Good Drop Shot Lures For Smallmouth? 2024

xAngler.rainey reply :

Need suggestions for what lures to use on a drop shot rig for smallmouth.

Crestliner2008 reply :

If it's made out of plastic, chances are pretty good that a smallie will grab it - if you fish it in the right place. My all-time fav is the 4" Roboworm. Doesn't seem to matter much as far as color goes, but these worms produce day in & day out. Fin-S Fish, Senkos, tube, Helgrammites, you name it. I've caught them on most of what is poured into a mold.

xAngler.rainey reply :

On 7/2/2014 at 1:07 AM, Crestliner2008 said:
If it's made out of plastic, chances are pretty good that a smallie will grab it - if you fish it in the right place. My all-time fav is the 4" Roboworm. Doesn't seem to matter much as far as color goes, but these worms produce day in & day out. Fin-S Fish, Senkos, tube, Helgrammites, you name it. I've caught them on most of what is poured into a mold.

Ok thanks.

A-Jay reply :

Berkley Powerbait 4" Power Curly Tail Worms ~ Green Pumpkin and try coloring the tail chartreuse.

Good Luck

A-Jay

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/139655-struggling-with-the-drop-shot/?p=1557090

Smallie Hunter reply :

Reins bubble shaker 5 inch. It floats and stays horizontal.

Snakehead Whisperer reply :

x2 on the Roboworms. My other top picks would be...

-cut tail worm

-Zoom finesse worm

-ringworm

-gulp or similar sized minnow like a Havoc Sick Fish in the small size

-3-4" grub

I usually like to add anise scent when dropshotting for smallies (although other fish seem to react positively as well.) Spike-It "Gamefish" flavor lure dye is anise scented and lasts a good long while.

Like others have stated, pretty much any soft plastics will work on a ds rig. My good friend swears by small 4" lizards and does really well, I can't bring myself to do it .

I usually start out on a 1/O hook, but adjust according to my hook up ratio and whether I'm trying to keep the panfish off the line or not.

cueball reply :

Z-Man 4" Finesse Wormz. Work great and you can fish one worm all day. I also like Robo Worms and Zoom Z Drops, but you go through a lot more of them than the Z-Man worm.

bassboy33 reply :

4.5 inch straight tail roboworm

zewski@live.com reply :

The Xzone Slammer is a secret of alot of pros, Takahiro Omoro won an event drop shotting this... http://www.***.com/Xzone_Lures_Slammer/descpage-XZONESL.html

JeziHogg reply :

3" twitch tail

mod479 reply :

3 - 5" finesse worms in green pumpkin, melon, or black is a good starting point just about anywhere. I try to keep it simple now that I have confidence in the rig instead of messing around throwing a dozen colors of the same bait. Not neccesary in most cases.

Zippyduck Krimm reply :

Jackall crosstail shad, 3-4" and senkos

SMB101 reply :

4" Pro Senko , chompers and Jackell crosstail which is a first this year and has been working out well.

kickerfish1 reply :

Jackall I-Shad

Jackkall Cross tail shad

Roboworm Sculpin

Roboworm 4 inch worm

Strike king dream shot

Keitech sex impact 4.8 inch

If you can't catch them on these something is wrong.

everythingthatswims reply :

Anything 2-5" long with a straight tail (and it doesn't necessarily have to have a straight tail, some people drop shot with little swimbaits) 3-4" is the most common size though.

NathanW reply :

For Smallies

4.5 inch curl tail roboworm if there is current.

4.5 inch straight tail worm if there is not current

Late summer and into fall I switch to the Z-Man Shad-Z in green pumpkin because these fish will flat out eat anything and Elaztech will stay on your hook through multiple fish and constant dink nibbling.

For LMB

6" straight tail Roboworm

MichiganBass80 reply :

I'm new to targeting smallmouth, but so far the Strike King KVD Dreamshot both 4 and 5 inch have worked for me. So far green pumpkin has worked the best, followed by KVD magic and candy craw. Picked up a pack of morning dawn as well, but haven't tried them out yet.

gettin bent reply :

Roboworm 4"

Berkley gulp leech 3" black. To get better action on the leech take a ultiliy knife a fillet the leech length wise makin two leechs. Sometime this is the ticket for finicky smallies. Put the flat side up.

