Line for dropshot rod? Want to change what I'm using.

[WRangler506]

I'm using a st croix legend 610 mlxf for dropshot. I set it up with braid and about a 6ft flouro leader. I don't remember what size braid, but I think the knot is hanging up in the micro guides. Should I run a longer leader? Shorter? Or run full flouro to avoid the knot? I'm not great with knots, but probably tied a double uni when I set it up. 

I do still want to run some other finesse baits on this rod so not sure if that changes what I should run. 

[MN Fisher]

I run straight 8# Mono on my finesse rig - drop-shot, Ned, weightless worms/critters, etc.

[CroakHunter]

I like 4lb cxx, 6lb hi seas grand slam, 6lb red label, or 7lb sniper. I am using a 3000 size reel on both my spinning combos

[Jcj90]

6lb trilene xl. Deep water id probably run a light braid/leader

[Bluebasser86]

What knot are you tying? Thin braid to a thin leader line with a well tied knot shouldn't be catching on the guides. 

[Bankbeater]

I use straight 6lb mono on my drop shot / split shot rig. 

[ResoKP]

For straight mono I like Sufix Advance. I did that last season on Avid X 6'9" ML/XF DS'ing and probably will do it again this season.

 

 

[BoatSquirrel]

11 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

What knot are you tying?

Blue asks the important question here.  An alberto/modified albright or fg knot should pass through your micro guides no problem.  

10-20 lb braid to 6-10 fluoro leader for dropping by me.

[WRangler506]

I wrote double uni in the original post, but I think I got that wrong. I am FAR from a knot expert. I like to use the clinch, improved clinch and polomar whenever possible. I do remember google searching the alberto and fg when setting up my rods.

 

I dont think the knot looks that bad, but its almost like its in the wrong location. If the leader was any longer or shorter it wouldnt be passing through the guides when the rod is still loaded during a cast, so maybe thats part of it. I dont know. 

[Brad Reid]

Gosh, I rarely make an overhead cast while drop shotting. I just pitch mine, can do so way farther than I want to place it. Caveat: I fish out of a canoe and/or kayak. 

 

The pitching technique I use is on a cast retrieve, I let the sinker swing back to my free hand, dip my rod tip, and use and underhanded swinging motion. It is very accurate for short to medium casts. Not needed at all, of course, for more vertical drop shotting some of the anglers here do on deep lakes. 

 

So, if you do use a braid to fluoro or mono leader, and you have knot concerns, just keep your leader short enough that it never reels up to your rod tip. With a 6 to 7 feet rod length, that'll give you as decently long leader.

 

Say, just know that arguably the greatest contemporary pro drop shot angler out there is Aaron Martens. He tore them up using it on MLF the other day. And, Martens will often say something to the effect, "I use 8 lbs. unless the bite is tough, then I drop to 6 lbs." He'd likely use 4 pound test if he thought he wouldn't lose fish.

 

The moral of the drop shot story is this is a light line presentation, the lighter the better. I think, by the way, that straight mono (fluoro, too) is just fine.

 

Brad

[BoatSquirrel]

17 minutes ago, Brad Reid said:

The pitching technique I use is on a cast retrieve, I let the sinker swing back to my free hand, dip my rod tip, and use and underhanded swinging motion.

Yes sir—thats two of us on the dropshot pitch.  I can pitch accurately to 20 yards and rarely need any longer.  

[Smokinal]

13 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

What knot are you tying? Thin braid to a thin leader line with a well tied knot shouldn't be catching on the guides. 

This^^^  Use an albright knot

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, BoatSquirrel said:

Yes sir—thats two of us on the dropshot pitch.  I can pitch accurately to 20 yards and rarely need any longer.  

Three of us. 

 

For the OP's issues, I'd take a look at the Alberto knot, and make sure you're tying it right.  I generally sue straight 6# fluoro, but one set up has 20# braid to 8# leader.  There's no issue passing the knot on the cast.

[Choporoz]

16 hours ago, WRangler506 said:

 probably tied a double uni when I set it up. 

 

 

1 hour ago, WRangler506 said:

I wrote double uni in the original post, but I think I got that wrong. I am FAR from a knot expert. I like to use the clinch, improved clinch and polomar whenever possible. I do remember google searching the alberto and fg when setting up my rods.

 

I dont think the knot looks that bad, but its almost like its in the wrong location. If the leader was any longer or shorter it wouldnt be passing through the guides when the rod is still loaded during a cast, so maybe thats part of it. I dont know. 

