Your Usage Theory On Drop Shot Weights ? 2024
ChrisD46 reply :
Only just a few years ago it seems the norm was to throw lighter drop shot weights (down in the 1/16th oz. , 3/32nd oz. & 1/8th oz. range) for various small worms and shad type soft plastics . Now I see the trend is to often use heavier drop shot weights of 3/16th oz. , 1/4 oz. , 3/8th oz. and above with the same baits - even in shallower water . I'm not sure I understand the theory behind the move to heavier drop shot weights - unless we are talking deeper water tactics ? Is it a case of absolutely making sure that drop shot weight does NOT come up off of the bottom while working a drop shot soft plastic ? Previously you would see guys using the lighter 1/8th oz. drop shot weights and it would be ok to more often come up off the bottom a bit as they are working the drop shot baits . *With the above said , what determines the drop shot weight you use with soft plastics (outside of water depth) ? Is it just enough drop shot weight to work a drop shot bait without the weight coming up off the bottom OR are you in the newer camp of: "I want that drop shot weight more firmly planted on the bottom while working a drop shot bait" thus moving to the heavier drop shot weights of 1/4th oz. and above ? Lastly , if you have moved to heavier drop shot weights in general - have you noticed any difference in hook up percentage ? ... Thanks in advance !
WRB reply :
I use the lightest weight that allows me to keep bottom contact under the conditions I am fishing. Too heavy of a drop shot weight tends to snag too often for example. Too light of a drop shot weight you loose contact with the weight when shaking slightly slack line and miss strikes. It's a trail and error thing to determine what works for me.
My drop shots weights are; 1/8, 3/16, 1/4 and 3/8 oz. I can feel the bottom in 50' of water using a 3/8 oz weight with 5 lb to 7 lb line in the wind using soft plastics up to 5" so don't use a heavier weight. I usually start with 1/4 oz in 15' to 30' of water vertically.
Tom
portiabrat reply :
Very roughly, I think there are two ways to drop shot.
First, you cast the bait far and retrieve it somehow. The retrieve can be anything from swimming the bait to dragging it with long pauses. I don't do too much of this, so I don't have an educated opinion, but light weights seem to work best.
Second, in deeper water (say 15+ feet) you use your electronics to pitch the bait to something interesting, drop the bait vertically near something interesting, or drop it on fish you see. In any of these cases, you never move the weight. This is what I normally do. Here, I like using heavy weights for a couple of reasons: [1] If I see a smallie on my graph, I want to get the bait in front of it ASAP, because there's a good chance it'll move; [2] If I want to pitch or drop to something specific (for example, the shady side of a boulder) I don't want the current moving my bait a long distance before it hits the bottom.
ChrisD46 reply :
Valid , practical replies Tom & Dink - just what I'm looking for !
I'm would be more in the camp of the "cast and retrieve" drop shot approach blind casting in shallower water less than 15 foot deep ...
Crestliner2008 reply :
I never think about it. Have used the 1/4 oz. for more years than I care to think about. Has never given me pause.
Swbass15 reply :
For me it really depends on wind. No wind I try to go as light as possible down to 1/8th. Bump it up as it gets windy. I like you pitch and flip it to targets in shallow water as well as fish it deep.
reerok reply :
I think between your logical deduction and the responses from Tom and Portiabrat, it's mostly covered.
I mostly fish the drop shot horizontally (like you - cast and retrieve) in 2'-12' of water along bluff walls, rocky transitions, and point edges. With that in mind I find myself using a 1/8th or 3/16th most of the time depending on wind. I love being able to maintain bottom contact but too much weight does get me snagged in the rocky bottom.
If I'm power-shotting I'll usually start at 3/16th on a dead calm day and go up from there. If I'm power-shotting through emergent grass, I'll use 3/8th or even 1/2 depending on the thickness of the grass. But it's not very often that I find that to be my best approach to grass.
J Francho reply :
I don't DS with less than 1/2 oz. More likely, 3/4 oz. I DO NOT want the weight to move, unless I move it. Anything lighter, and it's moving, whether you know it or not.
Chefster reply :
Fishing mostly from the bank, I have came up with a system that seems to be working for me. When I think the fish are up shallow I go for a 3/16 and below. Once the fish pull off the bank I go heavier weights. 1/4 to 1/2 . The heavier weight falls faster and let’s me cover more water. But it can all change depending on what the fish want. If they are biting on the fall, drag, hop, or swim, this can all change the weight size used.
