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Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? #13256298 08/22/19 04:28 PM
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kirbydog Offline OP
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I've tried to dropshot off and on for several years now with not much to show for my efforts. I've watched videos,
know not to overwork the bait. Have tried 24-30" for a leader down to 6". Have tried sinkers from 1/8 oz up to 3/8.
Oh, and I usually fish with a minnow style bait, nose hooked.

Shakey head, tubes, ned rig, T rigged baits-all have produced better than a dropshot for me-and yet I hear lots
of guys who say its their #1 technique. Any advice?

Last edited by kirbydog; 08/22/19 04:39 PM. Reason: changed
Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: kirbydog] #13256336 08/22/19 04:55 PM
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You just have to be patient with it. I learned from a guy name Billy Dyson on Fork back in 2005. And it took me about a year to really perfect it. I since took it and put some of my own touches on it, and honestly feel I can throw it any where and anytime and out catch most guys fishing around me. But I'd stay with about a 1/0 roboworm hook, 12" tag line, and 1/4 oz. pinch weight (cylinder). You can fish this set up any depth, and around any structure.

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: kirbydog] #13256447 08/22/19 06:37 PM
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I started drop shotting about six months ago and almost can't put it down. I use about a 8-12" leader. It got much better when I started to use these hooks below. I mostly nose hook a fluke, but will sometimes use a fineness worm. I'll let it sink then just small twiches of the rod till back at the boat. Sorry the pix is so big.
[Linked Image]


If God is your co-pilot then change seats



[Linked Image][Linked Image][Linked Image]
Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: kirbydog] #13256475 08/22/19 07:07 PM
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wh2004 Offline
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Caught about 15 green sunfish on drop shot with watermelon seed finesse worm at PK this morning. Lol. They were all 7-8 inches.

1 bass

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: kirbydog] #13256481 08/22/19 07:13 PM
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wh2004 Offline
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How do y’all keep from snagging when you nose hook the baits?

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: kirbydog] #13256491 08/22/19 07:22 PM
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I am a little bit different than most. I will say it is my number one technique and I catch a lot of fish on it. I use any where from a 1/4 oz weight to a 3/4 ounce weight. Depends on depth, wind, and current. I use almost exclusively a 4.5 inch finess worm with a 1/0 ewg vmc hook. I texas rig the bait onto the hook versus a nose hook. I feel comfortable throwing this bait in any scenario. Heck I even pitch it to weed lines in shallow water a lot of the time or around stumps and logs. I like the ewg hook so I can set the hook like I would a texas rig. I use a baitcaster and 10lb flouro line. It is my go to, and I know I can get bit with this set up. Also dont think the drop shot is just for small fish. In my last couple of trips I have boated a 6+ lber and a 10.5 lber on it. I really feel like it shines the best in medium to deep water on rock/hard bottom. Find a ledge with fish holding and start tossing it. You will build your confidence soon enough.

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: kirbydog] #13256494 08/22/19 07:26 PM
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I have my best luck D Shotting in 17+ ft of water. Once I see fish on the graph I use just about the same set up as Sinkey mentioned. I use 8 to 10 lbs Floro, and a weight heavy enough that I can feel it on the bottom. I go through watermelon, green pumpkin, redbug, junebug or bait fish color until I find one that seems to be the ticket for the day. Some days you hold it dead still, some days you shake it it or lift and drop it. I have some favorite worms and flukes but that is up to you, and more importantly up to the fish you see on the graph under you. Also many times there will be one specific depth that gets the most bites on that particular day, just seems to happen that way at least for me. I mostly use V&M pork pin, Gene Larew Taddletail, or Roboworms. Hope this helps.

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: kirbydog] #13256496 08/22/19 07:28 PM
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1oldbassguy Offline
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Been using a D-shot since 2004 . I initially used it for deep water , like 20-60 feet ( based on Aaron Martens early success) . In deep water , I would always nose hook a smaller worm , usually a Roboworm .
I started throwing in shallow , weedy water after watching a friend have success in the 2-5 foot range . More importantly , I started throwing a wacky Senko , 5" in various green colors .
I can't really explain why it works so well in shallow water , I kinda assume the bass think it's an escaping crawdad . Lots of guys think it's a " small" fish technique ----- not true . My biggest bass on this technique was 11.2lbs in 3-4 feet of dirty water , middle of summer on a hot day .
If the fish get really picky , I just remove the weight and throw a wacky Senko and work it real slow .
My normal D-shot is a 12-16 leader , 3/16oz teardrop tungsten and a 1/0 hook.

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: kirbydog] #13256503 08/22/19 07:33 PM
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One key is to use semi slack line. You don't want a tight line and you don't want slack, just a slight bow still feeling the weight.

Uncanny how many bites I've had directly below the boat/kayak when there's the least side tension on the lure.

Been out drop shotted in very clear open water using 10lb test when fishing buddy was using 6lb.


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Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: kirbydog] #13256512 08/22/19 07:37 PM
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wh2004 Offline
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Are y’all using a Palomar and running the tag end through?

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: wh2004] #13256517 08/22/19 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by wh2004
Are y’all using a Palomar and running the tag end through?



No I use the VMC spinshot hook shown in one of the earlier post. Gamakatsu has one also that I like better, has a pinch clasp for the weight side, but they are pricey.

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: wh2004] #13256523 08/22/19 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by wh2004
Are y’all using a Palomar and running the tag end through?


That is how I do it. A palomar and then run the tag line down. When I started drop shotting I idnt have much luck because I had a long tag line, maybe 18 inches.. I bring it down to as low as 6 now... You can texas rig it to make it weedless... or nose hook it but the tip is in the bait.. Don't give up, I have caught some good fish on ti when nothing else worked and I don't catch a lot of fish. lol

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: kirbydog] #13256524 08/22/19 07:46 PM
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Try a finesse worm instead of minnow bait. I fish drop shot all the time and catch tons on it, but I have tried a minnow bait off and on and have never caught a single fish with it, I have tried them all.

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: Sinkey] #13256526 08/22/19 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Sinkey
You just have to be patient with it. I learned from a guy name Billy Dyson on Fork back in 2005. And it took me about a year to really perfect it. I since took it and put some of my own touches on it, and honestly feel I can throw it any where and anytime and out catch most guys fishing around me. But I'd stay with about a 1/0 roboworm hook, 12" tag line, and 1/4 oz. pinch weight (cylinder). You can fish this set up any depth, and around any structure.


Billy could catch them from the Dead Sea on a drop shot. Sure do miss him.



Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? [Re: Ken A.] #13256538 08/22/19 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Ken A.
Originally Posted by Sinkey
You just have to be patient with it. I learned from a guy name Billy Dyson on Fork back in 2005. And it took me about a year to really perfect it. I since took it and put some of my own touches on it, and honestly feel I can throw it any where and anytime and out catch most guys fishing around me. But I'd stay with about a 1/0 roboworm hook, 12" tag line, and 1/4 oz. pinch weight (cylinder). You can fish this set up any depth, and around any structure.


Billy could catch them from the Dead Sea on a drop shot. Sure do miss him.


Same here man.

Also forgot to mention......the rod does most of the work. So I'd say that's the most important piece.

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