UL's for Dropshotting? 2025
Attila reply :
Hi everyone,
Just wondering if anyone here has tried using an UL for drop shotting purposes? I've got a 7' Daiwa Presso that I run 10lbs braid with a fluro leader on and I'm thinking of using this as a drop shotting rod as well.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
S Hovanec reply :
I don't think it woukd have the power needed to get hook penetration. Sometimes a ML isn't even enough.
Raul reply :
Of course it can be used for dropshotting, nose hooked baits on thin wire razor sharp hooks are the ticket, my favorite hook for that purpose ( and wacky rigging too ) is Owner Mutu Light hook, on the other hand, 10 lb braid -----> I don´t think so, I use 6 lb test YoZuri Hybrid or Trilene XT for that purpose, the only catch is ..... don´t set the hook !, maintaining a tight line let the fish hook itself.
blckshirt98 reply :
I use an UL (Phenix Elixir) fairly often for dropshotting - setup is a size 1000 reel with 8# braid mainline with 6# or 7# fluoro leader, and size 4 Owner Mosquito hooks. Raul is correct with nose hooking your baits so the hook is exposed, you shouldn't have any problems with hook penetration. You dont' want to "snap" your rod with a traditional hookset but just reel in any slack and sweep the rod to the side. I think you'll be fine with your 10# braid mainline, just tie on a small power swivel and use 6 or 7 lb fluoro for your leader.
Attila reply :
On 3/8/2016 at 3:25 AM, S Hovanec said:I don't think it woukd have the power needed to get hook penetration. Sometimes a ML isn't even enough.
Hi, thanks for your input. I thought about that but last fall I managed to land a couple of smaller sized musky using the same setup so thought that I'd give it a try for drop shotting.
On 3/8/2016 at 3:31 AM, Raul said:Of course it can be used for dropshotting, nose hooked baits on thin wire razor sharp hooks are the ticket, my favorite hook for that purpose ( and wacky rigging too ) is Owner Mutu Light hook, on the other hand, 10 lb braid -----> I don´t think so, I use 6 lb test YoZuri Hybrid or Trilene XT for that purpose, the only catch is ..... don´t set the hook !, maintaining a tight line let the fish hook itself.
Thanks Raul, that's what I was thinking. I use the braid as the mainline and use a 4lbs fluro leader with a VMC Spinshot hook. Dropshotting is completely new to me and I've seen a lot of people mentioning not setting the hook; sounds like the way to go!
On 3/8/2016 at 3:42 AM, blckshirt98 said:I use an UL (Phenix Elixir) fairly often for dropshotting - setup is a size 1000 reel with 8# braid mainline with 6# or 7# fluoro leader, and size 4 Owner Mosquito hooks. Raul is correct with nose hooking your baits so the hook is exposed, you shouldn't have any problems with hook penetration. You dont' want to "snap" your rod with a traditional hookset but just reel in any slack and sweep the rod to the side. I think you'll be fine with your 10# braid mainline, just tie on a small power swivel and use 6 or 7 lb fluoro for your leader.
Hi blckshirt98, I appreciate the feedback that you've provided. Was wondering if I could ask your thoughts on the following line setup? Braid to fluro via double uni knot, fluro to VMC Spinshot hook via palomar knot, then 2lbs fluro to weight via a couple of overhand knots.
Any additional thoughts are appreciated as this whole drop shotting this is completely new to me!
blckshirt98 reply :
I used to use a double-uni but had a lot of breakage issues - it might just have been me and my knot tying but no matter how careful I was I always got breaks on the fluoro at the braid connection. I now use the smallest size Spro Power Swivel and have zero breakage issues. If your double-uni holds up that's fine, and more power to you. Everything else looks good, though the 2# VMC-to-weight you may want to use a heavier fluoro - 2# may be too light where you'll lose a lot of weights because you'll hit a lot of rocks/debris on the bottom and it'll break off when pulling your rig free.
One new hook that really caught my eye is the Gamakatsu G Finesse Swivel Shot. They're not cheap but they're basically the VMC Spinshot that replaces the bottom eye with a crimp, so rigging will be faster/easier.
Felix77 reply :
I tried an UL and found myself losing fish when reel setting. Reverted back to a Medium and that stopped. FWIW ... I use a #1 VMC spinshot and braid to FC via an Alberto knot.
S Hovanec reply :
I use 15# Tuf-Line with a 6# Inviz-X leader, Owner Mosquito hooks (and I nose hook all plastics) and a MLXF rod and I still have some fish come unbuttoned. I also have a Mag-Lite/XF NFC dropshot and I really feel it's underpowered.