J Francho reply :
Here's my thoughts on going shallow. Spoiler alert, I go even heavier when shallow.
https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot-bedding-bass.html
Chefster reply :
Awesome read. Quick question. What length rod do you prefer and how long of a leader are you tying.
corn-on-the-rob reply :
I fish lake Erie about every weekend during the season, and I definitely cast my DS more than I vertical fish it.
I have 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 ounce weights. I almost always use 3/8 regardless of the condition.
I want my rig to the bottom asap, I want to keep bottom contact without trying too hard, and I want to be able to easily move my bait with out moving the weight a ton if at all.
With even moderate wind or waves, a 3/8 or 1/2 is necessary for me to do this, so the 1/4 rarely gets a ride unless is particularly snaggy, or I am fishing pretty shallow, or virtually no wind.
moguy1973 reply :
Went to a seminar last year where Brandon Palaniuk was speaking at and he mainly uses 1/4oz unless it's really windy. I don't think I've ever used anything but 1/4oz, but I don't fish the DS much.
J Francho reply :
On 12/22/2017 at 11:10 PM, Chefster said:Awesome read. Quick question. What length rod do you prefer and how long of a leader are you tying.
The leader is usually about 3' from mainline to the hook, and whatever length tag I want to use after. I use a 6-9 MXF rod for shallow stuff. For vertical, I use a shorter 6-3 MLXF or 6-3 MXF.
DubyaDee reply :
I stick with 1/4 ounce unless the wind is blowing like crazy, then I'll go up to 3/8. Having the same weight helps me keep things consistent.
Chefster reply :
Thanks for the response j Franco.
kickerfish1 reply :
On 12/22/2017 at 9:02 PM, Crestliner2008 said:I never think about it. Have used the 1/4 oz. for more years than I care to think about. Has never given me pause.
This! In fact, I normally buy the 1/4 oz weights in bulk packs of 25 or more. I drop shot in a few feet to as much as 30. For simplicity sake, not a lot of reasons to change your weights. The action of your bait should not be affected much at all by the weight other than when it is first cast out and sinks the bottom.
TOXIC reply :
I never leave the dock without a DS tied up. All of the above are good reply's and are spot on. I'll add 2 points. I fish the DS in pretty much all configurations but there is a deadly application that I use it for, dragging it while drift fishing. On St Clair when most would drag a tube, I pull out the DS and it is very effective. I stay with 1/4 unless we can't slow the drift with socks and then I might step it up in weight. Also a huge factor is the quality of your DS weight. I have gone through a lot of cheap weights during my week on St Clair and I have gone an entire week with 2 weights. I couldn't believe it. The difference was in the quality of the weight. A weight manufactured with a quality harp and proper shape is what made the difference. My DS weight of choice is a QuickDrop.
ChrisD46 reply :
Quick Drop makes a quality DS weight - what do readers think about tungsten DS weights which seem to be on the rise in popularity ?
GrumpyOlPhartte reply :
@ChrisD46: Massachusetts simplifies the tungsten-vs-lead issue by making it illegal to fish lead weights under one ounce. Personally I have done little drop-shot fishing, but I am a big fan of tungsten for the little I have tried the drop-shot and I definitely appreciate the compact size for other applications such as Texas-rigged worms and critter baits. (Tried the steel alternatives but even the 3/8-ounce was about the size of a ping pong ball! LOL!)
ww2farmer reply :
For spinning rod, light line, light wire hook, finesse drop shotting...1/4 oz is my go to size, unless it's windy, then I bump it up to 3/8's oz. If I am doing a "drift and drag" with a drop shot..I use 1/2 oz.
Power shotting, I use 1/2 oz. most of the time, but have gone up to 1oz. depending on the cover and/or wind conditions.
Comfortably Numb reply :
I almost always use a cheapo 3/8 casting sinker tied on the dropper. Not many rocks here and I usually lose a rig due to hook snagging on wood. I use a weedless #1 hook. I like a shorter 6' ML rod so I can drop straight down if fishing vertical. 15# braid to 8-10# flouro leader.
Never understood the advantage of a light weigh for DS unless you have rocks I guess.
Went to Wallymart to get more 3/8 lead sinkers and only thing they had in 3/8 were Steel. They are huge! Wonder if that would help in not getting caught in rock crevasse.
