Terminal Tackle For Drop Shotting.

[PaFrogThrower9]

Thinking about switching up my drop shot setup this year. Anyone using barrel swivels to go from their braid to their fluorocarbon and then using a swivel drop shot hook?

[sprint61]

Sounds like to many knots to me on light line.

[Smokinal]

I like a longer leader so I don't use a swivel. probably wouldn't use one anyway. I use a blood knot from braid to fluoro and Palomar on hook, typical setup.

[Felix77]

I personally use a uni-2-uni or alberto (still working on it) to tie the braid to FC.  From there I use the VMC Swivelshots #1.  Start with a 7" tag to the weight.  Go up/down from there.

[PaFrogThrower9]

Sounds like to many knots to me on light line.

I saw KVD using this setup yesterday smoking m the smallies. Seemed to work fine for him.

[kcdinkerz]

Are you concerned about line twist? If so I used to use the vmc hooks with swivels. But when I went to braid with fluro leader line twist wasn't that bad so I switched to cheaper circle or octopus hooks. I usually retie before my leader gets messed up and it's just a simple Palomar knot.

[A KGB Operative]

I just got some finesse wide gap hooks gamaskatsu from walmart, these would work for dropshotting right?

[ColdSVT]

I went to braid with a 6' flouro leader and a vmc spinshot last year....line twist issues no more!

I use an albright not for the braid to leader and a palomar knot to the hook

[papajoe222]

That's the way I've been fishing drop shots with a leader since I saw Bill Dance demonstrate the technique. No worries about line twist and I trust the two Palomars I use on the swivel more than I do an Albright or Alberto knot as I'm terrible at tying them.

[bassinyea]

I have recently been using the Mustad version of the spin shot.  Not sure what it is called but basically the same thing except with a barrel swivel added to it.  Line twist has been no problem and I don't use braid to fluoro leader, just straight flouro on my drop shot rod.  I like that the swivel loop on the bottom of the hook also gives you an option to tie on a leader with a shakeyhead instead of a drop shot weight which you cant do with the gamakatsu spin shot deal cause it just has a line wedging piece to hold your leader on with your weight.

[scupbaron]

Found after lotta tinkering that  that less hardware & knots and lightest line practical  means more fish with the dropshot.  Tried spinshot hooks ..they work but feel more bites with just mosquito hook and the weight  ..yes they help with line twist particularly with non worm plastics ..its a tradeoff and I can tie on the dropshot tig quick with spinshots when have tag end with weight already set up ...convienient when bank fishing or one spinning rod at the ready,  For line I like straight pline cxx in 6lb moss green.  Fairly cheap and had similiar catch rates when used  fluorocarbon .  waters rarely gin clear where i fish.  ...like size 2 and 4 mosquito hooks but the gamakatsus work fine too.  

[Crestliner2008]

Two seasons ago, I switched to a VMC swiveled ds hooks. I just had to give all the hype a try. I used them for one full season. Lost way too many fish on the jumps. Have gone back to my tried and true Gamakatsu #2 drop shot/split shot hooks. These hooks provide me with the holding power on the jumps that almost guarantees me landing the bass. Hasn't failed me yet.

 

As far line goes, I use 10# test PowerPro for the main. I tie on a Spro #8 PowerSwivel (very tiny and dependable) and then connect my leader (6# test fluorocarbon) which is always pre-tied and stored on a "Tackle Tamer" velcro leader roll. This storage affords me six ready to go leaders at the drop of a hat. And when I'm drop shotting, I change my leader at least 3 or 4 times each trip out.

 

The upper end of these pre-tied leaders has a small #2 "Snap Hook" (Netcraft), which affords me a very quick change leader assembly. (Same snaps fly fishermen use on their light tippets to change flies.) I simply snap off the worn leader (after every 3 or 4 bass are released) and snap on a new one in seconds. Has worked very well for over many years of drop shotting. And I've caught a ton of smallies doing it this way. Some folks say that this is "too many knots", to which I reply that if you are not confident in tying one knot, you will obviously have a problem tying multiple knots. Has never presented a problem for me.

 

The leader below the hook is left long and simply continued to wrap on the tube. This way I can adjust the length my off-bottom presentation to what the fish want on any given day. And the tube stores my ds sinkers inside it, which is convenient and fast. Been using this "system" since 2002 and like I said, it hasn't failed me yet. Fishermen in the boat with me are usually impressed by this quick change system and of course, the equal number of bass I catch on every trip out. No problems, no worries.

 

The most important thing with drop shotting is confidence. Confidence in what you are doing and the tools you are using. What works for me may not instil the confidence needed for someone else. Doesn't mean it's right or wrong.

[Fishes in trees]

I don't know why you couldn't use a swivel in your drop shot approach.  I'm not a big fan of barrel swivels, if I were going to do that, I'd probably go to a ball bearing swivel.

 

Me - I just tie a good knot for my braid to fluoro connection.  I've found that using the  Gamakatsu wicked wacky hooks, with the little tube on the hook shank to run your line through, has eliminated a lot of line twist for me.

[EmersonFish]

Thinking about switching up my drop shot setup this year. Anyone using barrel swivels to go from their braid to their fluorocarbon and then using a swivel drop shot hook?

People seem to be pretty particular about their drop shot setups. I'd recommend giving the system you are describing a try and seeing how you like it. If you get into some fish with the DS, you'll know how you feel about your setup pretty quick. I was not a fan of the swivel hooks; others swear by them.

[Crestliner2008]

I don't know why you couldn't use a swivel in your drop shot approach.  I'm not a big fan of barrel swivels, if I were going to do that, I'd probably go to a ball bearing swivel.

Trust me on this one, there is no need to go with an expensive ball bearing swivel - unless that gives you more confidence. The Spro PowerSwivel is a crane style swivel that is crafted with excellent quality and tolerances. They do what they are intended to do, at a fraction of the cost of the ball bearing equivalents. Whatever you do, do NOT get barrel swivels! You know, the kind that are assembled on the cheap snap swivels you get at the big box stores. The twisted eyes on the barrel swivel is a sure catch point and will pinch your line.

[PaFrogThrower9]

The Spro swivels were the only ones I was considering.

Trust me on this one, there is no need to go with an expensive ball bearing swivel - unless that gives you more confidence. The Spro PowerSwivel is a crane style swivel that is crafted with excellent quality and tolerances. They do what they are intended to do, at a fraction of the cost of the ball bearing equivalents. Whatever you do, do NOT get barrel swivels! You know, the kind that are assembled on the cheap snap swivels you get at the big box stores. The twisted eyes on the barrel swivel is a sure catch point and will pinch your line.

[bass crazy]

Thank you Crestliner for the description of your drop shot rigging.

[atcoha]

I personally use a uni-2-uni or alberto (still working on it) to tie the braid to FC.  From there I use the VMC Swivelshots #1.  Start with a 7" tag to the weight.  Go up/down from there.

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