Drop Shot Setup

[Brett's_daddy]

Okay, I have the Medium Light/Fast spinning rod and reel. What line would you use? Braid to mono/fluoro leader? I have some Trokar light wire 2/0 drop shot hooks. What size weights for 30ft to 3ft depth? Any help would be appreciated!

[MN Fisher]

My drop shots are done on 8# Suffix Advanced 21 Mono...allows the bait to float above the weight. For 30', I'd go with a 3/8 or 1/2 oz weight...for 3' it'd be 1/16 or 1/8 oz. If there's wind or current, up the weights.

 

Other may have other suggestions.

[Hook2Jaw]

I've been running 1/8oz weights for shallow water, 3/8oz for deep water.  I'll probably increase the amount of weights I carry to accommodate current, running 1/4 for shallow current and 1/2 for deep.  The latter two weight options are just my theory, though, so take that with a grain of salt.  The two former have been working out well.

 

As for hooks, I use Lunkerhunt 1/0 for my YUM Killshot and Warning Shot, and a size 1 for my Sharpshooters.  I bought those hooks on a whim and they are sharp and 2.50 for a pack of 8.  Great deal, in my opinion.  I haven't quite figured out my hooks for Texas rigging larger plastics.

 

As for line, 12# braid to 8# fluoro has worked well thus far.  Braid to leader seems to be the general consensus and I believe I'm drop shotting quite similarly to most people.  I have limited experience with the technique..

 

Lemme tag @J Francho so he can get in here and drop some knowledge.  Pun intended. 

[WRB]

Hook size depends on how you rig and the size/dia of the soft plastic worm. 

Line type is a personal preference bass don't care. 

Weight depends on current and the size of the soft plastics, you need to be able to feel the bottom.

Where I drop shot fish it's deep rock structure with sparsh cover very clear water and the bass are usually between 15' to 35' deep during summer periods and use 1/8-1/4 oz drop shot weights depending on wind. 

Drop shot to me is a finesse presentation using spinning tackle with 7# Snipe FC or 5# Max UG coploy line, no leader*.

I use Owner 5133 down shot size 1/0 or 2/0 for weedless or Mosquito size 1 for nose or wacky rig. 5" to  6" straight tail Roboworms or Iovino worms, 3" Basstrix Flashtrix minnow.

Tom

* use whatever braid main line you have and 7# Sniper leader if you  prefer. I manage line twist by running it dehind the boat after each outing.

[J Francho]

6# Tatsu, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 oz.  Heavier for vertical drops, or when you want to keep the bait in place.  #1 Gamakatsu Drop/Split Shot or Owner Mosquito hooks.  Any small wormy or fishy shaped bait.  Here's the important part: when you want to do nothing, pick a floating bait.  When you want to add the jiggle, pick a sinking bait.

[Hook2Jaw]

6 minutes ago, J Francho said:

6# Tatsu, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 oz.  Heavier for vertical drops, or when you want to keep the bait in place.  #1 Gamakatsu Drop/Split Shot or Owner Mosquito hooks.  Any small wormy or fishy shaped bait.  Here's the important part: when you want to do nothing, pick a floating bait.  When you want to add the jiggle, pick a sinking bait.

Which floating baits would you suggest?

[J Francho]

GYCB Shad Shaped Worm (sinker), Jackall Crosstail Shad (floater), and Roboworm (Floater) are three I have good success with.  I have a few bags of the YUM Killshot, and it looks awesome.  Can't tell you if ti floats or not since I haven't fished them yet.

[WRB]

Hook size depends on how you rig and the size/dia of the soft plastic worm. 

Line type is a personal preference bass don't care. 

Weight depends on current and the size of the soft plastics, you need to be able to feel the bottom.

Where I drop shot fish it's deep rock structure with sparsh cover very clear water and the bass are usually between 15' to 35' deep during summer periods and use 1/8-1/4 oz drop shot weights depending on wind. 

Drop shot to me is a finesse presentation using spinning tackle with 7# Snipe FC or 5# Max UG coploy line, no leader.

I use Owner 5133 down shot size 1/0 or 2/0 for weedless or Mosquito size 1 for nose or wacky rig. 5" to  6" straight tail Roboworms or Iovino worms, 3" Basstrix Flashtrix minnow.

Tom

[Brett's_daddy]

4 minutes ago, J Francho said:

GYCB Shad Shaped Worm (sinker), Jackall Crosstail Shad (floater), and Roboworm (Floater) are three I have good success with.  I have a few bags of the YUM Killshot, and it looks awesome.  Can't tell you if ti floats or not since I haven't fished them yet.

what size roboworm?

[WRB]

21 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

Which floating baits would you suggest?

Most hand pours are floaters or nuetral suspending depending on the salt content.

Heavy salted soft plastics sink (Senko) and most injection high production soft plastics sink.

The heavier the weight you use the faster you loose it!

4 1/2" to 6" Robo orcIovino worms.

Tom

[J Francho]

26 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

what size roboworm?

Straight or Fat 4.5.

[bunz559]

I run 15 and 20lb braid to 6 or 8lb FC Sniper with 3/16 - 1/4oz weights. I fish mainly deep California reservoirs where fish range anywhere from 15 - 50ft of water. I'd love to use heavier weights sometimes but it's really not a problem, just have to wait a few seconds longer. Heavier weights will also depend on rod capacity.  

[Matt_3479]

A lot of good information there! I am pretty new to the drop shot. I’ve been trying it in my local ponds and reservoirs. For 5-15ft I’ve been running 1/8-1/4oz weights, and in a couples weeks I’m heading north where last year with weather temps we were picking up smallies between 35-55’ of water. For that I’ve got 3/8 and 1/2oz to try! Been running 15lbs braid to a 8lbs floro leader and debating on trying 6lbs leader. 

 

Is there a negative to using too heavy of a weight in a situation you can get away with a lighter weight? 

[Brett's_daddy]

How long are your leaders?

[Hook2Jaw]

@Brett's_daddy mine is about 12'.  Gives me room to retie.

[Matt_3479]

2 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

How long are your leaders?

I’ve tried 12” up to 8’ and doesn’t seem to make much of a difference unless your guides are micro guides then keep it shorter.

[Boomstick]

I use a ML/XF rod and 10-15lb braid, 6 or 8lb leader, usually 6. I run my leader around 10' and replace it once it gets down to about 6'.

 

My preferred braid of choice is Sunline SX1, it's expensive, and also as thick as most 15lb line but I find it's extremely abrasion resistant for thin braid.

[Hammer 4]

6 or 8 lb fluro depending on conditions..

[J Francho]

14 hours ago, Matt_3479 said:

Is there a negative to using too heavy of a weight in a situation you can get away with a lighter weight?

None, if fishing vertically.  In fact, too light is a hindrance.  Most times, you want to keep the bait in one place, and let the water add the action.

[Boomstick]

15 hours ago, Matt_3479 said:

Is there a negative to using too heavy of a weight in a situation you can get away with a lighter weight? 

Sometimes I rig up a really light weight, and while that works for most areas where I'm fishing, I may come to a deeper section and it just takes forever to get down there. So if you're fishing on a boat and not staying in the same area and a a 1/16oz weight seems appropriate, try throwing on a 1/8oz weight instead. It won't really hurt you.

[Gkitz]

Has anyone tried the bomb shot?  Sinker or floater?