How long of leader for dropshot ? And smallmouth baits 2025
Ksam1234 reply :
So I’m starting to get into drop shooting and going to try it this weekend. I will be fishing on Lake Erie but shallow area. I’ll be fishing in depths of 5-10 ft max . There are some vegetation starting to grow on the bottom but not a lot. Wondering how long I should put the weight and hook apart. Should it just Be a few inches ? Or go like 12 -15 inches so it hovers over the grass a little more.. also some good baits to start out with would be helpful 
thanks everyone. I have been trying to do as much research as possible myself also.
MN Fisher reply :
If you know the exact height of the weeds - inch or two above that. Otherwise wing it...I fish drop-shots above the weeds, not in them.
I use curly-tail worms, curly or twin-tail grubs, or lizards...the little twitches give them some action.
TOXIC reply :
My setup on Lake St Clair which is a lot like Erie is a standard 8-10 inch leader with a 1/4 oz QuickDrop dropshot weight. Baits are T-rigged on a gamakatsu #1 (not 1.0) ewg hook. Best baits in the world....Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm and 5" Pro Senko. I guarantee you fish if they are there, they will bite. Spinning rod with 6 or 8lb mono.
Dogface reply :
I usually try to use a leader that will get me above the surrounding cover. That is subject to immediate change depending on what my gut tells me.
Good luck!
Sam reply :
Ksam, good question and you will garner a lot of answers. The problem is that everyone is correct.
Alton Jones told us that the best way to measure your drop shot is to use a Plano tackle box as a ruler and make the leader the length of the tackle box.
That is a starting point. The secret is to know when to go longer or shorter. Only the bass know that answer so you have to experiment and have two or three drop shot setups ready to go.
So I always use a Plano tackle box and go from there. So far, it works.
Have fun; be safe; and let us see those monsters you will be pulling up from the depths.
A-Jay reply :
Good Question with plenty of great responses already.
Here's my take on drop shot leader length for smallies . . . .
Brown bass are by and large mostly sight feeders, (common knowledge) not to say they can't or don't feed in less that max visibility, but when it come to drop shots, I've done better in clearer water than stained or dirty.
With that in mind, if they can see your drop shot bait, and they are so inclined, they'll eat it. When I think about what the smb may be looking to feed on in the areas I'm presenting a drop shot - often here it's crayfish, gobies, perch and a few invertebrates during big fly season, some relate closer to the bottom and some don't. I'll use that as a 'guide' often times, to determine leader length.
Either way, whether it's 8 inches or 3 feet off the bottom, if they want it, they'll get it, if they don't, they won't: all I can do is my best to ensure they can at least see it, meaning up off the bottom and out of any cover.
The rest is up to them.
Finally, the single best tip I can offer when drop shotting smallies, is whether you're using a fluke, minnow, worm, stick or craw type bait - fish it like it was live bait. While shaking & jiggling your deal all over the lake can generate bites, most everything a smb is looking to eat is doing EVERYTHING it can to avoid detection. So attracting attention to itself seems counter productive to survival.
Instead, try casting your rig out, let it settle, pause a bit, perhaps drag it a bit, let it settle, pause some more . . you get the idea. Check how your rig looks boatside and learn how to make it do what you want it to do.
Good Luck and retie often - like before you need to; especially if you're fishing 6lb line & under.
A-Jay
Ksam1234 reply :
On 5/9/2019 at 5:45 AM, A-Jay said:Good Question with plenty of great responses already.
Here's my take on drop shot leader length for smallies . . . .
Brown bass are by and large mostly sight feeders, (common knowledge) not to say they can't or don't feed is less that max visibility, but when it come to drop shots, I've done better in clearer water than stained or dirty.
With that in mind, if they can see your drop shot bait, and they are so inclined, they'll eat it. When I think about what the smb may be looking to feed on in the areas I'm presenting a drop shot - often here it's crayfish, gobies, perch and a few invertebrates during big fly season, some relate closer to the bottom and some don't. I'll use that as a 'guide' often times to determine leader length.
Either way, whether it's 8 inches or 3 feet off the bottom, if they want it, they'll get it, if they don't, they won't: all I can do is my best to ensure they can at least see it, meaning up off the bottom and out of any cover.
The rest is up to them.
