Drop shot help needed

[fishinfiend]

I fished a drop shot rig for the first time this weekend. I got alot of bites but was unable to set the hook. What is the best way to set the hook on a drop shot? Do I need to let them take it a little more? I was using a 2/0 standout hook on a MH rod with 12# test. I tried setting the hook as I usually do: wait for bite, reel in slack, lift rod to feel weight of fish, and than yank.

What is the secret?    :-/

[burleytog]

Just reel.

[jjbassjj]

yep just reel down to the fish and lift up and let the fishes weight bow your rod. no hard hookset

[JUST]

If you do hook set, you usually end up pulling the hook right out of their mouth. Like the guys above, lift your rod and reel.

[flippinbaits]

might sound weird, but i might downsize the hook.  I usually use a #2 gama drop shot hook, or at the largest a 1/0 gammy.  Also like said earlier, reel down and sweep your rod.  No eratic hook set.  Were you nose hooking the bait?

my final thought is you want to have the hook pointed up.  to ensure this you need to run the line back through the eye of the palomar knot.

[Sam]

Flippinbaits is right.

Down size the hook size.

I go from a gold #6 (long shank) to no more than a 2/0 if I know there are big bass around.

99% of the time I am throwing a #1 or smaller hook.

I also use no more than 8 pound test.  Mostly use 6 pound test.

No reason to have a hard hookset. Just sweep rod and the fish should hook itself.

If you are going to use a "/0" hook, try the weedless ones.  You can then throw your drop shot rig into cover and structure without getting snagged.

Let us know how you do.  

[Crestliner2008]

After trying various hooks and sizes, I've settled on a #2 as the best for bass...SM or LM, believe it or not. I agree with the folks above. You just start reeling and the hooks will set themselves. If you fish SM with them you just have to know: REEL AS FAST AS YOU CAN!  ;D

I use Daiichi hooks, but just about anything will work....you are in direct contact with the hook, so your hook-up ratio is very good.

[fishinfiend]

Thanks guys! I will try this out.

[Md]

Another consideration is your MH rod. I find while drop shotting that a rod that is too stiff will lead to less hook ups. You may want to go with a more limber rod and see if your hook up ratio increases. Just a thought.

[John G.]

Don't set the hook, lighter line, and a much lighter action rod.

[nickb]

i've never used the dropshot, but have been reading up on it lately. i learned a good bit from this page alone! thanks guys!

[Triton_Mike]

Here is a video that I did last year on how to do the "Reel Set". I hope it helps

[JiggaMan512]

SO... is it like a crankbait hookset?

[Triton_Mike]

SO... is it like a crankbait hookset?

Kinda sorta.  Depends on how you do a crankbait hookset??  Everyone has their own method.  The video is how a dropshot reel set is done.  

Mike

[J Francho]

It depends on what type of hook you are using.  If the bait is nose hooked with a Mosquito hook or similar, then all it takes is a reel set.  If you are rigging the bait with a weedless hook like below, then you need to use a quick wrist snap.  Personally, I have a hell of a time not setting the hook, but if you tone it down, you'll be fine.  BTW, lose the Stand Out hooks, totally unnecessary, and defeats the purpose of a direct connection between your rod tip and the hook eye - the very thing that makes a DS rig so sensitive.

[Triton_Mike]

It depends on what type of hook you are using. If the bait is nose hooked with a Mosquito hook or similar, then all it takes is a reel set. If you are rigging the bait with a weedless hook like below, then you need to use a quick wrist snap. Personally, I have a hell of a time not setting the hook, but if you tone it down, you'll be fine. BTW, lose the Stand Out hooks, totally unnecessary, and defeats the purpose of a direct connection between your rod tip and the hook eye - the very thing that makes a DS rig so sensitive.

Ditto!!!  

[Crestliner2008]

I totally disagree with J Francho on the Stand Out hooks. I've been using them for many seasons now and have caught an awful lot of smallmouth and LM bass on them. They are a staple in my arsenal.

[lovin topwater]

why spinning rod? i'm just getting into dropshotting but i fish nothing but biatcasters... why does everyone say spinning rod? please in depth explanation...  thanks!

[J Francho]

I totally disagree with J Francho on the Stand Out hooks. I've been using them for many seasons now and have caught an awful lot of smallmouth and LM bass on them. They are a staple in my arsenal.

Crest, I think it comes down to a difference in application.  A stand out hook probably doesn't have as much a negative effect in deep open water structure fishing, where you really aren't imparting as much action as the boat actually is.  When fishing for largemouth on the deep side on weed edges, you will need to add a little magic, and for that, I've found the standouts diminish control.  Since i do both types of fishing with this rig, along with a few more, and that the mosquito hook stands out on its own, if tied right, There's no need for me to use a different hook.

[J Francho]

why spinning rod? i'm just getting into dropshotting but i fish nothing but biatcasters... why does everyone say spinning rod? please in depth explanation...  thanks!

Many use a spinning rod when tying this rig for very small finesse plastics on very light line, usually 4-6#, for open water structure fishing.  The drop shot is a terminal rig, not a technique, and can be tied using ANY soft plastic, on ANY rod and reel appropriate for the cover/conditions.

Try a 3/4 oz. weight, a 5/0 EWG, a 12" worm, tied onto 65# braid on your flipping stick.  Throw into pads, shake away.  Be prepared to catch a big fish.  Now you know how to "cannonball the pads"

[fishinfiend]

Thanks again for all the advice. Hopefully, I will mop up next time  

[Pieman]

I use a gammy octopus circle #1 and the hook generally sets itself.

[bassmaster3000]

Remember...

When you are tying on, remember that before you go to put the weight on, put the remaining line through the eye of the hook again so that it is standing up. This can be a deadly tactic!