Getting Started In Drop Shotting. 2025
BassAssassin726 reply :
One of the techniques I'm going to work on this year is drop shotting, I've literally never done it. So can anyone recommend what I need to get started? What's some good size and style weights and hooks you guys use? Also any recommendations on baits would be appreciated.
Fish'N Impossible reply :
weights and hooks are situaltional, I use mainly an 1/8th or 1/4 oz wieght and VMC drop shot hooks. I would recomend PTL (Power Team Lures) JP Hammer shad or any of their line as they have amazing boyancy. and the Venom Lures Drop shot minnow is also a top notch drop shot bait.
wnybassman reply :
Just remember when working the bait, less is more.
MarksHooked reply :
Definitely watch bassresource's videos about dropshotting on youtube, multiple views seemed to work for me. Remember that even holding the rod still will allow the bait to have a very natural subtle presentation; less is more!
eyedabassman reply :
I would start with the VMC spin shot hooks and drop shot weight for how deep you want to fish.You don't need every weight size,start out with 1/8 oz. and 1/4, 1/2 that should cover you in the weight dept.! What I like to do is fish a double drop shot rig= you have one hook about 10 to 12 in. from the weight and then have another hook 12 to 14 in. above the bottom hook. You now can cover more of the water column with two baits and you can try two colors to see what they want. And from time to time you will get doubles! it works great. And don't over work the rig,less is more!
WRB reply :
Spinning tackle?
RipSomeLips reply :
I use a 6.6 spinning rod with braid and a fluoro 6lb leader. I use a 2 size ewg hook and work a very thin senko style worm wacky style. The hottest tip I can give u is from kvd himself. He ties a palomar knot for the hook and starts the knot by running the line from the point tip side of the eye. Then when u are done with the standard palomar knot run the tag end of the Line thru the eye of the hook again. This will allow your hook to stick straight out from the line. You can find his video example on youtube.
mjseverson24 reply :
I love to dropshot it is one of my favorite techniques, for hooks i like 1/0 and 2/0 gamakatsu finesse wide gap hooks or a 1/0-3/0 ewg. for weight I like the pencil weights best from 1/16 to 3/8 depending on water depth. for lures I like a 4-5 inch senko type wacky rigged (the o-rings are nice for this), a gulp alive leech is also a great bait, as well as a 4-6 inch finesse worm. the yamamoto shad tail worm is another great bait, or the KVD dreamshot. for a starter set up i would recommend a 7' ML/F or M/F spinning set up. personally I use a 7' ML/F st. croix triumph and a 7'M/F mojo for dropshots, both are paired with pflueger presidents, spooled with 10 lb braid and a 20' floro leader usually about 6-12 lbs.
Mitch
Salamander12 reply :
I just started to drop shot a few weeks ago and it's the only way I want to fish now. I've tried quite a few different baits but the most effective for me is a zoom trick worm in Greek pumpkin.
tomustang reply :
MLXF rod
1000 or 2500 reel
6lb line
VMC spin shot hooks
Teardrop/drop shot/pencil weight
Finesse worms like roboworm or zoom trick worm for starters
ww2farmer reply :
To get started.....#2 VMC spinshot hooks for nose hooking and a 3/8 oz pencil style weight. A 6'6" to 7' ML power, F or XF action spinning rod. 2000/2500 size spinning reel. 10lb braid mainline, 6 or 8lb flourocarbon leader.
Felix77 reply :
I focused on drop shotting a lot last year. As a co-angler in my club there were a ton of times I ended up around weeds which made the nose hook technique somewhat ineffective. I did however began using a T-rigged drop shot setup and fell in love with it ... It turned out to mimic JVD's setup with one exception. I use a uni-2-uni knot instead of the swivel ... Here's a video that might help you.
IMO - One critical tip is feeling the weight on the bottom. If you don't feel it then upsize. Period.
Good luck.
boostr reply :
Geez, you would think JVD can clean his screen off ones in a while..... Slob. 
boostr reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 9:04 PM, Felix77 said:I focused on drop shotting a lot last year. As a co-angler in my club there were a ton of times I ended up around weeds which made the nose hook technique somewhat ineffective. I did however began using a T-rigged drop shot setup and fell in love with it ... It turned out to mimic JVD's setup with one exception. I use a uni-2-uni knot instead of the swivel
Actually its funny you said that, there is actually a Facts of Fishing episode where JVD is the guest angler and they are dropshotting for smallies in the St. Claire, and he talks about why he uses ewg hook and T-rigs the plastic istead of using a Octopus hook and nose rigging it.
WIGuide reply :
You're going to want to get yourself either a medium or medium/light spinning rod with either a fast or extra fast action. I'd recommend you give the VMC spin shot hooks a shot right off the bat. I use mostly the 1/0 circle hooks but that depends a lot on how you're going to rig you bait and what you're throwing it around. Weight wise your best bet is probably the cylindrical weights because they don't seem to get hung up as much especially in a rocker area. I'd suggest 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8. If you're looking for a good bait to start out with I'd go with the Berkley Havoc Bottom Hopper Jr.'s they're cheap yet effective.
Mike L reply :
Ok I got a question....
Keeping in mind I've never fished this rig before, why a M/L rod?
Is it a depth issue? (Can't see why)
Sensitivity reason? (Can't see that either)
Majotity of the fish caught are small so no need for heavier gear? (That makes sense)
Educate me please.
Mike
Felix77 reply :
On 3/11/2014 at 10:40 PM, boostr said:Actually its funny you said that, there is actually a Facts of Fishing episode where JVD is the guest angler and they are dropshotting for smallies in the St. Claire, and he talks about why he uses ewg hook and T-rigs the plastic istead of using a Octopus hook and nose rigging it.
