Dirty Water Drop Shot. 2025
ChrisWi reply :
My local rivers have about 2 - 3 feet of visibility. I love drop shotting but haven't had much success on it locally. What are some good dirty water baits? Should I inverse the size of my weight to make more noise? Thanks.
Fishes in trees reply :
I think that is enough visibility. The advantage to going to a heavier weight would be that it would get down quicker and not be affected by current as much. I fish in lakes, so current really isn't a consideration for me. Fishing in a river, it might or might not be. If you go with a heavier weight and stay with a light line, you will be popping off weights all the time.
ChrisWi reply :
I do a lot of casting the dropshot though then dragging it and shaking it. So that's why I question the heavier weight for more soundOn 12/22/2014 at 5:27 AM, Fishes in trees said:I think that is enough visibility. The advantage to going to a heavier weight would be that it would get down quicker and not be affected by current as much. I fish in lakes, so current really isn't a consideration for me. Fishing in a river, it might or might not be. If you go with a heavier weight and stay with a light line, you will be popping off weights all the time.
Crankinstein reply :
When the water clarity isn't very good and I still want to drop shot I usually select a brighter color for my bait. The "hot tips" robo worms work really well. Their essentially regular robo worms with a chartreuse tip on the tail. I also use a larger worm too, going from 4 to 6. Another thing you can try is a shorter leader. I generally use long leaders in clear water and shorter ones in murky water.
ChrisWi reply :
that makes sense, I fish great lakes tribs so the shorter leader might help immitate goby.On 12/22/2014 at 6:01 AM, Crankinstein said:When the water clarity isn't very good and I still want to drop shot I usually select a brighter color for my bait. The "hot tips" robo worms work really well. Their essentially regular robo worms with a chartreuse tip on the tail. I also use a larger worm too, going from 4 to 6. Another thing you can try is a shorter leader. I generally use long leaders in clear water and shorter ones in murky water.
Gone_Phishin reply :
The dropshot hooks with the tie-off on each end would be an option...lots of action.
speed craw reply :
I have have used a dropshot in what most people would almost considered mud . I use solid BLACK , fish will hold tight to cover if literally on or next to . As far as weight goes generally I use 1/8 - 3/ 16 max . But river fishing everything changes .
Crestliner2008 reply :
Sounds like you have sufficient water clarity. Try drifting with a shorter lead on your DS. Use a small (size 1 or 2) EWG worm hook for the plastic, so that you reduce snagging. You will probably have to use a heavier weight to keep your sinker dragging bottom. And use a bait rig type sinker, such as the Gapen Bait Walker, or one of the longer pencil shaped "bottom bouncer" types - again, to reduce hang ups.
You might also want to take a look at controlling your boat by "slipping" the river, as opposed to drifting right along with the current. Another Gapen technique.
A-Jay reply :
Don't miss out on Drop shotting a Sk rage craw on a 2/0 ewg - don't forget to dip the claws ~ !
A-Jay
fisherrw reply :
Use a bright color robo worm....
ChrisWi reply :
I use a worm hook right now. How heavy of a weight would you go? 1/4?On 12/22/2014 at 8:56 AM, Crestliner2008 said:Sounds like you have sufficient water clarity. Try drifting with a shorter lead on your DS. Use a small (size 1 or 2) EWG worm hook for the plastic, so that you reduce snagging. You will probably have to use a heavier weight to keep your sinker dragging bottom. And use a bait rig type sinker, such as the Gapen Bait Walker, or one of the longer pencil shaped "bottom bouncer" types - again, to reduce hang ups.
You might also want to take a look at controlling your boat by "slipping" the river, as opposed to drifting right along with the current. Another Gapen technique.
ChrisWi reply :
put a tube on there instead. Little trick I found this year. I'm sure you've tried it.On 12/22/2014 at 9:23 AM, A-Jay said:Don't miss out on Drop shotting a Sk rage craw on a 2/0 ewg - don't forget to dip the claws ~ !
A-Jay
A-Jay reply :
On 12/22/2014 at 11:06 PM, ChrisWi said:put a tube on there instead. Little trick I found this year. I'm sure you've tried it.
