Now that my wife is coming out with me on the kayak, I've been looking at restocking my non-fly tackle for her to use. I can't find the Gamakatsu drop shot/split shot in size 8 anymore. Just wondering what hooks y'all are using for drop shotting bream? Thanks

I don't drop shot. I use the standard shot over hook method and bounce the bait off of the bottom. Usually a size 6 or 8 hook work good for both methods. I also prefer the cricket style hooks in that you can put more worm on the hook and the hook shaft makes for a good support for the bait. Just my two cents.

I too prefer a cricket hook for that type of fishing. But for deep water and dropping between pads I like a size 6 or 8 drop shot hook

Eagle Claw and Gamakatsu both have really good drop shot rigs and an assortment of hooks. There are several good drop shot anglers who post here. Hopefully some of em will reply. Nice topic.

I also have found that a split shot a few inches above the hook is better than a drop shot. With a drop shot the fish is much more likely to feel the line and drop the bait than he will with the hook on the end of the line. I use #8 gold Aberdeen hooks or #10 if the fish are running small.

Since so many people use each type of rig it probably does not matter much. The key is to use a small wire hook in either case.

I see lots of people using a #2 or larger baitholder hook on a snap swivel with a large bell sinker. I do not see those people catching many sunfish or crappie either.

Glad to see there are still some old school believers of the weight over the hook method.
I've tried the drop shot method, but to be honest it never worked for me. I always ended up going to the method I've always used that worked.
Both methods will catch fish, it's just more of a confidence thing.

I found no better way than a wacky hooked 3" gulp/berkley trout worm on a Gamakatsu sz 6 or 8 drop shot hook. Was the best hook for drop shotting big gills at Raven. Keeps your lure just above the weed line, and the wacky rigged trout worm fluttered in the natural current and drive them nuts. But now it looks as if Gamakatsu only makes down to a size 4!

Mustad still makes your hook. Try Amazon to order them on line.

Thanks smithaven. Ordered them.

Random question: have you been back to bluegill lakes cabins lately? I hear they built a new cabin. Your write up is what encouraged us to go in the first place.

I use a 10 sized cricket hook. To keep things cheap and simple, I just tie a knot about 6 to 8 inches under the hook on the tag end of the line. Then I just put a simple split shot on the line and cinch it down to the knot. Clip the end, and you're done!

I just bend my cricket hooks to make this sickle shaped form.

At the end of the day we're fishing for sunfish, and not sharks.

Haha that's true. But as much as I spend on flies and fly tying materials I figure I can afford 2 types of hooks for conventional fishing. Besides, I have a fly pattern I like to tie on the drop shot style hooks as well!

I have not been back. I had a trip planned and my wife was sick and I did not get to go. Great place.

Sorry to hear that! I'm hoping to make it back one of these days as well. Never before have I been into sunfish so thick that I'm looking for a lure to tie on that will result in LESS bites just to give myself a break from unhooking fish!

Drop shot is better than split shot up the line. Either way, the fish feels the weight. With drop shot you feel the bottom and suspend the bait in plain view of the fish, whereas split shot drags the bait on the bottom like a carolina rig unless you inflate the crawler. I was spending too much time snagging and inflating the crawler with split shot rigging, so I started leaning towards drop shot rigging and it has proven to be far more versatile.

My set up:
VMC spin shot number 6 hook for a crawler, number 8 for a redworm. I have had good luck with size 6 and 8 stand out hooks.
1/16 to 1/4 oz bullet weight pegged with rubber so you can slide it around and adjust the distance between the sinker and weight (I typically use 1/8 for all purpose but 1/16th for super shallow fishing and 3/16-1/4 when its windy or i'm fishing 30 deep) Also, if this set up snags, the weight slides off and you just peg another one one.