Drop Shotting how to

[dman]

Never did this before and a lot of articles i read refer to fishing directly below the boat.   Can you cast with this technique or does everything get too tangled up?  

thanks

[Sam]

I cast the rig, too.

Only problem is having it get all tangled up with your other rods and reels while on the boat.

You need to secure the weight so that it does not flop all around and get tangled.

Otherwise, just fish it straight down or cast it out.

Just make sure your bait "wiggles" and you are ready to go.

[Brian_Reeves]

I cast the rig, too.

Only problem is having it get all tangled up with your other rods and reels while on the boat.

You need to secure the weight so that it does not flop all around and get tangled.

quote]

I use a little bit of tape.  Works fine.

Also, I don't use drop shots like most people.  I've had better success with big weight, big lures, big hooks, and heavy lines vertically fishing in heavy grass.  It is a good way to get down there into those tunnels and have a lot of control of your lure.  It's also a different presentation than fish have seen.  As far as using the light line finesse stuff...not one bite.

[Shad_Master]

Ain't Texan (I really like your handle, btw) how long of a leader are you using in the heavy grass?

[tntitans21399]

If you don't want your line or other lures getting tangled up I have used lure wraps.  You can get them at BPS, but what I did (the cheap way) is go get some duck tape and velco at Lowes/Home Depot.  You cut the length of duck tape that you want it to be, you will most likely need to cut 6 pieces that same length.  Put one down and place the next one next to it over lapping a little.  3 will make one side, then do the same with the other side and place them together, they won't come apart because duck tape is great.  Then I cut the velco in half, long ways.  Fold the duck tape in half, and place the half velco pieces on the open sides of the duck tape to keep it closed.  I then usually put a book or some kind of weight so the velco sticks real good.  Their you go a lure wrap.  It is great to keep crankbaits from hooking on to other rods or anything else.  Prefect for when transporting them, you don't have to worry about hooking yourself or something else.  

[WBFishing]

Some folks I know attach a barrel swivel to the mainline and then use a leader from the swivel to tie the drop shot, they claim it stops line twisting.  To keep mine from tangling I took off my reel and slide a doubled-up rubberband up the handle and onto the rod shaft.  When I am done drop shotting, I just put the weight inside the rubberband and secure the hook.

[Sam]

WB,

What a great idea.

I will have to give it a try.

Thanks.

[Crestliner2008]

The drop shot can be cast and retrieved. I've done it, but I find that I have the best "control" over my bait when it's directly below the boat while I'm anchored on a spot - or controlling my position with my trolling motor. Another good bet is drifting, provided the wind is light. I've even drifted it in a slow river current very successfully. And you can fish the drop shot on heavy line in weeds. It's an extremely versatile presentation.

Shad Master - leader length would be determined by how high or how deep in the grass the bass want the bait. I'd start by keeping it just above the top of the grass, but sometimes the bass want closer to the bottom. Let them tell you what they want. I've even had great success using a 4' or 5' leader below my hook for suspended fish in clear water. Amazing what that do for your day's fishing!   Also, try the Wiggle Rig variation to get better control over what your bait is actually doing down there. Hope this is of some help.

[bassmaster8100]

the way i rig my dropshot is with a swivel on top then about 6 to 8 inches of line tie on my hook and then the length of the leader varies and then of course you have the sinker. I get my sinkers at wal-mart just some cheapos but theyve worked out perfect for me its a bell shaped type with a little wire loop on top. Never had any problems with line twisting or tangling.

[dman]

great info,  thanks guys

[Joel W]

I cast my drop shot rig nearly all the time, especially along a weed line.  I also use a swivel to attach my pre-made drop shot rigs. I usually have 6 extra ones ready to go, which I keep in their own little zip lock

bag that I've saved from snaps, barrel wts, etc. When not using my Drop Shot rig, I slip a plastic baggie tie through the hook holder which now does double duty of securing the hook and keeping the wt up and out of the way. Works perfectly every time.

[Brian_Reeves]

Ain't Texan (I really like your handle, btw) how long of a leader are you using in the heavy grass?

About a foot, foot and a half tops.  Any longer than that and it can become troublesome.  Also, pick more streamlined baits that can punch through grass easier, like flukes, senkos, or beavers.  Brush hogs can get hung up by their excessive appendages.

[fishfordollars]

I love to cast it up on a submerged road bed and bounce it off.

[guitarkid]

hey tntitans great idea. duct tape and velcro work for anything.

[WRB]

See http://www.iovino.com/dropstop.htm for drop shat weight rod clip.

WRB