Owner Downshot Hook :: Weedless Dropshot

[Bass Rutten]

I’m looking to incorporate the dropshot into my repertoire due to this years unusually tough bite (drought, low water), weedless rigged preferably due to the heavy vegetation that occupies the local waters here most of the year. I’ve toyed with dropshotting in the past never too seriously but I heard through the grapevine that the owner downshot hook is “the one” for this application due to it’s design and extra length.

 

1st question: what’s the best size of this particular hook for the trick worm (6.5”), and what size for smaller 4” baits like finesse worms and dream shot style baits.

 

2nd question: Is fishing the dropshot in vegetation trying to fit a square peg in a round hole?

 

Would also like to hear about your weedless dropshot setup (bubba shot included)… tips, tricks, rod, reel, line, hook, lures, etc.

[Luke Barnes]

I use the VMC Spin shot drop shot hooks and like them alot. They have a swivel so they dont twist near as bad and they stay pointed up. VMC also makes a Neko style hook on the spin shot and if I'm not mistaken an EWG version for rigging weedless. Can use longer worms on these too. 

 

As far as gear I use a 13 Fishing Fate Chrome, I think that's what it is, 6'6 M rod with matching reel and like all my spinning finesse setups I use 15lb braid to a 12lb fluoro leader. The only two actual worms I have for drop shot is the Berkley Bottom Hopper and BPS roboworm knock off thats a hand pour style. They both look great in the water but I tend to use Zman Trick Shotz the most. Being bouyant it helps keep the hook up off the bottom and out of the cabbage. 

[detroit1]

I fish clear, natural lakes that are less than 1000 acres. 6' 10" ml spinning, 2000 size reel, 15# braid to a spro swivel, with 8# floro leader. In early spring i use a typical d/s hook, and nose hook a GYCB shad shape worm or Gambler shakey shad (similar) out the nose of the bait. (not thru from bottom to top) My leader length is about 5' long, to a pencil - type d/s sinker. In cold water, i want the bait only 1' above sinker. I am not worried about snagging weeds any time of year. As the water warms, i move the bait farther away from the weight. Whenever the water finally warms to 65* or more, i usually switch my hook and bait to a size 1 or 2 gama. ewg and 4-5" worms (chompers my fave, but any flat or pin style tail). In summer, my distance between hook and weight is 3' to 5'. I have no fear with weeds..throw it in there. I kinda like when it gets a little hung up, i try to leave it there and shake it a bit, pause, and then pull it off/out of the weeds. Sometimes that triggers a bite.  Dropshotting is not one of my favorite ways to fish, but is my most productive and reliable way to get bit. I end up using it at some point almost every trip to the lake.

[NHBull]

VMC finesse Neko hook has been the best I have found

[GetFishorDieTryin]

You can use any kind of straight shank, EWG or hybrid worm hook to fish a t rigged DS.  The spin/power shot style hooks make things easier if you dont have a dedicated rod.  You can just tie one on cut a leader lengths and your ready to go.

[WRB]

Owner Down Shot hook is  #5133

Strong light wire hook designed specifically for weedless Drop Shot. 2/0 works for finesse worm 5” to 6”.

Tom

 

[Bass Rutten]

7 hours ago, detroit1 said:

Dropshotting is not one of my favorite ways to fish, but is my most productive and reliable way to get bit.

Haha that’s kinda how i feel right now, I’m torn because I’ve gradually but surely became a power fisherman at heart over the years.

 

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Owner Down Shot hook is  #5133

Strong light wire hook designed specifically for weedless Drop Shot. 2/0 works for finesse worm 5” to 6”.

Om

 

Good to hear, I recall reading of this hook sticking and landing large fish without bending out, hence this post, hopefully they hold up to bubbashotting, gonna grab a few packs and give it a go to ease my way into finesse.

[NHBull]

I really like these.....gives me tons of options

 

https://www.ownerhooks.com/product/twistlock-light/

 

Not a true DS hook, but tried it a couple years ago with a BC and got my PB

[Darth-Baiter]

I use that hook a lot, when I can find it in stock at my store. Thankfully I have several left.  
 

2/0 size mostly for my 6” worm.  The bass swallows it very infrequently.  Smaller baits like the TRD craw I have gone down to a #1.  But the 1/0 is okay too. 
 

15lb white braid so I can watch my line.  8 lb sunline sniper leader.  3/16 cylinder sinker almost exclusively where I fish. 
 

7”3’ Phenix Maxim med rod, Daiwa 2500 Procyon LT reel.  
 

boom. I’m gonna go tick off a bass or two now with that setup.  Gotta go!

[Fishes in trees]

I've tried those Owner down shot hooks - looked like a decent idea, but they just didn't work for me. I looked at the spin shot hooks - like how they keep the hook pointed up, but don't like the extra hardware, so I never bought them.  The hooks that work the best for me are the Gamakatsu Wicked Wacky hooks - in the various sizes offered.  I fish the bubba drop shot much more often than I do a lighter more finesse presentation.   The hook is a fairly stout hook, but it is discreet and the tube wrapped on the shank of the hook keeps the hook upright and in line.   It very seldom gets stuck and I frequently throw that rig into some pretty gnarly spots.

[WRB]

Owner 4107 Cover Shot hook is a good choice for Bubba Shot.

Tom