Not yak related but saw some nice bass caught off the drop shot rig shown below. Anyone have any tips/experience on this rig? When to use, etc? I'd imagine it's probably best to go with a light weight (3/16 or so) to allow the worm to fall slowly and naturally as opposed to using a 1/2 oz weight, which would pull the worm down faster. Only problem with using the light weight for me is the rod I use (spinning vs. baitcaster). I almost exclusively use a caster and have trouble throwing light tackle with the caster (many backlashes with anything less than 3/8 oz). When I use light tackle, I force myself to use the spinning rod, which I don't prefer.

So, thoughts on the drop shot?
And any tips on throwing light tackle with a caster?

Bet you could even tie another hook and worm on and have 2 worms out there dangling.

I'm very interested in both of those questions. I also like the idea of doubling up worms on this. Anyone ever tried that?

I'm new to using baitcasters in general, and while I've gotten very good at using them for spinners/buzzbaits/big crankbaits and rarely get backlashes now, I don't even try to throw light tackle with them. I'd love to hear any tips from people.

aka Wacky rig? I know of at least one pro that almost uses this exclusively, but he has the right high-tech electronics to go along with it to target big fish.

Also, I don't "think" this rig is made for casting... only dropping straight down, so in that case it wouldn't really matter which reel is being used.

The size of the weight has more to do with keeping it on the bottom/feeling the bottom than the sink rate for the worm. This rig is made to fish the bottom and to be fished slowly. I alternate between and a baitcaster and my spinning rod doesnt really make much of a difference to me which one I use. Also prefer the VMC spinshot hooks to keep line twist down. If you use a standard hook I would reccommend having a swivel above because line twist can get seriously bad on a drop shot.

My favorite brand of worms to use are roboworm, just something about them that hte bass seem to like more, but I have had success throwing just about anything really. That includes crawdad style baits as well. Its a very versatile rig and when the bite is tough it can make a bad day a great one!

Should have answered the baitcaster question a lil better. I throw mine on a medium action rod and use a Lew's speed spool. I have no problem casting this thing far even with a light weight.

Roboworms are great for drop shot. I like using smaller hand poured worms for drop shot. I had to learn this technique when I lived in AZ. The water was super clear and the fish were really spooky. I like that you can feel the bite before the weight. Also you can really dance that worm in the same spot to trigger a reaction bite.

JB,

I used DS a lot up north where we have a lot of water that is "unstructured." Drop shotting is a great finesse technique for open, deeper flat ground that is less weeded. For example, I fished it a lot in PA when there'd be a big drop off... We have a lot of quarries up there where dropshotting is awesome! Or when a weed bed ended with a flat area of weedless water. In PA, it was also great for bedding bass and you could place the lure on the flat right in front of the bass really easily.

We also adapt the rig up there as a great way to go after suspending fish in deeper water. Like spooning, you can use your electronics to know how deep the fish are and then adjust your rig accordingly. Set it so the plastic is a little higher than the bass are, as theyll typically look up for the food. I liked doing this better than spooning for suspended fish because you didn't have to be right over them as much, and you could "walk" the rig into the school.

I didn't find I needed a very heavy sinker. The looping nature of the flight of the rig seemed to often put enough tension on line to avoid backlashes, but I did tend to increase my sinker size depending on the wind when using my baitcaster. However, I eventually just made my spinning reel my dropshot rig.

By the way, you probably know this, but drop shotting is great for other species of fish as well.

JR

What Nathan and Yak Fin state (and JR...looks like we were posting at the same time). I would actually use the heavier weight. The fall rate does not really mean much on a drop shot rig (nor does the type of rod used). You want the weight to "stay" on the bottom as you work it in slowly. You can give the rod short little twitches to make the worm dance as you bring it in.

It can be a deadly rig. Works great for working a worm on the bottom above the bottom muck or trash. You just kinda hop your weight along the bottom as the worm is 12"-14" above the weight. I must admit I don't use it much for bass, but it has been an absolute killer rig for sunfish.

Swivel above the hook like this?


Or swivel for the hook like this?


If no swivel for the hook, I'll use the palomar knot and use the barrel swivel above.

I love it with a clean bottom. But with timber or rocks it gets hung up mighty easy. It's a great rig for keeping your bait in the "strike zone" for long periods of time though.

lots of good responses here, one thing i will add; in choosing weight, the depth of water and wind conditions you are fishing will make determining this much easier.

go up 1/4 oz per 10' of depth, starting at 10'. under 10' use 1/8 oz. if there is more than a breeze, bump up the weight a little.

same methodology for c-rig

of course there are exceptions, but this is a good starting point.

Yes either of those methods would work. Or you can just buy the VMC spin shot hooks that already have the swivel incorporated. With those you can tie whichever knot you prefer and its easier to adjust your length on the leader line for the weight. I think Carlos here on the forums who owns RiverATackle makes a nice dropshot hook with swivel as well. Tons of options out there!

Also like was mentioned, drop shot's can get hung very easily in rocks (mostly the weight which is easy to replace but still annoying) That being said they do make different style weights depending on the bottom type you are fishing.

Wanted to add that I have succesfully caught a LMB using this technique while holding my rod and line tight while I was texting my wife. I was literally doing "nothing" with the worm and my line just took off. Its a great tool for sure.

Awesome, appreciate all the advice

I personally use the smallest weight I can get away with depending on conditions. I also use the smallest hook I can get away with as well. Hook size depends on the size of the worm. In tournaments I use roboworms, but when fishing for fun I use zoom finesse worms. You get so many of them in one pack and they catch fish. If the water is ultra clear I might actually lengthen the distance from the weight to the hook. Sometimes quite a bit. In murky water you can sometimes get away with having very little distance!

On some days you practically have to drag the weight. While some days you can get away with fishing it very fast! Let the bass tell you what they want!