Bottom Bait Confidence?

[Quarry Man]

Last year, I developed several skills at fishing. This year, I want to develop more skills at different baits. I have almost no confidence in fishing g bottom baits like jigs, texas rigs, and shakes heads. I guess that's because most of my ponds and lake are not hard bottom ones. Instead they have weedy bottoms that are a pain to me. Also, I feel like the drop shot is an easier meal than a lure on the bottom. That is why I usually switch over to a drop shot. Besides leaving everything but bottom baits at home, what are your suggestions? also how to set the hook?

[papajoe222]

'Bottom Baits' as you refer to them are not fished strictly on the bottom, with maybe the exception of a football or shakey head jig. The majority of the time they are targeting the same fish your drop shot is unless you fish that drop shot directly under the boat, or with a long leader.  My point is; you are basically fishing a different version of a 'Bottom Bait' without knowing it. Jigs, T-rigs, Tubes, C-rigs although sometimes fished on the bottom are often most productive when the bait is falling. Sometimes it is the initial drop to the bottom while other times it occurs as the bait re-settles after rising during the retrieve.

You favorite, the drop shot, when cast isn't very far off the bottom even with a two foot leader to the weight because of the angle.

The advantage the drop shot has, at times, is its ability to stay off the bottom the entire retrieve.

You will find that a T-rigged curly tail worm cast out and allowed to sink to the bottom and then brought back with a steady retrieve will out produce a drop shot under most conditions mainly because you will be covering more water and presenting it to potentially more fish.  The same can be said for most bottom baits, so give them a go next time your drop shot is getting hammered (when you know you're on fish and they're active).

As for hook-sets, my rule of thumb is; If the hook is burried in the plastic, I reel down taking out any slack to about the 5:00 position and then quickly straight up to 11:00-12:00 while turning the reel handle.  If the hook is outside the plastic, either resting on top or skin hooked, I'll use more of a reel and sweep the rod style of hook set.  Hope this helps.

[MassYak85]

I also fish a lot of lakes that have weedy or mucky bottoms. I'd say that's about 80% of my fishing. I've found that a t-rig can be your friend in these conditions. I really like fishing 6-8" worms with a light weight (1/8 - 1/4 oz). You can really work it through the weeds and get a good feel for when the worm comes into a pocket, in which case it's a good idea to slow down and let it soak in the pocket a little. I also like using pointy "grass jigs" or swimjigs that have a pointy head design since they come through the weeds so well. As for hooksets I reel down until I feel more weight than just the bait and go over the shoulder for these techniques. 

[Simp]

The only way to build confidence in a technique is to fish it. One of the things I've tried to do each year is pick something new to become proficient at. I learned to first fish the jig from a group of West Virginia boys at the Keytucky Lake roadtrip in 09. Now I don't go fishing with at least one tied on. 

 

You will find a million tips and a million videos telling you how to fish a jig or Texas rig. None of it matters until you tie one on and start throwing or pitching it. Don't stop until you gaine the confidence in the lure. I'd also suggest a drop shot rig for ponds with that mossy soupy bottom. 

[Catt]

The only way to build confidence in a technique is to catch with it!

[scaleface]

Bouncing lures on the bottom is my forte . I learned by just doing it .  Try a standard Texas rig and six inch worm .  Strikes are light and you will have to learn strike detection . When in doubt set the hook . Weedy bottoms , I would think a light 1/8 ounce weight ,  would work well . Patience , diligence and confidence. Some people never get it and others pick it up quickly .

[Turkey sandwich]

It's already been said, the only way to build confidence is by doing.  I learned to fish Texas and Carolina rigs and then jigs primarily in flooded farm ponds and reservoirs with soft bottoms.  With fishing them, you'll learn to feel the bottom, vegetation, any hard surfaces, changes in depth, and a ton of other things.  As as for hook sets and bites, you'll get everything from soft, almost impossible to feel bites where your line just starts moving to having your lure absolutely crushed.  Having a fast or extra fast action rod will make feeling all of this much, much easier. 

