Drop Shot weights

[J Francho]

Bobber stops work for lighter weights.  I use bullet weights for bubba shot, but tie a small split ring on the end.  I rig them point down for better weed penetration.  I bet it work fine point up in rocks.  You will lose a few weights if you go heavier than say 1/2 oz. when you set the hook.  

[the reel ess]

I've done it but didn't use a bobber stop. I ran the line thru the weight and tied a weak knot where it entered so I could pull it off if needed. I have not dedicated myself to the dropshot as I should.

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, the reel ess said:

I have not dedicated myself to the dropshot as I should.

It doesn't work.

[Spankey]

On 1/1/2021 at 12:41 PM, WRB said:

When I started stacking, then down shot before the term drop shot became popular used a small split shot below the bullet weight, easy to adjust and pulled off when snagged.

When using a bobber stop is the bullet weight can’t spin causing more line twist.

Tom

I only for the most part have only ever used pinched on round (non removable ears) shots. Come off easily when hung. No rig damage. Shot is relatively cheap. 
 

If specific d/s weights have any true advantage please let me know how they work out better. Not all pinch on is round. There are various shapes. I just don’t like the ear type. In the river it seems to make a difference. The clam type works well also. 
 

Only thing similar to today’s drop shot weights back in the day (not that far back) was the old style bass cast weights. 

[J Francho]

5 minutes ago, Spankey said:

If specific d/s weights have any true advantage please let me know how they work out better.

They're readily available in sizes and shapes I use (1/2 to 3/4 oz. and round or pencil) and have a simple connection.  I don't think they're any better, just easier for me.

[Spankey]

After some serious thought about the weights of some drop shot weights you guy use, there might be something to it. The use of heavier specific weights in rough large bodies of water (Great Lakes) may dictate that. Something I don’t know anything about. On a small time scale how I use pinch on to me makes the most sense. 
 

What are some of the d/s weights y’all are fishing. 

8 minutes ago, J Francho said:

They're readily available in sizes and shapes I use (1/2 to 3/4 oz. and round or pencil) and have a simple connection.  I don't think they're any better, just easier for me.

I believe you tie an overhand knot in your line and clip it in, no? I have some on the lighter side D/S weights. Just find the shot easier. But y’all are fishing heavier than me. 

[Goldstar225]

After buying dedicated DS weights I had the same thought to use a pegged bullet weight instead.  Cheaper and will still pull off if snagged.

[Spankey]

2 minutes ago, Goldstar225 said:

After buying dedicated DS weights I had the same thought to use a pegged bullet weight instead.  Cheaper and will still pull off if snagged.

I was just looking at some drop shot weights. I’m real light compared to you guys. I’m using #2 split shot for the most part. I would bet it to be at 1/8 oz. If I had to go heavier your way would work excellent. 

[WRB]

5 hours ago, Spankey said:

I only for the most part have only ever used pinched on round (non removable ears) shots. Come off easily when hung. No rig damage. Shot is relatively cheap. 
 

If specific d/s weights have any true advantage please let me know how they work out better. Not all pinch on is round. There are various shapes. I just don’t like the ear type. In the river it seems to make a difference. The clam type works well also. 
 

Only thing similar to today’s drop shot weights back in the day (not that far back) was the old style bass cast weights. 

The evolution of drop shot weight design using a molded in flatten swivel has 2 purposes, easy to adjust drop line length and reduce line twist. Line twist happens when the weight roll s along the bottom and the soft plastic spins dropping down and coming up casting and retrieving.

Weight shapes vary from round ball, cylinder, tear drop, cone etc. 

Where I fish the lake bottom is hard and rarely flat, usually steep sloping terrain. A flat bottom bell shape drop shot weight works good for me. All the other shapes tend to roll when working the soft plastic or moving the weight.

Lead doesn’t give much feedback to bottom structure so I use brass weights. Tying a simple overhand knot on the end of the drop line greatly reduces weight loss yet breaks off when snagged severely. Because you are jiggling the soft plastic the same motion usually frees the weight.

Line twist is the bane of the drop shot presentation and the weight helps to reduce it.

Tom

[Catt]

Purists: a person who insists on absolute adherence to traditional rules.

 

That ain't me ?

 

I'm throwing a drop shot on a baitcaster with 15# InvizX, a #14 swivel, 10# InvizX leader, & 1/8-1/4 weight 6-12" below the hook. I cast it more than vertical drop it.

 

I already have the bullet weights by the dozens & thought I would use them.

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, Spankey said:

I believe you tie an overhand knot in your line and clip it in, no?

No, I don't tie a knot

 

1 hour ago, Spankey said:

But y’all are fishing heavier than me. 

Probably much deeper too.

[roadwarrior]

8 minutes ago, Catt said:

I''m throwing a drop shot on a baitcaster with 15# InvizX, a #14 swivel, 10# InvizX leader, & 1/8-1/4 weight 6-12" below the hook. I cast it more than vertical drop it.

 

That's illegal.

 

[J Francho]

19 minutes ago, Catt said:

Purists: a person who insists on absolute adherence to traditional rules.

 

That ain't me ?

 

I'm throwing a drop shot on a baitcaster with 15# InvizX, a #14 swivel, 10# InvizX leader, & 1/8-1/4 weight 6-12" below the hook. I cast it more than vertical drop it.

 

I already have the bullet weights by the dozens & thought I would use them.

