Drop Shot Mistakes? 2025

texasoldtimer reply :

What are the most common mistakes new drop shotters make? I am gonna try to learn this technique. I know the bite is gonna be different than a texas rig bite. I never fish very slow. Do you typically slow way down when drop shotting?

Sam reply :

When drop shoting you do the following:

Cast the rig and let it sit, with a tight line.

Let the current move the bait.

You can shake the rod tip now and then if you wish.

Drop the line straight down.

Let the current move the bait.

You can shake the rod tip now and then if you wish.

Yes, drop shoting is a slow presentation. You cast or drop the rig into the water and stand there, waiting for a bite.

When you feel the bite you lift the rod. You do not clobber the fish with a hard hook set. Just raise your rod and start reeling in.

Always keep a finger on the line coming off the spool to feel the hit.

If the rig feels "different" raise the rod tip to set the hook.

Use light line. 4 pound can work wonders but the bass' "teeth" can cut it. Use a 6 pound flourocarbon line. You want a light line and a medium with fast action tip.

Read about the various drop shot rods on the manufacturer's web sites or via Tackle Warehouse.

Aaron Martins likes the Megabass Hodgehog drop shot rod for $800. I think you can find a good drop shot rod for a bit less.

Just remeber: Stand there scratching your b_____s waiting for something to feel different or a tap via yoru finger on the line. Then just lift the rod tip.

Allow the current to move the worm, like a Robo worm or other worm of your choice. You can rig the worm Texas or Wacky.

StinkyBass reply :

On 1/21/2013 at 10:02 AM, Sam said:
Allow the current to move the worm, like a Robo worm or other worm of your choice.

What about fishing from the shore in a pond or lake with no current? Not everyone live on the James "Sam-I-am". i have recently figured that this drop shot thing is something i need to master... maybe next time im up there you can show me how its done...

p.s. say hi to the grand dog for me

Sam reply :

All waters have current, even ponds.

If there is no current underwater then shake the bait a few times to get it moving.

Grand dog is not as wild and crazy. He is 14 and slowing down. But we still enjoy having him visit and chase the birds and squirrels in the back yard.

Yes, you need to throw the drop shot. Check out YouTube for some suggestions on the rig and how to fish it. Great technique. Caught some beautiful bass on that rig.

Rodney Heupel reply :

Drop shotting is a very versitile method to use. I have learned using the right weight will make a big differance. Stay away from round drop shot weights, they hang up to easily. Quick Drops drop shot weights in the 3/16 size have become my favorite. They hang much less and give you great feel of the bottom. Use florocarbon line in the 6 - 8 lb range as a begginner to increase your sensitivity of the bite. Gamakatsu Drop/Split Shot Hooks in a size 4 are a great hook, most start out with too big a hook.

ww2farmer reply :

The most commen mistakes I see people making all the time are:

#1 shaking the bait TOO much

#2 not using the proper sized weight to get it to, and keep it (the sinker), on the bottom.

#3 fishing it too fast

#4 using it dirty water WHEN they are not right on top of fish

#5 putting self imposed limitations on the technique.........I know guys who think it's only a deep water smallmouth tool, or that it's only good for dinks, or you can only fish small baits on light line with it, that you can only use spinning tackle with it, and etc.......

Loop_Dad reply :

On 1/21/2013 at 10:29 AM, StinkyBass said:
What about fishing from the shore in a pond or lake with no current? Not everyone live on the James "Sam-I-am". i have recently figured that this drop shot thing is something i need to master... maybe next time im up there you can show me how its done...

p.s. say hi to the grand dog for me

I drop shot from shore. The way I use it is like c-rig fishing except the bait is off the bottom. I cast it out as far as I can to get to the deep part of the water because fish are in the deep now. Then move a bit and wait with line tight. Dead stick or shake a bit, whatever you feel like it. Then after some pause, I move a bit again. Repeat until the bait comes back to me. Since I am not looking at fishfinder, I am constantly searching. I dropshot both finesse and non-finesse. I recently started using VMC spin-shot hook (both finesse and non-finesse), I'm liking it so far.

