Learning to drop shot

[shortcast]

I have been reading up on drop shotting and I was wondering if anyone has any pointers for me. I think I have found a need for using it on some stubborn summer bass. What rod action would be best?

[Ron S]

The best pointer I can give you is to leave every other rod at home and go fishing. If you only have one option you will be forced to use it. Once you use it for a while you will begin to gain confidence in it. I hate drop shoting but there are times when that is what needs to be done.

[Fisher]

I like to use a medium action spinning reel with 8 lb test. I use Silver Thread AN40. It is a co-polymer and is really strong, but your favorite 8 lb test will do. I like to use the lightest weight I can getaway with, so 1/8 oz. works good, but if the wind is blowing I go with a 1/4 oz. I like to use the pencil style weights that have a little line clip so you don't have to tie a knot to the weight. When you get hung up most of the time you can pop the weight off and not have to re-tie.

Does this help you out?

[Royjulius]

I use a 1/2 oz sinker and flip shoreline drop-offs with it. Its not really a finesse tactic, but when you got one on, you know it. I use stren super braid with a barrel swivel and 10 lb flouro leader about 4" long on a 7' medium rod.

[hsb]

Biggest thing I need to remember, dont try to cross their eyes on the hookset.

[shortcast]

Thanks for the tips. I guess I will try it a little bit tomorrow and see what happens.

[cmclairday2]

I like using a drop shot for finesse pitching along bluffs and steep shore lines, as well as fishing it vertical.

[bigGUNS04]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cmclairday2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I like using a drop shot for finesse pitching along bluffs and steep shore lines, as well as fishing it vertical.</TD></TR></TABLE> same here

[Dietz_joe]

I always use a swivel. Drop shot works awesome on pilings and vertical trees.

[rodney_h]

Here is the link to a very good article that keeps it simple and lists all you need.
http://www.insideline.net/il-o....html
Here is the link to the Quick Drops Sinkers: http://www.quickdropsweights.com/site/
Keep it simple and have fun, this is a great technique for bed fishing also.

[shortcast]

That is a good link. Simple and to the point! Thanks

[DropShot374V]

I typically don't comment on most techniques since I think I still have a lot to learn when it comes to bass fishing, however drop shotting is one thing I feel I excel at.

I fish with a 6'10" custom drop shot rod made by GBlanks. It's a medium weight rod with an extra fast tip. I have it paired with a Shimano Sahara 2500 reel and use Berkley 100% Flouro in 8 lb test. I love this setup, however my first two years drop shotting in tourneys I used a cheap Dick's Sporting Goods house brand rod and 8 lb mono.

My biggest piece of advice is to make sure your weight is on the bottom, and that your bait is actually suspended. A lot of my friends make this mistake, and can't figure out why I'm filling the boat and they aren't getting a hit. Once I see slack in my line, I reel in until I can feel the weight bouncing on the bottom. Also, try and find the point where your line is stretching. This is easier with mono.

I would also suggest making sure that you are tying the palomar knot correctly, and that your hook point is up on the rig and not down. I would also suggest using a small swivel to keep your line from twisting too much.

The article linked above covers most of this, however these are the three biggest problems I see my friends making.

[dan61psu]

I was recently fishing some tournaments on Oneida, and decided it was finally time to learn the drop-shot. Fishign it on the shoals for smallies is a great tactic.

My recos after doing this and figuring it out a little bit (YMMV)

1 - you should go for a 6.5 to 7 foot rod, Medium or Medium LIGHT, with as fast a tip as you can find. Fenwick Elite Tech brand has a great rod for this aplpication.
2 - Use Owner Mosquito hooks (1 or 1/0), they rock...
3 - Bites can be hard to detect, especially in rough water (hello Oneida)...REALLY watch your line, and concentrate. if you feel weight thats 'weird', set the hook...
4. Setting the hook: you do not want to jerk the rod. Simply reel down some slack, twist at the hips and pull firmly but not too swiftly straight up or at a 3/4 angle. This will set the hook right in the corner of the fish's mouth most of the time, and they rarely get off. Jerking the rod will hjook up sometimes, but may cause the lure to come out without grabbing the fish's mouth.
5. Drag: you are using light line, so make sure your drag is set right. It should pull a little drag on the initial hook up and the fish should be able to pull drap when he wants to.
6. Dont horse a hooked fish in...
7. Wacky rigged stuff works well, as does nose hooking small minnows (GULP Alive) or small finesse worms
8. Drag or pump your lure lightly, keep it wiggling down there but dont fish it too fast!

Like a previous poster said, just go do it, otherwise you wont learn it!

good luck!!!


Modified by dan61psu at 11:36 AM 7/21/2009

[xm sean]

I fish tidal water so i use a heavier weight(1/4-3/8 oz). i also use a heavier weight because i like to use a 4" senko which is heavier then most DS baits. If the bait weighs more then your weight then you will be dragging the whole rig a lot of the time.

[shortcast]

Thanks for all the advice. This past weekend all the help payed off. But I still have alot to learn.

[kyhunter838]

Glad you asked.
I was drop shotting before it ever had a name. During hot summer days, when I could'nt find live bait, or we could'nt afford to buy it......I would rig a plastic on the hook.
I have always used a small bank sinker, or bass casting sinker.....the ones with the swivel coming out of the top... 6 to 8 inches above that, a gold crappie hook or any hook of that size. Then just choose a plastic....small worm, tube, minnow....etc. Hook it thru the nose. Then fish it around docks, pileings, or ledges and drops. Jig it with your wrist to immatate a wounded fish. Spinning equipment, 8 lb test line.....cause they hit this rig hard. Now they have specialized sinkers and hooks, and small plastics that have great flexability. Experiment with it.....try different things until you find what you like.
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