Attila reply :
On 3/8/2016 at 6:17 AM, blckshirt98 said:I used to use a double-uni but had a lot of breakage issues - it might just have been me and my knot tying but no matter how careful I was I always got breaks on the fluoro at the braid connection. I now use the smallest size Spro Power Swivel and have zero breakage issues. If your double-uni holds up that's fine, and more power to you. Everything else looks good, though the 2# VMC-to-weight you may want to use a heavier fluoro - 2# may be too light where you'll lose a lot of weights because you'll hit a lot of rocks/debris on the bottom and it'll break off when pulling your rig free.
One new hook that really caught my eye is the Gamakatsu G Finesse Swivel Shot. They're not cheap but they're basically the VMC Spinshot that replaces the bottom eye with a crimp, so rigging will be faster/easier.
Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic. For me, I guess I just don't like the notion of attaching too much terminal tackle to the line which is why I choose to go with the double uni. I haven't had issues with it and hope that my success with it will continue. I agree with using some heavier line to the weight as you point out, though, and think I might bump it up to 4lbs test given the rocks that I'm fishing are loosely scattered and I still have plenty of room to hop the rig around.
I was looking at the Gamakatsu hook you mentioned and was tempted, I'm just not sold on the crimp style and don't mind taking the time to tie a knot in its place...
On 3/8/2016 at 6:23 AM, Felix77 said:I tried an UL and found myself losing fish when reel setting. Reverted back to a Medium and that stopped. FWIW ... I use a #1 VMC spinshot and braid to FC via an Alberto knot.
Thanks for your feedback Felix77; were you drop shotting deeper water or shallower water when you were losing fish? Long/short lead? I'm wondering if having the presentation more horizontal in nature instead of vertical will help me with the type of hook set (which isn't really a hook set!) which could result in more fish...thoughts?
On 3/8/2016 at 8:15 AM, S Hovanec said:I use 15# Tuf-Line with a 6# Inviz-X leader, Owner Mosquito hooks (and I nose hook all plastics) and a MLXF rod and I still have some fish come unbuttoned. I also have a Mag-Lite/XF NFC dropshot and I really feel it's underpowered.
Thanks for your reply S Hovanec; definitely good to know. I was looking at a drop shot specific rod but you're not the first to say that they're underpowered too.
Thanks to everyone for their feedback!
Puggz reply :
Yes but with conditions. Hookset will be compromised but since you're using braid that helps a lot. I wouldn't dropshot too deep with it but what the heck, try it. I use a 7'6" ML Xfast and I just give it a good yank (or 3!) to set the hook.. works great. Also, a top quality hook will help. I recommend the Trokar or something equivilent.
blckshirt98 reply :
On 3/8/2016 at 9:51 AM, Attila said:I was looking at the Gamakatsu hook you mentioned and was tempted, I'm just not sold on the crimp style and don't mind taking the time to tie a knot in its place...
Are you using normal weights you need to tie a knot to attach your line, or the dropshot weights with those crimps? I was reallllllly sketchy of those crimp weights without tying a knot when I first started dropshotting but those crimps hold your line ridiculously well. With 2# or 4# test your line will probably break before the line comes out of the crimp.
On 3/8/2016 at 10:27 AM, Puggz said:I use a 7'6" ML Xfast and I just give it a good yank (or 3!) to set the hook.. works great.
I do this sometimes as well after the rod sweep on the initial bite. I'll give my line a nice firm yet gentle "tug" to make sure the hook gets in there.
Attila reply :
On 3/8/2016 at 10:27 AM, Puggz said:Yes but with conditions. Hookset will be compromised but since you're using braid that helps a lot. I wouldn't dropshot too deep with it but what the heck, try it. I use a 7'6" ML Xfast and I just give it a good yank (or 3!) to set the hook.. works great. Also, a top quality hook will help. I recommend the Trokar or something equivilent.
Thanks for the info and advice Puggz! I'm going to give everything a try in a couple of weeks when I go perch fishing in Barrie to see what works the best...hopefully I'll hook into a couple of decent sized fish along the way...there have been lake trout in there before so who knows!
On 3/8/2016 at 12:33 PM, blckshirt98 said:Are you using normal weights you need to tie a knot to attach your line, or the dropshot weights with those crimps? I was reallllllly sketchy of those crimp weights without tying a knot when I first started dropshotting but those crimps hold your line ridiculously well. With 2# or 4# test your line will probably break before the line comes out of the crimp.
Well, I bit the bullet and picked up some 1/4oz XPS tungsten drop weights with the crimp in them so I'll see how they work in the next couple of weeks while I'm drop shotting for perch. I don't mind losing a weight or 2 but the hooks and baits are getting costly these days! I'm going to be using some 3" Berkley Powerbait minnows in emerald shiner...hope to really do well with this pattern!
Again, thanks to all who helped me with feedback on this topic! Your knowledge is appreciated!
blckshirt98 reply :
Tungsten is pricey! I always get my dropshot weights through eBay, you can get 25 lead weights for about 7 bucks delivered (unless you're in one of those devil states that have banned lead).