Bluebasser86 reply :

Moving the bait too much and too fast. You're imitating a small prey item and trying to make it look natural. Most small creatures don't make lots of big movements. Fish it slow and thorough.

Hyrule Bass reply :

On 1/21/2013 at 11:55 AM, ww2farmer said:

The most commen mistakes I see people making all the time are:

#5 putting self imposed limitations on the technique.........I know guys who think it's only a deep water smallmouth tool, or that it's only good for dinks, or you can only fish small baits on light line with it, that you can only use spinning tackle with it, and etc.......

This is probably the biggest mistake people make when drop shotting. The drop shot doesnt have to be a finesse technique with light line, deep water, etc. I often use it on heavy line when fishing for catfish in areas with grassy bottoms, and i use live bait or cut bait, not just artificial on it. The bass in my avatar was caught night fishing on 15lb line dropshotting a night crawler in shallow water(3-5 feet) just outside the edge of a grass bed near a couple underwater stumps, from a dock with a MH 6'6 rod. The rod was leaning up against the back of a bench as a "rod holder". The fish hit so light you could barely see the rod tip move, but i was able to s.natc.h(word filter) my rod in time and set the hook. It doesnt have to be a boat technique or a rod in hand technique either. i also used a 1oz bass casting sinker and a small gamakatsu dropshot/splitshot hook. i dont use the sinkers that slip off. though i dont get snagged much at this spot, id rather break off a ton of snagged sinkers than have them pull off just because theyre hung in a bit of grass that will pull away if the sinker is actually tied on. i wonder how many sinkers yall lose that you may not have with a tied on sinker...

J Francho reply :

#1 mistake I see is bad knots.

Felix77 reply :

On 1/21/2013 at 1:44 PM, LDad2 said:
I drop shot from shore. The way I use it is like c-rig fishing except the bait is off the bottom. I cast it out as far as I can to get to the deep part of the water because fish are in the deep now. Then move a bit and wait with line tight. Dead stick or shake a bit, whatever you feel like it. Then after some pause, I move a bit again. Repeat until the bait comes back to me. Since I am not looking at fishfinder, I am constantly searching. I dropshot both finesse and non-finesse. I recently started using VMC spin-shot hook (both finesse and non-finesse), I'm liking it so far.

I love the VMC hooks. Just recently walked into a WalMart and they had tme on sale for a $1 per pack. I snagged them all. LOL

Felix77 reply :

Don't underestimate the power of the drop shot <<Yoda voice>>

I have experimented with various ways (on shore and boat) and found it to be an exceptional tool. Some out of the box ideas to consider ...

1) Power Shotting - Heavier line (10lb+ FC, 4/0 EWG Hook, 1/2 oz weight) Use it like a carolina rig. All the things about not moving the bait too much still applies. I T-Rig a senko on this and can cover a decent amount of water with it. I also can chuck it into grass and it is surprisingly weedless.

2) Experiment with the way you put the bait on the hook. Nose hooking and wacky are commonplace. Don't forget to try threading it on, t-rig, etc. Each has it's pros/cons

3) Try all Fluoro vs. Briad with a Fluoro leader. One will work for you in terms of sensitivity. Stick with the one which gives you better feel for the weight and for those sometimes subtle strikes.

4) Swimming a bait ... nose hook something like a Zoom Swimming super fluke Jr. and using the power shotting technique do a large drag and pause technique. Gives the swimming fluke a swim and pause presentation which rocks.

Hope this helps

Teal reply :

I like those too! I got mine from wallyworld for 1.59 though. Lets just say i have enough size 2,1,and 1/0 to last me a very very long time.

Sam reply :

Also works with 6 pound test and a 1/0 hook. Never thought of going heavier on the line and weight so will give it a shot.

Thanks for a great post!

