4 lb. Test Line for Dropshotting?

[SpinLight]

Anybody here dropshot with 4 lb. test line? I have not, but am curious about how it could be done.  I enjoy using light and ultralight tackle and understand that 4 lb. line is too light for this application for most if not all bass fishermen. But if you do, then what line, lures, hooks and weights do you use?

[roadwarrior]

#4 Tatsu for most spinning tackle applications.

[WRB]

I use Maxima 5# / .008D Ultra Green Copolymer line.

Tom

[PressuredFishing]

Yes, but DSing with light line can become a problem after a fish, when the fish pulls drag they can often tangle the tag end up, or even the tag end brakes off randomly some times when fish peels drag. Finally hooks don't like to sit perfect after a fish. 

[Dogface]

Four and six pound is all I usually use for drop shot. If my main line is heavy I may attach the lighter line with a swivel. I have zero issues using light line except I seem to catch more fish if that's a problem. ?

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I would go with with #6, but you could get away with #4 if you're careful.  Mosquito Lite hooks would work really well.  I usually use 1/8 swagger closed eye cylinder DS weights.  If you need to go lighter, then go with Reins TG slim DS sinkers.  As for a baits I really like Roboworms 3".  Just about anything will work, you're only limited by you're imagination.

[Big Hands]

I have probably caught more bass on 6 lb or 7 lb line than any others size line. I caught my first double digit on 6 lb test and I always felt like I had a chance. I caught my PB on 10 lb mono. I caught a 22 lb channel (39" long) cat in deep water on 8 lb mono and that took over fifteen minutes to bring in. Those were a fair fight. I felt like both the fish and I had a legit chance to emerge victorious.

 

I have proven to myself that I don't have the talent to handle big fish on 4 lb test line. A friend of mine caught a 14 lb bass on 4 lb mono at the same lake that I normally fish. So, I thought I would try it. The deal breaker came when I hooked a big fish throwing into a pocket that was about six feet wide while pre-fishing for a tournament, and the fight lasted probably less than twenty seconds. I couldn't do anything with her and the line broke (not exactly sure why, but it did). I went back the very first thing in the morning on the day of the tournament and what I believe was the same fish slammed the bait again and promptly broke me off again. 

 

Some anglers may feel like they have a chance if they have a big fish going with 4 lb test, but I am not one of them anymore. I have taken that train and I don't intend to end up visiting 'destination: disappointment' again if I can help it. That fish still haunts my dreams.

 

Y'all knock yourself out and have a ton of fun. I will be the first to congratulate you if you have success with it.

[ChrisD46]

Using a VMC #2 ~ #4 size Spin Shot hook for nose hooking finesse worms / shads : VMC Spinshot Drop Shot Hooks - Tackle Warehouse . I use Seaguar Red Lable FC 6 lb. connecting to the top of the hook and 4 lb. connected to the drop shot weight and tied to the bottom of the hook . If I get hung up , the 4 lb. FC line will break before the 6 lb. mainline FC .

[msgf91]

The lowest I have tried with FC is 5# Sniper.  But thats because I know sniper is pretty strong.  If I didn't mind using mono I would probably trust 4# big game.  I've bent crappie jig hooks straight with 6 lb and caught channel cat with the same rod.  So if I was going to try 4# it would be big game.  Or ande mono.  

[Team9nine]

I’d use the exact same stuff I would use with 6# line. Don’t know why you’d need to change anything. Been catching a few bass this winter with 4# line and float’n fly without any issues. I’ve tested down to 2.5# line, but that is a different beast.

[JustJames]

My question is with this such thin diameter of 4lb FC, would it benefit much more when compare to same diameter mono/Copolymer?. Why do you need to go down to 4lb? what is advantages compare to 6lb mono/Copolymer? Lure movement or line shy bass?

I mostly dropshot with #6 or sometimes #8 soft Copolymer weight from 1/8-3/16oz.

[killobet]

I used it all the time. With the proper set ups its  fun. 

2 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_SoCal said:

My question is with this such thin diameter of 4lb FC, would it benefit much more when compare to same diameter mono/Copolymer?. Why do you need to go down to 4lb? what is advantages compare to 6lb mono/Copolymer? Lure movement or line shy bass?

I mostly dropshot with #6 or sometimes #8 soft Copolymer weight from 1/8-3/16oz.

For me yes. Using light line is way better when using light dropshot weight and small plastics. Dragging 

6lb mono on light weight (1/16 - 2/32)

And small like 3 inch plastics is not good for me. I wanna make sure that im feeling my weight  and worm while working on em. It just give me more confidence.

[Alex from GA]

In the mid 50s a buddy and I used to go to the Redondo Harbor to catch bonito.  I started with 6 lb line then 4 lb.  I could land most of them on the 4 lb then tried 2 lb, all the line was Stren and the reels were Mitchell 300s.  The 2 always broke.  I have no problem with 4 for bass if it's in clear, no obstructions, water.

[Big Hands]

1 hour ago, Alex from GA said:

In the mid 50s a buddy and I used to go to the Redondo Harbor to catch bonito.  I started with 6 lb line then 4 lb.  I could land most of them on the 4 lb then tried 2 lb, all the line was Stren and the reels were Mitchell 300s.  The 2 always broke.

 

I lived in Redondo in the mid-80's and also used to fish in King Harbor for those 'Redondo Striped Tuna' as we used to call them. They could take you for quite a ride.

[ATA]

I am using 4lb InvizX with #4 and #2 Daiitchii red hooks depending if I nose hook or not. If I am around any type of cover, Ill do 8lb test.

[Boomstick]

I generally use 12# Sunline SX1 with a  6# or 7# leader (rarely 8#) as an all-around drop shot setup.

That said 4# is perfectly acceptable if there's no structure around, but 6# generally works so I'm of the opinion to keep it simple so I stick with it. I've even been surprised at what I can haul in on 6# line.

[Bluebasser86]

I did my first time I fished Table Rock and it was underpowered. Stretched too much in deep water to to get a good hookset. Still managed to get 4th place using it but I lost a couple fish that would have helped me also. 

[SpinLight]

Great input! Thanks everybody.

[webertime]

4lb Tatsu is really astonishing. I use 6lb very irresponsibly with no issues (small footballs on rocks and zebra mussels).  4lb on ds should be awesome.