lake washington fisherman

[fishin masta]

me and my friend always try for bass out here on lake WA. mostly using a bobber and worm and just castign near shore. My friend and i tried using a drop shot set up with a gary yamamoto white worm with flakes in it i managed a perch and that was it. What is the trick? do u cast when using a drop shot? where is the better place to fish on this lake, im getting frusterated i cant seem to hoook any of these bigger bass that others seem to catch even if they are some what smaller (dinks) i guess they are called, if anyone can help on some techniques or places or any help at all it would be much appreciated. thanks

P.S. tired of catching perch :D

good luck, tight lines!

[islandbass]

I am no expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I have grown fond of the Drop Shot technique in my short, four-season fishing journey. I have been using it for just over a season’s time. This is a very productive method to catch fish in a variety of states. In my first outing for smallies this season, I hooked and caught 3 smallies on three consecutive casts. It is the only method that has done this for me to date, and from the shore to boot. At the very least, I can share with you what I have learned through trial, error, and experience (which isn't much).

IB's Note Compilation of the Drop Shot Technique

Here Basic Drop Shot Diagram





Rod and Reel Type
You don't need a Drop Shot specific rod. A medium-light to medium-action rod from 6'6" on up to 7' should work for you for now. If you find drop shotting to your liking, you can then opt to go with a Drop Shot specific rod of your choice. As a rule of thumb, a longer rod will enable you to have more line control and leverage; two big pluses in drop shotting.

I prefer spinning reels (a size 20 or 2500 reel is an excellent choice) because they require less work to give the bait a better (IMHO) descent than a baitcast reel. Sorry baitcast reel users, but the way a spinning drops the bait smokes a baitcast reel any and every day for drop shotting. To those who use baitcast reels exclusively, please note I said for drop shotting. There will not be a need to strip line off just to make the bait fall. With that said, casting reels can also be used. I just prefer a spinning reel. You may use whatever reel you want. Even a Barbie pole can get it done for drop shotting! However, I would opt for heavier line and a BC reel if I were to drop shot heavy cover.


Drop Shot Weight and Type
A 3/16 - 1/4 oz weight is a good starting weight. Going any lighter might make it harder for you to read what is going on until you get experience. As for the shape, I like to use either the teardrop or cylindrical shape. I have not experimented with other shapes. Windier conditions and stronger currents might make you want to choose a heavier weight, but let’s not worry about that for now.

Line
Because you are drop shotting, lighter line is preferred if the cover you are fishing allows it. Go up in # strength if the cover dictates this. I like and use 6# fluorocarbon, particularly Seaguar's Invizx. This line kicks fanny. No doubt about it. The plus in going with fluorocarbon in a higher # test if needed is despite having a slightly thicker line diameter; the angler retains the benefit of fluorocarbon’s trait of near invisibility as advertisers so claim. Whichever line you choose, I think the fluorocarbon line of your choice will be fine.

Baits
Keep an open mind here. Many baits of a variety of shapes can be used. The general rule of thumb is a tendency to use smaller baits since we are "finesse" fishing (translates to downsizing in general). The typical length of a drop shot bait usually ranges from 3" - 4.5" but this is NOT set in stone. Roboworm, Senkos, Sniper Snubs and Bolts (these two are locally made baits), Reaction Innovations Flirts, and heck, even Baby Brush Hogs and Tubes can be used. Think out of the box. I have used longer worms too. This season, the 4.5” Roboworm (in Aaron’s Magic) and Sniper Snubs in Watermelon and Dark Brown have been so effective that to date I have not seen a need to try something else or other colors. It might be different for bass in other waters. If you wish to know, so far the most effective baits for me have been, the snubs and roboworms.

Here is a picture of a smallie I caught on a longer Roboworm hoping for a bigger smallie. The darn Roboworm is nearly as long as the smallie!




Hooks/Knot
I prefer to use size 1 or 2 (mostly size 2) Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot hooks, or Owner Mosquito hooks. I attach the hook to the line with a Palomar knot and after it is tied, I insert the extra line (tag end) through the hook's eye before attaching the weight. I have heard good things about size 4 Gamakatsu hooks, but I have not yet had a chance to try them yet.

