Beginner Dropshot Questions.

[Skunkd]

When is a power dropshot a better choice than a " traditional" finesse presentation dropshot? Would I throw a power dropshot in places I'd also throw a T-Rig or Jig? Is baitcasting gear the best choice for heavier dropshotting? Right now I'm using a Med F spin outfit that works for typical d-shot baits and weights. Looking to invest in another dropshot specific outfit. I like the idea of another baitcasting outfit from a versatility standpoint ( all for kayak btw). Are XF actions best for most dropshotting situations? Having a lot of fun tinkering with different baits, hooks, leader lengths. Seems like the possibilities are pretty much endless. Thanks for any help

T

[JediAmoeba]

Power dropshotting to me is like throwing a power ned rig - doesn't make sense and is counterintuitive to the concept behind the technique.  

[J Francho]

The only time I throw a power shot is when I'm fishing pads, and want to suspend a big worm or other plastic in place in the water column.  More often, some sore of punch rig, jig, or even a heavy Jika rig is a better choice.  The sinker on the bottom of the DS rig can be problematic in weeds.

[J._Bricker]

1 hour ago, fishnbear said:

When is a power dropshot a better choice than a " traditional" finesse presentation dropshot? Would I throw a power dropshot in places I'd also throw a T-Rig or Jig? Is baitcasting gear the best choice for heavier dropshotting? Right now I'm using a Med F spin outfit that works for typical d-shot baits and weights. Looking to invest in another dropshot specific outfit. I like the idea of another baitcasting outfit from a versatility standpoint ( all for kayak btw). Are XF actions best for most dropshotting situations? Having a lot of fun tinkering with different baits, hooks, leader lengths. Seems like the possibilities are pretty much endless. Thanks for any help

T

@fishnbear, IMO a “power” dropshot presentation works well where there is a lot of cover and accuracy is important. At least that’s been my experience. It can be thrown pretty much anywhere you might pitch a jig or t-rigged bait and gives you and the fish another option. A 7ft medium or medium heavy casting rod and 15-20lb test braid depending on water clarity or how sporting you want to be. I use a 1/0-3/0 straight shank worm hook with a shrink wrap keeper and the lightest weight I can get away with.

 

 I attached a photo of my dropshot rig.

 

@fishnbear I think you’re on the right track and look forward to future updates. Good luck and good fishing 

[Timberwolf530]

A technique specific rod is not needed for a power shot rig.  Just use your jig rod.  If you want to eventually buy a specific rod for finesse drop shotting, a ML XF spinning rod is generally considered the ideal to get the correct subtle action from the bait.  Brand and length are a personal choice, but in the 6-8 to 7-2 range are most common.  

[WRB]

3 hours ago, Timberwolf530 said:

A technique specific rod is not needed for a power shot rig.  Just use your jig rod.  If you want to eventually buy a specific rod for finesse drop shotting, a ML XF spinning rod is generally considered the ideal to get the correct subtle action from the bait.  Brand and length are a personal choice, but in the 6-8 to 7-2 range are most common.  

How does anyone think they can control a 5+ lb LMB in heaven cover with a ML or M spinning outfit with 10 lb braid?

Tom

[islandbass]

@JediAmoeba: I agree with you on the ned rig, but unlike the Ned, the “Power” drop shot imho not constrained in the same way. 

 

To me, power shotting, which I call alpha shotting, is merely a step up in line weight, and rod power — which is how I define it. It will work all else being equal. 

 

For example, if I’m fishing deep in salt water, I am not going to wait a million years for a 1/8 oz DS weight to fall 60’ or so. I’m going to use a heavier weight and more powerful rod and stronger line to better address the scenario. Same rig, just a different setting. 

 

The drop shot shot is not limited to finesse. And yes, it can be a bit of a pain in really grassy environments and perhaps not ideal choice. 

[OkobojiEagle]

6 minutes ago, islandbass said:

The drop shot shot is not limited to finesse.

