Drop shot weight

[billmac]

So, I've got very little experience drop shotting.  I hooked my first bass on one yesterday.  What are the advantages of heavier vs lighter weights?  It seems to me I'd want something robust, like at least half an ounce, to keep in contact with the bottom and to keep slack out of the line in wind or current.

[papajoe222]

Just as in fishing a plastic worm, the lightest weight that will get the job done is the route to take.  Not that there aren't times when going heavier or lighter may work, but as a place to start it is a good guide. Lighter weights will get you more bites, but as you mentioned, conditions may not allow them.  I normally use light weights in shallow, fairly calm water and go heavier as I go deeper. 1/4oz is as heavy as I normally go. I most often use a drop shot under tough, bluebird sky, calm days. If it's windy, or overcast, the conditions call for something else.

The only exception for me is when I 'Bubba Shot' using a 1/2oz or heavier weight in thick vegetation. I allow more slack in the line between twitches, which I believe makes it easier for the bass to get the bait into its mouth and doesn't alert her to the weight when she does.

[billmac]

There it is, the factor I didn't think of.  I couldn't imagine what the extra weight would influence because it's on the end of the line rather than in front of the bait.  I wasn't considering the weight the bass feels when it grabs the bait.  Thanks.  I seldom fish anyplace that is dead calm so I'll probably stay with 1/2oz for deeper water and 1/4oz for shallow.

[deadadrift89]

1/4oz works well most of time for me usually I don't fish deeper than 35'. If I'm drifting or have current I'll increase it if needed. On a side different I prefer a cylindrical weight in weeds/timber and teardrop in rocks.

[billmac]

I haven't found myself willing to pay more for dropshot weights so for now I'm sticking with dipsy sinkers and rubbercore sinkers.

[The Baron]

I’m new to drop-shotting as well.  I did it for the first time on the Ottawa River - rocky bottom, fairly calm and no current.  Fishing 5-15ft of water we tried 1/8 and 1/4oz, and found much better feel for what we were doing with the 1/4oz.  Next trip was on the St. Lawrence in 10-50ft. of water.  Again, fairly calm, with sandy-hard bottom/some rocks but noticeable current in some shallower spots we fished.  We found 1/4oz too light and stuck with 1/2oz.

 

I’ve now got 1/8-5/8oz weights in my kit (in 1/8 increments) and expect to use 1/4-1/2oz most often.  For the cost of weights I’d recommend grabbing a selection until you find what works best for your fishing location and style.

 

Drop shotting is a ton of fun.  I wish I’d known about it 40 years ago!

[Bluebasser86]

I haven't felt a need to use anything heavier than 1/8oz yet but I don't deal with any current. Even in heavy boat wakes and 30+ feet of water this weekend I was doing just fine with 1/8oz.

[Columbia Craw]

Hmmmmm......  Weight is dictated by wind, current and depth.  1/4 ounce seems to be the go to weight but 3/8 and rarely 1/2 will come into play.  Caught about 40 of these little dudes as deep as 48 feet.

[deadadrift89]

On 9/3/2019 at 7:24 PM, billmac said:

I haven't found myself willing to pay more for dropshot weights so for now I'm sticking with dipsy sinkers and rubbercore sinkers.

When you do settle on a preferred size check out ebay.

   To help cost I bought 100ct bulk bags in my preferred sizes and styles this Spring to get me through a Summer long trip fishing rock invested lakes in northern Minnesota ?

[Todd2]

1/4 oz cheap Dipsey's work for me but I'm rarely fishing deeper than 15-20 feet.

[billmac]

A little off topic, but I've noticed that one of the advantages of fluorocarbon for dropshotting, is that the line is invisible. One of the disadvantages is that it is invisible.  Perhaps the fish can't see it, but it's hard for me to see it too.