Northwest Fishing Reports

funny coincidence? I have caught all my best fish off a drop shot. Usually a fat old senko about 14-18" off bottom. many different conditions too. early summer, late summer, fall, february... morning, night, mid afternoon. For whatever reason I don't catch big bass on cranks, topwaters, etc.


I think it was dez the other day telling me to throw some football heads out. I did.. never had any luck though. but when I switch to the dropshot, I pull em in. Yet someguys tell me they hate the drop shot rig.

deep divers, footballs, most topwaters, never really caught anything. but a shallow diver and the drop shot have been the two strong ones for me. with the DS the clear winner.

Hey each person has their "go to" something... like for me a deep diving crank or a carolina rig for smallies.... I always will catch fish... dont know what it is! but it just does.... throw a little 1/8 oz jig with a worm tip.... always catch fish... no matter trout, bass, crappie, perch bluegill.....

I think Jordan hit it with "each person has their go to" For me it depends on time of year. Early, it's a jig and/or a jerkbait. Then it's a Brush Hawg, spinnerbait, Yamamoto Swim Senko, plain Senko, or a crankbait of some sort. Can't overlook frogs/toads when it warms. Whatever you have confidence in..tho I try and expand methods and techniques. Depends on the lake as well.

yeah confidence comes up a lot in bass fishing.. maybe that's playing a role. And maybe it's the new lure smell still. I had never heard of a drop shot until a year or two ago, and now i love it.

BassDood wrote:I think Jordan hit it with "each person has their go to" For me it depends on time of year. Early, it's a jig and/or a jerkbait. Then it's a Brush Hawg, spinnerbait, Yamamoto Swim Senko, plain Senko, or a crankbait of some sort. Can't overlook frogs/toads when it warms. Whatever you have confidence in..tho I try and expand methods and techniques. Depends on the lake as well.

BassDood got to what i missed.... depending on "home lakes" or time of year can change and water depth.... I just have different things I "go to" in different situations... the drop shot you definitely cannot go wrong with! Have you ever tried a Carolina Rig? It is a very similar strategy... use a RoboWorm on the end... works really well for deep water Largies... caught Crappie on them too....

My go to's are senkos, spinners and spro frogs!!!

Dustin07 wrote:funny coincidence? I have caught all my best fish off a drop shot. Usually a fat old senko about 14-18" off bottom. many different conditions too. early summer, late summer, fall, february... morning, night, mid afternoon. For whatever reason I don't catch big bass on cranks, topwaters, etc.


I think it was dez the other day telling me to throw some football heads out. I did.. never had any luck though. but when I switch to the dropshot, I pull em in. Yet someguys tell me they hate the drop shot rig.

deep divers, footballs, most topwaters, never really caught anything. but a shallow diver and the drop shot have been the two strong ones for me. with the DS the clear winner.

Dustin , Thanks for atleast making the attempt to get bit on those football heads ...

I do understand to power behind the dropshot Dustin becuase it allows for the angler to offer a finess style rig at all depths from 1'-50' which can in most case get more bites ..Its kinda funny how time on the water sometimes changes an angler over a period of time , I look forward to the winter months soley because the football head bite, those smallies will knock the heck out your bait and in most cases the "size" of those fish make it all worthwhile .
I will say that i mainly fish the football and carolina rig 90% during the winter is because when i make a cast im putting my bait in small area of either rock , wood , humps , etc and expecting for the bite to take place (spot specific) . I already know in advance that those bass "if any" are there to do one thing and thats to feed !
In the past i would look to catch "any" willing feeding bass but over time iv become more interested in the bigger fish that hold in key spots . The problem sometimes with a DS set up is that it will tend to draw a strike from the "first" fish that gets to my bait , and as for a #'s go thats not a bad thing . However i would perfer that i convence that bigger fish to slowly swimm over and take a stab at my 1oz football coupled with a big piece of plastic , time on the water has shown me time & time again that during the winter months bigger bass will not take much of a gamble with a smaller faster moving bait unless it right in there face with no other competing fish near them .
That is the beauty behind the bigger baits , ment to be work slower while at the same time offering a large enough profile to a willing lethargic winter bass .. This same theory holds true for early season LMB as well , Flipping and pitching The Mob jigs early season for the Green fish is a go to for sure for the same reasons as mentioned above ..

So i guess overall what you as the angler will need to figure out prior to gettin on the lake on "any" giving day is whats your Plan of attack . Do you wanna catch less but bigger fish or more but mostly smaller fish !!! Either way you cant go wrong IMO !!

