The "sprinkler head" drop shot retrieve works.

[Fishing Rhino]

Spent the last week in GA. On Friday, using a drop shot rig produced this baby.

Spinning rod (Carbonlite), six pound InvisX fluoro, an Owner 1/0 Octopus hook baited with a watermelon black/red flake Flappin Hog and a quarter ounce cylindrical drop shot sinker was the hardware/software.

The fish was hooked deep in the roof of its mouth, leaving the line to scrub along its file-like "gums". A lightly set drag saved the day.

[ArcherJohnny]

Nice bass Tom!  That thing is a BEAST!  What lake were you on?  I'm in Nashville, but I've been thinking about making a trip down to Stone Mountain Park one of these weekends.

Johnny

[Fishing Rhino]

This was caught at Rocky Mountain State Park, Antioch East Lake.  It's an hour closer to you than Stone Mountain, and definitely worth putting on your list along with Stone Mountain.

It's on the west side of I-75 in northern GA, not much more than two hours, if that, from Chatanooga.

Take 140 west to the end.  Turn right on 27.  About three miles north, at a bend in the road you'll take a left.  There is a sign for the park.

A half mile or so you'll take another left.  Follow that road three or four miles to the entrance to the park.

There is also a "trophy lake" in the park.  It is only open for fishing the first ten days of each month.  If you do this park, schedule your trip to coincide with the time the trophy lake will be open.

If you are going to stop at this lake, send me a pm.  I'll give you the particulars on where this fish was caught, and where to find two or three more patches of productive bottom.

[Dan:]

sprinkler head?

[Fishing Rhino]

In case you're wondering what is the "sprinkler head" retrieve.

I've tried to think of a way to describe the retrieve I use for "swimming" a drop shot. It has been very effective for me. Give it a try, you might like it as well.

I think most, if not all of us have seen this type of irrigation head.

The retrieve I sometimes use works much like the head in the photo above.

I use a sidearm type of retrieve, imparting a bit of force to the rod, then letting it move on its own.

I start with a bit of slack in the line, and flick the rod to take up that slack. By the time the slack is out of the line, my hand is just following the rod, supporting it so it doesn't drop.

When the slack is taken up, the tip flexes a bit, and the mono stretches, imparting very little action to the bait.

My hand/arm is like the flapper in the sprinkler head. The jet of water starts it moving then the momentum moves the flapper against a spring which incrementally rotates the sprinkler head a few degrees.

The spring flips the flapper back to the jet of water, and the cycle begins again.

It's like that with the retrieve. The stretch of the line and the flex of the rod, spring it back to the starting position. A quick flick applied to the handle of the rod, and the cycle begins anew.

It usually takes several flicks before I have to retrieve a couple of feet onto the reel.

It works very well in grassy bottom, particularly in a slow drift. The sinker will fetch up in the vegetation, and eventually pull free. Before that happens, the bait stays put, vibrating in place, often triggering strikes.

Try it, I think you'll like it.

[demonjd22]

You got a weight on that thing?  That is one FAT bass. Congrats!

[b.Lee]

You know tom I remember asking you about this, and i thought about the other day while fishing my tournament, but i was catching fish so I didn't get to try it out, glad it really did work out.

[looking4structure]

Nice fish.That thing is huge.Gotta love those Flapping Hogs.

[shimmy]

absolutely beautiful! 6lb test makes it even better. Good fishin

[RoLo]

That's a super cow, Tom!

It's also a great showing for a non-resident angler

Roger

[Tokyo Tony]

Great fish!

I think I have the same canoe - is that a Quest? I got mine at Dick's and it has a flat back for a motor. Great canoe, very stable. Kind of crappy material though.

[Fishing Rhino]

It's an Old Town/Johnson 15.5 footer.  I say both, because both names are on the canoe.  Might be a quest, but not sure.  It has a beam of 40 plus inches and is very stable, with a semi/vee type of bottom.

Square stern, and I got it at Dick's on sale for 500 dollars.  Quite likely the same canoe.

Glad I have a trolling motor for it.  Compared to my other Old Town it paddles like a barge.  But, the other canoe is nowhere near as stable.  Did capsize it once due to my own stupidity of reaching too far over the side.  Didn't lose anything but some of my pride.

In about four feet of water, so I could walk it to shore and bail it out, then go back to fishing.  Warm water, hot day.  Thank goodness.

[Tokyo Tony]

Yup, same canoe. It's really stable which is why I love it. Two fishermen can stand up and fish comfortably, as long as they have decent balance.

[TimJ]

what a beautiful fish! congrats

TJ

[roadwarrior]

Fantastic!

Nice fish, great pics!

8-)

[BucketBuster]

Using spinning gear while in a canoe and you still put that hawg in the boat. Very impressive! Congrats on a great catch and pics.

[Fishing Rhino]

Using spinning gear while in a canoe and you still put that hawg in the boat. Very impressive! Congrats on a great catch and pics.

For the purpose of disclosure.  It was in open water.  My feeling is that a canoe gives me an advantage when fighting a fish, in most cases.

I'll find out for sure when I fish from the bass boat that has been added to my "fleet". 

[steezy]

Nice catch Rhino

[Red Bear]

Using spinning gear while in a canoe and you still put that hawg in the boat. Very impressive! Congrats on a great catch and pics.

while its a nice fish, and not to take anything away from rhino. But why is it very impressive that a bass was caught from a canoe on spinning gear? its not like its a rare occurance or anything. you dont need an elaborate bass boat and a baitcaster to catch nice fish ya know?

[UrbanAngler]

Impressive catch on the DS. I myself this weekend took time and patience to learn the drop shot technique which also gave me great results, but not as great as your results.

I'm gonna have to get this "sprinkler" tactic a try. Thanks for the shared tip.

[Fishing Rhino]

Using spinning gear while in a canoe and you still put that hawg in the boat. Very impressive! Congrats on a great catch and pics.

while its a nice fish, and not to take anything away from rhino. But why is it very impressive that a bass was caught from a canoe on spinning gear? its not like its a rare occurance or anything. you dont need an elaborate bass boat and a baitcaster to catch nice fish ya know?

You are absolutely correct.  In many of the ponds I fish, along with those who have bass boats, I feel like I have an advantage.

But that advantage goes away quickly if I am not familiar with a pond/lake.  The bass boat has a distinct advantage when it comes to prospecting, and running from one patch of productive bottom to another.

When it comes to fighting and landing a fish, I prefer my chances in a canoe.  I'm already at water level.  No contortions necessary to reach over and lip the fish.

There isn't much choice if you want to fish the lake where that fish was caught.  Electric, paddle, or row.  Choose your poison.

[firefightn15]

A great feather in your cap Tom, nice catch  8-)

[Paul Roberts]

Very nice, Tom. Beautiful fish, and nice photo too.