Going to be trying some drop shot fishing next weekend 2025
Ralph Nicholas Vito reply :
Been checking out how to rig the drop shot ... a lot of people use braid and Flouro ... can i not use Mono for a drop shot :?
CroakHunter reply :
Sure you can. I use braid to a mono leader
Ralph Nicholas Vito reply :
On 8/5/2018 at 7:19 AM, CroakHunter said:Sure you can. I use braid to a mono leader
I've never used a leader before is it required to do a drop shot ? i can't tell in some of the videos i'm watching if they are using leaders or just the main line itself
Log Catcher reply :
Using mono won't be a problem. I use 10 pound mono for a main line. I then use a barrel swivel and tie on about a 3 foot florocarbon leader.
A leader is not required. I use a leader with the barrel swivel to help stop line twist problems. I should have added my leader is 8 pound floro.
tander reply :
You can use all mono or all fc, all will work. I use 10# braid with a 5 foot leader of fc, with fc again below the hook to the sinker.
DropShotHotShot reply :
Mono can be used for anything, but braid to floro will have less stretch and me more sensitive. So you can use it, but floro is better if you can afford it
Fishin Dad reply :
I agree with Dropshothotshot that braid is more sensitive and Braid also handles better on a spinning reel.
MIbassyaker reply :
I don't understand how line stretch would be a factor in drop shotting, unless you're using heavy rod with the drag locked down. With the drag set properly on a classic drop shot set up, with an ML spinning rod, how would you even notice any line stretch?
You may find you prefer the sensitivitiy or braid or flouro, but mono will do just fine with a drop shot.
DropShotHotShot reply :
Line stretch affects sensitivity. The big smallies I have got have been very light bites.
WRB reply :
Drop shot rig pre dates modern super braids and fluorocarbon line and worked good.
Mono line was the line of choice for nearly every lure presentation.
Today using small diameter braid on spinning reels with a mono or FC leader is popular in part because the combination helps resolve line twisting issues.
I don't like braid with leaders because 2 knots to fail, prefer using mono or straight FC.
Tom
islandbass reply :
On 8/5/2018 at 7:15 AM, Ralph Nicholas Vito said:Been checking out how to rig the drop shot ... a lot of people use braid and Flouro ... can i not use Mono for a drop shot :?
Absolutely! When I don’t have fc, I use mono. Matter of fact, I’ve been using 6# mono for about the past 4 years. The non-mono are pricey for my rip rap situation when drop shotting. Don’t hesitate to use mono if you want to use it.
TOXIC reply :
I am with Tom 100% on this. My dropshot spinning reel is spooled with 6-8lb mono......period. I wouldn't be against using fluro but in my experience it doesn't behave well on spinning rods. Most line twist is due to the way your bait is rigged. If it spins when you retrieve it, there will be twist no doubt. It is also a problem when you oversize the bait. I never bought into the braid + leader craze for the same reasons. More failure points. I have caught 5lb + smallies on this setup for 15 years on Lake St Clair and plenty of bass here in Virginia. Since the bait is above the weight in a dropshot presentation I don't need any additional sensitivity with quality gear. I'm sure Ill be catching a lot of dropshot fish next week on my annual trip to Wisconsin and their clear water. And the only bait I have ever tied a swivel to is a C-Rig. Call me old skool. 
Ralph Nicholas Vito reply :
I have 0 idea what I’m doing wrong right now i rigged it right ONCE! Now all of a sudden I’ve turned into an idiot and don’t know what to do.... when tying the palomar knot do i pull on BOTH tag and main line to cinch? Or just main or just tag!?!? No one shows that part in tutorials very well
Ralph Nicholas Vito reply :
what am i doing wrong ... seriously WTH ! i did it right flipping once now all the stupid hook does is bend down i literally have used almost ALL of my line just trying to get this right ! why am i so stupid ? is it just too hard of a knot to do ? or rig? but i did it right 1 time .... the hook stayed up and everything????
Mjmj reply :
On 8/6/2018 at 2:04 AM, WRB said:Drop shot rig pre dates modern super braids and fluorocarbon line and worked good
You can correct me if I'm wrong, but the pre braid drop shot fishing was done in saltwater fishing. If this is true (used this saltwater fishing as a kid) I remember the fish ( Pollack) hammering this bait and sensitivity was not an issue.
On 8/9/2018 at 11:58 AM, Ralph Nicholas Vito said:what am i doing wrong ... seriously WTH ! i did it right flipping once now all the stupid hook does is bend down i literally have used almost ALL of my line just trying to get this right ! why am i so stupid ? is it just too hard of a knot to do ? or rig? but i did it right 1 time .... the hook stayed up and everything????
