Trolling drop shot? 2025
Andy007 reply :
I’ve been reading forums and articles about drop shot and power shotting technique for bass and walleye. I can’t find much info about trolling, just casting and working it back to the boat.
One of the lakes I fish regularly hold walleye’s and bass on the outside 15 to 17 foot weed line. Some days fishing plastics for bass we’ll hook some walleye’s or trolling for walleye we’ll catch bass.
Could be a dumb idea I’m thinking when the bass are out and deep and the walleye’s are aggressive slow trolling and hopping the bottom weight presentation could be a good multi species technique? I’m a plastics guy but guessing could work with live bait also.
Planning on giving this a try this summer and your thoughts or experiences would be helpful!
Thanks
WRB reply :
Try the slip shot rig.
Tom
Andy007 reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 1:47 AM, WRB said:Try the slip shot rig.
Tom
Usually troll lindy rigs tor walleye. Pretty much the same.
J Francho reply :
It's not really a trolling rig. There are better rigs to use to get the bait down. Are you trying to catch more walleye, or bass? Because whether trolling or casting has zero to do with what species you catch. What you're asking is like saying, I want to troll a jig. Or, I want to jig a Dipsy rig. Pick the right rig for the job.
Andy007 reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 2:03 AM, J Francho said:It's not really a trolling rig. There are better rigs to use to get the bait down. Are you trying to catch more walleye, or bass? Because whether trolling or casting has zero to do with what species you catch. What you're asking is like saying, I want to troll a jig. Or, I want to jig a Dipsy rig. Pick the right rig for the job.
Some days the bass and walleye are mixed and not sure which is biting till you set the hook, could also be a pike or Muskie. Trolling a drops shot type rig is like a three way or bottom bouncer without a long hook line. Might not work but thinking it could be worth a try. Have read that some people use that technique for crappies.
J Francho reply :
You might as well use a 3-way rig, with a leader if there are pike and musky as well...
The purpose of a drop shot rig it hold the bait, above the bottom, weightless. And movement of the bait doesn't move the bait from the spot. Yes, you can move the bait as well, and in that case, it's used to keep the bait off the bottom, and out of the snot. Some for popping, or power-shotting. I just don't see the advantage of trolling, but go ahead and try. It's not like you won't get bit. That part will work, if you're getting the bait into the spot.
I recommend you use the pencil weights for this. They work best for me, when let the current drag a DS rig across a ledge, without having the sinker hang up.
ww2farmer reply :
Trolling dropshot rigs doesn't work for smallmouth...EVER.....Nope, I have never caught multiple 5lbers doing it, or had lights out days doing it. Move along, nothing to see, hear, or talk about. You NEVER want to use a 1/2 -3/4 oz sinker about 18" below the bait, long lined behind the boat, and use the trolling motor to move you at about 1 mph or so over smallmouth holding areas. It just doesn't work.
Crestliner2008 reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 8:19 AM, ww2farmer said:Trolling dropshot rigs doesn't work for smallmouth...EVER.....Nope, I have never caught multiple 5lbers doing it, or had lights out days doing it. Move along, nothing to see, hear, or talk about. You NEVER want to use a 1/2 -3/4 oz sinker about 18" below the bait, long lined behind the boat, and use the trolling motor to move you at about 1 mph or so over smallmouth holding areas. It just doesn't work.
The older I get, the more I learn about what I don't know. 
J Francho reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 8:19 AM, ww2farmer said:You NEVER want to use a 1/2 -3/4 oz sinker about 18" below the bait, long lined behind the boat, and use the trolling motor to move you at about 1 mph or so over smallmouth holding areas.
Sounds more like drifting to me. No it doesn't work, lol.
"Trolling" to me means using the O/B motor, rods in a holder, and following a contour. Po-tay-to, po-tah-to!
TOXIC reply :
I'll be fishing the dropshot a LOT in little more than a week on St Clair. One of my go to techniques especially if drifting. I've used it with a short leader for bed fishing as well.
J Francho reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 9:52 PM, TOXIC said:I've used it with a short leader for bed fishing as well.
Try this method with a long drop line: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot-bedding-bass.html
TOXIC reply :
Interesting angle. I prefer a #1 not 1.0 Gamakatsu EWG hook and a Texas rigged bait. Traditional nose hooking in St Clair and the reeds that a lot of the beds are in won't work.
J Francho reply :
There is the Owner Drop Shot weedless hooks, too. Where the pic for that article was taken, is mostly milfoil and coontail, and the beds are usually fairly clean, so I can use an open hook. I still like to pop a wrist set, though. The braid helps with that, since most of the line is not in the water. Have fun, sounds like a blast.
sully420 reply :
Thats how Al Linder fishes a drop shot. He has a video on you tube about it and he fishes it on those same weedlines. It works well if you go slow and you need the bait off the bottom more than a Carolina rig or lindy type rig would. A mojo rig with a 1/8 or 1/16 oz weight works well also when fishing massive edges of grass
Andy007 reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 8:19 AM, ww2farmer said:Trolling dropshot rigs doesn't work for smallmouth...EVER.....Nope, I have never caught multiple 5lbers doing it, or had lights out days doing it. Move along, nothing to see, hear, or talk about. You NEVER want to use a 1/2 -3/4 oz sinker about 18" below the bait, long lined behind the boat, and use the trolling motor to move you at about 1 mph or so over smallmouth holding areas. It just doesn't work.
Ok you've talked me out trying trolling a drop shot rig....LOL
That's about the exact setup I was thinking might work, maybe little less between hook and sinker but that'll change as ware the fish are holding. Maybe some form of paddle tail or grub on the hook.
