How long of leader for dropshot ? And smallmouth baits

[LxVE Bassin]

6 hours ago, bunz559 said:

I usually do a 4-6 foot leader for dropshotting. Gives plenty of line for visibility and also gives me extra line if I need to retie. 

The actual leader or length from the hook to the weight?

[offsidewing]

On 5/9/2019 at 9:43 AM, J Francho said:

For the most part, any 3"-4" plastic bait will work.  I like the Jackall Crosstail Shad for "do nothing" presentations, and the GYCB Shad Shaped Worm for when I impart the action.  I'll give a nod to Roboworms and Gulp! Alive leeches and minnows.  For leader length, I let the fish tell me.  It takes about 10" to get the bait out of the "goby zone" up here.  Any shorter, and you'll get pestered by gobies.  I'll watch the graph, and if the smallies are coming up from the bottom to get the bait, then I'll stay with a short leader.  If they're coming in from at or above, I'll increase the leader, sometimes to as much as 30".  In a general sense, the smallies will hold tight to the bottom on bright sunny days, and be a little looser on overcast days.  This is NOT a hard set rule.  Pay attention to the graph.  Also, pay attention to the graph!

+1 for Roboworms and Yamamoto Shad shaped worm drop shotting for smallies. 

[TOXIC]

I will add to my comment earlier that I drastically shorten the leader in rocks and tend to keep the bait moving more.  What I have found that really helps is to use a quality dropshot weight.  I use QuickDrop teardrop weights and have gone a full week on Lake St Clair dropshotting and never lost a weight whereas before using cheap Bass Pro cylinder weights, I have gone through boxes of them.  It does matter.