Xzone slammer 3" and tail hook it. This way when you lower your rod tip it glides away from you. This is really effective mid summer in depth less then 12ft.

Dinky reply :

All the above obviously work.

I caught a bunch of smallmouth on Champlain a couple weeks ago drop shooting in deep water rock piles using 4 and 5 inch Senkos wacky rigged, with tips tinted in chartreuse.

Also caught a few on a 6 inch finesse worm.

All in various watermelon or lighter green.

webertime reply :

On 8/14/2014 at 10:55 PM, Dinky said:

All the above obviously work.

I caught a bunch of smallmouth on Champlain a couple weeks ago drop shooting in deep water rock piles using 4 and 5 inch Senkos wacky rigged, with tips tinted in chartreuse.

Also caught a few on a 6 inch finesse worm.

All in various watermelon or lighter green.

Shhhhhhhhhh. About the senkos.

Whiskey River whiptails

The teeny Keitech Swing Impact

Strike King finesse worms when the rock bass/perch are around.

ww2farmer reply :

Gulp...............3" minnows, 3" fry, and 3" leeches. I generally don't like Gulp products, but for drop shotting specifically for smallmouth, I have found nothing that works better. Almost every single smallmouth I have ever caught over 5lbs has come on a dropshotted Gulp product. Lots of 4+ lbers on other things, but for some reason the big ones like Gulp.

Crestliner2008 reply :

Another thing to keep in mind here is that you really should carry a variety of plastics to present to the fish. They can turn on/turn off one particular style/size/color quite rapidly. They have ample time to look over your offering and accept or reject it. So, if you think you are over fish and you haven't had any that take, try switching over to an entirely different style.

BTW, another "crackerjack" bait is the 3" Sluggo, nose hooked!

BasshunterJGH reply :

4.5 inch straight tail roboworms and tubes are top producers for me. Morning dawn is my favorite color robo, the best tube I've found is the gitzit 3 inch by far the best color is brown craw/salt pepper at least in my area...

Ozark_Basser reply :

Reapers

Hanover_Yakker reply :

PowerTeam Lures 3.6" JP Hammershad - it has one of the best baitfish profiles out there. If you're interested, drop me a line and I'll send you some info.

fishguy613 reply :

GYCB shad shape worm

Gambler Shakey shad

GYCB 4" senkos

x-zone slammers / mini slammers

MarkH024 reply :

BioSpawn Plasma Tails

zeth reply :

roboworm.

fisherrw reply :

Margarita robo worms are my go to..

*Hank reply :

Roboworm straight tail worms 4in, lunker hunt bento minnow,and jackall cross tail shads are all great drop shot baits try em out!...

5fishlimit reply :

In no particular order:

Roboworms, straight tail

Zoom finesse worms

Missile Baits drop craw

Jackall cross tail shad

fisherrw reply :

I also like jacklell cross tail shad

Texas bassman reply :

Small 3in craws work great. So do romoworms in arrons magic and kvd dream shots in kvd magic

Bass2124 reply :

Zoom trick worms 4-6" are the bomb for me. As has been said, anything plastic will work but the trickworms in green pumpkin for some reason out fish all other plastics for me.

Felix77 reply :

On 7/2/2014 at 3:40 AM, A-Jay said:

Berkley Powerbait 4" Power Curly Tail Worms ~ Green Pumpkin and try coloring the tail chartreuse.

Good Luck

A-Jay

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/139655-struggling-with-the-drop-shot/?p=1557090

x2 on this ... was passed along this tip last year and it became my go-to DS bait.

CCfootballchamps69 reply :

Roboworms, roboworms and roboworms. I love all sizes and shapes roboworm has come out with. Next best would be senkos. Not going to go into color because I would be here all day. Try to match the hatch. There are many new hooks out there which allow to fish without having to tie a palomar knot. For weights I like either using a tear drop or cylindrical weight that is not tied onto the tail line but sinched. This way if you get snagged your not losing your entire setup but just a weight. Fish it slow and let it sit.

