Texas Fishing Forum

Dropshot-what am I doing wrong?

Posted By: kirbydog

Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 04:28 PM

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?
Posted By: Sinkey

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 04:55 PM

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.
Posted By: RATZ

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 06:37 PM

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]
Posted By: wh2004

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 07:07 PM

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
Posted By: wh2004

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 07:13 PM

How do y’all keep from snagging when you nose hook the baits?
Posted By: dustinj707

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 07:22 PM

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.
Posted By: Creekhead

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 07:26 PM

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.
Posted By: 1oldbassguy

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 07:28 PM

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.
Posted By: CCTX

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 07:33 PM

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.
Posted By: wh2004

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 07:37 PM

Are y’all using a Palomar and running the tag end through?
Posted By: nitroslim

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 07:42 PM

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.
Posted By: Jake Blood

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 07:45 PM

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
Posted By: Shallow Waters

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 07:46 PM

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.
Posted By: Ken A.

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 07:46 PM

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.
Posted By: Sinkey

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 07:53 PM

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.
Posted By: wh2004

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 07:59 PM

I was using a spinning setup with braid and about 3-5’ pd fluoro leader. Could tell the braid had a hard time sinking. Stripped that off just now and going straight 10lb fluoro.
Posted By: RATZ

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 09:08 PM

the best thing about the hook I showed is that it keeps line twist down but also allows me to use a heaver line up top and a leader on the bottom to the weight with a lighter line. That way if the weight gets hung up, and it will if in a rocky area it will break off before your main line and all you have to do is retie the leader.
Posted By: senko9S

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 09:10 PM

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.
Posted By: Bruce Allen

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 09:18 PM

I fish it mainly shallow in cover using a 1/0 hook and Texas rig the worm or small fluke so the hook is not exposed. My biggest so far is a 8.88 LB. off a graph we use for 24 1/8" fish. It was heading in to spawn and probably went close to 10.

I have 2 drop shot rods, both conventions with 10 # Seaguar Invix. I noticed in the MLF that a lot of the pros use braid with a flourocarbon leader. I may try that the next rime I respool.
Posted By: Txduckhunter

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 09:24 PM

I've never thrown in water deeper than 6'..
I absolutely detest throwing it but it will catch fiah in cold water when nothing else seems to.
Posted By: Finesse EMPEROR/ Dropshot King

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 09:25 PM

I fish 10lb braid joined with a FG Knot to 8 or 10lb line, I use the gama drop shot hook tied Palomar with the line ran back through the eye to make sure the hook it facing up the line with a weight that will make constant contact with the bottom depending on the wind, and leader length is whatever you want honestly it doesn’t really matter I normally do a 6-8in leader so if I break off a weight I can retie it quickly. I will tell you there is no such thing as over working a dropshot! I’ve caught my most aggressive fish pop it like a dang spoon, but yes in the winter slowing working it works best. Also people will say it only catches dink’s lol my PB is 10.01 on a ned worm on a drop shot.
Posted By: txmasterpo

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 09:44 PM

Everyone pretty much covered the things you need to do.....use a finesse worm ( although I will go all the way up to a full size zoom trick worm), fluorocarbon line or braid to fluorocarbon...I use fluorocarbon from 10 lb to 14 lb depending on where I am fishing. I used tungsten cylinder weights (blacken them with a lighter or sometimes the fish will eat them) from 1/16 up to 1/2 depending on depth, wind, size of bait...I use Carlos Rivera's spin shot rigging hooks and Texas rig the worm.....I use a 10-16" leader of a lighter fluorocarbon than my mainline....I will throw it anywhere in any cover at any time, vertical, casting and dragging - popping it like a Texas rig....in brush piles and lay downs, edge of grass lines. I catch fish with it to the point that between that and my Texas rig craw or worm, it probably covers 65 % of my fishing time.
Posted By: kirbydog

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 10:01 PM

Thanks guys. The info helps alot.
Posted By: buda13

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 10:32 PM

First thing your doing wrong is... Fishing a drop shot! LOL! bolt

I was taught how to fish it by a buddy, unfortunately not Billy D. Took all but 2 fairy wands out of the boat before heading to the lake and committed to the drop shotting all day. That was the key to getting comfortable with it for me, or as comfortable as i could get with that upside down rod and light line. LOL I assure you if there had been other rods or baits in the boat I would have lost patience and switched before we ever really hit our stride. I always like the Chompers drop shot baits or a good ole zoom trick work rigged wacky. This is a last resort technique for me, so not something I do regularly, but if its a tournament situation and thats what I have to do to get bit I feel good about my ability to fish it.
Posted By: Monty Wright

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/22/19 11:57 PM

I know I’m in the minority here, but I never nose hook. I use a 3/0 Owner Cover Shot hook, tied with a Palomar knot and the tag end back through the eye of the hook. Full size trick worm, T-Rigged (skin hooked). I also reel-set the hook, reeling down and a slight pull. I went from zero confidence to fully confident that I will catch fish if they’re there and it all kicked in for me whenI changed hooks.
Posted By: ezbassin

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/23/19 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by wh2004
How do y’all keep from snagging when you nose hook the baits?


