Dropshot Hookset Technique 2024
garroyo130 reply :
Just got back home from what should have been a great fishing trip. I was throwing a drop shot on an owner mosquito hook size #1 and getting lots of bites but I only managed to land 1 fish out of about 10 strikes.
This is worse than how I was doing previously (not that I was doing great), but I partly blame it on following the advice of looping the tag end back through the hook eye after cinching up the palomar knot.
Anyhow any advice on dropshot hooksets would be appreciated.
A-Jay reply :
Although I use a uni-knot to rig the drop shot, I always loop the tag end.
My drop shot hook set is always just a light snap up and a reel set at the same time.
As for missing hook ups, IME that's hard to do.
But there could be a few reasonable explanations as to why.
Here's my version . .
Fish biting are very small and just tail biting your bait.
Hook point is bad.
Bait used is too big for the hook choice and is inhibiting hook penetration.
You're not holding your mouth right.
A-Jay
BassinCNY reply :
I have the same problem. I decided to rig everything weedless on a light wire worm hook with a keeper. I might get less hook ups but I get a higher percentage to the boat. I'm still deciding on what hook works best for me.
garroyo130 reply :
On 1/18/2020 at 11:15 PM, A-Jay said:Although I use a uni-knot to rig the drop shot, I always loop the tag end.
My drop shot hook set is always just a light snap up and a reel set at the same time.
As for missing hook ups, IME that's hard to do.
But there could be a few reasonable explanations as to why.
Here's my version . .
Fish biting are very small and just tail biting your bait.
Hook point is bad.
Bait used is too big for the hook choice and is inhibiting hook penetration.
You're not holding your mouth right.
A-Jay
Do you drop the rod tip to get a better hookset like you would on say a texas rig or do you just hookset from wherever the rod is at?
Bird reply :
Drop-shot is a staple on my boat and hook ratio has been very good.
What line and rod are you using ?
Bluebasser86 reply :
I had some difficulties with hookups and keeping fish pinned with open style hooks on a DS for some reason. Have not had the same issue since I switched to the straight shank, weedless style DS hooks.
A-Jay reply :
On 1/18/2020 at 11:37 PM, garroyo130 said:Do you drop the rod tip to get a better hookset like you would on say a texas rig or do you just hookset from wherever the rod is at?
No, never.
When using a typical drop shot hook, they are very small and have a tiny needle point.
IME it take very little pressure to sink that small steel.
If I were to rear back and do a Bassmaster hookset, I'd surely part my line; which is always 8lb test or lighter.
Just reel set it.
A-Jay
garroyo130 reply :
Rod is medium light fast. Power should be enough since I use it for weightless trick worms on a 2/0 hook with no problems.
Line is 6lb yo zuri hybrid. Same line I use for weightless trick worms.
I am seeing your hook gap is considerably larger than mine.
Bird reply :
Gamakatsu finesse wide gap 1.0
All I've used for years.
scaleface reply :
I have more bass come off with a drop-shot than I have landed . I must be holding my mouth wrong too .
garroyo130 reply :
I might downsize bait. If nothing else that will rule out bluegills nipping at the tail.
Bird reply :
I wouldn't give up on DS, fun way to fish.
Try a 4 1/2" Robo.
stratoliner92 reply :
On 1/18/2020 at 11:09 PM, garroyo130 said:I was throwing a drop shot on an owner mosquito hook size #1
You may want to try using a Gamakatsu Drop/Split Shot Hook #1 instead and rigging as @Bird showed. We do alot of it this way and hookups usually aren't a problem. I also just do a reel set to put hook in fish and never lower rod tip.
garroyo130 reply :
Are yall hooksetting up, across the body, sweeping?
A-Jay reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 1:32 AM, garroyo130 said:Are yall hooksetting up, across the body, sweeping?
OK guess it's time to discuss your drop shot set up and presentation style.
What rod, reel, and line do you typically use (type & size) ?
And are you fishing vertically mostly (under the boat)
or are you casting the drop shot to present it away from the boat ?
A-Jay
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 1:32 AM, garroyo130 said:Are yall hooksetting up, across the body, sweeping?
Gods no - at the most it's a short, quick pull. Most of the time it's just reeling into it - which is why you want needle-sharp hooks.
Currently, I use VMC Spin-Shot hooks - though I am thinking of upgrading to Gammy Swivel Shots.
Choporoz reply :
When I switched from Gammy to Owner SSW hoks, my dropshot hookup ratio increased dramatically
Way north bass guy reply :
It’s funny how some have problems with hookups with the drop shot, for me it’s one of the best bite to hookup ratio baits I use. I pretty much do the same thing A-Jay does, you don’t need to reel down and hammer on the thing like it’s a punch rig on 60lb braid in thick slop. Most times for me, the bass almost hook themselves if they’re aggressive, it’s mostly just a reel faster and lift up a bit set and your off to the races. I’ll bet it’s either the wrong size hook ( too small) or the way you have it in the plastic. I just nose hook my baits and it works fine for me.
garroyo130 reply :
Not sure if it makes a difference but i am usually casting the rig.
