Drop Shot

[Bitethis]

I have never fished a drop shot, but am inclined to give it a try this year. My basic understanding is it is good in deeper water, with the business end of things about 12" above the drop-shot weight at the bottom of your line (correct me if I am wrong, please) As far as what to use on the business end, all I have ever heard is Fish Doctor, or Gulp Leach...any other suggestions would be appreciated.

I would like to know what to look for, what should I be looking for in where to present this. What are the optimal bait choices? Any assistance would be very welcomed!

[zarraspook]

As in all fishing -- "Match the Hatch"....

What ever you have been catching fish with will work with a drop-shot...

And for the 12" above the weight -- you want the lure where your electronics tells you the fish are holding...

The one thing I found helpful is use smaller pound test fluorocarbon between the lure and weight; so when you hang up the weight - you don't lose everything..

[inshore]

4" drop shot worms. I've found greens,brown ,plum and shad colors work well. also 1/2 oz war eagle spoon works well. if you find the fish and they don't hit the spoon use the drop shot. if they start hitting the drop shot goback to the spoon and they will usually hammer it. to find the fish run off the points start looking in 30 to 50 feet of water. if that point is near a river or creek channel even better. I would say check boat houses with their ends in 30 to 50 feet but that is hard to find at Stockton. another spot that can be killer is channel swings. one tip is don't over work your drop shot this a little movement is all you need. one thing to be aware of is the thermocline. most bass sit right on top of it and eyes in and sometimes below. what I'm saying if thermocline is 30 feet don't waste your time in 50. if I do find the fish I usually will mark with a buoy. much easier to stay on the fish if there is any wind.

[Bitethis]

great info, thanks!

[Dutch]

On the other side of the coin. I "dropped" a bunch of money on a mold, swivels, rod, baits, etc. I gave it two different seasons. Now some lucky guy in NY has the molds and swivels. I melted down the baits and turned them into something else. I did catch some fish but for me it was a lot like watching paint dry.

[Old plug]

Hows this sound ??. How about a swivel and a few inches below that a 03 or 04 hook that about 16 inches below that a 1/2 oz bell sinker all with a magnum trick worm on it. All fished on 12 lb test line. ??????

[Sac River Jim]

another little trick i read about but havent tried is if you dont have any bell or drop shot sinkers you can clip a split shot on one end of a barrel swivel and tie to the other end. might be handy in a bind.

[Old plug]

i have done that but it takes a couple if the biggest shot I can find. i need at least 1/2 oz. I fish larger baits 8" on a drop shot.

[Unimog]

About the only drop shotting I've done is around bridge pilings. They're usually good for a few spots although there usually isn't much size to them. Typically I use a 4.75" Berkely worm or a gycb pro senko.

[mjk86]

If you fish Keitech swimbaits....inevitably the tail will fall off....after 1 fish lol. Save those up....they make great DS worms!!