You don't need to nose hook your bait. Use an Owner 1/0 rigging hook and Tx.pose the fnesse worm. Use a 1/4 oz drop shot weight. Fish it shallow or deep around everything. You also do not need to use 6-8 pound test line for it to be effective. I drop shot all the time and I throw it on a bait caster. Most people will tell you to use spinning gear but you do not need to do that either.
Posted By: ezbassin

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/23/19 01:37 AM

Originally Posted by wh2004
Are y’all using a Palomar and running the tag end through?


Yes
Posted By: dk2429

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/23/19 01:54 AM

The fact that you are even drop shot fishing is the problem. All you need is a Texas rig
Posted By: Greg W

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/23/19 03:44 AM

Finesse worm. Robo in halogen dawn, green pumpkin, houdini all work well for me. Might try a spray of garlic if you aren't getting bit or dip the end of the green pumpkin in garlic. Dshot and Niko have been working best for me once the water gets hot and you need to fish > 15 fow.
Posted By: Poodle

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/23/19 03:57 AM

Just started drop shot fishing and yesterday after a little top water action switched to it . Caught fish all day even when it hit 102. Best day numbers wise I have had in a while. Hubbard creek has been a little stingy to me lately but not yesterday. Most of the bass ran 11/2 to 2 lbs.
Posted By: 361V

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/23/19 11:31 AM

Another vote for the “spin type” drop shot hooks: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/des...TkleBnNLTowfGiJcPx9cyHYDUOhoCbMwQAvD_BwE
Posted By: txmasterpo

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/23/19 01:38 PM

oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I fish it on a bait casting outfit way more than a spinning rig.....7'3 medium TFO tactical and a lew's team gold 6.4 reel
Posted By: JIM SR.

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/23/19 01:49 PM

"move the bait, not the weight" ..... fish
Posted By: BROWNING STRONG

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/23/19 01:57 PM

Great info , thanks gentlemen ! This is what the TEXAS FISHING forum is all about ! Morning dawn hologram by roboworm is a must and will produce on almost every lake !
Posted By: Sinkey

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/23/19 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by txmasterpo
oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I fish it on a bait casting outfit way more than a spinning rig.....7'3 medium TFO tactical and a lew's team gold 6.4 reel


I also fish it on a bait caster. Not many of us do that. And on the nose hook and getting hung up......I never nose hook a bait drop shotting.
Posted By: MagFluker

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/23/19 02:36 PM

Sometimes you need to get it above their eyes too. 3-5 reel turns up off the bottom and just hold it steady, I put my finger on the line to move the bait, I don't move the rod.
Posted By: txmasterpo

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/23/19 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Sinkey
Originally Posted by txmasterpo
oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I fish it on a bait casting outfit way more than a spinning rig.....7'3 medium TFO tactical and a lew's team gold 6.4 reel


I also fish it on a bait caster. Not many of us do that. And on the nose hook and getting hung up......I never nose hook a bait drop shotting.


me either...Texas rig always
Posted By: RATZ

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/23/19 08:10 PM

I also use a baitcaster. A falcon Buucoo
Posted By: ezbassin

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/29/19 12:31 AM

Originally Posted by dk2429
The fact that you are even drop shot fishing is the problem. All you need is a Texas rig



Drop shotting is a very good technique. Many times it works better than a Tx. rig. I assume you don't drop shot much, so you don't really know how effective it is.
Posted By: kirbydog

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/29/19 01:07 AM

Hey, went out the other day and caught about 10 in 2 hrs. before I switched to a ned rig.

You guys have helped my alot-I've shortened up the tag line to under 1 ft and just let the bait do its thing on a semi-slack line with
light shakes before moving it. And like somebody said-this is what makes this site so great.
Posted By: Hog Jaw

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/29/19 02:19 AM

I have better hook up if I pull instead of setting the hook .
Posted By: gatt40

Re: Dropshot-what am I doing wrong? - 08/29/19 02:39 AM

[spoiler][/spoiler]Use drop shot often. Either spinning set up or what I call power drop shot w/ bait caster & 12 pound floro. Have started using Spinshot dropshot hooks lately. Robo worms work but don’t be afraid to throw a Senko 5 inch or 4 inch. Senkos can be nose hooked or weedless. I usually let it hit bottom then move it by turning handle 2 or 3 turns and let it fall on semi slack line.



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