Getting Set Up For Drop Shot Fishing

[livetoskate]

I searched around the forum and read a lot of other posts on this topic but figured I would start my own since there are a couple specific questions I didn't get

the answer to.

So I have just bought a St Croix Mojo Medium lite extra fast action rod. Now I am in the market for a spinning reel and am thinking I am going to go get the Shimano Symetre 5.6:1 ratio... Any Thought/advice/opinions?

Next there are just so many different lines to choose from, I have alway used heavy line like 12lb or 14lb test. Seems that I should use a lighter line with the drop shot but I am a little nervous. Would it be a good idea to

use a little heavier braided line with a 6 lb floro leader or should I just use a 6 lb or 8 lb Floro...or braid? Also a little worried about the memory that I hear the Florocarbon line has since I have never used it, any advice on which to get

thats not extremely expensive or is it really worth going with Floro line? Any other recommendations ? I will attach a photo of the two lines I have been thinking of but again I am not stuck on anything yet

Next is the hook I have heard good things about the VMC spinshots and was thinking size #1 was a little curious if it is good to have two knots right next to the hook though. Others I looked at are gamakatsu split shot.

I do realize it is all opinion on this topic but I would really appreciate any opinions/advice.

Thanks

[flippin and pitchin]

Welcome to the forum ! I like your reel selection. Line is personal preference. So are hooks. You can easily run braid and a leader. If that is the case, the spin-shot won't provide you with it's greatest advantage and that is not having to tie a perfect knot that sets the hook upright. I like wide gap finesse hooks for the baits I use. That's just me, I have walleye hooks and Gammi dropshot hooks but seem to go with the wide gap more often than not. I really like Yo-Zuri hybrid,even for drop shot but there are some great 100 % flouros out there. All the options you have mentioned will work for you. Experiment and you will find what works best for you.

[livetoskate]

Flippin and pitchin

I appreciate the help I actually thought about trying the Yo-Zuri hybrid after reading something else on it. You find that it is as sensitive or close to floro? Also what lb test do you use with the hybrid for drop shot?

To be honest I would rather go with one type of line instead of the braid with leader, do you use just the hybrid alone? Why wouldn't I get the advantage of the hook being held straight with the spin shot? Also I

have heard that the spin shot really make a difference with line twisting.

Thanks

[eyedabassman]

As for line I would go with 6 to 8 lb. Seaguar Invizx. And the hook I would go with would be the new drop shot hook from VMC called the spin-shot hook in size 1,2 or 1/0. This hook can rotate 360 with no line twist.

[BobP]

I use 6 lb Trilene fluoro and like it. If you close the bail manually and slightly underfil the spool, that does away with most fluoro handling problems. I've never had a bass break 6 lb line on a dropshot. You don't have to set the hook hard with a small sharp hook, just lift the rod and you're in business. If you're spooky about breaking 6 lb test, go larger. But the smaller the line, the more bites you'll get - especially if you fish clear water in N.Y. Since you mostly dropshot in open water where fighting fish through cover is not an issue, 6 lb holds up just fine.

[flippin and pitchin]

Flippin and pitchin

I appreciate the help I actually thought about trying the Yo-Zuri hybrid after reading something else on it. You find that it is as sensitive or close to floro? Also what lb test do you use with the hybrid for drop shot?

To be honest I would rather go with one type of line instead of the braid with leader, do you use just the hybrid alone? Why wouldn't I get the advantage of the hook being held straight with the spin shot? Also I

have heard that the spin shot really make a difference with line twisting.

Thanks

I like Yo-Zuri because of how it handles and see that advantage outweighing sensativity. But that'sjust me. What I mean about the Spin Shot is it requires a tie on at top and bottom. If you use braid and leader you now have three knots. I just like 6 or 8 Hybrid and a Palomar knot to get the hook point upright and there I go. The nature of the rig causes some line twist. I'm not fishing gin clear water. Your Berkley 100% should be good but as mentioned, Invizex get very high marks on this forum. Good luck.

