Drop shot trick and tactics.

[listb]

Who out there can get me in the drop shotting groove? I am new to technique and have landed a few fish but i want to know more. Give me the low down, baits, movement, rod's and reel's.

[dgquail]

most guys use a specialize spincast rod, (7 footer), a weight with swivel, and some type of plastic bait.

[listb]

Can you tell me a little bit about the presentation? Vertical, Drifting, shallow water techniques?

[roadwarrior]

Here is one of the articles you can find by clicking "Fishing Articles" at the top of the page. Under this heading is a sub-section, "Fishing Techniques". When you have time, browse through the BassResource. com Library, it will keep you busy for awhile!

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot_fish.html

BTW, Welcome aboard!

8-)

[smallieking]

try using really light line   like 4# test   it really ups the catch rate in clearer bodies of water

[Ifish4keeps]

this is my drop shot set up, it pretty high end so Idk if you would want to get it but...   shimano stradic 2500 reel, shimano crucial 6'8" medium action rod, 8 pound yo zuri line, size #2 drop shot hooks (BPS), 1/8 oz drop shot weights (BPS) roboworms are good, bps has some good d-shot worms and so does berkley.  good luck

[gobig]

I drop shot a lot. I have two spinning rods set up just for this. One is 6ft med action and I use this in around docks and cover. I find that I can make more accurate casts with the shorter rod. The other is 7ft. I use this in open water it is also med action. I use a 6lb diameter braid with a 6ft florocarbon leader ranging from 6-12lb test(p-line). The braided line helps with line twist. #2 gamakatsu spit shot/drop shot hook and mojo dropshot weight 3/16-3/8oz unless its real windy then I go heavier.The pencil style weight seems to hang up less in the rocks. As for setting it up the illustration in the link islandbass provided is how I do it. I will vary the distance between the hook and the weight depending on weeds, rocks ect... pay close attention to your line for bites they can be real subtle. I don't really set the hook hard either I more or less just crank down. A good portion of the lakes I fish are real clear so I make long casts. Work the bait real slow. Cast and let it settle on the bottom and twitch it in place a few times,drag it abought 12in and repeat. You dont want the weight to leave the bottom. Sometimes I vary the retrieve but this method seems to work the best. Get ready to catch a lot of fish however you will have to weed through the dinks. I hope this helps.

[listb]

You guys have been a big help! I am well on my way with this technique. I have been hitting this little community lake up and the D S rig has got the bass lined up to bite my roboworm. I dont think a more natural setting will be as off the hook but i know this method lands fish.

[dumb_dog11]

You guys have been a big help! I am well on my way with this technique. I have been hitting this little community lake up and the D S rig has got the bass lined up to bite my roboworm. I dont think a more natural setting will be as off the hook but i know this method lands fish.

good to hear

keep whacking them

[listb]

Where did you get that bass drawing? I hit all the tackle stores in the Orange and L.A. county area and have never seen it. I am trying to start my own fishing/Hunting clothing line. If anyone has any insite on the market like where to begin i would be greatful! I have a bunch of good ideas and i draw so if anyone is interested in trying to get something in the works lets make it happen.

Brant List

[SenkoBasser]

I draw too. Check this LMB out. I drew it last season. This is just one. I'm working on some trout pictures now.

[listb]

That Bass you drew looks really sweet! If you have any other art work to share i would like to see it. I don't know this site to well yet but eventually i will post some of mine. Do you duck hunt at all? That is my first favorite thing to do, next is bass fishing. Reason i asked is because i do a lot of duck drawings as well. Keep it up with the art work!

[Tokyo Tony]

I've come to rely on dropshotting a lot this year. I think braid is a big advantage, although some disagree. Since the bites are oftentimes very subtle, the increased sensitivity is a big help, especially if you're fishing weedy bottoms. Sometimes the feel of a fish and the feel of a grassy bottom are almost, if not exactly, identical when dropshotting.

I use 10 lb Power Pro, 8 to 10 lb flourocarbon leader, Gammy dropshot hooks, and any weights I can find. I prefer the cylindrical dropshot ones but I'm currently out (had to use splitshots at the end of the day last weekend).   7'2" Crucial dropshot w/ a Pflueger Supreme is my setup.

You can cast it far, fish it vertically, and even bed fish with this technique. I'm pretty new to it, but I have to say that hooking a fish on a dropshot rig is one of the more pleasurable ways to hook a fish, IMO, especially when the fish stays deep and you know it's a good one  

[FR0G]

My dropshot setup is a Powell 702 MLEF, Triline 100% Flouro 8lb, Shimano Sedona 1500 reel, size 4 mosquito hooks, and on most days a 3/16 oz mojo weight.

[Crestliner2008]

I've been drop shotting for a lot of years now. I target off-shore smallies almost exclusively, consequently, the DS is a major component of my arsenal. I use a generic (another name for cheap!) 6'6" ML, fast action spinning rod. I load my reel with 6# test fluoro with a 4# test fluoro DS leader. Pretty light eh? But it works for me. I'm fishing 25' - 40' of clear water on a pretty big, Western MA reservoir and I've done very well on each outing. Some examples of yesterday's CPR trip would have to include:

Boated & released 7 or 8 in the 2 1/2 - 4 pound range, including the 4 1/2 above. So drop shotting does work, trust me. But you do not have to go crazy over specialized rods and reels - unless you want to. Your most important tool will be your sonar; you must know how to read it! I can't over-emphasize that enough. I vertically DS. Some folks cast, but I've never had the need to do much casting. Hope this is of some help.