Mothercanucker reply :

Depends on where you are fishing for them. 90% of my smallies the last 2 seasons have come on the drop shot and it's what I fish the most. Hands down for me the Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm is all I need and is the best for clear water or spooky smallmouths. Jackall Crosstail Shad and Reins Bubble Shaker are amazing as well.

Felix77 reply :

Dream shots baby!

Zach Nute reply :

On 7/1/2014 at 11:35 PM, xAngler.rainey said:
Need suggestions for what lures to use on a drop shot rig for smallmouth.

Bass Pro Shops brand 3" senko hooked through the head!

spartyon8 reply :

Gulp Alive 5" leeches. I sometimes slice the tail to create more action!

rocketball reply :

I picked up some Berkley Havoc money makers this winter to try...any one have any luck with these? I am a big fan of drop shotting a wacky rig senko so thought the money maker may work great as well.

Mista bass reply :

I'm surprised no one has mentioned REINS bubbly shaker worms. These are by far the best drop shot worm I've ever used. The action on them is incredible. Either green pumpkin/silver flake, solid green pumpkin, or ghost pro blue. If I'm out of those then I also like KVD dreamshots in the same colors I mentioned above. Tight lines!

smallieking reply :

reins bubbling shaker

jackall crosstail shad

3 inch tube

wuchr20 reply :

5 inch senko or a KVD dream shot

*Hank reply :

The Jackall crostail shad is a solid performer for smallies on a drop shot rig.

Salmon12 reply :

Huge fan of kut tail , and cross tail 4 inch worms in watermelon variations. I also use a product called Lure dip and often will dye the tail Chart. Orange or red.. Lure dip is great stuff to add instant color.

agilmorefishing reply :

8lb test trokar tk150 3/8 oz. if you havent DS'd before. The lighter the better.

3 Basic DS Baits

Senko

Roboworms

Shad Shape Worm

Crestliner2008 reply :

Amazing - the variety of baits folks deem to "THE" ds bait! Let me tell ya something folks. It has almost nothing to do with what you are using; as much as where you are using it. Figure out how to find the bait on a section of structure and if the water has smallmouths residing, you'll get bit. I don't really care what you are using. I've proved this time & time again.

So, just use what gives you the most confidence. And focus on location.

Dwight Hottle reply :

On 5/14/2015 at 12:22 AM, Crestliner2008 said:

^{Amazing - the variety of baits folks deem to "THE" ds bait! Let me tell ya something folks. It has almost nothing to do with what you are using; as much as where you are using it. Figure out how to find the bait on a section of structure and if the water has smallmouths residing, you'll get bit. I don't really care what you are using. I've proved this time & time again.}

^{So, just use what gives you the most confidence. And focus on location.}

There are very few magical baits but there are many more magical locations. You can't catch what isn't there. Location first bait choice second.

EvanT123 reply :

^^^ Dwight and Crestliner. Your posts are so true. Last year they did the electro shock on the river pool I mainly fish. The scientist found that many sections of the river were devoid of fish and in others they found heavy concentrations of specific species.

no39 reply :

On 5/14/2015 at 12:22 AM, Crestliner2008 said:

Amazing - the variety of baits folks deem to "THE" ds bait! Let me tell ya something folks. It has almost nothing to do with what you are using; as much as where you are using it. Figure out how to find the bait on a section of structure and if the water has smallmouths residing, you'll get bit. I don't really care what you are using. I've proved this time & time again.

So, just use what gives you the most confidence. And focus on location.

This. I usually dropshot whatever discarded baits I find on the floor of the boat.

Dogmatic reply :

Lots of selections to try now. Has anyone tried Jackall Clone Gills, or Fry?

PitchinJigz reply :

Angler's Choice 4" Killshot in Baby Bass color.

BigSkyBasser reply :

Just started throwing skinnybear baits like their shad swimbait. If you throw it drop shot rigged weedless on an off set vmc, it requires a hard hook set but the bites seem better.

