot in no time!

[BasshunterJGH]

^^ Agreed. Aaron martens has good videos on dropshotting I also read a great article in bassmaster magazine about dropshotting from him. He uses everything from 2-15+ lb test and explains when to use different line and weights. Mono should work fine for dropshotting most prefer flouro.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

I use either 5lb Power Pro or 8lb Fireline. I like the Power pro better, but the Fireline comes out when I'm fishing bigger water for big smallmouth. I add a 4-8lb fluorocarbon leader when fishing in clear water. Monofilament, while not ideal, will certainly work fine for dropshotting.

[Weld's Largemouth]

16 lb. Sunline SX1 braid to an 8 lb. Sunline Sniper FC leader.

 

I use either 5lb Power Pro or 8lb Fireline. I like the Power pro better, but the Fireline comes out when I'm fishing bigger water for big smallmouth. I add a 4-8lb fluorocarbon leader when fishing in clear water. Monofilament, while not ideal, will certainly work fine for dropshotting.

 

 

Tie direct? What knot? Or do you use a swivel?

[JeziHogg]

 

 

 

 

Tie direct? What knot? Or do you use a swivel?

 

Tie the leader direct to the braid with a Uni to Uni or an Albright special, then use a VMC spin shot hook to eliminate line twist.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

1. Tie a swivel to your mainline

2. Tie your leader to the swivel

3. Tie your leader to your hook with a Palomar knot

4. Pass the tag end of the knot back through the eye of the hook (From the top)

5. Tie a weight to the end of your leader

 

Or you can use VMC Spinshot hooks. They are quick to tie on, but the hooks are not the strongest.

 

Good luck with the dropshot rig!

[Weld's Largemouth]

1. Tie a swivel to your mainline

2. Tie your leader to the swivel

3. Tie your leader to your hook with a Palomar knot

4. Pass the tag end of the knot back through the eye of the hook (From the top)

5. Tie a weight to the end of your leader

 

Or you can use VMC Spinshot hooks. They are quick to tie on, but the hooks are not the strongest.

 

Good luck with the dropshot rig!

There we go! Just what I needed, thanks! Im going to go fishing soon, evening though its cold, 55 degrees during the day, 40s at night.. lets hope i can get one of these "fall" bass

[Glenn]

It really depends on what you're fishing.  Seriously, 6- to-60lb test works. It just depends on what you're trying to fish.

 

I explain in more detail in my video:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/dropshot-rig.html

[Weld's Largemouth]

It really depends on what you're fishing.  Seriously, 6- to-60lb test works. It just depends on what you're trying to fish.

 

I explain in more detail in my video:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/dropshot-rig.html

Thank you Glenn! Your video was very helpful, I actually just bought those hooks today, so now I know how to use them!

[hatrix]

For me it's usually 20# braid and a 6 or 8# leader.

There is tons of great stuff from Aaron Martens on drop shots. Actually everything that guy says is great.

[Fisher-O-men]

I see those spin shot hooks are popular on this site.  I have yet to meet someone who uses them out here in So Cal.  We use very small octopus or dropshot hooks.  In weeds a small EWG is in order.  I think maybe the super clear water here makes the spin shot hooks too visible.  Most guys here use 5-6 lb FC line, again due to the clear water.

[JeziHogg]

The main lake I fish up here is called Lake Clear. You can honestlt see 30 feet down, I don't think the bar that the hook is attached to makes a difference. As for the vmc hooks being weak, I've never had one break. The only negative about them is instead of the hook sitting horizontally it kind of sags on the bar possibly making it harder to hit your mark on a hook set.

[ChrisD46]

For drop shot braid users : How long of a FC leader are you using to the hook ?

[Fishes in trees]

For my finesse drop shot applications, I'm currently using 14 lb Fireline and a longish leader, 6 or 8 or 10 lb, I think I've got 10 lb tied on right now.  Leader length is 7 feet or so, long enough that I can retie several times before I have to change out the leader.  If you go lighter on your leader, remember to back off on your drag some.

 

For my bubba drop shot, I'm currently going with 20 lb abrazx.  Of course, all line strategies are subject to change depending on if I find some new line I want to try or I find some line on sale.

[BassSlayer71]

I used between 10-12lb fluro.   But that's mainly cause that's what I had.  Might go lighter soon as I change the line on my reels.

[J Francho]

The "drop shot rig" is just that - a terminal rig.  For any rigging, I match tackle to the cover present.  For open water drop shot, I use M or ML spinning gear and 6# Tatsu or 6# InvisX.  Once I get into weeds or docks, I go to a stouter spinning rig, 20# braid and an 8-10# fluoro leader.  Plunking baits and heavy weeds, I'll use a heavy cover setup and straight 50# braid.

[WIGuide]

In the past I've used 6 lb flouro on my DS setup with a VMC Spinshot hook. This year I tried 20lb braid attached to the 6lb leader. I used a 6-10' leader. I haven't had any issues with the Spinshots. Also have fished them in clear water and didn't have problems catching fish or hooking them either.   

[5fishlimit]

I use anywhere from 4# to 10# line depending on the depth of water being fishing, and the size of the weight needed at the bottom.  When fishing on Lake Erie with 4' to 6' waves in 30 FOW sometimes a 1/2oz weight is needed, and then 10# is used.  In calmer conditions and 10 FOW I may only use a 3/16th oz weight and 4# test.

 

There's no set standard.

[J Francho]

 

When fishing on Lake Erie with 4' to 6' waves in 30 FOW sometimes a 1/2oz weight is needed, and then 10# is used.

 

I generally just use 6#, and start at 1/2 oz.  I'll go up to an ounce if necessary.  Instead of switching line though, I'll move up to a medium power rod.