[listb]

Thanks for the advice, I see it has been working for you quite well.

I ve actually only caught little large mouths using this technique. I normally Texas Rig or Split Shot when fishing plastics. I am glad to ad some new tactics in my bag of tricks. Those smallies look like some pretty hefty fish, I might have to take a trip to MA and look you up. In southern California there is not an over abundance of hot small mouth spots, outher than the colorado river. Someone might be able to tell me different.......Hint Hint?? Anyway thanks again for everyone showing me the way, Ill keep you all updated with my DS progress.

Thanks again!

Brant List H.B. CA.

[Crestliner2008]

Thanks for the advice, I see it has been working for you quite well.

I ve actually only caught little large mouths using this technique. I normally Texas Rig or Split Shot when fishing plastics. I am glad to ad some new tactics in my bag of tricks. Those smallies look like some pretty hefty fish, I might have to take a trip to MA and look you up. In southern California there is not an over abundance of hot small mouth spots, outher than the colorado river. Someone might be able to tell me different.......Hint Hint?? Anyway thanks again for everyone showing me the way, Ill keep you all updated with my DS progress.

Thanks again!

Brant List H.B. CA.

Just to let you know, I've caught quite a few LM over the years using the drop shot as well. All LM are NOT shallow!

[listb]

I actually fished at a local community lake in some rich neighborhood this weekend. I only used the DS and landed a few fish. They were all in the 1lb range. What type of action are you presenting when using this technique? I shake the rod tip and let it sit and i seem to get bit more when just letting it sit. Please give me an example of the presentation you use and the different types of plastics. I appreciate all your knowledge you have been sharing. Talk to you soon.

[5bass]

While a drop shot can catch fish when casted and retrieved horizontally, the original invention and intention of the drop shot technique was to target deep, finicky fish with a vertical presentation that could stay in a certain spot for extended periods of time.

Fishing it vertically allows you to be right over top of a single fish or a school of fish and 'drop' the bait right in their face. Once the bait gets in their face, you just either shake it a little bit or let it act with the current. And the whole time, the bait has remained right there in the strike zone.

I rarely fish a drop shot horizontally so I really can't say much to help you there. But if you're fishing in private ponds, get some frogs, buzzbaits, jigs and big worms and you'll most likely forget all about a drop shot. It is good to learn though, don't get me wrong.

[J Francho]

I use DS horizontally, sort of.  A side effect of have the weight below the bait is that you can impart movement to the bait while keeping it pinned in place.  I've DS'd with everything from little 3" baits up to 12" worms in pads.  Obviously, use suitable rods and line for the cover.  Don't be afraid to experiment.  I had great luck "cannonballing" a Super Fluke in new pads for prespawn fish using a 3/4 oz. weight to keep it pinned in place.  Its also a great tool for bedding bass.  One final thing I do with it is drifting in Lake Ontario for smallmouth.  Tubes and football jigs are the usual, but a DS helps keep your bait off the zebes and quagga as you drift across a shoal, ledge, or hump.  I've even heard about people using x-tra long drop lines for suspended fish.  It's not my primary go to rig, but it is effective and can be applied to solve specific issues during finicky bites.

[listb]

When you are fishing from a boat do you want the drop shot rig stationary or can you drift it like i would a texas rig or split shotted bait? I also want to hear about the carolina rig. I know how to tie it up but dont realy know how to present it. I would assume that you drag it off the bottom and bump it periodically. Give me some idea of what you all might do. I know everyone has got their own methods and i like to hear about a few. I appreciate you all shairing.

[J Francho]

Everything you ever wanted to know about the c-rig: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1120348381.

As far as DS from a boat, both stationary and dragging while on a drift.  I often employ a drift sock, both in a boat and from my kayak.

[listb]

You are rght there is a lot of good stuff people are sharing about the Carolina Rig.

[TournyFish001]

The drop shot is my go to and probably my specialty presentation- I have cashed checks using this technique alone- unless you are in the rough stuff use as light of line as possible, that you are comfortable with- you will increase your catch rate- check your line for fray due to previous fish caught or the bottom, retie retie retie I cant stress it enough- I use 6lb braid (same as 1lb mono diameter) with a 4lb flouro leader 8 to 10ft long tied together with an albright knot- tungsten kanji weights and gamakatsu #2 drop shot hooks almost exclusively.  My rod is a G Loomis GLX drop shot rod with a diawa fuego 2000 spinning reel.  I have absolutely amazed myself as well as some co anglers.  This technique is so fun for me because you can change the baits so easy- add some leader or take some away- wow great tactic just typing this makes me want to go fishing.  Oh yeah I had a guy tell me its good for catching small fish only... well that is not true I can prove it-

[listb]

I have been using the DS the past few evenings at this little private pond i sneek into. I have not landed a fish during the night hours at all. I was wondering if the DS is not a good weapon of choice at night or have i just been un lucky? I landed more fish using my top water lure (popper) than any other technique. What is a good night bait? I only fish golf coarse ponds at night and they hit anything, im sure its not like that everywhere. Thanks for the tips of the trade.