Drop shotting how to?

bass man · 07-13-2006, 02:50 PM

Hi, I have read some of the posts on d shotting but can't quite figure it out.
Can anyone give me some pointers on what you need, how to do it, ect. Maybe a more descriptive diagram, or maybe a pic of one all set up?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Thanks, Noah

Dave Smith · 07-13-2006, 03:26 PM

Kind of hard to esplain, but.... you need a fairly long rod with some backbone but a soft tip. I use a G-Loomis drop-shot rod but 99% of the world uses spinning gear. Light line- say 6 to 10 pound test unless your fishing for monsters or with big baits, around cover, etc. I like flourocarbon because it sinks so you don't have a huge belly in your line and you can maintain contact easily. First thing to tye on is a tiny barrel swivel. Next is a peice of flourocarbon in which you have tied a small dropshot hook using a palomar knot. When you tie the palomar, you just leave a really long tag-end and now tie this length to the swivel. What I like is about 10 inches from the swivel to the hook- I like the hook to be hanging with the point up, and then 12 to 20 inches below that. The knot is tricky and I can't explain how to do it and get the hook facing right- you are going to have to do some searching and experimenting. Add a drop shot weight to the very bottom. You just wedge the line into the little crevis on the weight and maybe tie an overhand knot below to keep it from slipping. I like the cylindrical shaped weights, not the spherical or pyramids, etc.
Hook some little sissy bait on there and I rig it texas style because of brush but most do the little wacky or nose-hooked thing. Don't put too much scent on it becasue it will rub on your line and be make it very visible. Shake it GENTLY in deep water on a point or hump. It takes a long time to translate your shakes so most people are either doing nothing or way too much- you can learn alot with an aqua-view or just lot's of experience. it doesn't have to be a finesse technique- you can do shaloow water, heavy line, heavy baits, etc. Killer on smallmouths. Good luck. Dave

portlandstatekid · 07-13-2006, 08:26 PM

that about sums it up. i have never used a barrel swivel though to my hook and am now considering to give it a try. i'm thinking that for some added action to your lure.

BuKuBass · 07-14-2006, 06:31 AM

Scroll down to

Drop Shot.

Hans Kochs · 07-14-2006, 06:47 AM

You Can also use hollow pencil lead for the weight. just pinch some on. Real in slow. even with a swivel you get line twist which is one setback to dropshotting. But the setup is well worth the hassle. It will catch lots and lots of fish. I drop shot heavy weights 1/2 and more in heavy cover with 20 lb test for big weed largemouths. I use it alot with spinning gear for smallies also.I am going to try it for walleye this year also. God Bless you.

Basscaster · 07-14-2006, 07:10 AM

I started using a baitcasting rig to dropshot. I've got a Shimano Crucial 6'6" ML with a Curado 101B on it spooled with 8lb floro. I really like the casting accuracy and its cut down on line twist problems a ton. I haven't tried a swivel above the hook either, I just tie a palomar (hook shank pointing up) with a long tag end to a size 1 EWG hook and about a foot or so of leader. I like to texas rig my baits as well, Dave has a good point about not getting the scent on the line.

tnj8222 · 07-14-2006, 07:15 AM

heres a link with a good pic of a palomar knot.. http://eaglespark.com/Knots/palomar.htm make sure you have a good amount of line below the hook.. i have have never used a swivel for a drop shot but i definatley dont see how it couldnt work like that... i use drop shot weights for the bottom of the line.. heres a link to a pic of a good drop shot weight http://www.crappiepro.com/store/grap...roduct_42T.jpg this page has lots of good information of how to use the drop shot and has a good pic of what it should look like when finished.... it could look different depending how long you want your leader depending on where the fish are holding... http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.C...ectType=article

Dave Smith · 07-14-2006, 07:53 AM

I use a baitcasting outfit, also. I meant to mention that in my post but didn't. I use a Calcutta 101B, but I think basscaster's Curado 101B would be way better. The swivel really helps with line twist. Yes, it's two more knots, but line twist turns your 8 pound line into 4 pound after a while and, just tie good knots! Dave PS: you can cover water with the rig but keep in mind you will get more bites from big fish while the weight is stationary. Hope everyone is fishing and catching, cause I am working and whining....

