I've fished it some over the past few years-caught some fish on it (nothing to brag about.)

Got the palomer knot down, throw it with anywhere from a 1/8 oz weight to a 1/4 with a roboworm or a zoom
shakey head type worm.

What I want to know is how much action should I impart to the bait and should I be fishing
this mostly vertical or cast it out. I really want to learn how to fish this technique as
so many of you guys seem to have a lot of luck with it, especially when its not a great bite.

I might be overworking the bait, probably I am.

I usually stick with smaller profile type worms and light tackle

The bite on a drop shot won't be as fierce usually

you don't need to induce a lot of action. I like to almost just squeeze the handle trying to make the plastic quiver and the weight staying in place. a rubber band also works well from the hook to the weight to make this easier to keep it in one place but still moving. plus one less knot.

Try it out in a swimming pool if you can safely do it. You'll see that less is more when it comes to working a dropshot.
Sometimes trying to keep the bait as still as possible is what gets the bites.

I find the drop shot technique to be very versatile. Yes it excels as a vertical presentation but don't hesitate to fish it horizontally. You can really cover a lot of water by power fishing a drop shot. Time of year usually determines how much action I impart to my presentation. Less in cold and more in Summer.

If your not getting the bites you think you should on the drop shot it may be a confidence issue or equipment issue. If you have a good pond near you I find that can be a great learning lab for drop shot fishing. I see Texoma in your profile, Texoma is an awesome lake for using the drop shot. You might not get the big bites a Lake Fork presents but there are great opportunities for spots and smallies.

As far as equipment a quality medium/medium light rod with a 'hinged' action and sensitive tip works well with as light a line as you can fish in your conditions. I prefer spinning but the right baitcaster works as well. Its all about feeling the bites and pulling into the fish to set a sharp light wire hook into them.

Let's go to Murray, I'll show you all about the drop shot.

:fish I've caught fish from .25-13.11 lbs on drop shot. From 6" to 40 ft Ive found the colder the water the less movement and the shorter the tag line. let the fish tell what the want. I'll always start less is more. When u roll over a rock, stump or limb let the bait fall vertical on semi slack line watch for movement of the line sometimes it just gets heavy. then set the hook if u nose hook you don't have to set it as hard. I usally fish texas lakes with lots of stumps and grass so the texas rigged drop shot is how I rig it it most, clearer water and less stumps nose hook it. Good luck!!!!!

Mike- I'd love to take you up on a trip to Murray but I won't be back down until Nov.