Drop Shotting...

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Bprice

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2005
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5,040
Location
Big Cove, AL
 I have absolutely held out as long as I can... I would like to get some info on sizes/products you use to rig a dropshot...
 
I think the experts say:</p>

7' M spinning rod, 8 or 6# test, as little weight as you can get by with depending upon conditions, a small hook and a worm.</p>

I like the Mojo drop-shot weights, or the round w/ swivel tungsten ones on BPS. I use 1/4 oz most of the time...heavier if windy, lighter if less that 10 FOW. The Mojo's (avail. at Sportsmans WH) tend to hang up less.</p>

You can use any hook, but the circle hooks might increase hookup %. The "old-style textbook" says that the thin straight-wire gives a better presentation. Make sure to tie it with the hook facing up.</p>

You can use anything from a senko to a 3" "finesse drop-shot" worm, and anything in between. Rig them wacky or nose-hooked. I like wacky.</p>

You can rig a drop-shot with any components you already have. I've caught more than a few w/ a 1/0 worm hook and a senko.</p>

Hope this helps.</p>
 
Well you've seen me use this rig a few times. I throw it on 6lb-10lb mono or flouro. I simply use 1/8-3/16oz catfish swivel-sinker and 1/0-3/0 hook depending on conditions. I tie a quick(twist) knot without locking it, to my sinker to break off easily if needed. Sometimes I use a bullet wt and a bead as a sinker for a little noise across rip-rap and rocky banks. I cast the drop shot rig and work it back slowly mainly.... The secret technique you've seen too but I'm not ready to reveal that just yet.
 
Use a 1/4oz sinker Brandon. Any lighter and you end up jigging that light weight instead of shaking that worm. Also, use drop shot weights since they pinch the line and you aren't tied in to them. If the weight gets snagged, slight tension will allow the line to slip thru instead of breaking off.

The best advise I'd give anyone about drop shotting though is this ... prepare yourself for A LOT of line twist...
 
Ditto to what RR said, plus a #4 Gammy Octopus Circle Hook with anything by Roboworm...Aaron's Magic is my favorite.</p>
 
6 1/2 to 7' medium action rod, spinning reel with a good drag, #1 Owner mosquito hook (red), 1/4 oz teardrop weight, 4 ft leader of 8# fluorocarbon attached to 20 lb Power Pro Braid with a surgeon's knot(no line twist). It's tough to beat a prism shad Roboworm as your lure.
 
With line twist, I sometimes us a swivel a few feet up from the hook. Most of the times I can "reduce" the line twist by getting a perfect nose hook into the plastic (notice I didn't say "eliminate"). I have better luck with the thin wire drop shot hooks, used to use circle hooks...

Fuzz
 
Slightly off-topic
emHijack.gif
, but while we are on line twist, has anyone tried US Reel's Supercaster?
 
Just use a Snoopy rod you gomer ... it won't matter much anyway!

Actually, some of the newer microscopic baitcasters were designed for just that.
 
Bprice - 1/14/2008 7:24 PM



I'm not into slingin' the Fairy Wand like you are RR! </p>

p.s. Have you cashed my check yet???</p>

I'm plenty enough secure in my manhood to use a fairy wand, Mr Price ... I guess I'm just better at dangling my worm than you! emoLaugh

Check ... you sent me a check??

Back to the topic ... I don't care what knot you use ... if you nose hook a soft plastic bait (ahhh-hmm ... common practice in drop shotting) it WILL twist the bejezus out of your line. A knot - or large spool reel - won't prevent that. I find drop shotting a highly effective technique, but shakey head'n beats it hands down ... IMHO.
 
For me, here goes:

Rod: 6'9" CastAway XP3 M spinning rod.
Reel: Shimano Sedona 2500FB
Line: 8-10 lbs. P-Line Fluorocarbon
Weight: Quick Drop Weights; size depending on conditions
Hook: Gamakatsu Octopus Styly hook; size depending on lure size and mood of fish

You can get the quick drop weights by going to tacklewarehouse.com (David, don't shoot me on this one). I have used them for a while now, and they were created by a buddy of mine from Washington State, Marc Marcantonio. He was tired of the round ball style and the "bass casting" style weights...........they have no feel or get hung. So, he developed a compromise between the two, which allows for less hanging and more feel.

As for the lures, I use mostly Zoom Finesse worms, but I have tried "gobies" and crawdads.
 
I use a 6ft Fenwick rod and a small spinning reel spooled with 6lb florucarbon line. 1/4 or 3/8 oz. sinker at the end.
I have fished a dropshot alot the last few weeks and have done quite well with it. My favorite bait to fish is a Zoom tiny fluke in the shad color or a Zoom meathead worm in a pearl color. Line twist is a problem but here is what I do. WHen I am done fishing for the day attach a tiny splitshot to the end of your line(just the splitshot nothing else) and throw it out behind the boat while going along at 3 or 4 mph. Let almost all your line off the reel and leave it out for 4or 5 min. Reel it in and all your line twist is gone, its quick and easy. I even do this with all my jigging spoon rods. Hope this helps
Scott
 
great posts everyone......i just started drop shotting and sunday night after i fished the river all morning before they shut off the generation i caught a 6lb large mouth....when i figure out how to load the pic to my computer i will post the pics....along with the 4.6lb smallmouth that morning
 
6 1/2 foot St Croix ML rod, 10 pound fireline with 6 feet of 8 pound fluorocarbon, tiny fluke, 4"worm or tube on a 1/0 to 2 hook, 1/8 or 1/4 weight.
 
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