Drop shot weights

[Luke Barnes]

I use the pencil style lead drop shot weights and when I'm fishing a mucky bottom they seem to slide down into it and hold on to a bunch of it. Ive never tried any other shape and weight isn't so much of an issue because I want it holding bottom so I err on the heavier side. 

 

Whats everyones experience with different shapes and styles of weights?

 

For hooks I only use VMC Spin shot hooks to reduce line twist and I like the size and shape of them. 

[5/0]

I use the tear drop weights, hybrid between pencil and round. For hooks I have both the VMC spinshot and Gammy swivel shot. Gammys are more expensive, but one less knot to tie and the down shot portion is a clip so they release there more often on a snag saving you the hook.

[Luke Barnes]

22 minutes ago, 5/0 said:

I use the tear drop weights, hybrid between pencil and round. For hooks I have both the VMC spinshot and Gammy swivel shot. Gammys are more expensive, but one less knot to tie and the down shot portion is a clip so they release there more often on a snag saving you the hook.

So the hook has a clip like the weight? Run the line through and pull it up into the pinched area? I always tie a single over hand knot in the line in case it slips some. After the clip that is. 

[5/0]

Yes, the clip on the hook is just like the one on a DS weight. I used to tie the overhand, but quit doing it. I would lose the whole rig instead of just the weight.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

46 minutes ago, Luke Barnes said:

I use the pencil style lead drop shot weights and when I'm fishing a mucky bottom they seem to slide down into it and hold on to a bunch of it. Ive never tried any other shape and weight isn't so much of an issue because I want it holding bottom so I err on the heavier side. 

 

Whats everyones experience with different shapes and styles of weights?

 

For hooks I only use VMC Spin shot hooks to reduce line twist and I like the size and shape of them. 

I think the skinnys with a closed eye are the best way to go for an all purpose DS weight.  They do a little better with grass and slime then the ball and tear shapes.  As long as your using lighter line 1/8 will hold surprisingly deep.  I like the idea of minimizing line twists, but some of the more effective swivel shot hooks just look incredibly bulky.  I do like the Trokar Helix DS, the swivel isn't all that effective, but it makes it much easier to change from a DS to another bait or vice versa.    

[Darth-Baiter]

I use a pencil weight.  1/8 or 3/16.  
 

I use an owner horizontal presentation hook. 

[TOXIC]

Unless I am going deeper than 50 feet, I use a 1/4 oz QuickDrop weight.  In my experience, the best dropshot weight on the market.  Premium components make a big difference on how many you lose.  I have used a single QuickDrop weight for an entire week on lake St Clair dragging it through cabbage, sand grass, rocks and wood.  I use a #1 gamakatsu EWG hook tied directly to the line. I do not nose rig any of my baits, they are all Texas rigged.  I’m not a fan of the hooks with built in swivels and harps.  IMHO it’s not necessary to have a release point at the hook and the weight. I never knot the line below the weight harp either.  That totally defeats the purpose of the harp.

[J Francho]

I don't think sinker shape is going to help much with a mucky bottom. I typically stick to mid and top water baits for this. 

[WRB]

Ideally no weight to warn the bass it’s not natural. Drop shot needs a weight to be a drop shot rig so my advice is use the lightest possible to keep in contact with the soft plastic.

Bass will strike Drop Shot on the fall using lighter weights 1/8 oz or lighter. In the wind I go up to 1/4 oz to 35’ depths, 3/32 or 1/8 oz to 35’ depth. Tear drops and cylinder snag less in rocky or weedy areas but roll more then flat bottom designs.

Tom

[Luke Barnes]

Now what are thoughts on tungsten? Since you are seperated from the weight more than say a T Rig, besides size does tungsten have any advantages? 

[QED]

54 minutes ago, Luke Barnes said:

Now what are thoughts on tungsten? Since you are seperated from the weight more than say a T Rig, besides size does tungsten have any advantages? 

The tungsten pencil drop shot weights snag less moss and bottom debris when being fished (which is a consequence of their size), so you need to factor that into your price/performance equation.  I buy tungsten pencil weights when they are available but didn't find them at weights under 1/8 oz.  The lead weights in that weight range aren't very large, so not really an issue.

[J Francho]

 

1 hour ago, Luke Barnes said:

Now what are thoughts on tungsten? Since you are seperated from the weight more than say a T Rig, besides size does tungsten have any advantages? 

No.  In your case the smaller size would be a disadvantage since something more dense will sink into the muck even faster.

[BrianMDTX]

21 hours ago, J Francho said:

I don't think sinker shape is going to help much with a mucky bottom. I typically stick to mid and top water baits for this. 

It’s why I rarely rig a drop shot in the ponds I fish. Drop shot and mucky ponds don’t play well together. 

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, BrianMDTX said:

Drop shot and mucky ponds don’t play well together. 

No, they don't.

[Luke Barnes]

37 minutes ago, J Francho said:

No, they don't.

But dang if it isnt a good finesse presentation. I'll take muck on my weight over not throwing it. 

[TOXIC]

What am I missing here?  I want a dropshot when the bottom is mucky.  While the weight is in the muck, the bait is dancing around perfectly clean above it.  I adjust my tag line depending on the bottom composition.  

[detroit1]

Toxic..you're my d/s brother.   ?

Although we prob. rig a little different.

[islandbass]

6 hours ago, Luke Barnes said:

Now what are thoughts on tungsten? Since you are seperated from the weight more than say a T Rig, besides size does tungsten have any advantages? 

The places I drop shot are too snaggy to warrant use of W for me so I used homemade ds weights using 3/16” or 1/4” diameter pencil  lead. I do love how compact W is for its size. 

[WRB]

7 hours ago, Luke Barnes said:

Now what are thoughts on tungsten? Since you are seperated from the weight more than say a T Rig, besides size does tungsten have any advantages? 

Waste of $$ unless it’s mandatory.

Tom

[papajoe222]

I always try to get by with the lightest weight I can.  Although I don't fish muck bottom, I do fish submerged weeds and a light weight will not penetrate into them.

Have you tried a lighter weight?

[FishTank]

I use these guys from BPS in 1/8oz or 2 of them together for deep water or when I am around rocks.  I loose too many of the tear drop ones. 

 

 

[Luke Barnes]

6 hours ago, TOXIC said:

What am I missing here?  I want a dropshot when the bottom is mucky.  While the weight is in the muck, the bait is dancing around perfectly clean above it.  I adjust my tag line depending on the bottom composition.  

This is exactly why I use the drop shot and why I'm asking about weights. It's when and where i use it so want to be as much free as I can on the weight. Ive grown to grab the drop shot over the bed rig when I fish muck bottoms. 

 

To answer another topic, I do try to use light weights, as light as I can, but I base them more on the wind. Nothing I fish is over 10 ft so depth isn't a concern. But if its windy I want more weight to keep it down on the bottom.