Drop Shotting

[KING]

Looking to add drop shotting to the arsenal this year. Never done it. Trying to add some new techniques each year.

SO what are your keys to drop shotting, equipment, baits, dropper lengths, loactions etc...what is the key factor that will make you chose a drop shot over all other techniqes?

Thanks in advance!!!

[Dylan33]

I love drop shot fishing, I am still learning too,

Deitz is the king of drop shot around here, so hopefully he'll chime in...but I'll throw in my 2 cents anyway.

For equipment- you need a fast and sensitive rod. Bites can be subtle, and you want to be able to feel your way along the bottom. Flouro line is also key...the fish will have time to inspect the baits and the more invisible you can be, the better.

Baits- I have had success on everything from gulp minnows, to creature baits, and almost all worms. I don't think anything is really off limits. Mix it up.

Dropper length- generally I go anywhere from 6 inches to 3 feet. If you mark fish, set the dropper so your bait is just above them.

Location? Honestly- anywhere and everywhere.

[TruthWalleyes]

Now that we're allowed to use 2 jigs on 1 line (Within 9") of each other, have many of you switched from a drop shot weight to using a weighted jig/plastic with another hook or jig above that one? That's what i've been doing this spring and it it interesting to see which bait will get hit consistently from one day to the next.

[Dylan33]

I haven't had a chance to get out this year...I didn't know that we were allowed to do that this year. If that's true, I will absolutely run a jig as the weight. Interesting...

[TruthWalleyes]

Yeah, Discussed this with a few CO's this spring up on the Rainy river. They looked over the book again and gave the 2 jig rig the OK.

[Dylan33]

What do you know. Thanks Truth!

I just looked it up, and it looks like you could technically have 3 baits...but all would have to be within 9 inches. Not sure that would be useful or not...but it sounds like you could do it.

From the regs;

Single Tackle Configuration. Anglers may use up to three single or multiplepronged (example - treble) hooks on a line used as a single tackle configuration

attached to the end of a fishing line (Examples – crawler harness, quick-strike

rig. See pictures on page 17). Note: a single tackle configuration cannot be

used on designated trout streams and lakes.

- The total length of the single tackle configuration from the first hook to the

last hook must be nine inches or less.

- Anglers may use live, artificial, preserved, or dead bait that is lawful to use

(see page 15).

- This single tackle configuration is not considered an artificial fly or lure/

bait, and no additional hooks may be used. Adding a bead, blade, or

spinner does not make it into an artificial lure/bait.

[clm]

the way i read it is you can use multiple hooks but it must be a single configuration like a sucker harness or worm harness, not two different baits within 9 inches of each other.

[Dylan33]

Agreed...but where it gets fuzzy for me is a drop shot rig is a single configuration, IMO. wouldn't a drop shot rig, with a jig as the weight, and two worms technically be a single configuration, and legal?

[TruthWalleyes]

the way i read it is you can use multiple hooks but it must be a single configuration like a sucker harness or worm harness, not two different baits within 9 inches of each other.

That's kind of the way i approached it with the CO's, but i specifically called out TWO JIGS, TIED WITHIN 9" OF EACH OTHER, EACH CONTAINING A MINNOW OR PLASTIC, and they said perfectly legal.

Now, could i use a crankbait on the top and a jig on the bottom - that i'm not sure about.

[Dylan33]

Is this back and forth helpful for you, KING? anyone come close to answering your questions? Typical HSO thread...ask a question and get a lot of info- very little is what you asked for.

[clm]

interesting. although each co is different. some say the life jackets have to be out on deck, some say that you just have to have them in the boat and easily accessible. i know i am not going to bother with a jig for a weight. dont want to deal with the one co that might give me a ticket for it.

[clm]

sorry back on subject. basically +1 to Dylan's first post.

[KING]

LOL...its all good on off track...this Jig + DropShot sounds like it may be a killer walleye tactic!!!