Puggz reply :
On 3/9/2016 at 12:56 AM, Attila said:Hiya Neighbor! I'm from Kitchener..lol You really don't need tungsten weights, their only advantage that I can see is they are slightly smaller than lead for the same weight. Mind you they do look cool! The only place I use them is when punching with a texas rig. Dropshotting should work great for perch, don't even need live bait, just a good gulp alive minnow.
2 hours ago, Attila said:I do a lot of dropshotting on lake erie for smallies so let me know if you have any questions. And best of luck on Simcoe.
Jeff H reply :
On 3/8/2016 at 3:25 AM, S Hovanec said:Sometimes a ML isn't even enough.
Agreed. Sometimes a M isn't enough either 
My favorite is a MH Crucial dropshot rod. Softer tip but I can lean on them pretty good when I have to keep 'em out of the weeds.
Kevin22 reply :
Not all UL are created equal. I have some that are very light and others that are stiff. My st croix panfish 6'9ULF would not fair well to a bass sized drop shot, I do drop shot with it all the time but for panfish with tiny light wire hooks and 1/16oz weight. I have a st croix premier 5' UL that could handle a bass drop shot no problem, ive jigged 1/4oz jigs with it vertical jigging walleye by bridge pillars.
When I do drop shot for bass (not often!) I use a ML st croix premier 6'6 with 10# braid.
jonnyblazex reply :
If you hook into a good sized fish it might be sketchy. Not a lot of backbone in a UL to control a large fish. The small sharp nose hooked bait is key for traditional open water dropshot. Most of the time the hook will just skin hook the bass in the upper mouth, just grabbing flesh, and not going completely through the lip. I have seen this many times. I couldn't believe the first time I seen it when I caught a mad smallie just under 5 lbs. I fought the fish for a couple minutes, and my medium power rod was bent to the point I thought it might snap when the fish went under the boat. Upon getting the fish in the net and come time to unhook, there was only 1/8in of flesh hooked with that small hook, and it held the fish so good I had to bend it straight with a pliers to get it out of the fishs mouth!
Attila reply :
On 3/9/2016 at 1:42 AM, blckshirt98 said:Tungsten is pricey! I always get my dropshot weights through eBay, you can get 25 lead weights for about 7 bucks delivered (unless you're in one of those devil states that have banned lead).
No, I'm in Canada so don't have to worry about a lead ban. I believe that I'll be able to draw more fish in with tungsten as there's a large forage base of crayfish on the lake and the tungsten provides more noise with the rocks I fish around. Will keep in mind what you said though, as things can get pricey pretty quickly!
On 3/9/2016 at 10:14 AM, Kevin22 said:Not all UL are created equal. I have some that are very light and others that are stiff. My st croix panfish 6'9ULF would not fair well to a bass sized drop shot, I do drop shot with it all the time but for panfish with tiny light wire hooks and 1/16oz weight. I have a st croix premier 5' UL that could handle a bass drop shot no problem, ive jigged 1/4oz jigs with it vertical jigging walleye by bridge pillars.
When I do drop shot for bass (not often!) I use a ML st croix premier 6'6 with 10# braid.
I appreciate your insight! I've got another UL, a 5' Fenwick Eagle which I've used 1/4oz baits on but it's usually reserved for slip bobber fishing for various panfish where I'm running jigs from 1/8oz down to 1/32. I picked up the Presso because I wanted a rod I could throw smaller crank and jerkbaits on and after my experiences last fall with bass, walleye, and that musky I mentioned, I'm pretty happy with its strength and believe that it'll be up to the bass wrangling I hope to do with it...here's hoping anyways.
On 3/9/2016 at 10:47 AM, jonnyblazex said:If you hook into a good sized fish it might be sketchy. Not a lot of backbone in a UL to control a large fish. The small sharp nose hooked bait is key for traditional open water dropshot. Most of the time the hook will just skin hook the bass in the upper mouth, just grabbing flesh, and not going completely through the lip. I have seen this many times. I couldn't believe the first time I seen it when I caught a mad smallie just under 5 lbs. I fought the fish for a couple minutes, and my medium power rod was bent to the point I thought it might snap when the fish went under the boat. Upon getting the fish in the net and come time to unhook, there was only 1/8in of flesh hooked with that small hook, and it held the fish so good I had to bend it straight with a pliers to get it out of the fishs mouth!
That's interesting to know re skin hooking the bass! Never would have thought about that but going into things I'll have to make sure that I control the drag well enough to help the fish reach me! They sure can get mad, can't they?
