Dropshotting for Walleye

[ulrichdebrus]

Has anyone had any success dropshotting for walleye, in other states obviously? I am wondering what alterations might be necessary to appeal to walleye and what kind of baits. How about three or four inch soft plastic minnow baits? Anyone?

[brigeton]

I have in Houghton lake when they won't hit trolling crankbaits. Leechs. I don't know how well an artificial would work since you're not imparting much action.

[jstfish48162]

i constantly catch walleye on bass tackle fishing Lake Erie. if you put the drop-shot where the fish are, you shouldn't have a problem catching walleye on it. on Lake Erie, walleye, smallies and other fish are really feeding on the gobies along with traditional forage such as crayfish and shiners. try a Berkely Power Leech, Berkely Power Jig Worm (black or pumpkin) or a 3" Berkely Power Minnow (specifically made for drop-shot). you can always try a fat, juicy crawler or large shiner as an alternative to artificial bait. the way i look at it is like this....all of the proven fishing techniques were not founded by what it looks or sounds like. they were proven by actually being used in the connection with catching fish. try different baits....you may find a "secret" that nobody else is using. good luck....:fish:

[Nailer]

Iv'e got the general idea what Drop Shoting is but, what are the finer aspects of it? Is it basicly like the old three way rigs?
Thanks. Ken

[bucketmouthhauler]

Iv'e got the general idea what Drop Shoting is but, what are the finer aspects of it? Is it basicly like the old three way rigs?
Thanks. Ken

http://www.in-fisherman.com/walleye_insider/articles/wi0407_DropShot/

[ulrichdebrus]

http://oscoda.blogspot.com/2006/01/drop-shot-fishing-technique.html

[alex-v]

Does anyone know if there is a bait shop or dealer selling the "drop shot" sinkers? The sinkers with the specific insert as shown in the picture in the article that "bucketmouthhauler" linked to.

[Raf]

what would the advantage of a drop shot rig be compared to a regular crappy rig? i dont see why it would be anymore effective.

[alex-v]

Based on the article that was linked in the earlier msg one advantage is that the hooks are tied directly to the line. There is no leader to speak of so the hook is not drifting out and away from the mainline. I would think that this helps prevent snags when fishing near tight cover like underwater brush or heavy weeds.

It also looks like it would be easier to pinpoint where the line/hooks are going. Follow the line and you know your hooks are right there and not drifting off on a 6" or longer leader.

[ulrichdebrus]

I buy almost everything I use at basspro.com and Barlow's Tackle. Methinks that a split shot sinker on a swivel would work just as well though.

Bass Pro Shops® XPS™ Tungsten Drop Shot Weights (http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=37406&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=10&hvarSubCode=3&hvarTarget=browse)

Bass Pro Shops® XPS™ Drop Weights (http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=20871&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=10&hvarSubCode=3&hvarTarget=browse)

G-Loomis® Drop Shot Rod (http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=44308&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=2&hvarSubCode=2&hvarTarget=browse)

Team Daiwa®-X Drop Shot/Finesse Rod - Spinning (http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=61235&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=2&hvarSubCode=2&hvarTarget=browse)

Luck "E" Strike 36-Pc. Drop Shot Kit (http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=51596&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=7&hvarSubCode=11&hvarTarget=browse)

Bass Pro Shops® Drop Shot Worm (http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=37394&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=7&hvarSubCode=1&hvarTarget=browse)

Eagle Claw® Octopus Hook for Dropshot Rigs (http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=39086&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=10&hvarSubCode=2&hvarTarget=browse)

Gamakatsu® Drop Shot Rig (http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=30025&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=10&hvarSubCode=2&hvarTarget=browse)

Gamakatsu® Split Shot/Drop Shot (http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=30026&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=10&hvarSubCode=2&hvarTarget=browse)

Mustad® Ultra Point™ Dropshot Hooks (http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=38283&hvarDept=100&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=10&hvarSubCode=2&hvarTarget=browse)

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[RJF]

This is still illegal in Michigan, right? You cannot attach a hook to the line above a weight. There are similar rigs, that are legal, but pure dropshotting is illegal.

[kbkrause]

This is still illegal in Michigan, right?

They changed the law for this fishing season...

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126194&highlight=drop+shot

[fishindude]

alex-

I just use a small bell sinker. Basically the same thing, just it isn't a cannon ball shape.

[kitchue]

How do you know when there is a strike on this technique. Is it like jiggin, always feeling for the bottom. Or is it more like bottom bouncing, the strike is a tug on the line.

sean

[KI Jim]

Sounds like a neat technique to try. I fish around the Erie Islands all summer-a lot of rocks and reefs. I'm thinkin' that I'm going to tie a 1/2 oz. jig with a gulp worm on the bottom as weight, put a drop shot hook about 18" up with crawler on it and the either drift of ultra slow troll over the dropoffs I fish. Should be deadly. Fresh walleye :corkysm55 .

Jim

[ulrichdebrus]

In the deeper waters, it is a subtle matter of a sudden change in pressure and I don't mean the familiar thump of typical largemouth fishing - I mean that as you are giving action to the bait with short, quick twitches it may suddenly seem just a little heavier or seem to suddenly go kind of slack. At this point the bait is in the fish's mouth and this is why something like Jack's Juice comes in really handy at this point. If it tastes good, it is likely to remain in the fish's mouth a split second longer. I gather all this from what I have learned from various sources in the past few weeks. I have yet to try dropshotting myself.

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[bucketmouthhauler]

How do you know when there is a strike on this technique. Is it like jiggin, always feeling for the bottom. Or is it more like bottom bouncing, the strike is a tug on the line.

sean There is no way you wont know there is a strike, that is one of the keys, (how do you know if a perch is hitting on a perch rig?) because there is no weight between you and the fish!!! the weight is below the hook therefore you feel all activity beetween the weight and the rod.

[alex-v]

I buy almost everything I use at basspro.com and Barlow's Tackle. Methinks that a split shot sinker on a swivel would work just as well though.
Thanks for the links. I will take some time and look though them all.

But, I wanted to have a hands on look at the insert that is used in the drop-shot weights. Plus I have seen references to the round drop-shot and a pencil shaped drop-shot.

[STEINFISHSKI]

This is great stuff guys. Thanks for the links and tips. Can't wait to give it a try.