Tie your palomar knot. Pull the main line and the tag end together to tighten the knot. Take you tag end and run it through the hook eye. Pull the tag end till the knot comes through the hook eye
TOXIC reply :
Personally, I only pull the tag end to cinch because the friction on the line will possibly weaken it and I want that possible failure point on the weight side not above the hook. Your hook is hanging vertical because you have the bait on it. If you want to check if your hook is facing the right way after you tie it on put a little pressure on the tag end without your bait and it should stand up. If it doesn't, run it back through the hook eye from the top. I Texas rig my DS baits with a #1 EWG hook but that is just me. I don't like to nose hook DS baits.
J Francho reply :
On 8/9/2018 at 8:24 PM, TOXIC said:Personally, I only pull the tag end to cinch because the friction on the line will possibly weaken it and I want that possible failure point on the weight side not above the hook.
I do this too. In my seminars, my speaking partner Paul would tie up a Palomar on 6# Invisx and only get a little more than 4 lbs. out of the not. Conversely, I'd tie a Palomar on the same line, and get just over 6 lbs. before it broke. The lesson was, It's not the line, it's the person tying the line. I noted the difference was in how each of us cinched the knot.
For the OP, think of the DS as a terminal rig. Any soft plastic bait, any hook/line/sinker can be used. Make your decision on what to use based off the cover, depth, and bait you're using.
Team9nine reply :
Sounds like this might be a bit contrary, but IMO, if you are tying a Palomar correctly, you pull both lines (main and tag) together and there should be almost zero friction with this knot. It simply cinches up immediately. The only line-lure connecting knot I've ever used with every line type for over 30 years now without a problem.
J Francho reply :
On 8/9/2018 at 10:44 PM, Team9nine said:Sounds like this might be a bit contrary, but IMO, if you are tying a Palomar correctly, you pull both lines (main and tag) together and there should be almost zero friction with this knot. It simply cinches up immediately. The only line-lure connecting knot I've ever used with every line type for over 30 years now without a problem.
I do this, but the main always cinches before the tag. I *could* pull the main more, but that always results in a kink before the knot, so I pull the tag. It's a knot I trust as well.
Team9nine reply :
Would be interesting to compare short video of how we each tie. My main doesn't cinch before tag with any line except braid, and in that instance, I too always pull tag only at that point. But fluor/mono/copoly all just cinch together instantly by pulling both lines equally for me.
J Francho reply :
I was thinking the same. I'll try to make time, though it doesn't matter - my knots are pretty strong.
Team9nine reply :
I'll try and do the same. More just curious than anything as text explanations sometimes just aren't ideal. Agree that if a knot works for you, that's all that matters - don't fix it if it ain't broke. Thoroughly whipped a 16 pound buffalo yesterday on 3# braid with a 6# leader and a FG/Palomar knot combo.
PAbasser927 reply :
After I happened to catch this video I started tying my Palomars by cinching it on my finger before pulling it to the hook eye. Turned this knot from something I never used to my new go-to. When it is cinched around your finger you can even check to make sure the lines are not crossed and fix them if they are. I have yet to break off at the knot since learning this way.
TOXIC reply :
Great tip on leaving the tag end longer to act as a weed guard!! I do almost the same thing with my finger but I additionally grab the head of the shakey head so that my fingers are up to the bottom of the hook eye. That keeps the line from cinching on the shaft of hookeye instead of itself. On a dropshot, in order to reduce the amount of line the knot has to travel down to the hook eye, I pull it down loosely on the hookeye with my fingers positioned like I explained on the shakeyhead to keep it from cinching on the shaft and to also eliminate a long pull of line from the tag end. Flyfishing taught me that to keep from wasting a lot of tippet when you retie.
Janderson45 reply :
Good point by J Francho, as is true with just about any presentation, line size and type should be adjusted based on numerous factors. Some of those factors would be: fishing depth, density of cover, type of cover, water clarity, target species, size of the bait, and specifications of the rod/reel you are using.
The majority of my personal dropshot fishing is used in deep clear water reservoirs or lakes with sparse cover, targetting smallmouth. My typical setup for this is a 7'6 MLXF spinning rod, size 2500 Stradic, spooled with 10lb braid topped off with a 30 foot leader of 6lb tatsu. I then use a size 1 or size 2 gammy dropshot hook, and a 1/8 thru 1/4oz weight. Generally I use about a 6" dropper for the weight, but I will go down to as little as 4" and as much as 18". 6-8" on the dropper is usually the sweet spot for me, shorter if the fish are more aggressive and longer if they are really sluggish.
I use a crazy Alberto knot for the line to leader, than a palomar for the drop shot knot itself. Sometimes the Palomar takes a couple of attempts to get a finished product I'm happy with. I used to use the swivel shot hooks which did a great job in eliminating line twist, but I felt that the extra metal might be costing me a few bites and I lost a good smallmouth because the swivel bent out on one of those hooks. Probably had my drag too tight but still a frustrating way to lose a nice fish. I fish the whole setup with very light drag, probably about 1.5lbs of drag pressure and I adjust it up or down from there as needed.
