drop shot rig

[brgbassmaster]

i havent drop shottted before my buddy that i used to fish wiith all the time drop shot once and awhile and caught some bass.im just wondering what rod should i use and line size for the drop shot. i have a 7' medium spinning rod idk if that would work but thats the only one that would be close that i have. all the rest are light or baitcasters. thanks.

[Shad_Master]

The best set up is a spinning rod with lots of bend in it - you don't want to be jerking the bait out of the fish's mouth - just sweep the rod tip until it loads up and then bring it in.  Because you are using a rod with lots of action, you want to use light line - I usually use 8# test, but a lot guys say that is too heavy.

[bubbler]

not a stiff rod. a cranking spinning rod is great.

8-10 pound florocarbone. or however u spell it.

dont set the hook hard. real fast and lift your rod high.

jared

[detroit1]

I've got 2 yrs. in downshotting and always keep 1 rod rigged. Any med. to med./lt. rod will work. I prefer a 6'6" (spin) with 6# test line. In the summer, sometimes i'll rig 2 rods - 1 for smaller baits, the other with abigger hook/bait combo. D/s  are my go-to rig if i need a bite. Also #1 for me when the water is FLAT and no clouds in site. If only i could figure out the line twisting little %$#@!!

[bassmaster8100]

If only i could figure out the line twisting little %$#@!!

  do you use a swivel, if not that should fix your problem. i tie on a swivel drop down bout 6 to 8 inches tie my hook and of course the length of the leader varies and then last but not least i use a bell shaped sinker with a little wire loop on top. never had any probs with line twisting or tangling

[Jeff P.]

I used to also have bad line twist until I started using a swivel.  I put a small #12 swivel about 6-8 inches above my hook.  Now I don't have any problem with line twist at all.

[islandbass]

i havent drop shottted before my buddy that i used to fish wiith all the time drop shot once and awhile and caught some bass.im just wondering what rod should i use and line size for the drop shot. i have a 7' medium spinning rod idk if that would work but thats the only one that would be close that i have. all the rest are light or baitcasters. thanks.

That should work fine for now. As you gain experience, you will know what you want in your drop shot rod.

As for line twist, when a spinning reel is handled right, line twist is is minimal, and I don't experience it at all, even when drop shotting.  

I personally don't add a swivel because I don't think it is needed.

There are measures that can be taken to just about eliminate it or at least keep it to a minimum, like once (maybe) every 1000 casts and even then, its more a result and occurrence of angler (my) negligence. In addition, some reels are better at keeping line twist at bay.  

[detroit1]

Thanks guys, i too have tried a swivel (sampo) up my line at various distances above the hook, but it only slowed it down a little. I really think my main problem is that i bring it up for another cast too fast, which causes it to spin around like a top. Oh yeah, i hate those "stand-out" hooks also, they make it even worse. I'll just have to troll an empty line a few hundred yards and re-tie it all again.