Drop-shot Question

[Frost1920]

I am fairly new to the fishing world. I bought my first bass boat in Feb. but have been 2-3 times a week, every week, since then. I've only fished a drop shot a few times, but I was just wanting some more info. How do you decide how far up to tie your bait? Do you judge it by what you see on the sonar or do you guys have a certain height it gets tied at always? Last time I fished one, i went with 24" and wasn't real sucessful. I just wanted some better ideas of when and where and what height to be lookin for. Thanks alot

[gitnby]

I am fairly new to the fishing world. I bought my first bass boat in Feb. but have been 2-3 times a week, every week, since then. I've only fished a drop shot a few times, but I was just wanting some more info. How do you decide how far up to tie your bait? Do you judge it by what you see on the sonar or do you guys have a certain height it gets tied at always? Last time I fished one, i went with 24" and wasn't real sucessful. I just wanted some better ideas of when and where and what height to be lookin for. Thanks alot

I usually tie mine about 12"-16" above the weight.

Even if the fish are holding tight to the bottom, you probably don't want the weight much closer than that.

I've seen guys tie the hook 2-3' above the weight, but I've never tried it?

If the fish are suspended over deeper water, then I guess it it really doesn't matter where it's tied, as long as it's not too close!

It's where you put the bait that matters, the weight is simply to get it there!

It seems like most folks around here fish it straight down, but if you were going to fan-cast it in an area and drag it, you might want to put the hook higher on the line?

I know a guy who fishes it that way in the Spring with a fish doctor, kind of like a backwards C-rig? But I seem to do just as well with a regular old split-shot rig.

I tried his method, using a small bell sinker smeared with vaseline (helps sliding over the rocks) on the end, with the hook tied up about 12". crimp a very small split shot below the bell sinker to hold it on. Didn't seem to catch any more fish, but it did hang up less, and when it did, I could just pull the weight off and re-tie anonther one. Also kept the line above the hook from getting nicked up by the rock as it tends to do with the split shot. Certainly easier to cast longer distances!

[Spinnaker]

gitnby: Thanks for the tip about the bell sinker/split shot/vaseline rig.

[gitnby]

gitnby: Thanks for the tip about the bell sinker/split shot/vaseline rig.

Oops, I said bell sinker! I meant egg sinker!

You could use the brass C-rig types, but they are pretty pricey!

I have used bell sinkers for a drop-shot rig, but I much prefer the drop-shot weights that you just run the line through and pull tight into the clasp!

[CaptainJoe]

frost,

There is so much info on this forum. At the top of the page, hit the search link and type in "dropshot." You will find posts on everything you need. I copied this info from one of my previous posts:

I use and widespool, open-faced reel on a 7' medium rod. 1/4 of the spool rigged with 10lb. cheap monofiliment line which is called a backing. I then put on 14# Fireline Crystal braid and tie it to the mono with a uni-to-uni knot (knot instructions are in the Fireline package).

Next, I tie a 6# or 8# or 10# (depending on depth that I am fishing - the deeper the heavier the line) P-Line Floroclear or Yo-Zuri clear 4-5 foot leader to the braid using the same uni-to-uni knot. Then, tie a palomar knot to a dropshot hook (#2 Gamagutzu dropshot hook) and take the tag end and put it through the eye of the hook. I try to keep the tag end about 18 inches from the hook. Next, attach a dropshot weight (1/4 oz.) to the tag end.

This setup allows great feel due to the no stretch in the braid. The crystal line allows you to see the line with ease. The hybrid line is tough and since it is coated with florocarbon, it is nearly invisible in the water. You do not need to set the hook with the rig. Keep your rod at 9 o'clock at all times (needs to be at a 90 degree angle to the water and watch the line on the way down and the rod tip once you reach your desired depth). When you feel a bite, all I do is raise the rod from 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock and reel as I am raising the rod. Keep the line tight at all times and ensure that you keep reeling as you lower the rod to fight the fish.

This setup and technique works the best for me and my clients. We miss very few fish. I am on year two with the braided line....it last a long time.

Hope this helps!