J Francho reply :

If you Texas Rig the bait, remember to use a snap hookset.

Loop_Dad reply :

On 1/22/2013 at 12:32 AM, Felix77 said:
I love the VMC hooks. Just recently walked into a WalMart and they had tme on sale for a $1 per pack. I snagged them all. LOL

I've got to check my nearest Walmart out. BTW, have you had this hook failed on you? It happened only once to me, but the very first hookset I gave, the tip of the hook broke off. So I am liking them with a bit of concern on the back of my head. So far, it appears to be isolated incidence...

I rig with one size smaller line for the weight line. My lines and weight are heavier then what's usually recommended too (I don't see the need to be that finesse for what I am doing). I then tie the weight instead of just using the quick attach on the weight. This way I can pull harder to set the weigh free when snagged. And if they cannot be free, I only lose the weight or bottom part of the rig. It also helps when you got a fish, and weight get tangled in the brush or something, because you have better chance getting the fish and lose the weight and line to the brush. (This happened.)

When you cast from shore and dragging towards you with 45 degree angled line, instead of vertical drop from a boat, the weight needs to be heavier, otherwise it moves too much (just like c-rig).

Hyrule Bass reply :

On 1/22/2013 at 2:19 AM, Sam said:
1) Power Shotting - Heavier line (10lb+ FC, 4/0 EWG Hook, 1/2 oz weight) Use it like a carolina rig. All the things about not moving the bait too much still applies. I T-Rig a senko on this and can cover a decent amount of water with it. I also can chuck it into grass and it is surprisingly weedless.

Also works with 6 pound test and a 1/0 hook. Never thought of going heavier on the line and weight so will give it a shot.

Thanks for a great post!

guess you just skipped right over my post where i mention using 15lb line, a 1oz weight, and a MH rod. though i used live bait in my scenario, works with artificial too...

Sam reply :

Red Earth, I did not skip over your info.

I thought it was outstanding!

You don't tell everyone what you are going to try and I will try your options for sure!!!

Felix77 reply :

On 1/22/2013 at 5:04 AM, LDad2 said:
I've got to check my nearest Walmart out. BTW, have you had this hook failed on you? It happened only once to me, but the very first hookset I gave, the tip of the hook broke off. So I am liking them with a bit of concern on the back of my head. So far, it appears to be isolated incidence...

I rig with one size smaller line for the weight line. My lines and weight are heavier then what's usually recommended too (I don't see the need to be that finesse for what I am doing). I then tie the weight instead of just using the quick attach on the weight. This way I can pull harder to set the weigh free when snagged. And if they cannot be free, I only lose the weight or bottom part of the rig. It also helps when you got a fish, and weight get tangled in the brush or something, because you have better chance getting the fish and lose the weight and line to the brush. (This happened.)

When you cast from shore and dragging towards you with 45 degree angled line, instead of vertical drop from a boat, the weight needs to be heavier, otherwise it moves too much (just like c-rig).

Hook hasn't failed me yet. That was one of my concerns beginning to use this hook. As for the weight and a size smaller line. That's a good idea.

Caylub reply :

Thanks for all the great info guys I'll have to try this technique next time I'm out.

eyedabassman reply :

Yes the VMC hooks are very cool! Another way I fish the drop-shot is a double hook DS. And with the VMC hooks this is very easy to do. I set one hook/bait at say,10 in.from the weight and then the other hook/bait at maybe 15 to 20 in. from the weight.This way you get to cover two depths. And when you do get a double it is a blast because one wants to go south and the other wants to go north.The hardest part is getting them into the net.And you can set the baits at any depth you want.And you can change and put different baits on and different colors and see what the bass want that day.

Bankbeater reply :

Some good stuff here.

