I read that you use a bottom rig most of the time: what size split shot do you use on it? Second, how many inches do you place it above the hook approximately? Thanks.

I usually use a five shot however if I am fishing a large deep spot I will use a heaver shot such as a 4. As for rigging my shot it is usually 6 to 8 inches above the hook. If I am fishing in strong currents I place the shot 10 to 12 inches above my hook. This allows the bait to somewhat free float down from the weight. This style has always worked very good for me. I am sure other anglers use different methods and have had some great results also. Hopefully some of them will share their methods.

Thanks Banker. I read where different people place the splitshot at various distances from the hook. Knowing you catch a lot of fish, thought I'd just copycat you.

I fish with both Mike "USMC-GY" and Fred "Rionator" a lot and they both use the drop shot method. They easily out fish me 80 percent of the time! I guess I am just stuck on what works for me!

Noted Banker. I'll eventually get around to trying a drop shot rig. Do they tie a dropper off the main line, or just tie the hook to the main line tha same as bass fishermen do? I've read articles about it being rigged both ways.

I think they both use the main line.

Noted, thanks.

I'm more old school like Banker and use the split shot above the hook method.
I've tried the drop shot but went back to what worked for me!

I hear ya Jim!

I caught twelve keeper size bream this morning with the splitshot up the line above the hook. I then hung up and had to break my line and retie, so I tied a drop shot rig. I didn't catch anything on it, but it may have been about the time the fish were turning off, it was about 11:00 a.m. and I quit fishing soon thereafter.

Fishing shallow with little to no current, split shot rig with medium to longer leader. Depending on if you're fishing a clean-ish bottom or weedy bottom. Rocks or strong current get split shot with shorter leaders. Fishing deep and/or verticle, or weedy canopies get the drop shot rigs.