SO is dropshotting a cast retrieve / drag technique, or is it more of a cast to a spot (or drop to a spot) and jiggle? I'll have to see if i can find a youtube video.

I picked up some VMC spinshots, so just tie a 2ft dropper, put on misc. plastic and fish.

How much weight is typical?

[RK]

Hiya -

Couple thoughts...

For vertical drop shotting, I use a 6'9" ML X-fast spinning rod with 6# fluoro. I know DD likes casting gear, and I can completely see the practical benefits - I just happen to have a rod for it already and can't justify switching.

I cast drop shot rigs a fair amount, especially for smallies. Sometimes it's on deep (16-25') reefs, sometimes on shallow flats. Because of the deep water and/or distance, I use a longer slightly heavier rod - a 7' or 7'2" med power x-fast, and often go up to 8# test fluoro. Casting a drop shot is underrated, IMHO. You can cover more water than you'd think and still get the subtle presentation of a drop shotted bait.

For fishing vertically I usually use as light a weight as I can get away with - often 3/16 oz or so, sometimes lighter or heavier depending on wind. For casting I tend to go heavier to keep bottom contact and cover water efficiently.

Dropper length totally varies. I tend to go longer for smallies or when casting (have to factor in angle when figuring how far the bait is off the bottom) and shorter for LMB or fishing vertically. I would say vertical it's usually 10-14 inches. Sometimes as little as 3 or 4. Longest I've ever used is 12 feet fishing suspended smallies - would just let the dropper hang over the side of the boat when I landed the fish.

Baits - could be anything. Finesse worms, tubes, creatures, flukes. Probably my favorite is a 3 or 4" stick worm like a Senko. I almost always nose hook baits. wacky rigged works but I seem to miss more fish.

When you set the hook, sweep set like you're fishing a live bait rig for walleyes. Took me a while to unlearn snap setting.

As far as replacing the weight with a jig, never tried it personally (and I'm skeptical of the interpretation of the rule given the rule change's original intent, which I was involved with) but from friends in other states who've tried it I'm told it's more trouble than it's worth. Just FWIW...

Drop shotting is pretty fun, and kind of habit forming (ask Deitz...)

[Deitz Dittrich]

hiya #2, I'll weigh in although I really dont have a lot to add...

Gear, really depends on the person. I am a bit of a dropshot junkie, and for the most part have 4 dropshot rods in the boat to match the conditions. 2 spinning rods, 7' and 7'2", and 2 baitcasters 7' and my personal fave a 7'6"... all are med action with fast tips.. rigged with anywhere from 6lb floro up to 10lb floro.

dropper length I switch to the conditions, generally if the bottom is clean it is a shorter dropper length and if its dirty a longer one, but I really am not overly technical with it. 15ish inches.. UNLESS fishing shallow, then it can be as much as 3 feet as I am casting it further..

Locations, I like to throw a drop shot over hard bottom for the most part, but have used modified rigs in milfoil with quite a bit of success. Even skipped under docks.

As for what to put on it? thats totally up to your imagination. Any hunk of plastic will do.. even wacky rigged.. I even once drop shotted a Mr.Twister Tubo Tube, if you have ever seen one of them up close, its about 5" long and big enough around to look like it belongs on the end of a broom handle. So dont ALWAYS think small.. but for the most part I use smaller stuff.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Quote:

SO what are your keys to drop shotting, equipment, baits, dropper lengths, loactions etc...what is the key factor that will make you chose a drop shot over all other techniqes?

The biggest key factor for me is simple. Know the fish are there. It is not a search technique. Its a patience technique. Dont over fish it. I see some guys do it and looks like they are having a nervous breakdown. Less is more..

[KING]

So the fish you are targeting with a drop shot are fish you have found with electronics or are high percentage / historical spots?

OR targeting fish you have found with a serch method and using drop shot to clean up.

I guess both seem logical.

It sounds a lot like vertical jigging walleyes with similar equipment.

[Deitz Dittrich]

D) all of the above