At what depth is vertical drop shotting a more effective way to fish than casting?

[Fishin' Fool]

I got schooled in a tournament on Saturday by someone who was drop shotting more vertically. I have always tended to cast the bait out and work it back. I'm not sure why it would make a difference but if anyone has any thoughts about this please chime in.

[A-Jay]

11 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

I got schooled in a tournament on Saturday by someone who was drop shotting more vertically. I have always tended to cast the bait out and work it back. I'm not sure why it would make a difference but if anyone has any thoughts about this please chime in.

Does it really matter why ?  Sounds like a vertical presentation mattered on Saturday and that's what matters. 

If the baits (type, size & color), line type & test, distance of the dropped & perhaps even the hook of both your rigs were the same, close or even remotely similar, then the way it was presented may have been the trigger.

But if it were me, and it often is, I would say thank you for the schooling, because though it was painful at the time and it is always painful, I learned something.    I'd be ready next time.

A-Jay

[Airman4754]

I bet it was pace that made the difference. Vertical is essentially dead sticking, where a casting retrieve even if you don't mean it to be is moving a lot more. 

[Fishin' Fool]

6 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Does it really matter why ?  Sounds like a vertical presentation mattered on Saturday and that's what matters. 

If the baits (type, size & color), line type & test, distance of the dropped & perhaps even the hook of both your rigs were the same, close or even remotely similar, then the way it was presented may have been the trigger.

But if it were me, and it often is, I would say thank you for the schooling, because though it was painful at the time and it is always painful, I learned something.    I'd be ready next time.

A-Jay

You're right A-jay. I'll be ready at the state championships on Friday

[WIGuide]

Was he targeting isolated fish? If he was that's probably why it was more effective. If he was on his front locator "video gaming" them just dropping it down right on a fish while you're in the back fan casting his bait is in front of a fish when he drops it down and you're hoping to put it in front of one. Maybe this wasn't the case at all, but I could see where it could be. 

[Fisher-O-men]

A key might be whether or not the boat/your presence is noticeable to the fish.

[Hot Rod Johnson]

I keep reading this article over and over. http://www.richz.com/fishing/articles/dropshot.html Each time that I read it I gain additional fishing information. I know that it's a old school link, but I feel that it has improved my "Dropshot Fishing" Please give it a read you may gain some dropshot knowledge. Great fishing Drop-Shotters... The link that I have posted covers dropshotting Vertical and Horizontal. I hope that it helps you...

[BobP]

I don't think it's a matter of depth.  It's more about whether you have a good idea of where bass are holding, at whatever depth, and whether they are in a "finesse mood" or a "reaction bait" mood.   That said, I strongly prefer to work a drop shot vertically whenever possible and when depth is greater than 30', I like to try other vertical presentations like a jigging spoon, etc. 

[Hot Rod Johnson]

My take on fishing the Dropshot Vertical or Horizontal are,..... Deep Water fish with cover/structure fish "Vertical",... Shallow Water and cover/structure fish "Horizontally".. It depends and how the fish are relating to the cover/structure. When two fisherman are fishing "Vertical" both need to be in the front of the boat watching the electronics in order to be successful in my opinion. I always have my fishing partner come to the front of the boat and fish with me.

[MickD]

Agree with above that it's not so much about depth as it is about pace and depth control for the lure.  Drop shot allows you to control how far the lure is off the bottom at any pace except very fast.  One October day when the smallies were ganging up on minnows in 2-3 feet depth we made a killing with 4 inch white Storm minnows about a foot above the sinker.  (clear water)  I'm not saying that that was the only way to get those fish, but we happened to have drop shots on when we found them and didn't change due to our success.  Whenever you want to control how far off the bottom you are fishing , think drop shot.

[S Hovanec]

I do both.  If there's nothing on my screen, I cast and slowly drag back to the boat.  If I see something pop up on the screen, I immediately drop to it.....and usully catch it.  This has worked for me in depths from 16' to 50'+.