Ralph Nicholas Vito reply :
So basically once the bait hits the water the bait will float a bit causing the bait to be straight up ? i got it pretty close to the hook pointing straight up but it's not like perfect like i see all these pros doing it
The one time i did it right the hook was straighter than it is now
islandbass reply :
On 8/9/2018 at 8:24 PM, TOXIC said:Personally, I only pull the tag end to cinch because the friction on the line will possibly weaken it and I want that possible failure point on the weight side not above the hook. Your hook is hanging vertical because you have the bait on it. If you want to check if your hook is facing the right way after you tie it on put a little pressure on the tag end without your bait and it should stand up. If it doesn't, run it back through the hook eye from the top. I Texas rig my DS baits with a #1 EWG hook but that is just me. I don't like to nose hook DS baits.
Yup! I do this too. I will also nose, wacky or texas rig my bait depending on the situation. For example, if the nose presentation isn't cutting it, I'll switch to wacky (and vice versa) to change it up and it can pay off. If the environment is grassy, I will t-rig it with the appropriate hook.
To the OP: If this hasn't been said already, one way to guarantee that your hook will be correctly positioned is the hold your hook upright such that the point is facing the sky AND, the big and... You start the palomar knot inserting the line into the hook eye. The direction of the line is toward the ground and not skyward. Continue to finish the knot.
Another thing I do is run the tag end through the eye after completing the knot, and once again from the top.
Janderson45 reply :
On 8/5/2018 at 11:08 AM, MIbassyaker said:I don't understand how line stretch would be a factor in drop shotting, unless you're using heavy rod with the drag locked down. With the drag set properly on a classic drop shot set up, with an ML spinning rod, how would you even notice any line stretch?
You may find you prefer the sensitivitiy or braid or flouro, but mono will do just fine with a drop shot.
Not sure the drag has anything to do with it? I get what you're saying that the line will "stretch" more with a fish on and a heavier drag pressure, but I don't think the concern in mono's line stretch properties is due to fish fighting.
For me, braid to Fluoro leader is a must in my typical drop shot fishing. Not only does the no stretch property of braid give you better sensitivity to feel the bottom and fish bites, it also requires you to move far less line to get a solid hookset in deep water.
Additionally, small diameter (lb test) braids sink through the water column much better for deep water fishing due to the significantly reduced drag.
Janderson45 reply :
On 8/10/2018 at 6:06 AM, Ralph Nicholas Vito said:So basically once the bait hits the water the bait will float a bit causing the bait to be straight up ? i got it pretty close to the hook pointing straight up but it's not like perfect like i see all these pros doing it
The one time i did it right the hook was straighter than it is now
Yes, especially if you are using a bait with a flat bottom. If you are, make sure the flat bottom is facing down and it will create a lot of drag/buoyancy keeping the bait pointing upright. Will work with any bait though. As long as the hookpoint is facing upwards when you pull on the tag end you should be alright.
Ralph Nicholas Vito reply :
On 8/10/2018 at 7:05 AM, Janderson45 said:
Yes, especially if you are using a bait with a flat bottom. If you are, make sure the flat bottom is facing down and it will create a lot of drag/buoyancy keeping the bait pointing upright. Will work with any bait though. As long as the hookpoint is facing upwards when you pull on the tag end you should be alright.
I'm using a Fluke style bait
So basically the water current will keep it suspended ? even in a pond :? i was worried that the bait would bend the hook down against the line so the bait faces straight up to the sky
Janderson45 reply :
On 8/10/2018 at 8:11 AM, Ralph Nicholas Vito said:I'm using a Fluke style bait
So basically the water current will keep it suspended ? even in a pond :? i was worried that the bait would bend the hook down against the line so the bait faces straight up to the sky
Easy enough to test out, just cast it in the water near the boat and look at it. But yes, if the rig is set up correctly the fluke should stand out straight not fall down towards the line.
Boomstick reply :
Fluorocarbon will give you better action, but you should be fine to use mono.
Mjmj reply :
On 8/10/2018 at 6:07 AM, islandbass said:Another thing I do is run the tag end through the eye after completing the knot, and once again from the top.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Ralph Nicholas Vito reply :
Used it out on the pod i fish .. a little dink hit it just as the bait hit the water lol soooooooo ? i guess it works? but the fluke was missing when i brought him in
MIbassyaker reply :
On 8/10/2018 at 6:24 AM, Janderson45 said:
Not sure the drag has anything to do with it? I get what you're saying that the line will "stretch" more with a fish on and a heavier drag pressure, but I don't think the concern in mono's line stretch properties is due to fish fighting.
Pressure on the line should bend the rod and pull drag before it beings to stretch the line. Essentially, line stretch should only be a factor when there aren't any other sources of "give", such as when the rod requires more force to bend (higher power), or when the drag is tight.
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