Mass Bassin' reply :

Zoom finnesse worm, dream shot, bruzer baits crazy craw, z man finnesse worm, ect, ect,

My killer d-shot bait is a kitch swing impact tho, looks like a goby if u have gobies where u are, just looks like a baitfish to fish around here because i dont have gobies at some of my lakes

wuchr20 reply :

Senkos, Roboworms, Strike King Dream Shots.

I would also recommend JJ's magic

egladding reply :

Berkley gulp minnows, twitch tail minnows, x-zone slammers, senkos, strike king dream shot.

KyBassin reply :

On 8/15/2014 at 6:47 PM, ww2farmer said:
Gulp...............3" minnows, 3" fry, and 3" leeches. I generally don't like Gulp products, but for drop shotting specifically for smallmouth, I have found nothing that works better. Almost every single smallmouth I have ever caught over 5lbs has come on a dropshotted Gulp product. Lots of 4+ lbers on other things, but for some reason the big ones like Gulp.

+1!! i dont use gulp anything besides dropshotting the 3 and 4" minnows, they are bomb.

adriank123 reply :

If you ever have a chance to fish the Great Lakes I highly recommend the Odin Outdoors Gobeev and Odin Outdoors Dropshot. In the Great Lakes smallmouth stuff themselves with gobies, and these two baits definitely match the hatch. I stick with the watermelon and green pumpkin colors.

http://www.odinoutdoors.com/#!soft-baits/c1ksk

*Hank reply :

I have a new favorite,Gyb thin senko.

RoLo reply :

Of late, the "Jackall Crosstail Shad" is getting the most lip-service from bronzeback dropshotters.

Even more than the Strike King KVD Dream Shot

Roger

EvanT123 reply :

On 7/9/2015 at 7:46 AM, RoLo said:

Of late, the "Jackall Crosstail Shad" is getting the most lip-service from bronzeback dropshotters.

Even more than Strike King KVD Dream Shot

Roger

Jackal makes another shad that excels at the drop shot and seems to get the big mamas to bite. "I" can't disclose the name though.

Joe H. reply :

^ I agree, jackall makes some really nice, realistic dropshot baits. Crosstail shad, I-shad, pin-tail shad, flick shake.

RoLo reply :

On 7/9/2015 at 10:26 AM, EvanT123 said:
Jackal makes another shad that excels at the drop shot and seems to get the big mamas to bite. "I" can't disclose the name though.

Ah Cum ON!

Basspro3106 reply :

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Gander-Mountain-Lure-Stick-Pro-5-35-Pack-Black/Blue-Swirl&i=765246&from=grid

Smallies have been crushing these worms and heck of a deal too.

bradc36 reply :

Both on a cross tail shad on Lake Erie this weekend. Also did well with shad shape worms, and small tubes on a drop shot.

BradGuenette reply :

Jackall Crosstail Shad has gotta be my favorite drop shot bait ever made! These northern smallies just crush em!

Zach Dunham reply :

I am amazed that no one has mentioned the Poor Boys Baits Erie Darter yet.

Fisherwr reply :

Robo worm 4 in strait tail, Jackell Tail shad or thin senko...

Fisherwr reply :

Crosstail*

WI_Angler1989 reply :

On 11/6/2014 at 3:47 AM, RICK PATRI said:

tell ya what... PM me your address and i'll send you a Lucky Tackle Box with a bunch of good baits you can use for drop shotting smallies.

i'm in that kind of mood today.

Cheers.

Rick

d**n, I'm only a year and a half late!

Zachary Nute reply :

3.5" Reins Bubbling Shaker in the Mueller Madness color.

Nate Stonefish reply :

I have used and had the most success with these baits in order. 4" white tubes(any brand), 10" zoom trick worms 3.75" field & stream sugar shot, 3.5"dropshot minnows Big Bite Baits and, 5" field & stream senkos. All fished with a 12" or longer leader with a 1/2 ounce wight to make sure I stay in contact with the bottom. I feel that is the "deal" making sure the weight stays on the bottom. I also use a small octopus hook #6 (not sure on size but, small).I nose hook tubes and all minnow profile baits by going the the middle of the nose through the top. On the worms and senkos, I just simply wacky rig them. Tight Lines and heavy bags.

Robeng reply :

Zman worms and 10 inch frock wprms. Also lizards.

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