For those of you with excellent hookup ratios, do you find vertical vs casting makes a difference?
Way north bass guy reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 2:01 AM, garroyo130 said:Not sure if it makes a difference but i am usually casting the rig.
For those of you with excellent hookup ratios, do you find vertical vs casting makes a difference?
Not really, although I don’t usually cast the drop shot too far, maybe 20 yds from the boat at most.
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 2:01 AM, garroyo130 said:Not sure if it makes a difference but i am usually casting the rig.
For those of you with excellent hookup ratios, do you find vertical vs casting makes a difference?
Casting...vertical - makes no difference. You have to watch the line closely when you cast, which is why I use a hi-vis line on my DS rig. I can see when the bass takes the bait as the line moves. Then it's just reel down the slack.
On 1/19/2020 at 2:04 AM, Way north bass guy said:Not really, although I don’t usually cast the drop shot too far, maybe 20 yds from the boat at most.
15-20 yds is my furthest cast with DS as well.
garroyo130 reply :
Sorry about the million questions here but do you guys mostly use straight fluoro? braid w/leader?
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/19/2020 at 2:07 AM, garroyo130 said:Sorry about the million questions here but do you guys mostly use straight fluoro? braid w/leader?
Mono - Suffix Elite Hi-Vis Yellow in 8# test. Really lets me see the line when it's out.
garroyo130 reply :
Thanks to all for your responses. I actually had some Gamakatsu finesse wide gap laying around so ill give those a shot along with your advice on hookset.
I'll try to report back after Monday morning's fishing!
MickD reply :
I use braid with FC leader, ML power or M power rods, drop the rod slightly then quick but "light" snap up. I don't catch every fish, but don't miss enough that i consider it a problem. I cast out from the boat short casts and fish right under the boat.
islandbass reply :
it seems you have the right gear and what AJ described on the hook set is pretty much it. With the nearly circle hook like traits of a typical DS hook, the fish practically “set the hook” on themselves.
Bird’s image is great but one thing I will do when I can get away with it is leave my hook point exposed. I will only texspose if grass and weeds (not heavy grass or weeds) will get caught up on the point.
The reason you might be missing could be the fish’s activity level. When the bass are active, they’ll scarf down a DS rig in one fell swoop and swallow. But if they’re less active and more finicky, they might actually slurp the plastic worm from the tail end and nibble the bait up to the hook. If you try setting the hook before they get to the hook, we’ll of course, we’ll miss on the hook set. The hook was never in their mouth so we never even had a chance, yet. I’ve seen them do this.
In this situation, you will need to have some patience until you know they have the hook in their mouth. Then do what AJ described in the hookset. Mosquito hooks are incredibly effective. I use size 2 though. The in pacific NW, a 4 pounder is a monster,lol. Now go get’em.
garroyo130 reply :
So I discovered 1 issue already. With the owner mosquito hooks, the eye is almost inline with the shank. Because of this, looping the tag end back through results in a hook that follows the line as opposed to sticking out of it.
The finesse wide gap hook has a bent eye which when the tag is looped back around makes it stick out perpendicular as it is supposed to.
... progress ... lets see if the fish notice it
Mjmj reply :
You're doing everything right, as far as gear. The right hooks, tag end through the hook and the right rod. The pic that @Bird showed is perfect (almost weedless). I take beginners out quite often and their hookup ratio is about 75%. (Braid to fluro) We usually fish isolated rock piles, so we cast to different rock piles. I tell them when you feel the bite, just reel into it! This is one of the easiest ways for me to help a beginner catch bass. By the end of the day, they usually can tell me if it's a small fish. I think you are feeling small fish, but I could be wrong
Columbia Craw reply :
It's surprising how little pressure or force is required to get a good drop shot hook to penetrate, especially when using braid as the main line. I just employ as solid lift and reel at the same time until the blank locks up. As said, sometimes the fish will set the hook themselves. My experience is the hooked per strike ratio is very good and the land per strike ratio even better. It's not uncommon for very small dinks to pull at the bait and yellow perch are often culprits for just that. But a bite is a bite and where bait is, the bigger ones won't be far away. I like both Gammi spitshot/dropshot hooks in #2 or #1 and the Gammi wide gap finesse in #1 or #1/0 and choose the hook that best matches the mass of the bait choice.
WRB reply :
When I 1st started to drop shot it was called stacking and thought you needed about a 3" leader away from the main line and drop weight end because the bass would feel the main line and weight. I soon learned tieing the hook direct onto the main line work better even though the bass had the line and worm and weight line in it's mouth.
Don't get too carried away the hook being inline with the point exactly upright, it doesn't matter because the entire worm and hook is back inside the mouth and the bass more then likely isn't sitting still when you hook set.
Tom
garroyo130 reply :
Reporting back!
Much cooler morning 37 as opposed to 63 when i first posted.
Anyhow fewer bites as expected but I managed to hook both of the fish that struck. Im sure you northern people are pshh'ing at this right now but 2 keepers for a 37 degree Texas morning ain't too shabby.
Thanks to all! Advice was extremely helpful!
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