But if nothing else i do encourage you to continue to swith up and continue to try different presentations untill you become comfortable with you want a the fish to chew on , this is how you develope the confidence factor that will build up your skillset over a period of time ...

I have since day one on this site stated that being versatile on the lake is an important factor to me ! Iv studied the art of dropshoting , Footballheads , carolina rigs, suring the early season and this year it all about the LMB and Mop jigs ...This past sunday i spent 5 hours on a small lake practicing flipping and pitching only ,When was the last time anyone has heard me talk about bassing on smaller lakes .. haha
:batman:

awesome dez, thanks for that. It's a lot of info to think about. What size weight ( i saw the 1 oz mention) and hook do you normally run when you run the football heads? I'll give them another go, I always try them but here's what I find, I for whatever reason have a harder time feeling the bottom and getting a good idea of what the lure is doing under water. With the ds rig i've found that I feel pretty confident in the difference in how a nibble feels, a take down feels, and how just rocks and mud feel. maybe I need to use a heavier weight on my football jig.

Do you reel slowly, then stop for a few, then reel again, and stop. or just constantly reel slowly? I try to give the bait a constant up and down action, so I will jerk it ever so lightly, let it fall (I assume since I cant' see it) and reel it slowly. I thought I read that bass prefer to strike on the fall, rather than the chase (although my cranks would tell me otherwise) so I try to institute that 'falling' motion on all my plastics.

also.... what do you consider 'smaller' fish, vs bigger fish? I'm happy with anything over 1lb at this point. to me a 1lb fish is worth a trip on the water still. My biggest was only around 4lbs last year (LMB) and my biggest SMB was just a tad under 3lbs I think, like 2lb13oz. so if I were targeting big fish.. for me, that would still be anything over 2 to 2.5lbs probably.?

Dustin07 wrote:awesome dez, thanks for that. It's a lot of info to think about. What size weight ( i saw the 1 oz mention) and hook do you normally run when you run the football heads? I'll give them another go, I always try them but here's what I find, I for whatever reason have a harder time feeling the bottom and getting a good idea of what the lure is doing under water. With the ds rig i've found that I feel pretty confident in the difference in how a nibble feels, a take down feels, and how just rocks and mud feel. maybe I need to use a heavier weight on my football jig.

Do you reel slowly, then stop for a few, then reel again, and stop. or just constantly reel slowly? I try to give the bait a constant up and down action, so I will jerk it ever so lightly, let it fall (I assume since I cant' see it) and reel it slowly. I thought I read that bass prefer to strike on the fall, rather than the chase (although my cranks would tell me otherwise) so I try to institute that 'falling' motion on all my plastics.

also.... what do you consider 'smaller' fish, vs bigger fish? I'm happy with anything over 1lb at this point. to me a 1lb fish is worth a trip on the water still. My biggest was only around 4lbs last year (LMB) and my biggest SMB was just a tad under 3lbs I think, like 2lb13oz. so if I were targeting big fish.. for me, that would still be anything over 2 to 2.5lbs probably.?

Here is my rule of thump : 40-60ft =1oz , 30-40ft =3/4oz , 20-30ft =1/2 oz , (all early season depths ) And also keep in mind in fishing the larger lakes like sammy and washington ! The premise behind the different weight sizes in relation to depths is so that im able to have good contact with the bottom ..

As for retreive speed , I base that on what the bass tell me , i will start out with slow short pulls for awhile and then change up to a faster longer pull untill i get that "first" bite .. sometimes they want it fast and other times the want it slow , it darn near impossible to pre determine thos factors untill you get bit .

Size of the catch , Well since my last name is not Watson (MUCH RESPECT)...haha a bigger bite to me is anything 3 1/2 and up !! 2 to 2.5lb Are good tourney keepers , but im looking to get rig of those before i hit the scales .. Dustin , trust me bro , i know whats it like to finally get out the house and hit the lake when you can and wanting to maximize your catch ratio base on the time that is allowed ..haha Im a tourney angler , so basicly in order for me to increase my odds of cashing checks on the circuits i have to train myself a little differently with my time on the water . So what im saying is that i fish a little different than yourself based on completly different reasons .. I hit a small lake this past sunday and that was considered a "fun fishing" day for ME, over the last two years i couldnt fill up one hand of how many times iv been able to get out to do that :-( ...!!! welcome to my world !!

