I'm trying to learn how to fish a drop shot. I'm fishing it on a 7' medium action rod, 12lb fluorocarbon line, a 2/0 finesse hook with a 1/4oz sinker, and a KVD finesse worm. My problem is, I'm getting the bites, but not the hook sets. I don't know if I'm not letting the fish take it long enough or if it's an equipment issue. One things for sure, it's aggravating. Any suggestions?

Drop your hook size to a 1 and nose hook the worm.

With your hookset, you need to lean into it rather than jerkset. Reel in the slack as you pull up.

Make a leader with 6lb line. The fish will commit more to the worm when they can't see the line.

Are you fishing with spin tackle or bait caster??

Thanks for the advice, I'm using a bait caster. Does it make a difference?

A Spincast is better imho for drop shot. Cast it farther and set the hook better

Like Ranger stated....a spincast is better for the hookset....typically your spin gear is M weighted and has more "give". This won't allow you to "over" set the hook. This is why you almost always see Pros using spin gear. They have to capitalize on each fish. Spin gear allows for that.

However, if you are fishing lakes like Fork in the summer or winter and use drop shot in and around the timber, I use baitcasting gear so I can have more to fight the fish with and get them out quicker. Just my opinion.

I'm using 6 lb fluro on a light medium action 7' rod. I catch many fish over 7-8lbs in open water, and break off a few. It's part of it. If you're in timber or heavier cover you'll have to go up from that
With drop shoting you don't "set" the hook, when you feel the fish you just lift up and apply pressure to the fish, your hook should be exposed and hook set should be done by the fish. With a drop shot, you need to be sure you're using very high quality/sharp hooks and change them/swap them out often.

Lastly, the largest issue with missed fish on drop shot is due to the knot type tied. You have to tie it so the hook faces up, or else you'll miss almost every fish that hits it

Everything said here is correct. I use 10 pound mono and still get a lot of bites every outing so its just your preference. But DO NOT jerk on your hookset lol i learned the hardway in a tournament on cedar creek... Jerked on a bite and broke her off right away...

There's a lot of good stuff there. That's why I love this forum. I think my problem was improper hook set, I was trying to set the hook like I would with a Texas ot c-rig. Thanks for the help!!!

don't set, just reel till the rod loads then you can do whatever.

good luck man....tell us your success!

Really similar to fishing for trout!

No question I prefer a spinning reel and a lighter rod - more than likely if you are setting the hook you are pulling the bait from the fish's mouth.

Once you get the hang of it you will love it!

As mentioned, nose hook the bait and reel down to take the slack up. OR, you can put on a circle hook and just reel down and catch them in the corner of the mouth. Most successful droop shotters I know use circle hooks and just reel down. UNLESS you are doing it Texas style. Using 1 oz. weights with a 4/0 or 5/0 hook and big 8" and 10" baits fishing for BIG FISH. I fish all my drop shots on a casting rod and reel, but I am the odd ball out there. I use an 8' shakey head rod and tie a shakey head on and then a drop shot on, doubling my chances, but IF you use this technique, do NOT use the circle hook, as you don't know to reel or set the hook. Just my .02 worth. Hope this helps. Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

I'm with Thad, i only throw a dropshot on a baitcaster. I use 20lb line.

I use a 7'3 medium TFO Tactical casting rod with a lews tournament lite.....12 pound sunline sniper and I use River A tackle offset 1/0.....3/16 skinny tungsten and zoom finess worms rigged Texas style......I feel a thump and set the hook with a wrist snap.....top of the mouth every time!

I only use a St Croix 6'9" drop shot special with a bait caster and I Tx rig the worm because of all of the stik ups. The hook size varies from # 1 to 1/0 and it must be an offset hook..

I use a florocarbon leader in 15 # test. I set the hook like txmasterpro. Top of the mouth like he wrote.

To many big fish swimming around in here with all of the wood to go light line.