Sure....you can change where the knot is...and what lines you're using.  But, I have the same red flags as those above.  Don't wait another day to learn to tie your leader well.  Sit down tonight and tie braid to flouro knots 20 times....or more.  I don't care whether you use uni's or alberto, or fg.  I use alberto, but others work well.  Whichever you choose, practice tying it until you can do it nearly with your eyes closed.  Then, learn to trim the tags with sharp tool so that there is nearly imperceptible tag when you run your finger back and forth over your knot. 

 

I generally tie a leader of around 5-6 feet.  Typically, I don't want the knot on my spool.  But, I use lots of rods with micro guides and the only times that I have problems with knots and guides is when I have cut a sloppy tag.  There may be times when you find your leader length just happens to put that knot exactly at the tip when you're pitching.  You may get some ticking or even a bit of a hang-up...but it should be rare and trimming the leader down a couple inches should solve that.

[WRangler506]

I will inspect the knot when I get home and see if I can see a sloppy tag end.  Then, Ill practice the alberto knot, and re tie it to see if that helps. Thanks for all the help. 

Normally yes I pitch it fairly close too but at times I have to send it into the wind or a farther target.

[JoeyT]

I'm using a Stella 2500/ gloomis drop shot rod with 10# braid to 8# flouro leader and have no issues. I use a crazy alberto knot, holds great and is small. How you guys use mono for drop shot? With an extra fast tip and all that stretch how you set a hook?  Down size your braid to 10# if you comfortable using a 6# leader that knot tied with alberto will be very small. 

[J Francho]

3 minutes ago, JoeyT said:

With an extra fast tip and all that stretch how you set a hook?

Same way we set the hook back before zero stretch line was invented. 

[JoeyT]

On 2/21/2019 at 4:13 PM, J Francho said:

Same way we set the hook back before zero stretch line was invented. 

Oh ok thanks man...

[DropShotHotShot]

Fg knot will pass through guides 

[Glenn]

I use straight fluoro for dropshotting, either Seaguar Tatsu or Seaguar Fluoro Finesse.

 

I never use leaders.  I've had no reason to use them.   Leaders are too much hassle, too many problems. 

[WRB]

^^^this^^^

Choice of line I prefer Sunline but Seagaur is top quality FC.

Casting a drop shot is popular because of 1 rig. If you want to improve cover water and increase catch rates don't overlook the slip shot rig. Slip shot is limited to straight rigged worms that don't spin and neutral bouyant line like Maxima 5 lb Ultra Green coploy line.

Tom

[MN Fisher]

22 minutes ago, Glenn said:

I use straight fluoro for dropshotting, either Seaguar Tatsu or Seaguar Fluoro Finesse.

 

I never use leaders.  I've had no reason to use them.   Leaders are too much hassle, too many problems. 

Question I have @Glenn, is FC better for a DS rig than the Mono I've been using? Definitive proof or just personal preference.

[Crestliner2008]

The Alberto knot will flow through your guides with no problems. IF....you tie it correctly. Practice tying it often, when not on the water, and you will become proficient at it in no time. Personally, I prefer a no-stretch main line with a 6# test fluoro leader. I use Fireline Crystal exclusively now on all my rigs. Very reliable. Ties up nicely with fluoro using the Alberto. JMO.

[dodgeguy]

7 hours ago, Glenn said:

I use straight fluoro for dropshotting, either Seaguar Tatsu or Seaguar Fluoro Finesse.

 

I never use leaders.  I've had no reason to use them.   Leaders are too much hassle, too many problems. 

I couldn't agree more !!!! 

[Sam]

Aaron Martins has a formula for a drop shot leader: the length of a Plano tackle box as a starting point.

 

I use fluorocarbon or braid with a drop shot, including the leader.

 

I also go with Aaron's suggestion unless I want a little longer leader. Depends on the depth I am fishing.

 

I also use either a medium or a medium heavy rod to get a good hook set when I raise the rod to set the hook.

 

As for my knot, I use a Palomar Knot on the hook by taking about three feet of line, run it through the hook's eye, then tie the Palomar Knot. You now have one continuous line between your reel and hook. I then measure the length of leader I want and cut off the remaining line before adding the weight. And yes, you wil be pulling all that line through your Palomar Knot and then back through the hook's eye from the front of the hook (over the barb).

 

Give this setup a try and see if you like it.