Loop_Dad reply :

On 1/23/2013 at 12:54 AM, eyedabassman said:
Yes the VNC hooks are very cool! Another way I fish the drop-shot is a double hook DS. And with the VMC hooks this is very easy to do. I set one hook/bait at say,10 in.from the weight and then the other hook/bait at maybe 15 to 20 in. from the weight.This way to get to cover two depths. And when you do get a double it is a blast because one wants to go south and the other wants to go north.The hardest part is getting them into the net.And you can set the baits at any depth you want.And you can change and put different baits on and different colors and see what the bass want that day.

Very interesting idea double hooking! I sometimes take too much time thinking which bait to use. This will cut that time

gobig reply :

Don't place preconcieved limitations on how a dropshot can be fished. Take the advise you get and expand on it. A dropshot is not only a finesse presentation, it can be power presentation also. For instance the idea of shaking the bait to much me be great advise today but poor advise tomorrow. We all know the power of the senko. But it is a PITA to fish unweighted in deep water. One way to accomplish this is on a dropshot. Say your in 20 ft of water and the fish are hugging the bottom, run 5-6ft between the hook and the weight. The dropshot weight allows you quickly get through the unproductive water maximizing your fishing time in the productive water. This is just one of many things. Can you puch with a dropshot? Can you catch suspended fish? Can you dropshot a swimbait? Ask yourself effective questions and refine what works for you.

scrutch reply :

One of my favorite ways to dropshot in mid summer deep water is to use a nose-hooked fluke. I cast out and let it go to the bottom near the structure I want to fish. I gently shake the bait as I raise the rod tip taking the slack out of the line. This produces a shimmy action on the fluke. Then I let it fall slowly on semi-tight line. This produces an action similar to a dying baitfish. Flutter, fall, flutter, fall. VERY SLOWLY. Practice in shallow water to get the action right. I got several good deep structure bass this summer using this technique.

I can't wait to try the Rage Tail Shell Cracker using this technique. I wish it came in shad and bluegill colors though! (pssst, BIG O!)

texasoldtimer reply :

This is some great stuff. I can't wait to try it. I been watching a lot of videos and heard a pro say it isn't a search bait for him. He only uses it when he knows bass are there, like when he has graphed them deep or side imaged them under a dock.

ww2farmer reply :

Another couple commen mistake I see that I forgot to mention:

Hook set technique.........I have fished with alot of guys who swing for the fences and crack the whip like they are fishing a jig when they are fishing with a spinning rod, light line, and a nose hooked bait. Simply reeling into them and giving a firm, but controlled upward sweep of the rod is more than forcefull enough when fishing with nosehooked baits, no need to come out of your shoes on them.

Poorly matched tackle to the task at hand.........I am not overly big on technique specific stuff, but you can't blantly disreguard matching the tools to the job either. I have seen many many people using stiff and powerfull MH spinning rods, and then have trouble breaking fish off on light line, or bending light wire hooks out. And I have seen it go the other way too, guys thinking that dropshoting is a wimpy rod only technique and get in trouble fishing it in and around heavy cover. I had one guy fishng with me and he was getting a fair ammount of bites pitching his drop shot under docks, but he was losing more than he got in the boat on 6lb line, yet he insisted on doing it. I finaly said to him " What equipment would you use if you were pitching a jig under there?" .........he said "My jig rod with 17lb fluro, I want to be able to get them out." I didn't have to say anymore, he tied a dropshot on his jig rod, got just as many bites as before, and then started putting fish in the boat.

Comfortably Numb reply :

Thanks for all the great ideas. I have just started using a DS this winter in deep water.

It has been working well for me and I am gaining confidence.

I gained alot of "feel" by switching from straight light floro to braid with a light flouro leader. I feel the bottom and bites much better.

Also moving the bait less has improved my bites

texasoldtimer reply :

Do you tie your fuoro and braid together or connect them with a swivel? I am wondering if a swivel will affect the bow in the line that you want for for shaking the bait.

J Francho reply :

I use an Alberto knot:

http://www.stripersonline.com/a/albertos-knot

Big Bassman reply :

Thanks JF for the vid! Will try this knot for sure.

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