[Crestliner2008]

A lot of variables can be reduced or eliminated if we knew what kind of water you are fishing it in. Deep, clear water, I'd definitely go with the 6# test fluoro. I have been using Trilene 100% for a couple of seasons now and have no complaints. The 6# test is all you are going to need in open water, if there is little chance of a hang-up. Step it up a notch or two if there is.

If you are applying the drop shot in shallower, stained or snaggly bottoms, I'd beef it up considerably; probably opting for 12# - 14# test through out. But stick with the fluoro. This type of heavy DS rigging is sometimes referred to as "Bubba" rigging. Use a standard Texas rigged worm in this case, with an off-set worm hook.

If the first situation is more of what you are going to be involved with, pay particular attention to your hook. You want (NEED) a straight hook point. Not a curved "beak" type hook point. The Gamakatsu Drop Shot/Split Shot hook in size #2 will catch you more fish than anything else on the market. The new Spin Shot hook has potential, however, it's new and unproven. The Gammy hook has more than proven itself over the years. Good Luck!

[livetoskate]

Great thanks for all the advice, I am planning on placing my order tonite for the Reel, line and hooks. So I'll ponder over what to get.

Thanks so much

[dag623]

I feel your pain lol... I spent a good part of my day yesterday pondering these same choices. In the end I went with the vmc mentioned in size 2, and the sunline sniper 7lb. Also ordered myself a pro qualifier size 20, and a fenwick elite tech smallmouth 6'9 MXF. Being pretty new to dropshot, and having never thrown a shakyhead, all I can do now is hope the homework paid off lol...

[eyedabassman]

I feel your pain lol... I spent a good part of my day yesterday pondering these same choices. In the end I went with the vmc mentioned in size 2, and the sunline sniper 7lb. Also ordered myself a pro qualifier size 20, and a fenwick elite tech smallmouth 6'9 MXF. Being pretty new to dropshot, and having never thrown a shakyhead, all I can do now is hope the homework paid off lol...

Nice,good luck and let us know how you do.

[eyedabassman]

Great thanks for all the advice, I am planning on placing my order tonite for the Reel, line and hooks. So I'll ponder over what to get.

Thanks so much

Let us know what you order. So we can yell at you! just kidding!

[dag623]

Nice,good luck and let us know how you do.

Will do, and thanks! Really looking forward to trying the new rig out, especially the fenwick rod. Been reading a lot of good things people are saying about it... :-)

[dag623]

Let us know what you order. So we can yell at you! just kidding!

Lol too funny! But I feel left out now cuz i didnt get yelled at!!! :-P

[eyedabassman]

Lol too funny! But I feel left out now cuz i didnt get yelled at!!! :-P

If you want I can put my wife on here if you want to get yelled at? LOL

[dag623]

If you want I can put my wife on here if you want to get yelled at? LOL

Lmao!!!

[johnny949]

I'm some what new to the drop shot rig, as well. Do you guys suggest wacky rigging a worm/senko or putting the hook through the head of the worm when using the drop shot rig? I'm using a Gamakatsu drop shot/split shot hook size 1.

[Crestliner2008]

I'm some what new to the drop shot rig, as well. Do you guys suggest wacky rigging a worm/senko or putting the hook through the head of the worm when using the drop shot rig? I'm using a Gamakatsu drop shot/split shot hook size 1.

Let the bass tell you what they want. I always start off with nose hooking. Sometimes my partner will wacky rig his and we'll what produces best on that particular day.

[livetoskate]

A lot of variables can be reduced or eliminated if we knew what kind of water you are fishing it in. Deep, clear water, I'd definitely go with the 6# test fluoro. I have been using Trilene 100% for a couple of seasons now and have no complaints. The 6# test is all you are going to need in open water, if there is little chance of a hang-up. Step it up a notch or two if there is.

If you are applying the drop shot in shallower, stained or snaggly bottoms, I'd beef it up considerably; probably opting for 12# - 14# test through out. But stick with the fluoro. This type of heavy DS rigging is sometimes referred to as "Bubba" rigging. Use a standard Texas rigged worm in this case, with an off-set worm hook.

