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drop shot help #12388496 08/16/17 07:44 PM
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tin man 55 Offline OP
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I see and hear about everyone catching bass on drop shots, and while I know the setup, I have no confidence in it. I rig up a rod, throw it for about 15 minutes, and then put it on the bottom of the pile. I know that I need to just use it, catch some fish, and get some confidence; but I just can't seem to do it. maybe I need to leave all the other rods at home and just take one. I do have some questions; thanks for any answers that you can help me with.

1. a lot of folks talk about using a small hook, like a size 2 or 4, but most of my fishing is on Fork, so is that appropriate for Fork?

2. I see a lot in my reading about nose hooking the worm; but with all the brush in Fork, is that how to do it? or Texas rig it?

3. what size weight do you use? seems to me that if you use a 1/2 - 1 ounce wait for a Carolina rig, that it would work OK for a drop shot? right or wrong?

4. I read a little about this - have you ever used a jig for the weight at the end of the line?

5. if you could only use one bait for 10+ feet of water, what would it be?


thanks for any info; I'm really wanting to catch my first fish on a drop shot. an old guy trying to learn a new trick.


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Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12388503 08/16/17 07:54 PM
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Sinkey Online Content
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I've done it a time or two on Fork, maybe I can help.

Yes, the only way to get good with it and gain confidence in it is to put all other rods away and just work on that technique.

As far as gear goes, on Fork and anywhere else, #1 hook, and I fish finesse worms t-rigged. 3/16 pinch/cylinder weights shallow and 1/4 deep/or windy days. I like the Finch Nasty weights.

Hope it helps bud.

Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12388513 08/16/17 08:04 PM
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woolyhogtail Offline
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What sinkey said. Zoom finesse worn and you will get bit. I use it a lot on fork, landed fish up to 8 pds and lost bigger ones. Don't think those big girls won't bite a small bait cause they will!

Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12388518 08/16/17 08:06 PM
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steve@S2Marine Offline
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i feel your pain.

i wasn't able to stick with a drop shot much either..

had a friend of mine go with me one day... told myself.. the drop shot is the ticket for the day.. made
myself throw it the largest percentage..
like you said.. might wanna lock up all the other rods and just throw it all day.

p.s. i did finally catch one on a drop shot. a whoppin 1.5 lb'er...lol

good luck.


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Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12388520 08/16/17 08:09 PM
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Brad R Offline
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1. a lot of folks talk about using a small hook, like a size 2 or 4, but most of my fishing is on Fork, so is that appropriate for Fork?

The reason proponents of really small hooks use #2s and #4s is those hooks drag through the mouth of the fish and are so small and sharp, they lodge in the fish's mouth right behind its teeth. Marc Marcantonio, a west coat angler, is big on small hooks. But, "drop shot" or "down shot" just means shot or weight below the hook. You can use a 5/0 if you like with a bigger bait.

2. I see a lot in my reading about nose hooking the worm; but with all the brush in Fork, is that how to do it? or Texas rig it?

KVD hooks a worm or plastic under what would be the chin and pulls it up but not out of what would be the nose. Be sure, if you do it this way to hook it very close to the end to leave some room on tiny hooks for the fish to "bite down" on it.

3. what size weight do you use? seems to me that if you use a 1/2 - 1 ounce wait for a Carolina rig, that it would work OK for a drop shot? right or wrong?

1/4 to 3/8s cylindricals are popular . . . but it really makes no difference. You are going to reel up the slack on your line and leave it just a tad loose. When the fish bites the worm, floating like a flag, you have a direct connection. It'd make a big difference on a Texas Rig where a big weight is between you and the fish and its bite, but not on a drop shot.

4. I read a little about this - have you ever used a jig for the weight at the end of the line?

As soon as you know the fish are on the bottom or a foot to three feet up, do one or the other.

5. if you could only use one bait for 10+ feet of water, what would it be?

If you mean one bait for a drop shot, it'd be a roboworm for a majority of anglers who use it for catching bass.

Brad

Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12388686 08/16/17 10:24 PM
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bush hog Offline
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Drop shots are a blast to use on bottom structure (drop offs, humps, etc..). I haven't used them much around timber or brush. Since the bait is between you and the weight, if you feel anything at your rod tip it's probably a fish. I have not ever used a jig for my weight but I do T-rig a worm or use a shaky head on the bottom. That way you're offering two different baits at two different depths. Probably 8 out of 10 times though they will bite the upper bait. However, this rig may not be legal if you're a tourney fisherman. I nose hook or t-rig the drop shot bait depending if I keep getting hung up or not. Both ways work fine.


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Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12388688 08/16/17 10:27 PM
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#1 hook 4 to 5 inch nose hooked bait. It catches a lot of fish, small and big.

Mostly use 3/16 oz weight or 1/4 if windy or deep.

Last edited by Brent S; 08/16/17 10:27 PM.
Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12388695 08/16/17 10:30 PM
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Resh Offline
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I actually drop shot quite a bit, it's my go to for catching numbers. I use what everyone else does probably 7' MH spinning rod, 20lb braid with 6-8' of 10ish lb floro as leader. I use a 1 or 1/0 hook most of the time and a finesse worm and sometimes a baby brush hog both texas rigged. 1/4 oz weight unless it's super windy.


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Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12388797 08/16/17 11:58 PM
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Most important thing is use a heavy enough weight to stay in contact with the bottom, and use a short leader as in 12", most people use too long of a leader, you really can't use too big of a weight. In clear water use a plum colored worm.

Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12388978 08/17/17 01:28 AM
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Rob Matthews Offline
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This is what I use. I use 15 pound braid main line to a 8 pound fluro leader that's about 6 feet long. Since I fish alot of lakes with brush too I use the roboworm rebarb hooks in the medium size shank in a 1/0-2/0. I use primarily the 6 inch roboworms and texas rig it with a 3/16 and 1/4 for deep.

Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12389013 08/17/17 01:51 AM
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ko bass attack 27 Offline
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Nose hook that Zoom finesse worm (tomato or redbug shad) on a sz.1 owner rig,n hook 14" up from a cylinder type 1/4-3/8 weight. On 8 lb.flouro or mono. Either one. And Fork is the best for drop shotting.

Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12389031 08/17/17 01:56 AM
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the skipper Offline
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Next time you find some fish startvthrowing it. Don't try a new technique when it's tough and your not catching anything. I do what Rob said except I use a little bigger line. They make a swivel hook just like a ewg that you can rig seedless for brush piles and such. The weight gets hung the most

Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12389252 08/17/17 04:03 AM
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Thad Rains Offline
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My .02 worth. I use a 1/0 hook for smaller baits and a 3/9 EWG hook for bigger baits. No problems hooking up or anything. Make sure they are SHARP!!!!!!!!!

2. There is a TON of brush in Alan Henry and I ALWAYS Texas rig it. If I am fishing oopen water, I would nose hook it, but VERY LITTLE open water in Fork or Alan Henry.

3. I use a 1/4 oz. cylinder weight and 3/8s when it is windy.

4. I use jigs on my drop shot as the weight MOST of the time. Normally a 3/8s or a shakey head weighted jig. Works wonders for schooling fish and finicky bites.

5. I use 4 and 5" senkos for MOST of my drop shots. If not them, then a trick worm, very seldom do I scale down to a finesse worm. Big and little fish bite it. Hope this helps. Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains


Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains
Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12389347 08/17/17 11:33 AM
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Pm me,
I'd be willing to take you out and catch some drop shot fish.


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Re: drop shot help [Re: tin man 55] #12389549 08/17/17 02:34 PM
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this is a good thread


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