Drop Shotting From The Shore

[ChefJMoore]

Hey folks.  Trying to practice this application but am not casting far at all.  I am currently using a Adrena 6'7 ML, Adrena 7' M, and Zodias 6'9 MH in spinning and an Adrena 6'11 M+ casting.  I also have a MH Expride and H Adrena in casting if I would need to use heavier weights to get the soft plastics out their.  Does anyone have any suggestions on best rod to use with this application?  Thanking you in advance!

 

[The Baron]

What's your main line type/weight?

 

We did a lot of drop shotting from the shore last year, along a rocky shore of Lake Ontario.   Nothing special for the gear - either a 6'6" or 7' M/F spinning rod with a 2500 reel (Shimano Stradic, Abu Garcia Black Max and Diawa Fuego - no clear winner on casting distance).  I did consider getting a longer rod (7'+) which should add a little distance, but never did.  Line is either 15# or 20# brain mainline and 10# Seaguar Blue Label and a #1 or 1/0 dropshot hook - only smallmouth where we were fishing.  We did use heavier weights for casting distance, usually 1/4oz - 3/8oz.

 

For tossing larger baits, I've used a "bubba shot" rig - 2/0 or 3/0 hook and 1/2oz. weight on a 7' MH/F baitcaster setup with 40# braid to a 12# Blue Label leader.  I used this to fish along deep weed edges for largemouth, but never tested the casting distance.

[WRB]

My advice is use a finesse C-rig (Slip Shot rig) when casting further then 30’ in lieu of drop shot.

With spinning tackle 1/8 to 3/16 oz Pro-Jo ( Top Brass- Black) cylinder weight with Carolina Stopper or pegged 8mm glass bead using the main line 6# to 8# mono. This rig has 1 knot at the hook only. Mono is important as it tends to stay off the bottom where FC drags on the bottom snagging more often.

I use Owner #5133 Down Shot hook 1/0 or for finesse worms 4.5” to 6” Roboworms or Iovino worms as they tend to float off the bottom.

Casting just increase the cylinder weight to 1/4 to 3/8 oz, line 11 # Armillo, same #5133 hook 2/0 to 3/0 for worms 6” to 7.5”.

For both rigs start the weight stopper about 30” above the hook. Simply cast, let the weight settle on the bottom and slowly drag the weight along the bottom, not need to add any action, the will do that for you. 

Detect a bite can be a rubber band like resistance to a slight pull, reel fast and sweep the rod back.

Simple and very effective technique.

Tom

[Darth-Baiter]

I honestly can't identify rods by their names.  not ones I dont own.

 

I can get pretty far (40 yards?) with a Med spinning with a 2500 reel.  15lb braid with a 10 flouro leader.  my weight is almost always a 3/16th.

 

you can't fling a drop shot for the horizon anyways.  the bait does that spinning around and around in flight and ends up a hot mess.  (it does for me) it is my best and hardest "lob" that gets the job done.

 

I catch a lot of bass drop shoting the banks, so I can't imagine you not getting it done while standing on a bank.  

 

I once saw bass about 15 feet from shore.  I didn't cast to them because a mom and her kid settled on that bank and I hoped they could catch the fish.  kid was casting a bobber with his spinning.  pretty good caster.  I asked him if he knew what a drop shot was.  NOPE.  I landed and with mom's permission (stranger danger? anyone?) , tied him up one.  showed him. (if he got it was anyones guess).  I paddled out and said..cast about here.  BOOM!!  he was game on pretty quickly.  very satisfying.  I use a drop shot at my hike in lake with success.  I just parallel the tule best I can.

[Bankc]

I don't think this is a rod issue. 

 

Up your weight instead.  A lot of techniques that I'll use a very light weight with in a boat or on a dock, I'll use a heavier weight for when fishing from the bank.  You'll lose some control over rate of fall and action, but you'll at least be able to cast the rig to where the fish are.  And with the added line you'll have out, the heavier weight will give you a bit more bottom sensitivity and help keep the line tighter for bite detection and hooksets.  

[LCG]

Drop shotting from the bank was my first confidence technique. Still produces well. For all finesse applications I use the lightest weight I can get away with, depending on wind, depth, distance, etc.

 

My starting point is a 1/8oz weight, usually maxing out at 1/4oz. Then there is "bubba shotting" 1/4-1oz weight in thicker cover. Same idea, just beefed up. That's more of a medium to medium heavy rod application. 

 

My standard finesse rig is a 6'8" ML-F rod rated for 3/32-1/2oz paired with a Shimano Stradic FL 2500 lined with either 10lb braid to 6-8lb leader. This year I am trying straight 6lb coploymer line. This is also my Ned rig rod using 1/32-1/16oz bullet weights and a size 2 EWG hook. 

 

 

[new2BC4bass]

On 9/29/2022 at 7:27 PM, John Moore said:

Hey folks.  Trying to practice this application but am not casting far at all.  I am currently using a Adrena 6'7 ML, Adrena 7' M, and Zodias 6'9 MH in spinning and an Adrena 6'11 M+ casting.  I also have a MH Expride and H Adrena in casting if I would need to use heavier weights to get the soft plastics out their.  Does anyone have any suggestions on best rod to use with this application?  Thanking you in advance!

 

Can't offer any advice, but I sure like the start you've made on your arsenal. 

[ChefJMoore]

On 9/30/2022 at 8:40 PM, new2BC4bass said:

Can't offer any advice, but I sure like the start you've made on your arsenal. 

Thank you!  Lol!  I'm trying...