Leader Length (Distance from the hook to the weight)
The best way to figure this out is to experiment. I have had success with leaders being as short 4-6" to nearly but not quite 2'. Because drop shotting is not limited to a purely vertical presentation, a longer leader is a good idea if you wish to work it somewhat like a Texas or Carolina rig. The longer leader length (which I define here as the distance between the weight and your hook, perhaps 18" as a ballpark figure) will enable you to keep the bait off the ground with the shallow angle that will result from a long cast. For a more vertical presentation, a shorter distance from the hook to the bait can work.

Imparting Life to the Lure
Despite the initial perception of working this lure, it is not all about jiggling and wiggling the bait. An angler can indeed work the bait this way, but I can tell you from personal experience, that wiggling and jiggling has accounted for the fewest number of catches.

So what should one do in addition to the wiggling/jiggling tactic?

Keep the weight on the bottom for the most part and leave enough slack to let the bait sink on its own weight. Then, when you think the bait is near the bottom lift/twitch the rod just enough to move the bait a little (without moving or minimizing the movement of the weight on the bottom) and repeat. In effect, what you are doing is working a semi-slack line and this is what is imparting action to the bait. No hits? Repeat if you wish, or add a little dead sticking to the mix or, drag your bait to the next spot. All are good choices. The dragging of the weight from one spot to the next also imparts life and action to the lure and can help to draw a strike. In addition, working with the slack and dead sticking have been far more effective for me compared to wiggling and jiggling the bait to death

Not sure what the bait will do? Find some shallow water and drop down your bait. The depth should be one where you can see all the way to the bottom. Once the weight is on the bottom, let your bait fall by lowering your rod. Before the lure hits the bottom, raise the rod’s tip enough to bring the lure up, and do your best to keep the weight in place. Watching this will give you an idea of what will likely be happening when you are not able to see the bait with your own eyes. Visualizing what the bait is doing when I can’t see it helps me to focus on what I am trying to do, and that is catching fish.


The Strike or Hit
This can vary depending on the activity level of the fish, the quality of your set up to a certain extent, and the line you are using. More sensitive rods do a better job of transmitting what is going on to you. I have had the blessing of drop shotting with my Berkley Cherrywood Rod, which is decent and not too shabby, but comparing it to my Lamiglas Certified Pro Drop Shot rod is something else. Here is my analogy. If the Cherrywood provides stereo sound to me while watching a DVD movie, the Lamiglas gives me the sound in THX, for the full cinema experience. The latter rod is not necessary to enjoy drop shotting, but it makes it a lot easier to feel and detect the subtle strikes.

The line you use also can influence the feel of the strike. My experience working with both mono and fluorocarbon is that the latter always seemed to give me a better picture. We all know now that although FC line can have as much or more stretch than a comparable monofilament line, it is likely that its density still enables it to beautifully transmit information from the end of our line, to the rod and to our hands.

The hit

[fishin masta]

Hey IB thanks for all this it will help. i think my bigger problem was that i wasnt finding teh weedline because everywhere i fished there was pretty much weeds. I need to locate the deep docks i think that was the biggest of my problems. I dont liek asking peoples for their spots to fish so i wont ask you but is there any certain area or section of this lake that seems to work the best? if you dont want to tell your secret feel free not to, thanks for the help

[oldguy43]

thanks IB that help quite a few of us

[cavdad45]

That's a great post, IB!!! Thanks. I do alot of worms in various ways, but haven't done much with the dropshot. The exposed hook on a worm is still hard for me to get used to. I'll try dropshotting more often. Once again, great posting.

[Bigbass Dez]

Thats was a good thread IB .. very detail ..im sure alot of people will gain from that !! BBD:king:

[fisherdane]

Great post. You have inspired me to try drop-shotting for the first time......

[CK14]

everyone should use the dropshot. if you find a dock in 20'+ out there and you stick with it for more then 10 minutes you will catch fish. i've caught a ton the last couple days all over the south end of the lake. no big ones though, only up to about 2 1/4lbs. i know, i know

[islandbass]

Thanks for all of your kind words. I am glad to share what I have learned so far with drop shotting, and most of it this season.

