Fish a Drop Shot Rig

The drop-shot rig is a finesse technique that has taken the bass fishing world by a storm. A drop-shot rig will often catch fish when reaction baits won't do the trick.

Steps

  1. Drop-shotting is a finesse technique that requires light line, so use a spinning outfit spooled up with 6- to 10-pound-test line.
  2. Using a Palomar knot, tie a small drop-shot hook onto the line, about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} up from the end. Tie so that the hook stands out perpendicular from the line.
  3. At the tag end of the line, about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} from the hook, tie on a drop-shot weight.
  4. Put a small finesse bait on the hook. Four-inch worms, small tubes and grubs are good drop-shot baits. In California, the bass anglers are beginning to use some flies, like streamers, on their drop-shot rigs.
  5. Drop the rig straight down over the side of the boat (no casting right now). When the line goes slack, reel up until the line is taut and the weight is on the bottom.
  6. With the weight on the bottom, shake the rod gently. You just want to wiggle the lure without lifting the weight.
  7. A bite may be anything from a tug to a sideways movement. If your hooks are good and sharp, all you have to do is reel hard to set the hook.
  8. Don't horse the fish in. Remember you have light line on.
  9. After landing a fish, check your knots and hook and go back to it. On a good piece of structure, there may be several good Bass.

Tips

  • You can make your own drop-shot weights by pinching one end of a barrel swivel in a split-shot. The swivel helps reduce line twist.
  • Fluorocarbon line costs more, but since it is crystal clear and has no stretch, it is ideal for drop-shotting.
  • Once you get good at drop-shotting vertically, you can start to experiment with casting out and dragging the rig back, and fishing it over breaklines and other kinds of structure.
  • You don't have to tie a hook directly to the line. You can add a barrel swivel, and extend a piece of line, and hook approximately 2-4" from the swivel.

Warnings

  • Casting a drop-shot rig can be dangerous, so be careful, and don't try it if you don't have plenty of fishing experience. Since the weight and hook are separated, it's easy to hook your partner (or yourself)if you don't watch out.

Things You'll Need

  • Monofilament or fluorocarbon line in 6- to 10-pound-test.
  • Hooks (many companies now make hooks specifically for drop-shotting.
  • Drop-shot weights
  • Small soft plastic baits such as worms, Yamamoto Senkos, grubs, tubes, etc.

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