Thanks you & I have Used a tube
But this season that Rage Craw was Lights Out !
A-Jay
Crestliner2008 reply :
On 12/22/2014 at 11:05 PM, ChrisWi said:I use a worm hook right now. How heavy of a weight would you go? 1/4?
Depends mainly on the current flow. Use whatever weight is necessary to keep dragging bottom - or close to it - while slipping that current. Using the slipping technique you can actually get away with less weight. There are many variables and you just have to experiment. I've gone up to 3/4 oz. in some cases.
WIGuide reply :
Usually with reduced visibility I try to use a bulkier bait. One of my favorites is a Strike King Baby Rodent. It seems to be pretty effective in water down to about a foot to foot and a half of visibility. I think the added bulk moves more water and really helps them to find it, but it's not so much that it loses it's finesse and subtle appeal.
ChrisWi reply :
I am yet to try it. Used tubes and dreamshots a lot this last year. Fish were eating gobies like crazy.On 12/22/2014 at 11:39 PM, A-Jay said:Thanks you & I have Used a tube
But this season that Rage Craw was Lights Out !
A-Jay
A-Jay reply :
On 12/23/2014 at 2:09 AM, ChrisWi said:I am yet to try it. Used tubes and dreamshots a lot this last year. Fish were eating gobies like crazy.
No Doubt, tubes are very effective.
But once you D-S the Craw - you might not ever use a tube again . . . . .
A-Jay
ChrisWi reply :
have you tried The Missle Baits drop craws?On 12/23/2014 at 2:13 AM, A-Jay said:No Doubt, tubes are very effective.
But once you D-S the Craw - you might not ever use a tube again . . . . .
A-Jay
A-Jay reply :
On 12/23/2014 at 2:15 AM, ChrisWi said:have you tried The Missle Baits drop craws?
I have Not -
But then again, I may not need to . . .
A-Jay
Felix77 reply :
IMO weight is a matter of bottom contact only ... not water clarity. Water clarity is all about the bait ... I used a texas rigged power worm with good success in these conditions. 4-7"
gobig reply :
For dirty water try a team davies ventana tearshot.
ChrisWi reply :
too stuck on that rage craw?On 12/23/2014 at 2:30 AM, A-Jay said:I have Not -
But then again, I may not need to . . .
A-Jay
ChrisWi reply :
I'm aware of that, the extra weight would be for noise purposes.On 12/23/2014 at 3:03 AM, Felix77 said:IMO weight is a matter of bottom contact only ... not water clarity. Water clarity is all about the bait ... I used a texas rigged power worm with good success in these conditions. 4-7"
MikeinFresno reply :
I have used beads above the hook to clatter against each other
Comfortably Numb reply :
Stick a rattle in the plastic
Felix77 reply :
On 12/23/2014 at 9:19 AM, ChrisWi said:I'm aware of that, the extra weight would be for noise purposes.
Gotcha ... if it's noise you are looking for I would try this. Google: Cabin Creek "Click-it" Drop Shot Weights.
For the record I did use these last year and didn't find it made a whole lot of difference. My opinion is that the clacking draws attention to the weight. If the leader length to the hook is too long it might have them overlook the bait more often than not. I am convinced some of the bites I felt was them taking the weight and not the baited hook. A shorter leader might make a difference. Intend to "experiment" with this more next year.
cwb60 reply :
On 12/22/2014 at 8:56 AM, Crestliner2008 said:Sounds like you have sufficient water clarity. Try drifting with a shorter lead on your DS. Use a small (size 1 or 2) EWG worm hook for the plastic, so that you reduce snagging. You will probably have to use a heavier weight to keep your sinker dragging bottom. And use a bait rig type sinker, such as the Gapen Bait Walker, or one of the longer pencil shaped "bottom bouncer" types - again, to reduce hang ups.
You might also want to take a look at controlling your boat by "slipping" the river, as opposed to drifting right along with the current. Another Gapen technique.
Very little current where I fish, so I don't understand what is meant by "slipping" the river. Could you give a little more detail on how to do it?
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