I want to try drop shotting - need some equipment/technique advice

[Micro]

I want to try drop shotting.  I don't know much about it except what I've read.   But I think it's a technique that may pick up some fish in some of the creeks I like to fish.

I bought some red Owner Mosquito Hooks (for drop shotting) in size 1 and 2, and some 1/4 oz cylindrical drop shot weights with the little wire doo-dad at the top that clings to a knot in your line.  I also bought some of the BPS XPS hand poured drop shot baits - in shad and watermelon colors.  I also have a selection of smaller tubes, grubs, finesse worms, and wobble head worms in various colors.

I'm sure I have a rod/reel combo that would do.  I have the following spinning outfits:

6'6" medium light/medium fast spinning w/ 6# mono

6'6" medium/medium spinning w/ 8# mono

6'6" medium/fast spinning w/ 8# mono

6'6' medium heavy/fast spinning w/ 10# mono

7' medium/fast spinning w/10# mono

7' medium heavy/fast with 12# mono

I realy don't want to buy a new specialty drop shot rig, and I want to stay with mono.  

Which would be the best choice for this technique in a tidal creek with max depths of about 15-18 feet?

Do you tie more than on hook/bait on your line?  Or just one?   How high above the weight do you tie your hook?  

Here's some background:  The creek(s) I like to fish is a tidal creek that comes off a larger river.  The bottom is hard sand/gravel.   The depths near the edges of the creek are very shallow for several yards from the bank, then drop off steeply to form a sort of narrow channel in the middle of the creek.  As I pass over this channel, my fishfinder indicates larger fish holding at about 8-12 feet.   Lately, they have been non-responsive to my crankbaits.  The water this time of year is a little milky/cloudy.

Any other advice would be appreciated.

[Sam]

I have the bait about 8 inches above the weight.  Sometimes a foot.

I use a brass weight on top of a glass bead on the end of the line by tieing a small "O" ring at the end of the line.

That little "do dad" on the top of the drop shot weight is for you to run the end of your line through it.  If the weight gets tangled in rocks or grass, etc. you give it a hard tug and the weight drops off and you put on another one without having to re-rig the entire setup. Saves time but is costly in terms of buying more drop shot weights.

The weight method I am using is a lot cheaper than the drop shot weights. But the drop shot weights work great, too.  The brass on glass is supposed to mimic the sound of a crawfish.

I use a #1 Owner hook and a finesse worm or a Basstrix minnow or a small Gulp! fluke. Use whatever plastic you wish.

I use a baitcaster on a 6'6" MH rod (although I have used a 7' rod).  I always have my fingers touching the line to feel any bites or a "heavy rubberband-like feeling" on the end of the line.  When you feel the "heavy rubberband-like feeling" set the hook.

I use Flurocarbon and mono lines.  I have not seen a difference with this technique although the guys on the site will give you their input on the line.  Whatever line I have on my baitcaster is what I throw. Usually a light line, around 8 to 10 pounds.  In ponds I use 6 or 8 pound test.

I cast out and fish the bait like I am worming the bottom but I only move the tip of the rod.  Usually I let my normal hand motion make the bait move and jiggle.  I take out as much slack as possible.

I look for drop offs and banks.  I fish in and around structure and over rocks.  Along grass lines is also a good place but get ready for some snags.  You can fish it straight down or cast it towards shore and fish it Texas style back to the boat.

Just let your normal hand shaking move the bait as it sits above the weight.

Experiment and see what works for you.

I plan to use one of the weedless hooks this summer to see if I can get the rig into more structure without snagging it.  The hooks start at the 1/0 size which maybe too heavy for the drop shot setting.

Remember, a drop shot rig is a finesse technique which takes patience.

And one last suggestion.  Have a rubber band above your reel on the rod so you can store the weight when not fishing the drop shot rig.  Otherwise it is "tangle city" when the weight and line get tangled with your other rods and reels.

Let us know how you do.

[Garnet]

Sounds like no or little weed so I would go with that 6-6 med. The other thing I would use is a very small swival above your bait. Redwing Tackle has 30 lb ant swivals that are for Steelheading work great.

Garnet

[Micro]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

[Chris at Tech]

Any of the first 3 rods you list should be sufficient, depending on how much weight you're using.

[Micro]

I only bought 1/4 oz weights.  

[flechero]

Of your current set ups I would say the med/fast spinning is ideal for the water you described but any of them will do it pretty well.  The faster the action of the rod the easier to get small tight movement on the baits with less effort. (which is why almost all "dropshot rods" are X-fast)

I don't fish the creeks but in lakes I use anything from a med spinning rod with #8 up to a hvy BC with #17 XT depending on how thick the cover and size of the bait & weight.  Be open to experimenting with a couple rods- nothing worse than getting caught in a stereotype.

[Micro]

Thanks. I just wanted to start somewhere. I'm looking forward to trying this.

Does it sound feasible to "troll" the drop-shot rig? By that I mean drift with the tide? The tide comes into these creeks very slowly and out again. It seems to me that bouncing that rig off the bottom along that channel with the water as it flows in and out makes sense. Or is the rig supposed to stay planted on the bottom?

[Jeff H]

There are no rules, fish it however you want.  I say dragging it with a slow tide sounds "right" or as right as any other method.

