| In this article, I would like to introduce "Drop Shot" | | | | great finesse technique. When fishing any |
| fishing to you. Many of you might be aware of | | | | structure the Drop Shot Rig should be a |
| the powerful potential of this method, while | | | | consideration for a presentation option. This |
| others may have never tried this technique. Drop | | | | technique is extremely effective when fishing |
| shot fishing is one of the best "go to" techniques | | | | structure. When fishing muddy to clear water at |
| to use when the bite seems to be a bit slow or | | | | any depth, this is a technique that will catch fish. |
| the fish are all suspended and will not strike | | | | Any structure free of heavy cover is an easy |
| anything else. When reaction baits are not working | | | | place to learn to fish this rig. |
| well, I tend to rely on dropshotting. The drop shot | | | | Why choose this rig over a Texas Rig? When |
| technique will work in stained water, but I find it | | | | fishing a Drop Shot Rig the bait is always |
| to be more effective in clearer water. I use this | | | | suspended just off the bottom putting the bait at |
| technique in all depths of water from 6 feet to | | | | eye level or just inches above when the fish is on |
| 60 feet. | | | | the bottom where it prefers to stay. This also |
| A drop shot rig tends to work most of the year | | | | gives an angler the ability to keep the bait in the |
| for me, although it works extremely well during | | | | strike zone longer. |
| pre-spawn and early Spring as well as the hot | | | | How do you rig a Drop Shot? Tie a Palomar knot |
| days of Summer for a variety of reasons. The | | | | leaving 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet of extra line. Thread |
| bass may be deeper because they are keying in | | | | the loose end back through the eye of the hook |
| on bait moving off of the bottom and they have | | | | so the hook stands point up. Tie on weight |
| been living deeper due to the cooler weather. The | | | | preferably with a swivel about 12 to 18 inches |
| bass may also be inactive during the daytime and | | | | below the hook. Most hook manufacturers are |
| need to be finessed. Dropshotting can be used to | | | | making specific hooks for Drop Shotting. I like |
| fish fast or slow, depending on what the bass | | | | theGamakatsu because I think it is the sharpest |
| want. The drop shot is also a wonderful technique | | | | hook right out of the package I have found. |
| for a vertical presentation. Bass will sometimes be | | | | Weight size range from 1/8 to 5/16. A lot of |
| as deep as fifty feet in summertime, and drop | | | | anglers simply use bass casting weights. The |
| shot is the method I rely on to catch those deep | | | | weights I use and prefer are made by "Magnum |
| lunkers. I usually catch most of my fish in ten to | | | | Weight Systems" and they are basically a hollow |
| thirty feet of water, and I locate them using a | | | | brass pod. One end has a swivel and the other |
| fishfinder. You can use a fishfinder on a boat or | | | | unscrews so you can add weight or take it away |
| the "Smartcast" type from shore. | | | | depending on your fishing situation. The weight |
| The rod I use the most for dropshotting is a 7' | | | | that you add is in the form of small brass balls. |
| medium lite action baitcast rod. If I am | | | | This also allows you to shake the rig a bit to |
| dropshotting in shallower water, I might go to a | | | | produce a rattle sound similar to a Rat-L-Trap. |
| 6'6" medium light baitcaster. Because this | | | | This feature will help to attract fish! The pods |
| technique is a finesse situation, I like to use a 8lb | | | | come in three standard sizes and are available at |
| to 10lb fluorocarbon line with a 1/8 to 1/4oz | | | | many tackle shops and online at Cabelas. |
| weight. If you find that the bass are not | | | | The deeper you are fishing the longer the leader |
| responding to this presentation, you might switch | | | | up to about 4 feet long. When you are fishing |
| to a 6'6" spinning outfit with 6lb to 8lb | | | | deep with lighter line, this lets the bait fall faster |
| fluorocarbon. The lighter rig is good for most | | | | giving a better feel of the bait and strikes. When |
| applications including finesse fishing with smaller | | | | fishing shallow water heavier line and a baitcasting |
| worms. | | | | outfit can be used. Lighter weights may be better |
| There are many advantages of fishing a Drop | | | | for fishing on lighter line sizes on any type of |
| Shot Rig. It is much easier to cast than a Carolina | | | | outfit. |
| Rig, cast as far as a Texas Rig and also sinks | | | | Presentations vary from casting to vertical jigging. |
| faster. The bait is always suspended and easy to | | | | Casting Drop Shot Rigs is similar to casting a |
| adjust depth for suspended fish. You are also able | | | | Texas Rig except into heavy cover. This rig can |
| to feel the fish much better because of the | | | | be used as a swimming rig, hopped, crawled, or |
| weight being on the bottom as well as you can | | | | dragged. You can even fish as a stationary rig on |
| feel bottom better. Disadvantages include heavy | | | | bedding fish. One of my favorite methods that I |
| line twist, and your plastics and weights will get | | | | call the "Texas Drop Shot" is absolutely deadly on |
| hung in heavy cover. Putting a swivel on the | | | | bass. Instead of putting a weight on the bottom, |
| sinker helps slow twist. | | | | put a 1/8 oz jig on bottom and run your drop |
| What type bait is best? Smaller slim type baits | | | | shot hook with your worm as normal. Who |
| are best in clear water. Plastic worms in the 4" to | | | | knows, you might just catch 2 fish at once. If |
| 6" range with tapered or straight tails are ideal | | | | you have any futher questions on this technique, |
| such as a Roboworm. In clear water this is a | | | | please e-mail me.--Thanks! |