That's a great post, IB!!! Thanks. I do alot of worms in various ways, but haven't done much with the dropshot. The exposed hook on a worm is still hard for me to get used to. I'll try dropshotting more often. Once again, great posting.

There is a way around it. The hook does not have to be exposed. There is a small light wire hook made by Owner that is small enough to drop shot with yet long enough to texas rig your worm. I can't remember the name of it right now, but it looks like a mini-skinny EWG hook. It will make drop shotting in grass more bearable and manageable and I used it when I rig my son's (snoopy-sized) rod. The unexposed t-rigged hook takes the worry for me of him accidentally hooking himself or anyone else. I'll let you know once I recall. I got them at OR

FM, I have fished mostly at Coulon park on Lake Washington. If you want to experience immediate or a greater chance of success, go to Lake Union. There is rip rap all along the ship canal and smallies love that environment. Coulon is tough with the boats and jet skis, but as a shorebound guy, I don't have much choice.

I don't have any secrets. If I had a honey hole, I'd tell you, which I have. Lake Union, particularly in the ship canal. Lots of bank access = greater percentages for hooking up.

Oh yeah. In this first season of targetting smallies, all the ones I have caught have been via the Drop Shot. :batman:

CK, I agree with you! Everyone should try it. It is so effective, it's almost not fair to the fish!

[fishin masta]

Haha only 2 1/4 lbs that bigger then any bass ive caught, mine was only a pound or so but i think i might have enough info to get out there try it. thanks to all of you who have helped

[CK14]

There is a way around it. The hook does not have to be exposed. There is a small light wire hook made by Owner that is small enough to drop shot with yet long enough to texas rig your worm. I can't remember the name of it right now, but it looks like a mini-skinny EWG hook.

that would be the down shot hook. i have some and they work quite well, although for open water smallies i would suggest size 4 gamakatsu split/drop shot hooks.

[EdmondsBassMan]

Wow IB that was a great thread!!! It sure helped me out a lot. I have not yet used the Drop Shot but you can be sure I will now. Where is the best place to get Drop Shot hooks and gear? The bigger chain stores have a limited selection. I think I have seen one type at Joe's.

[CK14]

i'd check out angler's choice or 3 rivers marine. both of these places carry local companies baits (all of them make dropshot baits) like sniper and KGM which the bigger chains don't.

[fishnislife]

I like the drop shot technique a lot and think it is a very effective way to catch fish. Everyone should know how to do this and make it part of your arsenal.
Nice tuturial islandbass. That pretty much sums up the drop shot. That will help a lot of people out.
You should submit that to Mike or Aaron and maybe they can make it into an article somewhere.


fishnislife

[EdmondsBassMan]

Hey thx CK! Is that the Anglers Choice on Ballinger Way? Where is 3 rivers Marine? Where do you live in Edmonds?

[MikeFishes]

I am no expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I have grown fond of the Drop Shot technique in my short, four-season fishing journey...

Hey Mike, you should put this as an article! Well Writen IB!

[CK14]

Hey thx CK! Is that the Anglers Choice on Ballinger Way? Where is 3 rivers Marine? Where do you live in Edmonds?

1.) yes

2.) woodinville

3.) i live right next to meadowdale high school

[islandbass]

Thanks, CK! They are indeed the down shot hooks. I also like the gammies split shot hooks in size 2 or the owner mosquitoes.

Thanks to everyone for the comments. If it is worthy of being an article, that is fine with me.

Good luck to all who give Drop Shotting a try.

OE, Sportco, Auburn Marine carry the drop shotting stuff for any south enders.

[Anonymous]

I am no expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I have grown fond of the Drop Shot technique in my short, four-season fishing journey...

Hey Mike, you should put this as an article! Well Writen IB!

That's exactly what I thought when I saw it. I am going to grab it and feature it in Tacklebox Tales. Islandbass - great job!

Guys - this is the exact kind of thing I'd like to get archived into Tacklebox Tales as a permanent part of the web site. If anyone has an article like this in them send em my way!

[cavdad45]

Thanks Mike for moving over to the Tackle Box tales because I know I'll be coming back to it often. It's a good piece and I sure wouldn't want to lose it.