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How do you guys fish your drop shot rigs? What sort of retrieve do you like to use and what kind of action do you give the rig? I went out a couple of weeks ago with just a drop shot rod, and I only caught fish when I hung my weight up on the bottom and jerked it free. I'm pretty sure that's not how you're supposed to fish a drop shot.
I'm interested in this info as well. But it sounds like if you only caught a fish on a violent jerk of the bait then maybe they wanted something bigger and faster on that day.
I've only caught one fish on a drop shot. I kinda cast it out, made sure the weight was on the bottom, kinsa wiggled the rod a little, paused, drug the weight along the bottom and repeated.
The bite just felt heavy on the end of the line, that was all, the a wiggle when he was swimming off.
I do know just a little movement of the rod really makes the bait jump. So, you dont want to over fish it and give it too much action. Other than that, I dont know what else to do, so like I said, I'm interested in what folks say about it.
I drop shot a lot, too much. I catch pretty good numbers but typically smaller fish than the guys I fish with that are using c-rigs or Senkos.
When I first learned to D.S. I was under the impression that only the line above the water should move and that subtle motion would result in movement of the bait.... Then I watch Kevin Van Dam dropshot on Bass Pro's.
He shook the weight off of the bottom. His was a pretty violent shake compared to what I'd read was correct previously. Now I go with the more active shake and it works very well.
About half the time my bait (typically Roboworms) is hit on the cast. If it's not I draw it back to the boat, fairly steadily while pretty much shaking it the whole way. I'll stop bringing it back if I get a tap and will slow the shake but not stop it in an effort to entice the fish to take it. I've had pretty good results with this approach.
Good luck.
Aaron Martens' methods.
http://www.bassfan.com/tips_article.asp?ID=216
I fish it 4 ways.
1 throw it and work it like a t rig.
2 cast it and drop it down vertical structure.
3 at night is put a rattle in the worm and swim it on poits.
4 fish it vertticaly undet the boat like a jigging spoon.
I worked on some drop shotting this weekend, but didn't have any success. I tried several different retrieves, but had no takers. I think it is just hard for me to figure out what the bait looks like underwater while I am shaking it and what not. I guess I just got to keep working on it.
The few times I've done it, I drag it along (similar to a c-rig) till the weight hangs in some grass, then just jiggle the rod tip to give the plastic some action, which is hovering/dancing over the grass patch.. After about 30 seconds I'll pull it again until I get to the next patch of grass.. One thing to remember (if your using < 10lb line, like me) is *do not* cross it's eye's on the hookset! Ive broke off a couple by doing that.. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/doh.gif
I worked on dropshotting quite a bit last year and one thing I learned about it was that my tendency was to try and put to much action in it. The method that works the best for me is to cast it out and let it settle to the bottom. give a few seconds and gently shake the tip of the rod as you raise it slowly. when you feel the weight let it go slack and let the bait slow fall to the bottom and repeat as you bring it back toward the boat. I also had more success with 8-10 inches of line below the bait instead of a longer leader. the longer leader worked better when fishing for suspended fish. I don't use this much because it's boring as hell but this is what seemed to work the best for me. Just remember not to over work it, the bait will have plenty of action on its own. And Mick is right, you don't need to cross their eyes just sweep the rod on the hookset. If you want to see what it looks like fill up the tub or stick in the pool if you have one. Hope this helps some http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif
I dropshot a LOT. The way I mostly fish it is toss it out and let it sink. After a few seconds I just jiggle the rod tip a little and then let it set for a few more seconds. I may do it again, or I will then drag it a little and let it set and do the whole cycle all over again. Usually I will feel something a little different when I jiggle the bait or when I go to move it. Can't tell you how good of a technique it really is once you get the hang of it.
Have fun.
Thanks guys. I appreciate all the great info. I'll have to get out sometime soon and get to practicing.
Another question...when should you turn to the drop shot technique?
Anytime the fish are inactive, neutral, or suspended. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/popcorn.gif
Modified by 20_lb_sack at 8:50 AM 9/7/2007
Here in Arizona, turn to dropshot anytime you want to catch fish http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/Laugh.gif , seriously it is great to get a quick limit, then you can try something else to start culling.