Hunt'nFish · 07-14-2006, 09:11 AM

Thanks Buku for throwing up the link, this time I bookmarked it.

I have a question....
How many of you use stinger hooks?
For those who don't know what I mean..a stinger hook is a hook, treble or single, that has a length of line that connects it to the main hook. We use these for walleye fishing w/ jigs and I've started to use it for drop-shotting as well. I loose fewer baits and many times the fish is hooked on the stinger hook. If I deep hook a nice fish I just clip the line and let'em have the stinger hook for jewelry.
I don't find the extra weight of the stinger hook affects the bait, I'm always giving it action anyway.

I'm with Hans on the hollow core lead for weight. Cheap & easy and it's elongated nature means it doesn't snag up too bad. Before I started using pencil lead I used some of my steelhead slinkys...they rarely snag up and it's easier to change weights than crimping hollow core on.
That is the one drawback to hollow core, changing weights is not as simple...so what I do is leave myself extra length on the lead line when I crimp my 1st weight on. I start light and keep adding a small section of lead if I think I need too. Having 3-4" of line dangling out the end of your hollow core makes no differant to the fish. And if you do get snagged up it will most likely only pull off the bottom peice of hollow core.

Something else I've started to do is combine drop shotting w/ jigging or the texas rig. WHY NOT MAKE THE WEIGHT A BAIT WITH A HOOK!? Any cheap standup jig head with a curly tail grub in a dark color will work. Even if worked suspended! What bass can resist a dark black or blue grub dancing along??

Think out of the box, experiment. Let us know what new ideas you come up with. And above all don't forget the camera! FISH-ON.
Hunt'nFish

Hans Kochs · 07-14-2006, 11:47 AM

Yes I Have used a heavy One ounce flipping jig for the weight to drop shot the weeds. No reason you can't use a jig for weight. If my memory serves me right the fish hit the senkos instead of the jig. I am going to try it again. I am Also going to try a top water popper with the rear hook taking off and a 2 foot dropper with a wacky hooked senko. Fish it above the weeds for largemouths.

BuKuBass · 07-14-2006, 11:53 AM

"Something else I've started to do is combine drop shotting w/ jigging or the texas rig. WHY NOT MAKE THE WEIGHT A BAIT WITH A HOOK!?"

That's how I stumbled onto DSing back in 1990. I was going after crappie with a heavier jig on the bottom and a lighter jig a foot or so above it. After losing the bottom lure numerous times, I started squeezing on a splitshot. Then I replaced the upper jig with a hook.

PS: Gore was wrong; I invented the Internet.

gabej · 07-14-2006, 02:17 PM

Can you dropshot from the bank? Would you do it off a ledge or a dock or can you cast a dropshot rig from the bank? What's the best kind of structure to bank dropshot fish for smallies on the columbia?

Thanks.

Basscaster · 07-14-2006, 03:01 PM

Dropshotting works from the bank, but I've noticed you tend to get hung up more, especially in rocky areas when retrieving back into them. I prefer splitshotting when finesse fishing from the bank, but like Dave said it works shallow or deep, and with a variety of baits. Go out and try it and experiment. It works.

nitrobass · 07-14-2006, 04:04 PM

All this talk of drop shotting is freaking me out. I'm going to go dress up a few crankbaits to feel better about things.

BassinFever · 07-19-2006, 11:31 AM

Is it actually legal in Oregon to use a jig as the weight? Isn`t that using two lures on one line?

Mr. Sturgeon14 · 07-19-2006, 11:52 AM

you can use up to 3 lures with one hook each

tnj8222 · 07-19-2006, 12:14 PM

yes you can drop shot from the bank!!! if you are fishing the columbia you want to find the drop offs.. the smallies usually hold where theres shallow to deep water in or very near the current... try any finnese worm on the drop shot... i dont know if its available at your store but i know in auburn sports marine they have soft plastics called snyper baits.. they are awesome for the drop shot!!!! also if you can find a drop off let a spinner drop in there see if you get any hits!!!! good luck man that river is huge but there are a lot of smallies in it!!!