Adapting the drop-shot rig to all situations

[basspro48]

The drop-shot rig has become my absolute favorite way to fish any type of finesse plastic in the past couple years, but only recently have I been experimenting with it and tapping into the true potential of the almighty drop-shot.

However, I had two situations I used it in that produced big time for me this summer.

The first was flipping, yes flipping a drop-shot. I rigged up my heavy flippin stik and 60lb braid and tied up a rig with a 1oz tungsten weight and a 2/0 superline gammy and a sweet beaver or whatever bait I was catching em on and flipped it right into the thickest cover and worked it just like I would a t-rig. Most of my bites would come after a solid 30+ seconds of shaking the bait in one spot, and the fish were simply blasting it all summer long.

The second was skipping. I used a rig with a short leader (6-8 inches) a 1/4 or 3/16oz weight and a finesse worm and would whip it up under docks and trees and shake it in place for as long as I could stand it. This was extremely effective as most of the guys fishing docks were slinging senkos and jigs and the drop-shot gave the fish something they'd never seen before.

Anybody else have any other unusual or effective applications for the drop-shot?

[J Francho]

I do the "cannonball" thing in mats and pads too. Its awesome. My buddy was like, "what the heck are you doing?" LOL. The only thing I can think of off hand that might be a little different is dragging it in deep, open Lake O. water for smallies, just like the guys to with tubes in Erie. It keeps the line between the hook and the reel off the zebes and quagga. I've also heard of guys using insane drop lines, like 10-15' for suspended fish. You can't cats it, but you just reel the fish up to the boat and leave the drop line hanging over the side. I haven't had an opportunity to try this, since most of my deep structure fishing has the fish holding tight or just off the bottom.

[kikstand454]

i fish mine like a c-rig all the time.

i scale down to 10llb test and 1/2oz weights.... but i throw a 2/0 or 3/0 hook and any bait id tie on a c-rig.

when u drag the carolina...the bait pulls down.. towards the bottom and looks like its chasing the sinker. but i beleive that sometimes when youre pulling that over a point that is stacked with nuetral or inactive fish... it looks unnatural for somthing to be chasing something.

when i KNOW the fish are their but theyre not biting, the power dropshot comes out.

when u suspend your bait 18-30" off the bottom and just wiggle it.. then drag it horizantaly with no sign of headin twards the bottom, i think its mimicing stressed prey, and its some thing they havent seen that day.

same principle as a suspending jerk bait as apposed to a crank bait.

one mimics a strong unwary baitfish drawing attention, and the other a baitfish that may have survived a schooling inicident earlier... but is now struggling.

both have their place.

im just glad that most of the people around here havent taken up the drop shot in earnest and certainly arent fishing it like me!

ssshhhhh dont tell anyone. :-X

[islandbass]

It too is just about my favorite and most effective. I have added a jig rattle to the rig at the weight to fish dark and stained water with great results. Matter of fact, my first drop shot "hook up" was done this way on the first cast.

That's my contribution!

[Sam]

Sorry, but I rig it with an *** or Slider worm and throw it out like a Texas rig and bring it back to boat or shore.

Lots of fun to fish.

Caught two ladies over six-pounds last week at a private pond in Dinwiddie on drop-shot and then stopped using it as I thought it was unfair to the fish.

Great rig to use all year long.

Thanks for the post, Basspro48.

[Tin]

I think there is nothing more fun hen seeing a decent sized fish on the scope in deep water (40+). Then seeing your line on the screen, seeing the fish dive for it, then zzzzzzzzzz. But fishing bridge pilings with it is my favorite thing to do. If there is a bridge on a lake, chances are you will see me near it at one point in the day.

[TournyFish001]

don't be afraid to upsize the hook a bit and put on a larger bait like a fluke- too often guys only use 4" finesse worms exclusively, the same guys that say all they catch is little fish on drop shots-  

[basspro48]

These are some great posts guys, and I never though about adding a rattle to it, thanks islandbass  

Sam, you have got to throw it in the Pamunkey this winter! I absolutely destroyed em on it last winter fishing the wood on high tide and drop offs on outgoing tide. If only there were more tournaments out there in the cold months