WRB reply :
Casting and dragging a drop shot isn't for me, I cast and drag a slit shot rig because it's more effective where I fish. Heavy drop shots will not move where I fish because they snag easily.
Tom
fishwizzard reply :
I do the cast and drag from the bank and use a 316 weight most of the time. For me, the DS is the best way I have found to present a soft plastic close to the bottom in places with a muck or leaf covered bottom. A heavy wight seems to drag too much and get covered with debris where the lighter weight just skims over stuff.
Munkin reply :
I use the lightest weight I can get away with for aDS. Normally I use 1/8 to 1/4oz anything heavier and other lures work better.
Allen
dam0007 reply :
Super light if I’m targeting bass suspended and want them to hit it on the fall. Otherwise 3/16oz for 1-10FOW 3/8oz for 10FOW plus. I’ve drop shot as deep as 50FOW. 3/8oz is also pretty solid in tidal current.
Quarry Man reply :
i use 1/4 oz tungsten round weights by eco pro
DropShotHotShot reply :
I like 1/2 oz when dropping on a very specific target like an isolated bolder. It allows me to get bait down fast, and let the boat drift off a bit while keeping the bait in place
Cheetahsneverprosper reply :
It's pretty weedy in most of the ponds and lakes I fish in, so I usually go with a lighter 1/8 oz DS weight.
Unless it's particularly windy, in which case I'll go up in weight until I can easily keep bottom contact.
I almost always use the cylindrical ones, rather than round or teardrop, but I've never bothered using tungsten. At least not for fun fishing. Might try them for tournaments this coming year, in places where they're not likely to get snagged.
Yumeya reply :
1/4 to 3/8 is my go to weights, deeper I will use the 3/8 but if its windy and a lot of waves I move to 1/2
Steve S reply :
On 12/24/2017 at 1:48 AM, WRB said:Casting and dragging a drop shot isn't for me, I cast and drag a slit shot rig because it's more effective where I fish. Heavy drop shots will not move where I fish because they snag easily.
Tom
What weight do you recommend for bank fishing a mojo rig in retention ponds ? Thanks Tom
WRB reply :
1/8 oz mojo cylinder weight.
Tom
Bird reply :
I caught my big fish of 2019 on DS, clear water.
I keep it simple which may not be optimal but seems consistent for my waters......1/4 0z for everything unless high winds......don't do anything finesse in wind.
Choporoz reply :
I have no evidence or stats, but my sense lately is that pros seem to be using a lot more weight lately for all kinds of applications.... 3/4 oz lipless and bladed jigs in shallow weeds; pitching laydowns with 1oz jigs; 3/4 oz shakey heads; bubba shotting, etc.
May just be imagining it, but it seems I'm often surprised at the weights lately when a pro talks details about what he's throwing
BTW, I fished in pretty strong current two days ago and I couldn't put 3/8 oz drop shot any where near where I wanted it.
Choporoz reply :
Google's creepy weird.....just a couple hours after posting that....my Google News feed links to an item about KVD drop shotting with 1/2 oz weights
A-Jay reply :
On 1/28/2020 at 4:10 AM, Choporoz said:Google's creepy weird.....just a couple hours after posting that....my Google News feed links to an item about KVD drop shotting with 1/2 oz weights
Mark Zona's done a few videos discussing how he uses 3/4 oz DS weights - quite often.
I've been playing with it past few season however I've yet to unlock the magic.
When I'm DS using the graph and that big weight, I fully expect to knock at least one or two of those fat heads unconscious.
One things certain - Sure gets to the bottom in record time.
A-Jay
J Francho reply :
On 1/28/2020 at 4:16 AM, A-Jay said:One things certain - Sure gets to the bottom in record time.
That's some of the point. 
On Erie, you don't want those schooling, mid column rats getting a good look. You want the lazy, slob lurkers at the bottom. I probably said above, twice, I start at 1/2 oz. and move up from there.
ChrisD46 reply :
On 1/28/2020 at 9:03 PM, J Francho said:That's some of the point.
On Erie, you don't want those schooling, mid column rats getting a good look. You want the lazy, slob lurkers at the bottom. I probably said above, twice, I start at 1/2 oz. and move up from there.