[TournyFish001]

it is good you want to learn this technique you will deffinately use it- I always have a drop shot on hand

[Corky in VA]

Rowland - I am fishing some of the same types of creeks you're referencing off the James River and Chick Rivers.  Really interested to see how things work out for you if you care to report back.  Would really appreciate it.

Good luck - Corky

[Micro]

Rowland - I am fishing some of the same types of creeks you're referencing off the James River and Chick Rivers. Really interested to see how things work out for you if you care to report back. Would really appreciate it.

Good luck - Corky

Yep, Morris Creek in particular. When I die, I want my ashes scattered there.   I love that crick.  

[flechero]

I think the natural drift with the tide is a good thing... the fish are certainly used to things easing along at that pace.

[Corky in VA]

[

[Micro]

Morris is a good one though I have never caught anything over 2lb on it. New to VA and started out in Apr this yr exploring the area. Hit Yarmouth, Diasund, Brickyard area, Gordon and other bodies I don't even know the names of yet off the Chick. Hit a few spots on the James but primarily have been working around Chipokes so far. (my home is right across the James from Chipokes).

Wave if you see a 2006 Basscat Cougar, blue metal flake, white sides, blk bottom.

Corky

Corky, do I know you?

A month or two ago (maybe in October) at the ramp at Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area? There was a fella there with red hair, and a blue/white Basscat with rails on the side. (I have a Tracker Grizzly 1548). He and I chatted awhile. Said he lived in Charles City, VA. Used to work in Richmond and just retired and moved to CC County. He clued me in on Sure Set hooks and gave me one when we crossed paths on the water. I put it on my red craw Bomber. Later, I gave him some shakey heads. We ramped at the same time and helped two old guys whose battery died and they couldn't get their hood open.

Was that you?? I got 4 that day, one about 4 lbs. And one striper.

I've killed them up until recently with the craw lures (6 foot divers). I went out and bought a bunch of them after that trip.

Lemme know if that was you. That was a great day.

If it wasn't you, it sound very coincidental.  And I can tell you Morris Creek hold much bigger fish than 2 lbs.  It's a great body of water to fish - relatively clear water with a nice hard bottom, some structure in the channel, and lots of forage fish.  

[Tin]

Best thing I can say is pay attention to your bottom composition and fish it vertically as much as you can.

[Corky in VA]

Lots of simularities but not the same guy.  I moved to the area this year from SD.  Just finished the house in Nov.  I'll look for the Tracker in the future.

Corky

Morris is a good one though I have never caught anything over 2lb on it. New to VA and started out in Apr this yr exploring the area. Hit Yarmouth, Diasund, Brickyard area, Gordon and other bodies I don't even know the names of yet off the Chick. Hit a few spots on the James but primarily have been working around Chipokes so far. (my home is right across the James from Chipokes).

Wave if you see a 2006 Basscat Cougar, blue metal flake, white sides, blk bottom.

Corky

Corky, do I know you?

A month or two ago (maybe in October) at the ramp at Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area? There was a fella there with red hair, and a blue/white Basscat with rails on the side. (I have a Tracker Grizzly 1548). He and I chatted awhile. Said he lived in Charles City, VA. Used to work in Richmond and just retired and moved to CC County. He clued me in on Sure Set hooks and gave me one when we crossed paths on the water. I put it on my red craw Bomber. Later, I gave him some shakey heads. We ramped at the same time and helped two old guys whose battery died and they couldn't get their hood open.

Was that you?? I got 4 that day, one about 4 lbs. And one striper.

I've killed them up until recently with the craw lures (6 foot divers). I went out and bought a bunch of them after that trip.

Lemme know if that was you. That was a great day.

If it wasn't you, it sound very coincidental. And I can tell you Morris Creek hold much bigger fish than 2 lbs. It's a great body of water to fish - relatively clear water with a nice hard bottom, some structure in the channel, and lots of forage fish.

[Micro]

Yeah, it is coincidental  ;D

Here is a picture of a dink I caught that day and happened to get a picture of the guy I was describing in the background.  He pulled up and asked how I was doing and I told him I was getting some fish but kept hooking them in the mouth and gill plate at the same time (whihc only seemed to happen to me when the water got cold).  He gave me a some sure set hooks and I put them on the rear of my crawl crank and the problem was solved.  Caught two more on that day, and a striper, and all were mouth hooked.  Been back a couple of time since and haven't had that problem since.  

If you see this guy, he's super nice and helpful.  

Wish I could remember his name.  

[Branuss04]

I use a baitcaster on a 6'6" MH rod (although I have used a 7' rod). I always have my fingers touching the line to feel any bites or a "heavy rubberband-like feeling" on the end of the line. When you feel the "heavy rubberband-like feeling" set the hook.

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but how do you like using a MH rod for finesse fishing like this?  I have a ML, but have always wondered how the MH do for drop shotting

[islandbass]

I use a baitcaster on a 6'6" MH rod (although I have used a 7' rod). I always have my fingers touching the line to feel any bites or a "heavy rubberband-like feeling" on the end of the line. When you feel the "heavy rubberband-like feeling" set the hook.

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but how do you like using a MH rod for finesse fishing like this? I have a ML, but have always wondered how the MH do for drop shotting

My drop shot rig is also an ML but my convenience trunk rod is a mh compre. Its MH action has not result in a loss in hook ups or anything, but it is stiffer. Other than that, it works just fine, but a softer tip would probably allow the user to work the bait with less effort.

Back to the subject, I think the 1st 3 rods would also be okay for starting out.