Confession, have never thrown it. I know been missing out. Video recommendation for tying it and other helpful tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Try this one, covers a lot from one of the best at the technique.

http://scout.com/outdoors/bass-fishing/Article/The-Last-Drop-Shot-Video-Youll-Ever-Watch-105346216

Find a place where fish are schooling, and drop it down so that you can feel the bite and get confidence in the lighter setup and hookset technique.

Do you guys tie a palomar to the hook with a loooong tag end or do you do something like a uni knot with a long tag end?

Palomar is easiest and quickest. Aaron Martens and others use a doubled uni

Run the single line tag end back down through the hook eye to the weight

If you have a graph; you can adjust the leader length depending on how you see the fish relating to the bottom. 18 inches would be a common default length

I use a palomar.. works for me. Everybody probably does it differently but there are videos by Aaron Martens that are really helpful on getting started. It is for sure a finesse technique in its origins but it can be used in more of a power fishing environment as well. I use 1/0 Gama drop shot/split shot hooks and because of the Texas wind.. like 3/8 oz weights. I also use 30lb fiber for main line and a 10-12' 12lb Invivix leader joined with an Alberto knot. The longer leader is nice because you tend to break off a lot in the brushpiles and it means you don't have to tie on new leader so often. I use spinning gear, so the braid really helps fight off line twist.. even though it does still twist.. just doesn't cause as many issues as straight florocarbon.
Welcome to the club.. its a good way to catch a lot of fish.. and some big ones too!

BD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgUXfVPhKII

good explanation on how to tie and set up the DS

Palomar knot is what to tie. Make sure the hook is facing up, but I do not seem to have problems when it is facing down. Sweep set the hook, not a HARD jerking motion. I use baitcasting rods, an 8' ML rod with 12# test McCoys Mean Green for my drop shot setups. I have caught fish upwards of 5 lbs on it with no problems at all. If throwing it in brush, use a little heavier weight, so it doesn't get fouled with the hook. I fish a lot of weeds and timber and brush with this rig, so I do NOT nose hook the bait, but I Texas Rig it and still catch most of the fish that bite. Hope this helps. Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

Sometimes I'll flip a drop shot with a really short leader... like 6 inches into shallow cover and have got bit doing that. In fact I've started doing that a lot.

palomar works for me. I generally have two tied up on deck. One with 12 lb for fishing without heavy cover like hydrilla or standing timber and one with 15 lb for all of the rest.

Be careful not to burn your main line if you use a palomar.

You have two drops tied up on the deck!? Wow

I always have a drop rigged up, but, honestly it's buried in the bottom outside edge of the rod rack. I'll dig it out on the worst of days.

drop shot bombing

Confession, you really don't need to throw one. Texas rig will out fish any other rigs in MY OPINION.

Yep ^^^ no real need to drop shot