Finally, the single best tip I can offer when drop shotting smallies, is whether you're using a fluke, minnow, worm, stick or craw type bait - fish it like it was live bait. While shaking & jiggling your deal all over the lake can generate bites, most everything a smb is looking to eat is doing EVERYTHING it can to avoid detection. So attracting attention to itself seems counter productive to survival.
Instead, try casting your rig out, let it settle, pause a bit, perhaps drag it a bit, let it settle, pause some more . . you get the idea. Check how you rig looks boatside and learn how to make it do what you want it to do.
Good Luck and retie often - like before you need to; especially if you're fishing 6lb line & under.
A-Jay
Thank you everyone! I’ll will do my best to catch and show those big brown brutes. @Sam
LxVE Bassin reply :
18 inches is usually the length I go with. I barely fish it vertically so dragging the weight will lower the bait because of the angle.
waymont reply :
My favorite drop shot baits are Yum Kill shot and Warning Shot, Flukes, Zoom Meat Head
J Francho reply :
For the most part, any 3"-4" plastic bait will work. I like the Jackall Crosstail Shad for "do nothing" presentations, and the GYCB Shad Shaped Worm for when I impart the action. I'll give a nod to Roboworms and Gulp! Alive leeches and minnows. For leader length, I let the fish tell me. It takes about 10" to get the bait out of the "goby zone" up here. Any shorter, and you'll get pestered by gobies. I'll watch the graph, and if the smallies are coming up from the bottom to get the bait, then I'll stay with a short leader. If they're coming in from at or above, I'll increase the leader, sometimes to as much as 30". In a general sense, the smallies will hold tight to the bottom on bright sunny days, and be a little looser on overcast days. This is NOT a hard set rule. Pay attention to the graph. Also, pay attention to the graph!
islandbass reply :
On 5/9/2019 at 8:51 PM, LxVE Bassin said:18 inches is usually the length I to with. I barely fish it vertically so dragging the weight will lower the bait because of the angle.
This is my length too as a general start. It’s not too long or short. Your actual conditions might influence this length as has already been mentioned.
Ksam1234 reply :
On 5/9/2019 at 9:43 PM, J Francho said:For the most part, any 3"-4" plastic bait will work. I like the Jackall Crosstail Shad for "do nothing" presentations, and the GYCB Shad Shaped Worm for when I impart the action. I'll give a nod to Roboworms and Gulp! Alive leeches and minnows. For leader length, I let the fish tell me. It takes about 10" to get the bait out of the "goby zone" up here. Any shorter, and you'll get pestered by gobies. I'll watch the graph, and if the smallies are coming up from the bottom to get the bait, then I'll stay with a short leader. If they're coming in from at or above, I'll increase the leader, sometimes to as much as 30". In a general sense, the smallies will hold tight to the bottom on bright sunny days, and be a little looser on overcast days. This is NOT a hard set rule. Pay attention to the graph. Also, pay attention to the graph!
Sadly I don’t have a graph. I fish out of s kayak and haven’t gotten a graph yet. I’m mostly fishing for pre spawn smallies in 10 ft or less water. I’ll start out with a shorter lewder as the average depth I’m in is 5-6 ft I’ll try with 12 inches and see how that goes. If that’s to short I’ll try 18 ! Thanks everyone
J Francho reply :
I wouldn't bother with a drop shot that shallow, unless you encounter beds. For that, I recommend a long drop line. Here's how:
https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot-bedding-bass.html
Brad Reid reply :
I'll share a trick. Make your leader down to the dropped sinker rather long, say 36" but then add a rather tiny split shot about 6" above your hook.
Make your "drop" and pull your line slightly taut. If you are too high, no fish biting, drop your rod tip slowly and the split shot will gently drop and pull the hook and plastic lower. You can work from 36" to 6" in this example.
Brad
Quote
OkobojiEagle reply :
Study a little about the Neko rig...
