Drop Shot Fishermen, Can You Lend Some Help?

[Jigfishn10]

I'm forced to learning new techniques and the drop shot technique will be very similar to the saltwater version.

 

The scenario: Most fish will be found on deep rocky structure. The structure could be rock pile, rocky bottom, wrecks, reefs and jetties. The places I've mapped are areas that will be in the 20' to 60' max.

 

What size sinker and shape for rocky conditions?

If drop shotting a jig, what size weight?

Line strength and material?

How high up the line would you tie the lure/jig/hook?

 

I've deep sea fished a couple of times on a charter, but It was a long time ago, so any advice is much appreciative.

[J Francho]

Any structure fishing I've done in salt was using a pyramid weight.  It was the least likely to get hung up.  Not sure why you'd DS a jig.  Hook size would depend on the fish, though it was usually a 5/0 octopus hook, 3x wire.

[Jigfishn10]

14 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Any structure fishing I've done in salt was using a pyramid weight.  It was the least likely to get hung up.  Not sure why you'd DS a jig.  Hook size would depend on the fish, though it was usually a 5/0 octopus hook, 3x wire.

Black Sea Bass will go for a bucktail jig on a dropper loop rig from what many folks tell me.

The pyramid weight surprises me, thanks a million for the tip. I wrote that one down.

[Jigfishn10]

Couldn't find this thread this morning...?...I didn't realize it got moved.

Anyway, a drop shot in freshwater and a dropper loop rig in saltwater are basically the same thing.

Anyone have ideas on sinker weights for say 20', 40' and 60' of water?

[NHBull]

When I go to 20' and deeper, the lightest weight I have used is 3/8. Once I get to 30' I have had better luck with 1/2 ounce.....It just keeps better bottom contact.  Next year I see myself throwing a lot more heavier weights deep

[A-Jay]

This guy fishes from a kayak mostly but might be fishing in the same type places & for the same type fish.

Might help.

https://www.youtube.com/c/EliasVFishing/search?query=sea bass

 

A-Jay

[Jigfishn10]

Oh wow, this is absolutely perfect @A-Jay! Thanks a million, I really appreciate that.

[A-Jay]

Just now, Jigfishn10 said:

Oh wow, this is absolutely perfect @A-Jay! Thanks a million, I really appreciate that.

Awesome.

 Glad I could help out.

A-Jay

[Jigfishn10]

1 hour ago, NHBull said:

When I go to 20' and deeper, the lightest weight I have used is 3/8. Once I get to 30' I have had better luck with 1/2 ounce.....It just keeps better bottom contact.  Next year I see myself throwing a lot more heavier weights deep

This is a good starting point for me. I'll be fishing in ocean current and wind so I at least know where to start with 20' & 30' and can adjust for the conditions.

 

Perfect NH Bull.

[J._Bricker]

@Jigfishn10, I might go with a 8-10oz ball sinker, a shrimpfly rig with the hooks tipped with squid strips attached to 65lb braid for fishing that shallow. A 2.5lb ball when you’re fishing those triple digit depths for rock fish and lings

[Jigfishn10]

8-10 oz in 60’ of water? All day? Are you and @A-Jay working out together?

J/K bud. A few years back - well more than a few years back - we fished Jeffrey’s ledge that dropped to the 150’ range and used a heavy weight like that b/c of the current and chop. Keeping the bait close to bottom was the key that day. 
Squid strips? Definitely will look into that. Thanks for the tip. 
Appreciate the advice on the line too. 
Perfect @J._Bricker!

[Darth-Baiter]

I thought the ocean guys call it a “high-low” rig?  
 

at least the surf guys do. Same or diff?

[Jigfishn10]

9 hours ago, They call me “Gaiter Salad” said:

I thought the ocean guys call it a “high-low” rig?  
 

at least the surf guys do. Same or diff?

Honestly, you’re not wrong, I hear the same thing. Most high/low rigs I see will have at least 2 dropper loop knots in them so you can attach multiple lures above the sinker. The one in this thread I’m planning on using has 1 attachment above the sinker and the one that was recommended to me by a friend who guides for ground fish in Maine. 

I guess it could be language in different regions.

Stripers in Maine love Atlantic Menhaden. Shad, in the herring family. In Maine they’re called bunker. In late September, early October when juvenile bunker swim out to the open sea you’ll often hear fishermen say that the “stripers are chasing peanut bunker”.

You are correct in my opinion and thanks for pointing that out.