Drop Shotting

[SnohoBassGuy]

I have been reading about the success some of you are having using the "Drop Shot" method, so I had to check it out. I found this site, which helped provide a good set of images for demonstrating the knot tying.

Drop Shot technique

But now I have a few questions.

I own a boat, but I dont have a fish finder, so is it possible to guess appropriate depths/locations to try this technique? What kind of lakes are you guys using this in, and what sort of soil are you dragging the weight on (weeds, rocks, etc...)? I have all sorts of lakes available to me up here in Snohomish, and could even try Sammamish.

Any help would be great.

Thanks.

[fishnislife]

Get up near deep water docks and structure. If the end of a dock is in water that you can't see the bottom, then fish it. Even try 20-30 yards from shore. Cast up to the bank and bring it back. You should find the weed line by doing this. If you can't see it already. Fish the inside and outside of the weed line and let the fish tell you where they are at. Shoudn't take to long. Leave a tag end on the D-Shot at about 8-12in. I have had success with natural colors, blue and white. West Coast Custom Tackle or Sniper Snubs by Sniper Lures (website not working).
This technique will work on any kind of lake bottom but if your finding rocky bottoms don't forget the crankbait.




fishnislife

[fishingmachine]

Yeah i have been working the edge of docks with roboworms and have been wacky rigging them and killing the bass but it is all a guessing game on where the fish are. I have been having good luck on gravel bottoms lately.

[SnohoBassGuy]

Fishnislife, what do you mean by a "Tag End"?

Also, my softs consist of Senkos, baby brush hogs, and Kreatures. Will any of this work well for this approach?

[BassinBomber]

The "end of your line" Snoho!

[islandbass]

Fishnislife, what do you mean by a "Tag End"?

Also, my softs consist of Senkos, baby brush hogs, and Kreatures. Will any of this work well for this approach?

What he means by tag end is the line under the hook.

You can hook on any soft plastic you choose. slender worm body types are perhaps most common, but there is no law that says you can't try other shapes.

Look out. Drop shotting is as effective as it is deadly. I had the chance to fish lake union from the shore (yes, with my cast on my right leg) and nothing worked but the drop shot. It's almost not fair. :bounce:

I wrote an article on it somewhere here, but Rich Z is the man. Must read for sure for anyone who wants to learn about the DS.

[Brianh]

Be sure to vary the retrieve. Experiment with the ways you impart action in the bait- shaking it in place, lift and drop, and shaking it as you walk the bait along the bottom. The fish want it different ways dependin on a lot of variables, i.e. forage, depth, blah, blah, blah. But to just throw it out and shake it is a mistake a lot of people make. More important is that the baits are handpoured, as they tend to suspend more than the injection molded plastics. Just my 02 cents.....

[BassinBomber]

Hey Brian,..do you use those Pannic-Minnows? LMK,..thanks!

[fishnislife]

Fishnislife, what do you mean by a "Tag End"?

Also, my softs consist of Senkos, baby brush hogs, and Kreatures. Will any of this work well for this approach?

Man, you got to go back and read the article you put up to start this thread. Dissect that. It's all there. I added it as one of my favorites for future references.
Baby brush hogs and creatures like a sweet beaver will work great. I would save your senkos for other techniques. Unless of course you have something in the 3" series.
I also like to D-Shot the Yamamoto 4" Cut Tail in green or green pumpkin.



fishnislife

[SPARKY101]

The Cabela brands in cut tail work just as good and there only 2.99 a bag.Info if your looking to saze a buck.Roboworms in 4.5in fatbody 3.29 a bag cheap baits that produce good bass

[2000subaru]

Gentlemen, let's not forget about Bassdozer as an excellent resource. He lays it out pretty clearly with some nice pictures for reference, but I am sure that you will all just read it for the articles . He has a ton of great information on his site and is always a first to go to for info.

Snoho- Don't get too tied up with the senko all of the time, try a tube and maybe cut a few of the strands off to make it look extra delicious and give it some more pronounced movement.

[TroutCowboy]

I have been reading about the success some of you are having using the "Drop Shot" method, so I had to check it out. I found this site, which helped provide a good set of images for demonstrating the knot tying.

Drop Shot technique

Hey thanks for sharing the info, SnoHo. Great article and graphic! It's now bookmarked in my Favorites. Good luck out there, I'll be trying this technique this weekend!

[SnohoBassGuy]

Yeah, I have to start practicing that knot, and I will be sure to put some of my brush hogs and Kreatures down there.

[AaronE]

Yeah, I have to start practicing that knot, and I will be sure to put some of my brush hogs and Kreatures down there.

The Palomar is a pretty easy knot once you've done it a few times. The hardest part is getting the first loop through the eye of the hook (if you're using the thin Aberdeen hooks like most people recommend). After that it's as simple as tying your shoes.

I've just recently started learning how to drop-shot as well. Tried it for the first time at Kapowsin last weekend and hooked a few small bass (12-14") on silver/black Roboworms, but no one else was really catching bass so it was working better than what most people were trying. I'm hoping to hit Kapowsin again this weekend to try it some more.

[delyakguy]

What is best way to hook your worms? Texas, wacky or nose hook? I have tried diff ways with diff worms. Just want to know best hookup for senkos? Worms? Lizards? Stuff like that.

[AaronE]

What is best way to hook your worms? Texas, wacky or nose hook? I have tried diff ways with diff worms. Just want to know best hookup for senkos? Worms? Lizards? Stuff like that.

Check out some of the videos on Youtube about drop-shotting. You'll see different techniques in action and you can pick ones that you like. I would recommend learning how to do all the techniques and then fish the ones that A) you like to fish and B) give you the best results. The results will change depending on conditions, so the more techniques you can work, the better your chances for catching fish.

Once you see the action from these finesse worms on video, you'll be kicking yourself for not trying it earlier. I know I do.

[SnohoBassGuy]

Are standard 2/0 offset hooks ok to use? I see that the sites recommend the wide hooks instead. I'm just trying to keep my tackle relatively simple, especially when I'm out on the float tube.

[AaronE]

Are standard 2/0 offset hooks ok to use? I see that the sites recommend the wide hooks instead. I'm just trying to keep my tackle relatively simple, especially when I'm out on the float tube.

I bought a little plastic 4 compartment Plano box for the gear since I tube as well. I have size 2 Aberdeen hooks in one compartment, various drop-shot and barrel sinkers in two others, and swivels in another to make it easier to change the depth without having to cut and retie as often. Cost me 99 cents at Joes and fits perfectly in a tube pocket or in the bottom of a tackle box.

[SnohoBassGuy]

Yeah, I have those same plano ones. I keep one for trout, and one for bass.