Drop Shotting-Whose tried it?

[rocky74]

Just wondering about this technique, never tried it. I know it's becoming more popular, plus it's supposed to be most effective during those super hot summer days when the bite slows down. Has anyone had success with the drop-shot rig in Michigan?

[Ninja]

Extreme success.

[sirslurpee]

I want to try it but I'm not 100% sure how to rig it/or do I have the tackle to do it.. yet.

[rocky74]

Set it up similar to a river rig. Below is just from what I've read, so I could be off a bit.

-a 1/0 or 2/0 wide gap hook (I prefer Gamakatsu EWG lock hook)
-6 to 8# test line
-a bell sinker, or most any type of weight will work (3/16 to 3/8 oz)

Start by tying a palomar knot to the hook with an extra long loop (so that the tag end will end up being 12"-24" lg. Tie the weight to the tag end. Add any type of plastic creature bait to the hook and start casting. The key is to tie the hook on so that it points "up" when the tag end is hanging. You can also tie a 3 way swivel to the main line and run 2 leaders off it if you prefer to set it up that way.

I believe it can be casted and retrieved just like a texas rig, or jigged straight up and down.

Some guy at work was telling me it used to be exremely illegal in michigan, but now it's legal.

[roger23]

How to Tie a Drop Shot Rig

Drop shot rigs are one of the most popular way to fish a plastic bait right now. It is an easy rig to tie and fish, and it catches bass. It is especially good for suspended fish or pressured bass that will not hit any other rig.
The drop shot is simply a way of tying your hook up the line and putting the lead on the bottom. Saltwater fishermen have been using rigs like this for many years. Raising the bait off the bottom gives fish a different look, and it is often easier for them to see it.
The drop shot is best fished on light line and spinning outfits. I fish mine on a 6 foot light action spinning rod with a fast taper and spool the reel with 6 to 8 pound PLine.
Although there are many different specialized hooks and leads available to tie this rig, all you really need is what you have.




Any small worm hook and any kind of sinker will work. I like a 1/0 offset Eagle Claw hook and a 1/8ths to 3/8ths ounce bullet sinker.
Start by tying on the hook using either a Palomar or Clinch knot. Leave the tag end the length you want the worm to be off the bottom. Start at 16 to 20 inches up the line unless you see fish suspended a certain distance off the bottom. If you do, tie the hook that distance up the line.
When you tie the hook on, bring the tag end back through the eye of the hook from the top down, that will make the hook stand out straight. Make sure you pull your knot tight when tying it.
Tie on a weight at the end or simply slide a bullet sinker on the end of the line. Tie an overhand knot right on the end of the line, let the sinker slide back down to it and then peg it with a toothpick. I usually cut the toothpick off even with the lead when using a Texas rig, but I often leave it an inch long or so. That seems to keep it out of rocks better.
Pegging the lead like this allows it to slip off when it gets hung in rocks and you can slip another one on without having to re-tie the whole rig. You can also crimp on a split shot and do the same thing, and you don't have to worry about weakening the line since it will be below the hook.
If fishing open water, hook a small worm on by running the hook thru the nose. If there is brush around the area, you can rig the worm Texas style, making it weedless. Use small worms like Zoom Finesse worms, 4 inch Dead Ringers, Flukes or other similar baits.

[thedude]

you need to tie a palomar knot.
once you've tied it, hold the hook horizontal with the opening up (how you would want it to go through the water). Take the tag end of line an run it back through the eye of the hook from the top side of the eye.

This will ensure you're hook sits properly on the line.

you can use bell sinkers, but i prefer either drop shot weights or split shots.

DS weights have a special eye that will break the line when/if the weight gets snagged, saving your hook and bait. For splitshot, tie a small knot at the end of the tag and crimp the shot right above that. serves the same purpose.

Keep the distance between your hook and weight between 8 and 16 inches.

[ironmachineus]

You can buy pretied kits from Bass pro - I keep several of them at hand in my tackle box. Check it out here. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=30025&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults It makes it easy. My biggest problem is pike keep biting the line off.

[sirslurpee]

Could I say, tie a hook on to the main line with a cinch, and then use 4lb and use a cinch in the eye of hook, then tie a bullet sinker below that? that way it's still strong enough if a pike does bite it, it won't break with my handy dandy fireline, and if i get snagged, i can break the 4lb easily...

[The Fishing Pollock]

Just rember . When using a D-shot rig DON'TTTTTTTT set the hook like your using a spinnerbait. Just a easy pull of the line sets the hook every time. Yanking hard on it will usually result in a tore lip or yanking it right outa the fishe's mouth. If you have problems with standard hooks try using straight line hooks spicificaly made for drop shotting.

[SomeYahoo]

Do you typically spot the fish on your fish finder before dropping, or do you have spots you just know will hold fish?

I've never heard of casting a drop shot rig... anyone know if it'll work for a poor 'ol shore angler such as myself?

[waterfoul]

Extreme success.

Yeah.... riiiiiiiight....

Ken, you need to take me fishing and teach me the fine art of the Drop Shot. :evil:

So, have you set up that MS.com tourney on LSC yet???? :D

[bassinbowman]

You can cast a drop shot rig but you don't want your line at more than a 45 degree angle. Much more than that defeats the purpose of drop shotting.

Using it from shore will be difficult. It's mainly a deeper water rig for a vertical presentation. If your fishing a shoreline with a steep break it may work fine.

[svw99ta]

Any word on it being illegal? I heard it is illegal on any supply waters to the big lakes. I guess an example would be muskegon lake, anyone know anything about this? If it is legal then I am going to try it in a tournament this weekend in a weed flat.

[rbaddis]

I think if you look in the fishing guide there are exceptions for Muskegon, White lake and a few others. I don't have the guide right in front of me but it seems I did just look it up a few weeks ago.
Good luck
Ryan

[javelin]

Any word on it being illegal? I heard it is illegal on any supply waters to the big lakes. I guess an example would be muskegon lake, anyone know anything about this? If it is legal then I am going to try it in a tournament this weekend in a weed flat.


As long as you are not trying to snag salmon you are fine. From what I understand the laws were put in place for the snaggers.

Since that is not the intention of us bass guys the law was changed.

[The Fishing Pollock]

it is only illegal on designated trout streams and feeders to the great lakes. Other than that . It is legal to use on just about any inland lake

[subocto]

ive used it successfully with 3" sluggos in deeper water in tall weeds, almost vertically. drop it in bounce a little then fish on!

[Jnamo]

This presentation works just fine in shallow water. The purpose is to keep your bait off the bottom (suspended). Obviously the steeper the angle your line makes with the water, the more verticle your presentation will be. If you are fishing in 18" water, 4" off bottom is pretty well suspended.

Just do your best to keep the line tight (no slack) to feel a lite bite. Don't want to gut hook any bass.

Jeff

[rocky74]

Tried it for an hour or so last night on Ford Lake. Eh, I got a few hits, and actually saw a pike hit it and then backed off. Couldn't land anything. I'll keep trying it from time to time though, it was a really tough bite last night.

[BlueDun]

Since I am new to this listserv and have not yet made the "require minimum 15 posts to post a website," the system won't let me post the web address. :sad: (Protection against spammers?) Anyway, go to the michigan.gov website and look for the 2006-2008 Fishing Guide. Select that document and look for the section called "Lawful Fishing Methods." About 1/2-way down the first page, it explains where you can and cannot use the drop-shot method.