Texas Fishing Forum

Drop shot for cat fishing

Posted By: Bobbycat

Drop shot for cat fishing - 08/04/19 02:14 AM

Hi guys,
Do you use bass drop shot for cat fishing? I have added the slip bobber + slip shot, and I am very satisfied with the results. I use this rig during boat anchoring and drifting.
Anchoring:
In the shallow water, it works as the regular slip bobber rig with the sinker (1/4-1 oz) on the bottom. In the deep water, I use 1 oz sinker, and the submerged bobber keeps the leader in the vertical position.
Drifting:
If I use 1 oz sinker, the baits move along the bottom. If I use 0.25 oz sinker, the bobber floats, and I can fish at any depth, changing the stopper position.
Replacing the sinkers is very easy, using the fishing snap.

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Posted By: Jimbo

Re: Drop shot for cat fishing - 08/04/19 02:19 PM

I've made up what I call a "spider" rig where I make a leader by cutting about a four to six foot or longer piece of main line and double over about six to eight inches of line and hold the line between my fingers and form a loop....I then take the loop and tie a double overhand knot pulling out a loop of about four to five inches before cinching it down forming about a 4" leader off the main line that I attach a hook directly, or even a swivel with a clip for the hook.
You can drop down and tie off as many hook leaders as you wish, and then tie a snap swivel to the top of the tag end of the main line and then the weight at the bottom end of the leader.
I think having a little short leader off of the main line allows the bait to swim around a bit, or with cut bait, the hook/bait is not getting wrapped around the main line and thus interfere with the hookup and the fish.
I've used your rig for panfish, so it will probably work well with catfish.
Your design is simple and easy to tie, so if it works I would go with it! thumb
Posted By: Bobbycat

Re: Drop shot for cat fishing - 08/04/19 03:48 PM

Thanks, Jimbo, for your response. Before, I also did the dropper loops, but sometimes they wrapped around the leader. I have your "spider" rig on one my rod, it works great. But I've switched to palomar knots as I use only dead shad or cuts for fishing. I am not good with big circle hooks, and this drop shot design slightly prevents the deep swallowing J hooks which I use. It is also good for long distance casting.
Posted By: Jimbo

Re: Drop shot for cat fishing - 08/04/19 04:40 PM

Yep, I can see where you're use of "J" hooks come into play with that rig!
I hear you about the long distance casting as I'm trying a different rig on one of my longer bank fishing rods and it really helps getting distance without a flailing hook slowing the cast down, or the bait flying off.
The rig consist of first passing the main line through a swivel, and then placing a bead on the tag end that you just passed through that swivel, and then tying on (snelled) circle hook.
So what you end up with is a hook, bead, then the swivel. (the bead has to be large enough so it doesn't pass through the eye of the swivel).
You then take a short piece of line maybe 18" to 2 feet of line and tie one end to that swivel and the other end attach your weight of choice.
It casts a mile and no bait flopping around slowing the cast, and once the weight hits the bottom you can engage your clicker or have some slack in the line and the fish can run with the bait before you start cranking.
I've only used this setup on one rod, but it seems to work pretty good so far.
Posted By: Bobbycat

Re: Drop shot for cat fishing - 08/04/19 05:53 PM

Thanks, Jimbo, for the great idea. I've understood your design. Although, in general, I fish from the boat, I will try your rig on my creek.
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