Drop shot fishing

[woodyntn]

Hey everyone. I've posted here before, back last spring, but I read through the great post daily. I'm not new to fishing, but I normally fish for whatever bites the lure I have on. I've been doing a lot of reading over the winter and getting caught up on all the latest and greatest bass fishing techniques, and was just wondering if anyone on here has tried the drop shot rig. Everything that I've read says its mainly a clear water technique. I fish Normandy sometimes but mainly Bedford lake, Williamsport, New lake here in Lewisburg, and Duck river. I wouldn't really consider any of those to be clear water. Just wondering if anyone uses this technique.
Alphahawk maybe we will see you this year at Bedford or Williamsport.

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[Spencer L]

The last elite series tournament on Kentucky Lake was won on a drop shot rig I believe.

[Travis C.]

I have caught fish on it at OH and the Cumberland River both not really "clear" water. It's not my favorite way of fishing but it has its niche in the seasons. When they are tight lipped hanging near the bottom its a good thing to use because you can pretty much wave it under their noses.

Learn to fish it and add another arrow to your quiver.

[Alphahawk]

Originally Posted by woodyntn

Hey everyone. I've posted here before, back last spring, but I read through the great post daily. I'm not new to fishing, but I normally fish for whatever bites the lure I have on. I've been doing a lot of reading over the winter and getting caught up on all the latest and greatest bass fishing techniques, and was just wondering if anyone on here has tried the drop shot rig. Everything that I've read says its mainly a clear water technique. I fish Normandy sometimes but mainly Bedford lake, Williamsport, New lake here in Lewisburg, and Duck river. I wouldn't really consider any of those to be clear water. Just wondering if anyone uses this technique.
Alphahawk maybe we will see you this year at Bedford or Williamsport.

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Oh yeah...I'll be out there. I have fished the TM using the drop shot technique in deep water. It worked pretty good but once I stared using tungsten jigs I quit.


Regards

[woodyntn]

Thanks for the info. I will definitely give it a try. I love fishing whether I'm catching fish or not.


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[Travis C.]

For weights, I have a ton of jig heads for grubs of various sizes that don't get used. Instead of buying a bunch of "drop shot" weights I will just cut the shanks off of those jigs leaving the ball with an eye. Either tie directly to it or knot a big knot below it so it will come of before breaking the whole rig off.

That is just a trick I use to keep from having to buy a bunch of separate weights for that technique.

[commdd]

another tip is to tie your hook with a palomar know and leave a long (12 to 18 inch) tag end. then just pinch a split shot of appropriate weight on the tag end and it usually will pull off without losing the whole rig.

[MNfisher]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

For weights, I have a ton of jig heads for grubs of various sizes that don't get used. Instead of buying a bunch of "drop shot" weights I will just cut the shanks off of those jigs leaving the ball with an eye. Either tie directly to it or knot a big knot below it so it will come of before breaking the whole rig off.

That is just a trick I use to keep from having to buy a bunch of separate weights for that technique.

Could you just keep the hook on the jig? Then you would be fishing 2 techniques. Or would that result in lots of snags?

[Reel Tune]

Originally Posted by MNfisher

Could you just keep the hook on the jig? Then you would be fishing 2 techniques. Or would that result in lots of snags?

You could, but then it would be a tandem rig and I think an open hook technique that way would result in a lot of snags depending on your bottom composition. Now a weighted fluke, or worm rigged weedless would work better.

Jeremy

[sbrison]

Originally Posted by MNfisher

Could you just keep the hook on the jig? Then you would be fishing 2 techniques. Or would that result in lots of snags?

This works good if you are fishing open water without a lot of cover. I use this for mopping up on ledges after the crankbait and jig bite have petered out.

[blink]

looks like it could be a cool idea. Shaky head on bottom, drop shot hook above with second bait.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by MNfisher

Could you just keep the hook on the jig? Then you would be fishing 2 techniques. Or would that result in lots of snags?

You could but like others said depending on cover could relate in lots of snags. I just have a surplus of jigs to where cutting them is no issue.

This is actually not just a conventional gear method. I probably "drop shot" more with my fly rod than spinning rod. It's a killer method using tandem streamers (bigger on the bottom) with hooks that ride up. The lower acts as a distrubance creater while the other gets eaten or if your in smallie country a craw bottom pattern gets smashed too. I have done this for a few years but for those interested it's a technique wrote about in the new Fly Fisherman mag under article "Cannibal Trout." That section by the way is a good read for those wanting a little more insight about the Brown's lunch menu in the Caney daily.

[woodyntn]

Thanks again everyone for the great advice. I did read in another forum about using a shakey head rig for a drop shot weight. I will definitely be trying it this year just for the chance of catching two at one time. I'll let y'all know if I get lucky.

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[Buccaneer]

Use a Jewel Jig & Paca Chunk as a drop shot weight and something a little more stout than a finnesse worm on the drop shot hook. You don't have to fish a drop shot jig vertical, they work fantastic in pre-spawn (now) and in shallow water as the fish are beginning to go on beds. Cast and slopwly drag back, stopping and twitching it, it is a great search bait in less than clear water over hard bottom spawning flats.