Drop Shot Line Type Survey

[buzzed bait]

I have a setup that I'm going to dedicate strictly to the drop shot and learn how to fish it this year.  That said, I'm trying to figure out which way to go with my line.

Thanks for the input.

[Felix77]

Technically I use 15lb braid and vary my line size between 6-10#.  90% of the time it is 8# test.  Dabbling with 6# when I fun fish and go up to 10 in more aggressive waters and depths.  St. Lawrence River smallies to be more specific.  

[S Hovanec]

I currently run 10# braid with 6# leader.

[Catch and Grease]

10# braid and 8# leader for me.

[J Francho]

6# Tatsu.

[thehooligan]

spinning - 10lb braid/6lb fluoro leader

casting - 6-8lb fluoro

[buzzed bait]

Technically I use 15lb braid and vary my line size between 6-10#.  90% of the time it is 8# test.  Dabbling with 6# when I fun fish and go up to 10 in more aggressive waters and depths.  St. Lawrence River smallies to be more specific.  

 

 

I currently run 10# braid with 6# leader.

 

 

10# braid and 8# leader for me.

 

 

spinning - 10lb braid/6lb fluoro leader

casting - 6-8lb fluoro

 

 

how long of a leader are you guys using?  i just got some gamakatsu swivel shot hooks coming in.  trying to determine how long of a leader you would tie between the braid and the first swivel of the hook?

thanks!

[S Hovanec]

I start the day with 18'. usually have 12' or so by the end of the day unless they're really biting or I pop a lot of weights and hooks on the rocks. Then I'll have 6' or so left.

[Kevin22]

I chose 8# fluoro because i think 20# braid is way too heavy. I use either 8# fluoro or 6# 832 braid (same specs as 10# PP) with an 8# leader.

[A-Jay]

#10 Braid & 6 lb mono leader.

 

#20's a little too beefy for me here for a drop shot.

 

A-Jay

[buzzed bait]

#10 Braid & 6 lb mono leader.

 

#20's a little too beefy for me here for a drop shot.

 

A-Jay

 

funny thing is last night i was looking at the diameters while shopping at DSG .... the 6# trilene, 8# invisx and 20# PP all had the same diameter (like .23 or something along those lines)

i just have some 20# braid already and already had some 8# invisx so had hoped to get away with using what i had

[buzzed bait]

I start the day with 18'. usually have 12' or so by the end of the day unless they're really biting or I pop a lot of weights and hooks on the rocks. Then I'll have 6' or so left.

 

what type of knot do you prefer for connecting the braid to fluoro?  i'll be using a shimano cumara (drop shot model) and if i remember correctly, the guides are mightly small, i would need a pretty small and compact knot i would think.

thanks!

[A-Jay]

funny thing is last night i was looking at the diameters while shopping at DSG .... the 6# trilene, 8# invisx and 20# PP all had the same diameter (like .23 or something along those lines)

i just have some 20# braid already and already had some 8# invisx so had hoped to get away with using what i had

 

You'll probably be good to go.  I fish some very clear water and the farther away from the boat I can get the bait - the better.   The #10 braid casts a really long way for me.  

 

A-Jay

[buzzed bait]

good deal A Jay.  i typically fish some fairly stained water so it may not be a big deal for me.

[OntarioFishingGuy]

20 is too heavy for me as well. I normally use 5lb or 8lb PP braid, with around a foot of 5-6 lb leader attached with a swivel.

[S Hovanec]

what type of knot do you prefer for connecting the braid to fluoro? i'll be using a shimano cumara (drop shot model) and if i remember correctly, the guides are mightly small, i would need a pretty small and compact knot i would think.

thanks!

I use a uni-uni. It ticks through 3.5mm Sic and 4mm Alconites just fine.

[Felix77]

I don't like the knot going into the spool so I tie a leader just long enough to go from the tip of the rod to just past the last guide before the reel.

[5fishlimit]

I use 10# braid and a 6# FC leader.  I use a leader length of about 2 feet, and made adjustments accordingly. 

[rippin-lips]

how long of a leader are you guys using? i just got some gamakatsu swivel shot hooks coming in. trying to determine how long of a leader you would tie between the braid and the first swivel of the hook?

thanks!

Leader length varies for me. Sometimes they like it 6" off the bottom, and other times it might be 12-18" off the bottom. Play around with varying lengths and see what works.

[J Francho]

Dropper line or tag length vs. leader length... Always a misunderstanding, lol. I was just guilty a few days ago.

[S Hovanec]

Tag length. ......dictated by the fish. Anywhere from 6" or even less at times up to 4'.

[mrc.in.wi]

how long of a leader are you guys using?  i just got some gamakatsu swivel shot hooks coming in.  trying to determine how long of a leader you would tie between the braid and the first swivel of the hook?

thanks!

I Tie braid to a #10 swivel then 2' flouro to a vmc spinshot hook then 1' to sinker.

If they are really finicky I use 4' flouro from swivel to spinshot hook.

[buzzed bait]

yeah, sorry i was talking leader length from braid to the hook

[LunkerFisher]

Straight 6# fluoro here. I like to keep the knots to a minimum

[21farms]

i normally use 15# white power pro connected to a 4-to-5 foot length of 7# sunline sniper FC with an alberto knot. i like #1 gamakatsu dropshot/splitshot hooks tied with a snell knot and about a 12-inch dropper line. if you're casting your dropshot rig a long ways, you generally need a longer dropper than if you're fishing straight under the boat because the steeper angle of the line back to you puts the bait closer to the bottom.