 

The bite, and the level of slack in your line will determine your hookset.  Generally, if you're fishing any kind of slack in your line or with a high rod tip, reeling down is a very very good idea.  I generally favor an overhead hookset most of the time.  If the fish picks up the bait and begins to run in a direction, I'll favor my hookset opposite of that direction.  

 

Once you you get the basics down, you'll start to see jigs and T-rigs especially as 'go anywhere baits' because you can fish them effectively in virtually any kind of cover and in almost any conditions. 

[WRB]

Mud soft bottom simply use a lighter weight.

Tom

[Spankey]

All good advice. Try to make yourself as weed less as possible. 

[SWVABass]

What helped me learn how to fish that style and have confidence was fish with someone who was proficient at it. My luck I fished with a guy I know is very good at it and who was willing to teach. So if you can find some to help you take advantage other than that the rest of everyone is spot on.

[Airman4754]

On 3/16/2017 at 9:16 PM, papajoe222 said:

'Bottom Baits' as you refer to them are not fished strictly on the bottom, with maybe the exception of a football or shakey head jig. The majority of the time they are targeting the same fish your drop shot is unless you fish that drop shot directly under the boat, or with a long leader.  My point is; you are basically fishing a different version of a 'Bottom Bait' without knowing it. Jigs, T-rigs, Tubes, C-rigs although sometimes fished on the bottom are often most productive when the bait is falling. Sometimes it is the initial drop to the bottom while other times it occurs as the bait re-settles after rising during the retrieve.

You favorite, the drop shot, when cast isn't very far off the bottom even with a two foot leader to the weight because of the angle.

The advantage the drop shot has, at times, is its ability to stay off the bottom the entire retrieve.

You will find that a T-rigged curly tail worm cast out and allowed to sink to the bottom and then brought back with a steady retrieve will out produce a drop shot under most conditions mainly because you will be covering more water and presenting it to potentially more fish.  The same can be said for most bottom baits, so give them a go next time your drop shot is getting hammered (when you know you're on fish and they're active).

As for hook-sets, my rule of thumb is; If the hook is burried in the plastic, I reel down taking out any slack to about the 5:00 position and then quickly straight up to 11:00-12:00 while turning the reel handle.  If the hook is outside the plastic, either resting on top or skin hooked, I'll use more of a reel and sweep the rod style of hook set.  Hope this helps.

 

Casting out and reeling in a rubber worm won't get you anywhere near the production of a good drop shot fisherman. 

[WildmanWilson]

I fish bottom baits probably 80% of the time at Ky/Barkley but its a lot of rock bottom. A sensitive rod with fluorocarbon is key to feel the contact. Slow and patient and pay attention. If you don't concentrate you are better doing something else. Once you get confident in it its a game changer. 

[papajoe222]

On 3/18/2017 at 8:15 AM, Mosster47 said:

 

Casting out and reeling in a rubber worm won't get you anywhere near the production of a good drop shot fisherman. 

I'll agree, under the right conditions. The same could be said for a good T-rig fisherman under the right conditions. The advantage the T-rig has is that the bait can be presented at any depth. With the drop shot, the bait's depth is limited to the length of the leader.

[Airman4754]

20 minutes ago, papajoe222 said:

I'll agree, under the right conditions. The same could be said for a good T-rig fisherman under the right conditions. The advantage the T-rig has is that the bait can be presented at any depth. With the drop shot, the bait's depth is limited to the length of the leader.

 

Um, no. You can fish a drop shot at any depth you want.

 

I can already tell this is going to be an agree to disagree thing. We both catch a lot of fish so it doesn't matter.

[flechero]

Make yourself learn a T-rig.  Take terminal tackle, soft plastics and appropriate rod(s) only... if you can't find someone to show you the basics.  It's a technique that works in any body of water, year round.  It works in cover, on structure, in and over slop or even a do nothing bottom.  You can cast it, pitch it, flip it, punch it... heck, you even catch fish on it while peeling out a backlash.    It's probably the most versatile option in the box.