Drop Shoting

Just trying to learn how to fish the drop shot rig, need some help with what kind of hook to use, I don't really like useing a exposed hook because i can hang up on anything, tried a # 1 ewg yesterday with a finesse worm just like you would a texas rig and lost a couple nice fish, didn't get a good hook set, what would you suggest ?

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com....html

and

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com....html

I use both of thee above for dropshoting in brush or around standing timber etc. Robo rebarb is Texas rigged with the hook almost sticking out of the other side of the worm. I nose hook with the gammys. I normally use size 1 or 1/0 depending on what bait I am using. Light wire and constant pressure and back reeling can really come into play on bigger fish. The hooks are small and there isn't much of a hook set. I just lift my rod from 9 to 12 and start reeling. Hope this helps.

The way you are doing it is exactly how I do it becuase I was losing WAY to many good fish on a nose/mosquito/octopus style hook. My fish usually have that little EWG buried...I do use a braid mainline with a swivel above my leader but that shouldnt be a huge issue. Even with the "texas" rigged drop shot, you really barely have to set the hook...and, BTW, I used the Robo re-barb at Table Rock a couple weeks ago and was prretty pumped to use it for the first time...til a bunch of spots started jumping off. I'm back to the EWG...Lots of personal preferences regarding drop-shotting...

Hey guys, anybody ever tried a circle hook ? Wonder how that would work !

Well tried a circle hook on the week end and it worked wonders, hooked in the upper lip all the time, think that'll be my new hook of choice http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/smile.gif

Dont mean to hyjack the post, but how many guys are using braided line for dropshotting? I am wanting to try 20#Power Pro with 10# FC Sniper Sunline leader.

I use nothing but Power pro 20# with Fluorocarbon leader depending on water clarity. Have dropped down to 6lb leader in clear deep lakes. It is really personal preference. The advantages is zero to minimal line twist and sensitivity is unreal. Give it a try you won't be sorry.

Got one rigged last night.

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by blazin461 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Dont mean to hyjack the post, but how many guys are using braided line for dropshotting? I am wanting to try 20#Power Pro with 10# FC Sniper Sunline leader.</td></tr></table>

Yes. I use 14lb. Stren Sonic Braid...a swivel...then about 6' of 6lb. Trilene 100% fluorocarbon. While the swivel doesn't eliminate ALL twist, the lack of memory in the braid keeps it from showing or wrapping the rod tip, etc.

Used that setup last weekend on the Detroit River and Lake Erie and I must say, I am impressed. What sensativity.

i tried this the first time the other day and couldnt figure out if i was doing it right. i was doing it from the shore and didnt catch a thing.

i was casting out and letting it sit and i would move the rodup and down slowly without making the weight move up (or so i think). the problem is when there is slack in the line and that was pretty much the whole time

You must remember that when your drop shoting you are dropping your bait strait down to fish you actually see on your depth finder.Another drop shot method that I use is to cast it out let it sink and then just reel the drop shot bait in real slow with light shakes of the rod tip and in the past this has been very productive for me.I think that would be better way to fish the drop shot for you from shore.

Yes if you are using it from the shore use it more like a texas/carolina rig. Let it fall and shake it a little kill it (let the bait slowly fall to the bottom) pickup lightly (feel for fish) move it a little and repeat all the way back to the bank. Can be effective. You can change your retrieve up to see if it helps. Couple twitches then kill it. Lift up let it fall etc. Just try different cadences until you find one that works for you on that day. If you are having trouble with slack in your line due to wind or the sinker always moving (always slack in line) up your sinker size. I've used up to a 1/2oz finesse style sinker size in 20 ft of water you can really make a bait move sporadically with a heavier weight and keep it in one spot.

awesome, thanks for the tip!

I use the circle hook about 95% of the time with drop and wacky fishing,excellent hookup ratio,15lb invisx for lmb,and 10lb. for smallies in clear water. the other hook I like is the owner finesse,weedless and standard. most hookups are solid in the jaw w/circle,although you can still gut hook em' deep and hurt em' bad http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/crying.gif

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by steve1206 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The way you are doing it is exactly how I do it becuase I was losing WAY to many good fish on a nose/mosquito/octopus style hook. ...</td></tr></table>

I have the same problem....except I'm now finding myself performing a hookset once I know the fish is on the hook (i.e. I've already started reelin it in). That has cured the problem thus far.

when you are reeling the fish in a little pop won't hurt. I hve always used the gammie split shot drop shot hooks.

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by earthworm77 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">when you are reeling the fish in a little pop won't hurt. I hve always used the gammie split shot drop shot hooks.</td></tr></table>

That's pretty much what I do. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

You need to checkout the best single article ever written on drop shotting. Go to richz.com. Rich Zaleski is the long time contributor to In-Fisherman. Read his article "Bass at the Drop of a Shot."

I use a gamakastu finesse hook. I like a #4, #2, #1 for smallmouths and #1 or 1/0 ofr largemouth. If you are fishing alot of places that you are going to get hung up like in timber I will use a #1 or 1/o offset worm owner worm hook. I always tie a palomer knot. I use 6 or 8 pound berkley fanish flouro not the 100% stuff. I also recommend reeling down and lift the hookset instead of a jerking motion like with a texas rig. with the small hooks you get a smaller entry hole. i feel that if you set the hook correctly the hook should end up right between eyes and they dont throw that very easy. hope it helps.