Dez, makes a ton of good points! I will add a couple of my own thoughts on his rules of thumb which work for me. First, when it comes to football heads, personally, I don't like throwing anything less than 3/4oz, and I prefer to start with 1 oz. I've caught plenty of dink smallmouth, that have absolutely choked a 1 oz football head, to know that they aren't intimidated by it. So although the general rule of thumb in fishing is to go with the lightest weight you can get away with and still have good bottom contact, I don't subscribe to that when football heading. I like that thing to make noise and be noticed down there! Secondly, it's all about the line. Monofilament or copolymer line has more stretch, and generally speaking isn't going to be nearly as sensitive as flourocarbon. I use 15lb flourocarbon on all my football head setups, when I'm specifically targeting rockpiles. If I'm trying to cover alot of water, but i'm not confident of the structure or I'm literally searching for isolated rockpiles on every cast, then I think the best bet is to go with a braid, I use powerpro (30lb test) with a short leader of flourocarbon. The sensitivity is so much different with braid, that you will immediately feel the bottom transitions, which will key you in on some very key spots, that you would not otherwise find. Finally, the rod needs to be stout enough to bury that hook in 40+ feet of water + whatever amount of line you have out on the cast. I can throw a 1 oz football a long long ways, so you have to be able to take up line in a hurry and bury that hook I like a 7' Medium action rod, with a fast tip!

Stick with it, and you'll be rewarded! it's just like every other bait you throw, it's all about the confidence. You have to "trust" that it's capable of catching fish when you are in their vicinity, and you have to stick with it.
Good luck man!
Dave

It is interesting that this thread has digressed to football head jigs. The truth is that they are a great tool, but so are crankbaits, as well as drop shot, as well as ............................

To answer your question, it is both.

If I am working a spot on a spot, and I have negative or finicky fish, and I can control my boat well enough, then DS is king. I can always upsize my offerings to discourage small fish.

If I am working scattered fish, at some depth, active to neutral fish, then a deep diving crank may be better. Perhaps if the depth is not too deep a swimbait is best for me. Again, size helps to discourage small fish, but if a Bass can get it in his mouth he will try to eat it.

Shallow fish, deep in the weeds, active but scattered fish, well a DS just won't work as well as a Rat or a Frog. On the edges of these weeds, early or late, sometimes on overcast days, a good topwater like a Spook or a Buzzbait is best.

Still, for every method and time I have given you there are other people with their favorite methods. We each have the methods we are most comfortable with. Nevertheless, the fish have the larger say in the matter.

If this were not so, then every bass tourney would be one with the same method, and that simply is not so.

So, don't stop DS just because we like football jigs in the winter at depths. On the other hand, don't forget that other methods may outfish the DS at times, both for size and quanity.

Anglinarcher wrote:It is interesting that this thread has digressed to football head jigs. The truth is that they are a great tool, but so are crankbaits, as well as drop shot, as well as ............................

To answer your question, it is both.

If I am working a spot on a spot, and I have negative or finicky fish, and I can control my boat well enough, then DS is king. I can always upsize my offerings to discourage small fish.

If I am working scattered fish, at some depth, active to neutral fish, then a deep diving crank may be better. Perhaps if the depth is not too deep a swimbait is best for me. Again, size helps to discourage small fish, but if a Bass can get it in his mouth he will try to eat it.

Shallow fish, deep in the weeds, active but scattered fish, well a DS just won't work as well as a Rat or a Frog. On the edges of these weeds, early or late, sometimes on overcast days, a good topwater like a Spook or a Buzzbait is best.

Still, for every method and time I have given you there are other people with their favorite methods. We each have the methods we are most comfortable with. Nevertheless, the fish have the larger say in the matter.

If this were not so, then every bass tourney would be one with the same method, and that simply is not so.

So, don't stop DS just because we like football jigs in the winter at depths. On the other hand, don't forget that other methods may outfish the DS at times, both for size and quanity.

So, don't stop DS just because we like football jigs in the winter at depths. On the other hand, don't forget that other methods may outfish the DS at times, both for size and quanity.