Again, I'd like to thank everyone for their feedback and helpful advice on this thread. As time goes on I may change the type of rod and reel setup I use for dropshotting and when that time comes I'll be sure to come back to this thread and review the gear that everyone has mentioned before just running out and buying something. Thanks again!
Oh, and Puggz; thanks for your reply! When I went to quote your response your text didn't appear so I'm thanking you here! Will let you know how I make out!
J._Bricker reply :
Great thread Attila, and can I offer a knot suggestion? For years I was an advocate of the Uni knot, which I secured with a drop of Krazy glue. Recently broke off a good fish on a hook set (which then came up out of the water to throw the hook) and had to rethink my knot selection. As Felix77 recommended, the "Alberto" knot is the one I went to aand an excellent choice per another Forums thread. Using this knot may help solve any setup issues. Good fishing to you sir
WIGuide reply :
I definitely think you can dropshot with an UL. I used to fish small 4" curly tail worms Texas rigged with 1/16 oz weight and 1/0 EWG hook when I was in college. It was the rod I took to school and would fish on a local pond a block from my house. Granted it lacks the power to horse a fish, but if your competent when it comes to fighting larger fish with a UL it can definitely be done. Seeing as you have caught muskies with it, I'm guessing you'll be just fine. I say give it a shot and if it works for you there's nothing wrong with it.
ww2farmer reply :
I have caught plenty of bass with an UL while drop shotting for panfish...............so getting the hook into them is not an issue. It's about getting the fish to the boat. Anything above 2.5lbs or so is going to give you a run for the money on an UL with 4lb test line, and as the bass get bigger, your chances of landing getting slimmer, esp. if there is even a hint of cover near by.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
Drop shot is technically just a terminal rig. It can be used with any Rod appropriate for the conditions: depth, cover, bait , target species / size. If you're talking about vertical jigging for 3#> smallies 25 ' deep and more you might be a little out gunned.
Kevin22 reply :
On 3/10/2016 at 4:10 AM, ww2farmer said:I have caught plenty of bass with an UL while drop shotting for panfish...............so getting the hook into them is not an issue. It's about getting the fish to the boat. Anything above 2.5lbs or so is going to give you a run for the money on an UL with 4lb test line, and as the bass get bigger, your chances of landing getting slimmer, esp. if there is even a hint of cover near by.
Ive actually found the exact opposite. If you can get the hook to penetrate the mouth, you are golden.. If you know how to play fish. Ive caught countless 20lb+ carp, 20# flatheads, 15-20# drum etc.. All with UL rods and 2-4# line.
Puggz reply :
On 3/10/2016 at 7:29 AM, Kevin22 said:Ive actually found the exact opposite. If you can get the hook to penetrate the mouth, you are golden.. If you know how to play fish. Ive caught countless 20lb+ carp, 20# flatheads, 15-20# drum etc.. All with UL rods and 2-4# line.
Very true, my PB Pike came on a drop shot rig.. ML w/8lb mono. Took a long time to land the fish and I'm not sure if it survived.
To take a point from the muskie guys, they all use HD gear, not because the fish are so ferocious, but more so because they don't want to exhaust the fish which leads to a higher mortality rate.
Sure its fun to play with a 5lb smallie on light gear, its just not fun (or safe) for the fish.
Attila reply :
On 3/10/2016 at 12:30 AM, J._Bricker said:Great thread Attila, and can I offer a knot suggestion? For years I was an advocate of the Uni knot, which I secured with a drop of Krazy glue. Recently broke off a good fish on a hook set (which then came up out of the water to throw the hook) and had to rethink my knot selection. As Felix77 recommended, the "Alberto" knot is the one I went to aand an excellent choice per another Forums thread. Using this knot may help solve any setup issues. Good fishing to you sir
Will definitely give it a try after reading some of the threads found in this forum, seems like it'll do a better job with a smaller profile which will help it go through the guides!
I'd like to thank everyone for the feedback on this thread, I'm glad to have so much information to come back to and review once I start with this presentation.
I did wonder about the stress on the fish, and thought that it wouldn't be too big a deal as I've caught and released both musky and rainbow trout on an UL and all have swam away no worse for wear.
Apart from fizzing deep smallies, is there anything else we could do to ensure that we can still mix fun (I mean, who wouldn't think UL fishing isn't fun?? ) along with ensuring that the fish survives the experience?
blckshirt98 reply :
Main thing is get it back into the water as quickly as possible, so have pliers and camera handy in case you need to use both, and, try not to grab the sides or drag/place the fish on the ground where you might remove the slime.
Attila reply :
Thanks blckshirt98, I appreciate the insight. I use a rubber net when I'm fishing off of piers or docks and as I normally fish alone the only pictures I take are selfies with the fish like my profile picture. Most of the time I'm wading and carry pliers with me to unhook fish that are never our of the water for more than a few seconds unless I'm keeping a couple for the pan..
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