Saw that too but I couldn't post the episode online. This was the closest I could get. He basically shows the same stuff.
Crestliner2008 reply :
You need a rod with a tip that is very sensitive and light....to establish action on your bait, should you need it. It must also have a decent backbone to bring up a tough smallie from 25'+. There are many choices out there. ML action seems to fit the bill perfectly in most instances.
Mike L reply :
On 3/12/2014 at 12:05 AM, Crestliner2008 said:You need a rod with a tip that is very sensitive and light....to establish action on your bait, should you need it. It must also have a decent backbone to bring up a tough smallie from 25'+. There are many choices out there. ML action seems to fit the bill perfectly in most instances.
After I posted I thought about the action part.
Thanks
Mike
John G reply :
Why spinning and not casting?
BassAssassin726 reply :
Thanks for all the replies! I have a ML rod with 8lb Im gonna use. My main question though is, is this a technique that can be effective from the bank? Which is mostly where I fish from.
BassAssassin726 reply :
On 3/12/2014 at 3:52 AM, John G said:Why spinning and not casting?
Cause it's a finesse technique. Casting rods aren't really conducive to 6-8lb test and tiny weights. Lol
John G reply :
Then why does Loomis make Drop Shot casting rods? I also read where some guys use a 3/8oz weight. That is not very finesse IMHO! LOLOn 3/12/2014 at 8:34 AM, BassAssassin726 said:Cause it's a finesse technique. Casting rods aren't really conducive to 6-8lb test and tiny weights. Lol
BuckMaxx reply :
Takihero omaera (sp) often fishes a ds on baitcasting gear so it ia not essential but spinning gear is the norm. One of the biggest mistakes i made when i first picked up a ds rod was i felt like I needed to shake it alot. In reality you dont have too. I now try to hold my rod perfectly still. Youd be amazed at what just the shakes of youe hand transmits to the bait
Bass Menace reply :
Spinning reel cause its way easier to drop the bait down... Lift the bail arm and off it goes.
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
On 3/12/2014 at 8:34 AM, BassAssassin726 said:Cause it's a finesse technique. Casting rods aren't really conducive to 6-8lb test and tiny weights. Lol
Says who?
Finesse is a mindset. You can finesse an ounce and a half jig in a mat just as much as you can power fish a tiny shakey head or drop shot...
Besides, limiting a drop shot to light line and spinning gear can potentially make you miss out on some great fishing. I've used the drop shot on big braid and a flipping stick in very heavy vegetation.
michang5 reply :
Other than once or twice from a kayak, my drop shotting is usually from the bank. This week I pulled in a 3# and two 2#. One fish was from deeper water (10-15') and two were in shallow water (1-3').
Unlike the "video-game fishing" I see the pros do from a boat in deep water, my bank drop shot technique is more like a slow Carolina rig. I cast it out and wait for the weight to hit bottom. Reel up slack. Starting with the rod tip at 10:00, I lift it to 11:00, drop tip back down to 10:00 and reel in the slack. I usually just pause 3-10 seconds after dragging the bait -- no twitching or shaking.
It seemed so odd that it worked that I had to double check with my two fishing buddies awhile back. They confirmed that they essentially the same when fishing the drop shot from the bank.
On 3/12/2014 at 8:33 AM, BassAssassin726 said:Thanks for all the replies! I have a ML rod with 8lb Im gonna use. My main question though is, is this a technique that can be effective from the bank? Which is mostly where I fish from.
Fishes in trees reply :
Just to your research and make your decisions. Are you gonna Bubba Shot or go more toward finesse?
My current favorite Bubba Shot set up is a 7'4" MH pitching stick and a Curado 50E reel. 20 lb Abrazx line. I change my opinion on my finesse set up quite a bit. Currently I'm using a spinning rod that is Labeled Medium, but it is on the heavy side of medium and a Shimano Spirex 200 size reel.
I like the Spirex because of the one hand bail. For line, I'm currently using 14 lb Fireline Crystal and a 6' or so fluorocarbon leader. I'm a big fan of nose hooking the baits, rather than tx rigging them. My current favorite hooks are the Gamakatsu Wicked Wacky hooks - they come in a variety of sizes that work for both finesse and bubba style.
Everyone has their own ideas about weights. Lots of folks say to use the lightest weight that you can get away with. My opinion is that the point of the drop shot is to fish right off the bottom, or a given distance off the bottom, therefore, I want a weight that gets me to the bottom asap.
I use 1/4 or 3/8 on my finesse set up and 1/2 or 3/4 on the bubba rig, mostly 1/2.
The preference for the heavier weight than most guys use on the finesse set up explains the use of the stouter spinning rod. A 3/8 oz weight would overpower lots of rods labeled drop shot rods.
My recommendation would be to start with what you got, whatever that is, fish it for a while and then make corrections based on your experiences and conditions. That's what I did.
FrogFreak reply :
Interesting stuff. I agree with some others here and say go with the VMC spin shot hooks (no. 2 for nose hooking). They are super strong and line twist isn't an issue. I caught a 39 inch Northern with a no. 2 VMC last summer. As far as weight goes, I use just the amount I need to feel the bottom. Personally, I don't agree that you need to impart any action on the bait. I find it best to leave it alone. It quivers plenty without your help. I use Strike King bitsy tubes, lake fork baby magic shad, Berkley's shad in 4 inch or trick worms. Just let the fish tell you what they want. I use a M or MH rod with a fast tip. Sensitivity is key. I like the Pfleuger President in the 30 size. Just remember on the hook set when you nose hook the bait, just lift up while reeling to set the hook. No crazy lip ripping sets are needed.
This is a great technique just about anywhere you think the fish are holding.
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