I plan to try some drop shotting this weekend on Ray Roberts. One question, when fishing deeper depths (20'ish ft) how much distance should there be between the weight and the hook? Is 12-18 inches the range? Please don't tell me it depends on the structure...:)

Ok I won't. It depends on where you think the fish are in relation to the bottom.

It depends on the structure and the depth. A few simple facts...
1. When casting make the leader(hook to weight) longer 18-24"
2. When dropping straight down to suspended fish or particular fish on your graph. 6-18"
3. Nose hooking is best but only if your not hanging up every 5min, so Texas rig if needed.
4. Small hooks are best, don't be afraid to throw the #1 or #2, the fish will stay buttoned unless you horses em. The 1/0 is best when on a lake where bigg uns live.
5. Use a light tipped rod so you don't pull it away from them.


I hope this helps, I'm in MI on the detroit river now so if I missed or if I learn any more this week I'll let you know

This all makes since. This is new to me. I did purchase a spinning rod "for my kids" that has a medium action..

Someone forgot to mention,not to horse them,and instead of a hard hookset,just reel into them and when you feel them set the hook lightly,remember you are fishing a small hook and hopefully a rod with a light tip

I like a 1 ton drop shot with the hook 2/0-3/0 around 6"-8" off botton w/3/8 oz weight on 16# floro line.Fished on a Castaway ML 7'10" w/left handed reel.Great for pitching under docks and around poles or deep 8'-22'durning the heat of the day.Use mostly a white 3"fluke hooked the same way as with any other rig.Works for me.You can horse this rig all you want.I did cut down to a thin wire small offset hook.

If I am pitching to shallow cover (3-8 foot), I keep it 4-6 inches max.

Deeper water, I like 6 to 18 inches.

Thank you for the advice. This is great.

Go no shorter than the length of the bait and no longer than what you can cast.
Do not put this technique into a little box and say this or that is the only way it will work though, as how and where this rig will catch fish will surprise you.

I tie mine with a leader about this long

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Good drop shot advise always comes from Jim, I enjoyed picking his brain during the inaugural year of the Weekend Series. Drop shot is one of my go-to's now, and a lot of what I do came from Jim.

I change mine depending on how far the fish are suspended off the bottom.

I try different lengths after watching my FF