Drop Shot Tackle For Bass

[AirbusAngler]

Hello Everyone!

I keep hearing wonders about this drop shot rig, eecially here in Arizona where the bass tend to live deep but I have a few quwestions about gear.

1. What is the best rod type for this style of fishing? light, ML, heavy etc.. and anything else related to the rod

2. What type of line? (mono braid fluro etc..) and LB test

3. Anything else that I may find usefull for setting up a dedicated dropshot rig!

Thanks for your input!

[TouchTooMuch]

i was just getting ready to ask that!

I will add. How and when is it used? and what makes it a better rig compared to others?

[hookingem]

Start here

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

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/drop_shot_bassfish_2.html

[J Francho]

Another article, written by Rich Zaleski, a regular In-Fisherman contributor: http://www.richz.com/fishing/blog/?page_id=552

[Raul]

Hello Everyone!

I keep hearing wonders about this drop shot rig, eecially here in Arizona where the bass tend to live deep but I have a few quwestions about gear.

1. What is the best rod type for this style of fishing? light, ML, heavy etc.. and anything else related to the rod

2. What type of line? (mono braid fluro etc..) and LB test

3. Anything else that I may find usefull for setting up a dedicated dropshot rig!

Thanks for your input!

1.- There´s no such thing as "the best rod type for dropshotting", in my everyday lake I fish with a H rod, BC reel and 17 lb test line cuz there´s a big bunch of submerged tough mesquite trees and huizache brush, in other lakes with not the "problem" of submerged brush I can go as light as an UL rod.

2.- What line ---> whatever line you want to use, I´ve never been a fan of FC, I do have some reels spooled with FC and seldomly use it, I hate braided line ( even though I do also have reels spooled with braided ), I like nylon and copoly, that´s what I use, nylon and copoly. What lb test ---> that depends on cover type and density.

3.- You don´t really need a dedicated D-shot rig, what you can use is removable d-shot rigs, instead of tying all the hardware to your main line is to use a good quality swivel to be tied to the main line and all the d-shot rig parafenalia tied to a leader. Want to d-shot ---> tie your removable rig, don´t want to d-shot anymore ---> cut the not at the swivel and tie the next stuff.

[AirbusAngler]

thank you all for the great info! I did some reading and took your advice and landed this beatuy second time out utilizing the dropshot!

[AirbusAngler]

[Colton Neal]

If your fishing deep have a rod with good tip but also good back bone. For shallower you can use a medium.

Fish a drop shot with fluorocarbon for added action, sensitivity, and invisibility.

Octopus hooks are the standard for nose hooking small worms, they're like trout hooks.

When your vertical fishing you should use a standard of a 6" leader, and when casting use a 12" leader because then the angle of your line will actually make the bait hang 6" above the bottom.

For some reason a shorter leader increases strikes.

- Don't overwork the dropshot let it hit the bottom and use a control bow to let your lure naturally flutter down a bit but maintain line control to since pickups.

[flippin and pitchin]

 

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

Those video's are going to cover anything you want.....

So far, I have fished relatively open water, for deeper bass using a drop shot. (that'll change-and the equipment along with it)

Use the Spro tiny swivels....They don't break, and eliminate line twist.

The stand out hooks are nice, IMO. No matter what the knot does, your lure will stand strait out.

I have used 8lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid, and 10lb 100% Flourocarbon. I will be switching to 6lb Y/Z this coming season.

I like a heavy weight. To me I want a clear connection between bottom, hook, and rod. It actually makes it easier to have a more subtle action with a heavier weight.

In almost all cases I opt for a 3/8oz round weight.......I usually tie a knot in the drop line to keep the weight from sliding off.

Plastic of your choice. Poor Boy's, and strike king make my favorites.

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

For some reason a shorter leader increases strikes.

- Don't overwork the dropshot let it hit the bottom and use a control bow to let your lure naturally flutter down a bit but maintain line control to since pickups.

I wouldn't say that is the rule by any means. Even on home lakes, I've found you need to experiment with leader length, from day to day, and throughout the day.

[J Francho]

Leader or dropper (tag end)? Either way, there are no absolutes.

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

Leader or dropper (tag end)? Either way, there are no absolutes.

Dropper....I was under the impression that is what he (person I quoted) was talking about.

But ya, that is what I was saying. No way would a tag one length of dropper as being best.....In my experience the best can vary a bunch.

[J Francho]

Rich Zaleski once described using an 18' dropper to catch fish in 42' below his boat in 60' of water. How 'bout them apples?

[Hyrule Bass]

Use the Spro tiny swivels....They don't break, and eliminate line twist.

i saw the spro swivels for like $9 for a small pack at gander mtn, they can keep them for that price, ive had no problems with my laker and BPS swivels.

but then again if i use a swivel on a drop shot its attached to a bass casting sinker via a split ring, the swivel and the sinker rotate. and since its below where the fish is hooked i dont have to worry about losing the fish because of a failed swivel.

id also like to add that i prefer to use a M or MH rod for dropshotting. i will use anywhere from 12-20lb mono. and often ill use live bait on it. for hooks i like the gamakatsu 2/0 octopus hooks or the real small drop shot/split shot hooks by gamakatsu, i also love to use the 2/0 eagle claw gold abeerdeen hooks on a drop shot. i guess i really dont fish it as "conventionally" as others, but what i do works for me and landed me my PB LMB. i will vary the distance between hook and sinker from between 12-36 inches of line...

[J Francho]

If you want to try a micro swivel, look for Blackbirds. They will actually pass through guides with out issue. I use TWO in terminal rigs for stream trout, and they never break. These aren't little fish either....

[Drop Shot Maniac]

You really don't need to mess with a swivel if you use Quick Drops sinkers. These are the best drop shot sinkers I have found, and they have a swivel built in that prevents line twist. I use the 3/8 weight. You can pull these sinkers through pretty much anything without getting snagged (rocky bottoms can sometimes be a problem) if you just gently back off at the first sense of resistance, and then keep moving. Once you get the hang of it it's easy. You don't even have to tie them on – just run your line through the eye and it cinches tight. These sinkers have the best "feel" of any sinker I have used. There are other drop shot sinkers with built-in swivels, but none I have found work as well as the Quick Drops.

 

I use stand-out hooks. These hooks give the best presentation.

I use 8 lb. fluorocarbon line. I don't like fluorocarbon, either. It's a pain in the butt. But it sinks, it's hard to see, and it works.

I'm not too particular about rods. Use whatever you are comfortable with, but it is helpful to have at least a little bit of action in the tip so you can work the bait.

Lastly, you can use whatever bait you like, but I highly recommend the Roboworm in Morning Dawn color with chartreuse hot tip. Best bass lure I have ever used, period.