????? HUH NOW IM CONFUSED

It's true Dez, YOU digressed the thread, and drug me along with you!!!!!!
AnglinArcher is right of course, every technique is just a tool in a huge arsenal of options! At any time of the year the DS could outproduce a football head or vice versa, and any number of things could outproduce either of those methods! I keyed in on Dustin's comment about not being able to get a good feel for the bait, and tried to offer some tips that I think will help him with that, but definitely this thread is about alot more than just football head jig fishing! Tight Lines!
Dave

davidwat1 wrote:It's true Dez, YOU digressed the thread, and drug me along with you!!!!!!
AnglinArcher is right of course, every technique is just a tool in a huge arsenal of options! At any time of the year the DS could outproduce a football head or vice versa, and any number of things could outproduce either of those methods! I keyed in on Dustin's comment about not being able to get a good feel for the bait, and tried to offer some tips that I think will help him with that, but definitely this thread is about alot more than just football head jig fishing! Tight Lines!
Dave

And i was planning on giving you some of my "noisy" Football heads next time we hooked up , but dont let me DRAG you into using them ..haha more for me bro !! BTW you and AnglinArcher make valid points , its not often that i admit to fault but latly i have been hanging around older Men and im starting to learn some of there ways...luv ya D !! :-) ...

When i first read this thread and saw that Dustin used something that i suggested too him , i mainly wanted to just point out a little more info in regards to our "prior" conversation about throwing footballs ... Sorry that i hickjacked your thread Dustin no harm intended i just like to share info :-) !!

:bounce:

Ahhh as always some good information ... even though not my thread still want to give a thanks to all that shared.

This is an on going battle for me. I'm always wanting to learn more techniques but somewhere along the way
I get bored,frustraited or both and go back to my old and never dying habits of cranks and spinnerbaits.
These certainly seem to be the best techniques for me but as any angler wanting to improve his skills,I need to expand.
Last year,I began rigging Senko's Texas style and started to do fairly well. Nothing big but at least something to show for it. This year,hoping I can continue down the line of plastics to improve my skills. However,I have no doubt that I will continue to use spinnerbaits and cranks often and will more than likely always consider that as my favorite way to fish.
Not sure what it is....I just love tossing these lures into heavily wooded cover and weeds. I have no proof of this but it would certainly seem that the more noise and debris I kick up,the better the results. This is just my observation
but as everything in fishing,I need to expand the skills because everything is always changing.

awesome thanks you guys, and the all the discussion has built upon itself so I see no derailment or thread jackage!

I think a big thing I need to do if I'm going to work the footballs right is heavier weight. I never run anything quite that heavy, and I can see how that would help feel the bottom better and keep the lure down. I'm going to pick up some more weights today, and I think send DJ an order for more soft plastics and see what I cant do. Headed out to either Sammamish or Washington on the 13th so I'll give these things another go and see whats up!

Kevin, I have a friend who has caught a pretty good 'picture board' worth of big bass (i'm talking 3-5lb+) and it seems like he ONLY uses small spinners. I've seen him catch bass on rooster tails and blue fox, it drives me nuts, but it seems to work well for him...? Something about bass fishing, I just really like to feel my lure and know it's doing it's job. I do have some rapalas, my favorite being my walleye fry I think, that dives half way decently and gives me good action on the tip of my rod. I like knowing its there and doing something, but still... my biggest bass have been the DS.


now that I think of it, maybe my problem is depth. if my cranks aren't nailing the mud, but 1/2 diving, and I'm not using enough weight to keep the football jigs down, the dropshot would be the only lure i'm using that I know for sure without a doubt, that i'm dragging sand and rocks. I need more weight to confirm!

I've been out to Sammamish about a half dozen times this year and it seems they wanted that football head just dragging along the bottom. I havn't picked one up on a dropshot yet, and I usually have a lot of success with a dropshop. As usual with bass you need to be able to adapt and give them what they want. For me it's a little tough to reel that football in so slow, but it proved to me on those particular days I was there that's what they wanted.

If you truly believe you will catch a fish on any given style, either through thought or effort...................you just fish it harder. To the point you pay closer attention, maybe better casts, fish it just a little slower of faster dependent on condition. The key is to be able to fish many different styles with the confindence it takes to effectively fish them. I have found that a lot of days I roll up to stretch of beach someone else has beat me to, I'll slow down enough to figure out what they are fishing. After a bit of time, jump in behind them fishing a different style and clean up. Really it is often guys fishing the DS. Remember that fish do become "bored" seeing the same old stuff. New lures are often real effective for a peroid of time then...........not so much. Couple of years later you can quietly pull that nasty "old" stuff out and.............Wow it works real well again. Remeber the Reapers.............

When all else fails try the old cast net. I had a good one befor that guy at the launch stole it from me. Just kidding lol I throw them all back.