The Short Fisherman reply :
I like keeping my weight around 15 inches underneath the hook. You can pretty much dropshot any bait you want and catch a fish, but finesse worms and other shad shaped baits work the best for me. Paddle tails also work pretty good
Fishin' Fool reply :
On 5/9/2019 at 1:40 AM, Ksam1234 said:So I’m starting to get into drop shooting and going to try it this weekend. I will be fishing on Lake Erie but shallow area. I’ll be fishing in depths of 5-10 ft max . There are some vegetation starting to grow on the bottom but not a lot. Wondering how long I should put the weight and hook apart. Should it just Be a few inches ? Or go like 12 -15 inches so it hovers over the grass a little more.. also some good baits to start out with would be helpful
12" or so early in the season. Are you familiar with Poor Boys Erie Darters for a drop shot bait? If not familiarize yourself with those.
WRB reply :
You have the Aaron Martens school of drop shot and everyone else.
Aaron uses a short leader and light weight between 1/16 oz to 3/16 oz.
Short leader of 3" to 8" and doesn't always let the sinker hit bottom.
Everyone else lets the sinker hit bottom and gently shakes the line.
8" to 24" is about the distance between the hook and weight I use, depending on what I see on my sonar and what the bass react to.
Roboworms, Iovino worms, Basstrix Flashtrix minnows.
Drop shot for me is light line finesse presentation using spinning tackle.
Line Sunline 7 lb Sniper FC or 5 lb Max UG mono,
Hooks Owner mosquito or 5133 down shot hook.
Tom
GeekFisher reply :
On 5/9/2019 at 10:43 PM, J Francho said:I wouldn't bother with a drop shot that shallow, unless you encounter beds. For that, I recommend a long drop line. Here's how:
https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot-bedding-bass.html
Awesome article ! I am fishing your area next week-end and they might be bedding depending on water temps. As a Canadian, I pretty much know nothing about spawn/pre-spawn fishing as it is closed here till mid June...
J Francho reply :
Don't count on them bedding. Things are warming up a little slow this spring.
RB 77 reply :
I would try both and see what your results are. I have done both in a similar situation with good results.
bunz559 reply :
I usually do a 4-6 foot leader for dropshotting. Gives plenty of line for visibility and also gives me extra line if I need to retie.
GeekFisher reply :
On 5/10/2019 at 9:19 PM, J Francho said:Don't count on them bedding. Things are warming up a little slow this spring.
I'm looking at the water temp there daily. I am pretty sure LMB will not bed but it might be just enough to trigger smallies to do so.
J Francho reply :
I don't think water temps have cracked the mid 50s yet. We've only had a few days warmer than the 40s, and nights have been freezing. I'm thinking you're going to find a lot of fish with their prespawn feedbags on.
Ksam1234 reply :
On 5/11/2019 at 5:07 AM, J Francho said:I don't think water temps have cracked the mid 50s yet. We've only had a few days warmer than the 40s, and nights have been freezing. I'm thinking you're going to find a lot of fish with their prespawn feedbags on.
Which is even better , the love feed bags , weather has sucked but it’s pushing the pre spawn further I think.
LxVE Bassin reply :
On 5/11/2019 at 1:07 AM, bunz559 said:I usually do a 4-6 foot leader for dropshotting. Gives plenty of line for visibility and also gives me extra line if I need to retie.
The actual leader or length from the hook to the weight?
offsidewing reply :
On 5/9/2019 at 9:43 PM, J Francho said:For the most part, any 3"-4" plastic bait will work. I like the Jackall Crosstail Shad for "do nothing" presentations, and the GYCB Shad Shaped Worm for when I impart the action. I'll give a nod to Roboworms and Gulp! Alive leeches and minnows. For leader length, I let the fish tell me. It takes about 10" to get the bait out of the "goby zone" up here. Any shorter, and you'll get pestered by gobies. I'll watch the graph, and if the smallies are coming up from the bottom to get the bait, then I'll stay with a short leader. If they're coming in from at or above, I'll increase the leader, sometimes to as much as 30". In a general sense, the smallies will hold tight to the bottom on bright sunny days, and be a little looser on overcast days. This is NOT a hard set rule. Pay attention to the graph. Also, pay attention to the graph!
+1 for Roboworms and Yamamoto Shad shaped worm drop shotting for smallies.
TOXIC reply :
I will add to my comment earlier that I drastically shorten the leader in rocks and tend to keep the bait moving more. What I have found that really helps is to use a quality dropshot weight. I use QuickDrop teardrop weights and have gone a full week on Lake St Clair dropshotting and never lost a weight whereas before using cheap Bass Pro cylinder weights, I have gone through boxes of them. It does matter.
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