Finesse should not be defined by weight or size, but by a lack of bullishness in the presentation.  I cannot comprehend a drop-shot of any weight or bait size not being a finesse presentation.

 

oe

[fishwizzard]

I use a DS not to specifically suspend a lure in the water column, but to present a plastic right off the bottom when said bottom is mud and soft debris to the point that a t-rig/shakeyhead/whatever will endlessly bog down.   A power-shot would do the same thing and is the only time I really use it.  

[Fishes in trees]

I fish my "Bubba" drop shot rig more than my lighter drop shot set ups mostly because of where I fish.   My logic is, "Do I have a better chance of landing any fish that bites with the bubba rig or a lighter rig?"

A couple of examples - a beaver dam on a steep clay bank - a boat length from the bank the water is 12 to 16 feet deep, depending on the water level of the lake.  Getting bit in this neighborhood, more often than not, fish runs you right into branches, stumps, stuff on the bottom.  With the bubba rig (7'5" flipping stick & 20 lb ABrazx line) I can lean on this fish and get it up and out of the debris.  More often than not, with a lighter rig, I'm run into branches and hang up or line snaps.  Example #B - deep brush piles composed of wired together hardwood & cedar trees.  Basically the same deal.

If I feel that a brush pile is more likely to be rocks, bulldozer debris, with few to no branches sticking out, I'm much more likely to go lighter.  Main lake points I'm more likely to lead off with the lighter rig.

[Choporoz]

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/advanced-drop-shot.html

[Timberwolf530]

13 hours ago, WRB said:

How does anyone think they can control a 5+ lb LMB in heaven cover with a ML or M spinning outfit with 10 lb braid?

Tom

Tom, We live in different worlds brother.  Most of the fish I catch are under 3 lbs, which is a dink in your world.   To be honest, I never fish a drop shot in heavy cover.  I mostly fish it on bottom structure, weed beds, rock piles, drop offs, etc.  I will fish it around docks or boat lifts, but I find most of the time, the fish heads for deeper water, and not back under the dock.  I can control the 1-3 pounders pretty well with the ML spinning rig.  In the heavy stuff, I'm usually fishing a jig or worm on a MH casting outfit with 30 lb braid.

[Sam]

A little drop shot history.

 

Don Iovino, who is the father of our electronics and finesse fishing, started using the drop shot in the 80's to replace the doodling rig he made popular.  No one used the drop shot very much among the pros until Aaron Martins came along.

 

I guess Aaron was successful with the drop shot as it blossomed in the early 2000's when the pros started using it as another "different" finesse presentation. The guys in California started using the drop shot and soon it expanded into all pros arsenals.

 

The presentation underwent some changes from what Iovino threw and now we have a very sophisticated bait and presentation. I know about the "power drop shot" but I don't use it as I am a purest and use the drop shot as a finesse presentation on 8 pound fluorocarbon or light braid on a medium heavy spinning rig.

 

I may go to a 6-pound set up but line twist drives me nuts so I stay with the 8-pound option 99% of the time.

 

As for throwing a drop shot into pads and grass, I do but I throw my standard presentation into holes or along the grass/pad line.  If I want to go into the pads and grass I graduate to a Texas rigged power presentation with a heavy sinker and 12 to 17 pound test on a medium heavy rod.

 

So to me the "power drop shot" is something you can throw if you have confidence in it. I will stay with the original as if it is good for Don and Aaron, it is good enough for me.  

[islandbass]

13 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Finesse should not be defined by weight or size, but by a lack of bullishness in the presentation.  I cannot comprehend a drop-shot of any weight or bait size not being a finesse presentation.

 

oe

Very cool perspective, which alone I would not have had cross my mind and makes sense. People usually define finesse with lighter lines and smaller baits but you do in terms of presentation. It actually clarifies "finessing" of finesse which does mean to treat on handle delicately or subtlely. Thanks!