*Good lake Erie DS weight comments - I certainly get it ! ... For general dragging . shaking DS retrieve though in southern reservoirs - I want a DS weight high enough to maintain contact with the bottom . For me , 1/8th oz. tends to bounce and rise too much on the retrieve with all but the smallest 4" Robo worms . I now start out at 3/16th oz. DS weights again for the general drag & shake DS retrieve with finesse worms , flukes , minnows , etc.
J Francho reply :
When I drag, I also like something heavy enough to keep the bait in place. This method uses a really heavy weight, but works really well: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot-bedding-bass.html
ChrisD46 reply :
On 1/29/2020 at 8:40 PM, J Francho said:When I drag, I also like something heavy enough to keep the bait in place. This method uses a really heavy weight, but works really well: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot-bedding-bass.html
*That's quite a deal to irritate a bass to no end via DS into biting without moving the bait out of the strike zone - that heavy weight will keep you pinned to an exact spot until you decide to move it ... Interesting !
Fishes in trees reply :
I use a "bubba" drop shot approach much more often than I use a finesse approach. Half ounce weights are the largest size that are readily available anywhere close to where I live, so that is what size I use. Last year I made half a dozen or so of 3/4 oz drop shot weights, but didn't get around to using them. Maybe this year.
J Francho reply :
On 1/30/2020 at 1:56 AM, Fishes in trees said:I use a "bubba" drop shot approach much more often than I use a finesse approach. Half ounce weights are the largest size that are readily available anywhere close to where I live, so that is what size I use. Last year I made half a dozen or so of 3/4 oz drop shot weights, but didn't get around to using them. Maybe this year.
Try sliding a heavier flipping weight on the tag end, upside down, and tie a small split ring on below that.
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/30/2020 at 1:56 AM, Fishes in trees said:I use a "bubba" drop shot approach much more often than I use a finesse approach. Half ounce weights are the largest size that are readily available anywhere close to where I live, so that is what size I use. Last year I made half a dozen or so of 3/4 oz drop shot weights, but didn't get around to using them. Maybe this year.
On 1/30/2020 at 2:06 AM, J Francho said:Try sliding a heavier flipping weight on the tag end, upside down, and tie a small split ring on below that.
Eagle Claw has casting weights up to 1-1/2 oz on their site. I have 3/4 oz and 1 oz for bubba shotting into weed mats and lily-pad 'fields'.
https://www.eagleclaw.com/02060-bass-casting-sinker
J Francho reply :
On 1/30/2020 at 2:13 AM, MN Fisher said:Eagle Claw has casting weights up to 1-1/2 oz on their site. I have 3/4 oz and 1 oz for bubba shotting into weed mats and lily-pad 'fields'.
https://www.eagleclaw.com/02060-bass-casting-sinker
The rounded, tear drop shape doesn't penetrate as well as a bullet weight. Since I already have plenty of bullet weights, it's less hassle and expense as well.
MN Fisher reply :
On 1/30/2020 at 2:45 AM, J Francho said:The rounded, tear drop shape doesn't penetrate as well as a bullet weight. Since I already have plenty of bullet weights, it's less hassle and expense as well.
Finding the heavier bullet (punch) weights in multiples without breaking my budget was an exercise in frustration. So I went with the casting weights.
J Francho reply :
Google "oe sinkers"
PourMyOwn reply :
On 1/30/2020 at 10:18 PM, J Francho said:Google "oe sinkers"
Love their stuff, it takes a few weeks, but the prices are worth it.
browne762 reply :
On 1/30/2020 at 10:18 PM, J Francho said:Google "oe sinkers"
Is it OM sinkers by chance? Nothing came up for OE.
J Francho reply :
On 1/31/2020 at 1:05 AM, browne762 said:Is it OM sinkers by chance? Nothing came up for OE.
Yes, but I get the same result for either.
Paul Roberts reply :
On 12/22/2017 at 11:01 PM, J Francho said:Here's my thoughts on going shallow. Spoiler alert, I go even heavier when shallow.
https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot-bedding-bass.html
Excellent read. Well written!
Hillbilly Bennett reply :
On 12/22/2017 at 11:01 PM, J Francho said:Here's my thoughts on going shallow. Spoiler alert, I go even heavier when shallow.
https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot-bedding-bass.html
This is a really good read! A friend of mine turned me on to drop shotting for bass on the bed and it absolutely works. He hasn’t discovered the heavier weight aspect yet though. I’ll have send this to him.
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