Have fished for over 45 years but have never tried drop shot Any tips pointers and advice would be welcome Thanks

The skinny drop shot weights seem to get hung up less than the round ones and the drop shot hooks with the swivel you get less line twist.

Ok Thanks Just wanting to learn something ne

Skinny weights work best, reel into the fish instead of setting the hook, sometimes just dragging the rig instead of shaking it works better, a fine wire hook will penetrate a lot easier, don't be afraid to experiment with different baits!

Have fun with it!

Hey Dwhitt. Welcome. I learn way more from this forum than I contribute so I am taking this opportunity to share what I have learned this year about fishing the dropshot.

I was on a guide trip at broken bow this spring and we fished the drop shot more than half the trip and caught a ton of fish. It was not vertical fishing. (I still have had very little success fishing vertical with electronics) We were fishing it like a texas rig. Cast it out and drag it back slowly allowing the weight to keep contact with the bottom. That trip helped my confidence tremendously. Deep or shallow, fish it the same.

I have switched to a split shot lead weight instead of the normal drop shot weights. I was losing the dropshot weights all the time and got sick of donating them to the lakes. The split shots work just as good IMO and I can buy a bag of 150 for $3.00. I also use a tiny #1 owner EWG hook and texas rig the bait instead of using the normal dropshot hooks and nose hooking the bait.

You may get 100 other responses that differ from this one, but this is way I do it and it works for me.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Once you reel into the fish do set the hook...I will double set it sometimes. If the fish jumps not a bad idea to set that hook again! Lost one at the boat that went around 8 lbs last week because I was a little over confident - did not reset the hook after a jump and the fish simply came unbuttoned when I went to lip it.

Two drop shot set ups..

Heavy Drop - 12 or 14 pound fluoro on a medium 7' fast tip rod - standard bait cast reel

Lighter drop - 10# fluro on a Loomis DS rod with a Stradic spinning reel.

If you are fishing timber - you can use a 3/0 round bend hook and rig it weedless...I rig the bait whacky style most of the time but do count on getting hung up when you fish like this in any brush or timber. I would start by fishing the weedless route until you get the hang of it.

Be in touch with the bottom...pay close attention and watch that line!

My version of drop shotting is done via a Spinning outfit.. I use 30lb braid for line and tie on 12lb floro leader.. usually about 10' long.. just because you break off a lot and it keeps from having to tie new leader on all the time. The improved Allbright knot is what I use to join the leader to the braid. This was a change for me as I used to use 10lb Floro for the main line.. but line twist was a problem that doesn't show near as bad with braid as it does with straight floro.. and I think its more sensitive using the braid.
I like to use 1/0 drop shot hooks and either nose hook the bait or wacky hook it. I too prefer to cast the bait out and shake it back to the boat, always keeping the weight in contact with the bottom. Unless the wind is dead calm.. I like to use 3/8oz weights.. if its calm then 1/4oz works well. You can use about any soft plastic you want for the bait.. but I like 4-6" worms.. either Zoom Finesse or Robo.
Its really important to keep your rod tip high and keep constant contact with the weight when fishing.. this keeps the bait up off the bottom and keeps you from getting hung a little bit.. but you will get hung up. The drop shot weights that bite into the line are designed that way so that you usually only use the weight and not the hook.. but one little tip I would give you is if you get hung.. keep shaking the bait as you maneuver over to try and get it loose. On more than one occasion a fish has gotten me unhung!
Good luck learning.. its a lot of fun and catches a lot of fish

BD

Thanks for all the helpful tips Now just to get out there and try it out !!!!

I drop shot with a baitcaster, 12# Invizx, 1/0 Owner rigging hook and a 1/4oz Finch Nasty brand skinny drop shot weight. Some of the other brands do not hold on to the line tight enough.

My favorite rod for this technique is a Drop shot rod made by Reel Time Rods @ lake fork. I tried a couple of other brands in a 2 power rod but like the one from Ron better. It has a great tip and you will know when you have even the slightest bite.

Anybody ever try this kind of Drop Shot Knot? I switched to this knot over the palomar and I don't think I will ever go back. I feel like it keeps the hook upright better and it's super simple to tie on. I'm not sure if this knot has a particular name, I've only ever seen it on the video.

Drop Shot Knot - Video

Dead stick a roboworm. Concentrate on NOT moving the bait. Let the current due the work.

Bubba shot - 15lb - 20lb... tx rig the worm of choice... 1/4oz weight to 3/4 depending on depth. Throw it anywhere... MH worm rod

Normal drop shot with fairy wand (I own plenty) 8lb - 10lb line and rig depending on fishing cover or structure... or suspending fish on the depth finder... still use medium heavy 7ft rod and set the drag correctly.

I use that knot 100% of the time now on my dropshots. I feel like it keeps the hook standing out better than the traditional knot after a few hooksets and i've never had any issue with durability with it either.

I'm gonna try that. Thanks!

Love the skinny tungstens