May when I said trolling I should have said with a trolling motor 1 to 1 ½ MPH.
Thanks for the help..
BassWhole! reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 1:46 AM, Andy007 said:I’ve been reading forums and articles about drop shot and power shotting technique for bass and walleye. I can’t find much info about trolling, just casting and working it back to the boat.
One of the lakes I fish regularly hold walleye’s and bass on the outside 15 to 17 foot weed line. Some days fishing plastics for bass we’ll hook some walleye’s or trolling for walleye we’ll catch bass.
Could be a dumb idea I’m thinking when the bass are out and deep and the walleye’s are aggressive slow trolling and hopping the bottom weight presentation could be a good multi species technique? I’m a plastics guy but guessing could work with live bait also.
Planning on giving this a try this summer and your thoughts or experiences would be helpful!
Thanks
Yeah, that could work, but might as well use a bottom bouncer for that. We drift something like a power dropshot in the salt for weakfish and sea trout with plastics or sea worms, works great.
Fishin' Fool reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 9:52 PM, TOXIC said:I'll be fishing the dropshot a LOT in little more than a week on St Clair. One of my go to techniques especially if drifting. I've used it with a short leader for bed fishing as well.
I'd say that we are running behind schedule this year. Been a lot of east wind days which are bad for the west shoreline. Usually by Mother's day weekend is prime time and your visit would be perfect but unless we get some primo weather soon I think you're probably a week or two early.
TOXIC reply :
On 5/3/2017 at 4:30 AM, Fishin' Fool said:
I'd say that we are running behind schedule this year. Been a lot of east wind days which are bad for the west shoreline. Usually by Mother's day weekend is prime time and your visit would be perfect but unless we get some primo weather soon I think you're probably a week or two early.
Weather has been really off this year. Been coming up for 13 years straight and we have seen it all from snow to 90 degrees. A few of our areas are producing according to my local buddies but you are correct, they are behind. We'll just have to get them pre spawn this year.
J Francho reply :
On 5/3/2017 at 4:30 AM, Fishin' Fool said:
I'd say that we are running behind schedule this year. Been a lot of east wind days which are bad for the west shoreline. Usually by Mother's day weekend is prime time and your visit would be perfect but unless we get some primo weather soon I think you're probably a week or two early.
What are your water levels like up there? South shore of Lake O. is getting battered. Cuomo declared a state of emergency. It's a mess.
Fishin' Fool reply :
On 5/4/2017 at 10:55 PM, J Francho said:
What are your water levels like up there? South shore of Lake O. is getting battered. Cuomo declared a state of emergency. It's a mess.
They are up for sure. Nothing like other states. Water level is higher than usual though.
On 5/4/2017 at 10:53 PM, TOXIC said:
Weather has been really off this year. Been coming up for 13 years straight and we have seen it all from snow to 90 degrees. A few of our areas are producing according to my local buddies but you are correct, they are behind. We'll just have to get them pre spawn this year.
The early forecast for next week is looking good for you guys. It looks stable. We haven't had much of that. Seriously it was A/C yesterday, heat today. I think today is supposed to be 48. The biggest thing for you will be the winds. If you can get those winds to switch away from the east you should have a great trip. Best of luck and please report back.
TOXIC reply :
On 5/4/2017 at 11:02 PM, Fishin' Fool said:
They are up for sure. Nothing like other states. Water level is higher than usual though.
The early forecast for next week is looking good for you guys. It looks stable. We haven't had much of that. Seriously it was A/C yesterday, heat today. I think today is supposed to be 48. The biggest thing for you will be the winds. If you can get those winds to switch away from the east you should have a great trip. Best of luck and please report back.
Thanks. I will. We leave on Thursday the 11th and fish through the 19th. We rent the same cottage on Harsens Island every year. It is a fun time and we can find them as long as we can get on the water.
Fishin' Fool reply :
On 5/4/2017 at 11:15 PM, TOXIC said:Thanks. I will. We leave on Thursday the 11th and fish through the 19th. We rent the same cottage on Harsens Island every year. It is a fun time and we can find them as long as we can get on the water.
Do you fish with Mini by chance?
TOXIC reply :
Yes. Mac Mini and 2 of us from Virginia. A few more mixed in local and this year we are bringing in another guy from VA.
Fishin' Fool reply :
On 5/4/2017 at 11:30 PM, TOXIC said:Yes. Mac Mini and 2 of us from Virginia. A few more mixed in local and this year we are bringing in another guy from VA.
I'm friends with Mac on Facebook so I vicariously live this trip with you guys each year on Facebook. Well now that I know your group I have no concerns that you will be on fish. Mini seems to have a good vibe of the lake. Have a good time. I'll look forward to seeing the pictures.
WRB reply :
On 5/2/2017 at 1:51 AM, Andy007 said:Usually troll lindy rigs tor walleye. Pretty much the same.
The Lindy rig as I recall is a pre rigged 3' leader, shoe shaped drag weight, bead, small float and sealy style live bait hook. It is a take off of a slip shot, except the components are different and not adjustable length from weight to hook. You could put a drop shot hook above the weight and combine the 2 rigs.
Tom
RoLo reply :
On 5/5/2017 at 12:19 AM, WRB said:The Lindy rig as I recall is a pre rigged 3' leader, shoe shaped drag weight, bead, small float and sealy style live bait hook. It is a take off of Pa slip shot, except the components are different and not adjustable length from weight to hook. You could put a drop shot hook above the weight and combine the 2 rigs.
Tom
Yup.
Back then, that shoe-shaped weight was called a "walking sinker"
which today is usually called a "walleye sinker".
Roger
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