If the first situation is more of what you are going to be involved with, pay particular attention to your hook. You want (NEED) a straight hook point. Not a curved "beak" type hook point. The Gamakatsu Drop Shot/Split Shot hook in size #2 will catch you more fish than anything else on the market. The new Spin Shot hook has potential, however, it's new and unproven. The Gammy hook has more than proven itself over the years. Good Luck!

I fish in clear water most the time but a lot of shallow water as well.

Do you use a spinning reel with the trilene floro? If so how does the line handle on the reel? Thanks to everyone for the help

[livetoskate]

Ok so I just ordered everything, my set up is going to be the St Croix Mojo 6" 10" medium lite / extra fast with the Shimano Symetre 5.6:1 ratio and then I ended up getting the Invizex alb test floro.

I got a variation of hooks that were recommended and some robo worms to start out. I will keep you updated with what I prefer and how I like my new set up.

Thanks again for everyones help

[eyedabassman]

Ok so I just ordered everything, my set up is going to be the St Croix Mojo 6" 10" medium lite / extra fast with the Shimano Symetre 5.6:1 ratio and then I ended up getting the Invizex alb test floro.

I got a variation of hooks that were recommended and some robo worms to start out. I will keep you updated with what I prefer and how I like my new set up.

Thanks again for everyones help

Good job, your all set! Good luck and keep us up to date!

[Crestliner2008]

I fish in clear water most the time but a lot of shallow water as well.

Do you use a spinning reel with the trilene floro? If so how does the line handle on the reel? Thanks to everyone for the help

I use a 2500 series Shimano Symetre spinning reel, filled with 6# test Trilene 100% fluorocarbon, on a ML 6'6" rod. Have used this line for two full seasons now - this will be my third - with no complaints. I also fish a large, very clear reservoir and focus on deeper, off-shore structures. These range from 20' down to 55' in some locations. Have caught a lot of smallies down there! I also DS with that rig up shallow, as there is little in the way of snags where I fish.

[tbirds00]

Im using a st croix eyecon 6'3" with shimano syncopate spinning reel spooled with suffix 6lb fluro. Have various sinkers and hooks. for lures i have roboworm alive shad in various colors, missle baits drop claw in various colors and roboworm dropshot worms in various colors.

[livetoskate]

I use a 2500 series Shimano Symetre spinning reel, filled with 6# test Trilene 100% fluorocarbon, on a ML 6'6" rod. Have used this line for two full seasons now - this will be my third - with no complaints. I also fish a large, very clear reservoir and focus on deeper, off-shore structures. These range from 20' down to 55' in some locations. Have caught a lot of smallies down there! I also DS with that rig up shallow, as there is little in the way of snags where I fish.

Is the 2500 series a larger reel physically? I just received the 1000 series and it seems a bit small. I did notice the 2500 series had a little faster retrieve (6.2:1) than the 1000 series (5.7:1) , do you think it makes much difference? You seem to like it right?

I can send it back now before I use it so I figured I might as well be sure.

[eyedabassman]

I like a bit faster reel to pick up line when they run at you! And it is harder to speed up on a slower reel than it is to slow down on a faster reel.

[livetoskate]

After looking more into it and reading a lot of reviews I have been turned off on the shimano Symetre series, I sent the one I got back and am now in the market to buy another one tomorrow.

I am thinking of going with the Pflueger Supreme XT but not sure what size to get, they come in 3 sizes for the gear ratio I want 6.2:1 I would appreciate any opinions/help making the decision. Here are the 3 options and I am veering towards the first two and probably the second one in red text. I don't want a super small reel like the shimano 1000 series but also don't want a large reel.

9230XT 145 yds / 6Lb 6.2:1 7.2 oz Left & Right Light Freshwater

9235XT 185 yds / 10Lb 6.2:1 8.6 oz Left & Right Medium Light Freshwater

9240XT 230 yds / 10Lb 6.2:1 9.3 oz Left & Right Medium Freshwater