The drop shot itself is really a sort of maverick rig, so it makes sense that there are variants.  There's a lot of reasons someone would want the bait fixed above the weight, and I don't think once size must be used for all.  In your use case, I like the rig you picked, and have used similar.  It's really effective late prespawn, spawn, and just post spawn up here.  I have gone to braid on a spinning reel for the shallow (shallow is less than 10' to me ;)), casting some distance from the boat.  I bet you could get pretty good pitching that rig with the right rod and reel.  

 

All that said, don't call it a Texas rig just because you used a bullet weight and weedless hook!  I AM A PURIST in that sense.

[WRB]

I fished a bullet weight with a small bb split for several years before the “drop shot” weight was invented. I had lots of lead bullet weights and split shot to use up after started using brass bullet weights with a bead “brass n glass”. 

It works, the bass care. I changed because it’s easier to use a drop shot weight.

Tom

[J Francho]

The original drop shot weight

[Jigfishn10]

That bank weight is highly recommended for the rocks, reefs and jetties I plan on fishing this summer with a dropper loop rig.

[Catt]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

The drop shot itself is really a sort of maverick rig, so it makes sense that there are variants.

 

Drop shot rig is pretty much a Dropper Rig, Red Snapper Rig, High-Low Rig or Chicken Rig used in saltwater long before any bass was caught on one.

 

[Jigfishn10]

That's exactly how I'm doing @Catt it save for using 1 hook instead of 2.

[the reel ess]

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

It doesn't work.

I'm sure it works. But it feels like targeting smaller fish although I'm sure some bigger fish get caught using that technique. Mind you, I'm not in tourneys and don't need to compete with anyone. I rarely fish any place that's really pressured.

[J Francho]

37 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

I'm sure it works. But it feels like targeting smaller fish although I'm sure some bigger fish get caught using that technique. Mind you, I'm not in tourneys and don't need to compete with anyone. I rarely fish any place that's really pressured.

You mean smaller fish like the ones I caught to win twice and come in second on Erie in my club tournaments, or this one?

 

 

Catching big fish is more about location and timing than what bait you use.  A drop shot rig is just an efficient means to catch them at those depths.

 

51 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Drop shot rig is pretty much a Dropper Rig, Red Snapper Rig, High-Low Rig or Chicken Rig used in saltwater long before any bass was caught on one.

 

Looks exactly like our rigs for panfish back in the 70s, taught to us kids by my grandfather.  The main improvement over this rig in what I use now is eliminating the dropper loop, and having a direct connection to the bait, on a reasonably tight line.  It's like no other rig, where the weight is usually before the bait, or a a weightless rig where the line isn't taught.  You are in complete control and have constant feedback should anything strike that bait.

47 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

That's exactly how I'm doing @Catt it save for using 1 hook instead of 2.

 

The dropper is a good way to allow natural movement from live bait.  

[the reel ess]

14 minutes ago, J Francho said:

You mean smaller fish like the ones I caught to win twice and come in second on Erie in my club tournaments, or this one?

 

 

Catching big fish is more about location and timing than what bait you use.  A drop shot rig is just an efficient means to catch them at those depths.

 

Looks exactly like our rigs for panfish back in the 70s, taught to us kids by my grandfather.  The main improvement over this rig in what I use now is eliminating the dropper loop, and having a direct connection to the bait, on a reasonably tight line.  It's like no other rig, where the weight is usually before the bait, or a a weightless rig where the line isn't taught.  You are in complete control and have constant feedback should anything strike that bait.

 

The dropper is a good way to allow natural movement from live bait.  

That's another thing. It isn't deep at all where I mostly fish. Seldom do I ever catch a fish deeper than 8' or so even during the dog days. I'm kayak fishing and I currently don't even have a depth finder on it. I'm simply set up for shallow water fishing.

[MN Fisher]

9 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

That's another thing. It isn't deep at all where I mostly fish. Seldom do I ever catch a fish deeper than 8' or so even during the dog days. I'm kayak fishing and I currently don't even have a depth finder on it. I'm simply set up for shallow water fishing.

That and less is the depth I've caught a number of bass in using drop-shots. When they're not hitting the moving baits - I toss a drop shot in there and it entices them in. Shallow, deep - drop-shot don't care - it'll still catch fish.

[J Francho]

 

12 minutes ago, the reel ess said:

That's another thing. It isn't deep at all where I mostly fish. Seldom do I ever catch a fish deeper than 8' or so even during the dog days. I'm kayak fishing and I currently don't even have a depth finder on it. I'm simply set up for shallow water fishing.

 

Maybe it's not the right rig for what you are doing.  Using the wrong tool isn't the tool's fault, though.

[J Francho]

This guy came from around 4' on a drop shot, in a kayak.  This back when I was using tungsten weights, lol.  Now I use lead, and bring a roll of quarters to toss overboard for good luck.  It's cheaper!

 

[Way north bass guy]

Most of my larger smallmouth last summer came on a drop shot, I didn’t count but I’m sure I got well over 200 fish in the 3-5lb range. Most of those were over 20’ deep on the Great Lakes, but I also used the exact same rig in 3’ or less for smallmouth and largemouth. It is an excellent rig to toss around docks in the summer, especially when thy fish are suspended up under floating docks. Give it a try in the shallows if you haven’t before. That’s also a great place to actually watch your bait to see if your working it too much ( which is almost always the case at first). With a drop shot, often less is more when it comes to bait movement.