 

On 9/30/2022 at 4:07 PM, LCG said:

Drop shotting from the bank was my first confidence technique. Still produces well. For all finesse applications I use the lightest weight I can get away with, depending on wind, depth, distance, etc.

 

My starting point is a 1/8oz weight, usually maxing out at 1/4oz. Then there is "bubba shotting" 1/4-1oz weight in thicker cover. Same idea, just beefed up. That's more of a medium to medium heavy rod application. 

 

My standard finesse rig is a 6'8" ML-F rod rated for 3/32-1/2oz paired with a Shimano Stradic FL 2500 lined with either 10lb braid to 6-8lb leader. This year I am trying straight 6lb coploymer line. This is also my Ned rig rod using 1/32-1/16oz bullet weights and a size 2 EWG hook. 

 

 

Thank you LCG!  I'll give this a shot!

On 9/30/2022 at 3:50 PM, Bankc said:

I don't think this is a rod issue. 

 

Up your weight instead.  A lot of techniques that I'll use a very light weight with in a boat or on a dock, I'll use a heavier weight for when fishing from the bank.  You'll lose some control over rate of fall and action, but you'll at least be able to cast the rig to where the fish are.  And with the added line you'll have out, the heavier weight will give you a bit more bottom sensitivity and help keep the line tighter for bite detection and hooksets.  

Appreciate the help Bankc!

On 9/30/2022 at 10:19 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

I honestly can't identify rods by their names.  not ones I dont own.

 

I can get pretty far (40 yards?) with a Med spinning with a 2500 reel.  15lb braid with a 10 flouro leader.  my weight is almost always a 3/16th.

 

you can't fling a drop shot for the horizon anyways.  the bait does that spinning around and around in flight and ends up a hot mess.  (it does for me) it is my best and hardest "lob" that gets the job done.

 

I catch a lot of bass drop shoting the banks, so I can't imagine you not getting it done while standing on a bank.  

 

I once saw bass about 15 feet from shore.  I didn't cast to them because a mom and her kid settled on that bank and I hoped they could catch the fish.  kid was casting a bobber with his spinning.  pretty good caster.  I asked him if he knew what a drop shot was.  NOPE.  I landed and with mom's permission (stranger danger? anyone?) , tied him up one.  showed him. (if he got it was anyones guess).  I paddled out and said..cast about here.  BOOM!!  he was game on pretty quickly.  very satisfying.  I use a drop shot at my hike in lake with success.  I just parallel the tule best I can.

Going to try some different weights.  I have a similiar setup with line and reel.  Thanks for the help!

On 9/30/2022 at 9:23 AM, WRB said:

My advice is use a finesse C-rig (Slip Shot rig) when casting further then 30’ in lieu of drop shot.

With spinning tackle 1/8 to 3/16 oz Pro-Jo ( Top Brass- Black) cylinder weight with Carolina Stopper or pegged 8mm glass bead using the main line 6# to 8# mono. This rig has 1 knot at the hook only. Mono is important as it tends to stay off the bottom where FC drags on the bottom snagging more often.

I use Owner #5133 Down Shot hook 1/0 or for finesse worms 4.5” to 6” Roboworms or Iovino worms as they tend to float off the bottom.

Casting just increase the cylinder weight to 1/4 to 3/8 oz, line 11 # Armillo, same #5133 hook 2/0 to 3/0 for worms 6” to 7.5”.

For both rigs start the weight stopper about 30” above the hook. Simply cast, let the weight settle on the bottom and slowly drag the weight along the bottom, not need to add any action, the will do that for you. 

Detect a bite can be a rubber band like resistance to a slight pull, reel fast and sweep the rod back.

Simple and very effective technique.

Tom

Thank you for the advice WRB!

[ATA]

I am drop shotting from shore for trout. My set up is 7'6" ML spinning with 1000 size Sahara with 4lb test fluorocarbon with 1/8oz weight. It will go far. so you think of weight you doing and adjust your line test. But try to keep the rod longer to get more distance. And the hook number 2 or number 4 Daiiechii mosquito will do the great job.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

You don’t need anything different from the rod you’d use to cast any other bottom contact bait of similar weight. You can get away with a heavier weight since it’s below the bait. What you need to remember when casting a drop shot as opposed to vertical fishing, is that the angle created requires a longer leader to keep the bait up off the bottom. 

[Hammer 4]

2 hours ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

You don’t need anything different from the rod you’d use to cast any other bottom contact bait of similar weight. You can get away with a heavier weight since it’s below the bait. What you need to remember when casting a drop shot as opposed to vertical fishing, is that the angle created requires a longer leader to keep the bait up off the bottom. 

The longer leader is the key here. 

[Fishing_Rod]

Good Day!

When angling from shore being stealthy is helpful. Use a relaxed smooth and quiet approach. Startled fish typically don't strike a bait. Many times I find I don't have to cast far. I do have be precise with my casting as I have to make the most of the situation. So for me I'll select a rig that allows me to be able to put the bait within a few inches of my intended destination. Generally I also will use a slightly longer fishing rod for some additional casting distance. Rod length is one of those competing qualities. Too long is a chore to transport and maneuver along cluttered shorelines. Too short doesn't allow enough leverage to reach some destinations. Here the challenge is simply getting to a position where you can access the lake, safely. The reservoirs here in Southern AZ have limited easy shore fishing access. So you have to put in some effort. I have used segmented backpacking rigs assembled when I reach a fishable locations. Just realize when shore fishing you don't always have to send it too far to find fish to taunt. Good Luck! Cheers!