Drop Shot Rig

[thewalleyeguy]

I was just wondering ifanybody has had success with the drop shot rig . I just learned about and thought that it had a bit of potential .

[Hooked On a Feeling]

I'd have to say I'ts the best kept secret that's finally getting some respect. I believe you can trigger more nuetral to negative fish just buy staying in the strike zone longer.

[Team Otter]

Shhhh....

Yes, this tactic has proven to work real well, especially following a cold front.

[Northlander]

Yup Yup!

[eyepatrol]

Is there a special way to tie the knot on the hook? Any link to where I can find out, or can anyone describe it?

[BlackwaterStout]

Use a palomar knot to tie your hook on. Just leave 18-24 inches on the tag end of the line to tie your weight to. I've heard that some people actually use a 1/4 ounce jig head for their dropshot weight so they can fish two baits at one time. A live shiner on the bottom jig and maybe some type of soft plastic on the drop shot. Or a crawler or even two shiners.

[delmuts]

if you go to the bass forum;pg 17 ; title drop shot vs carolina rig. deitz posted a picture of both. this may help you out!

[Team Otter]

Blackwater and delmuts have both given you the help you need.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Here is that pict..

I have caught quite a few walleyes fishing for bass with a drop shot, so I know it works!

[eyepatrol]

Thanks for the info guys. I did a search on palomar knots and found a good visual with instructions on how to tie one. I've seen this used on tv shows before for LM and SM bass, and was wondering if it would work for the 'eyes. I might have to give this a try.

I know live bait can be hooked onto this rig, but what would be some good plastics to try for the 'eyes with this rig?

Oh yeah, and another question...anyone ever tried using this set-up while ice fishing 'eyes (or any other fish for that matter)???

[Deitz Dittrich]

Basscatch- I have done best on 4" straight tail worms.. I have done pretty good on 3" tubes as well. For both bass and walleye.

I know of people that do it for walleye and panfish ice fishing. I usually use a flasher and like to be able to change my depth.. However, if I didn't have a flasher I think its a great way of keeping your lure at a desired depth.

[delmuts]

i,ve been thinking the same thing! i plan on trying it with a no snag sinker and either a imitation minnow, or a finese worm. you never know!

[james_walleye]

Im interested in hearing what all of you use for bait most often. Do you go with some sort of plastic or live bait?? From what i've seen its kind of like vertical jigging?? Am i right on that as far as the motion. Vertical presention and jiggle the rod tip? Is this a presentation too use anywhere for walleyes? For instance is it better on weed walleyes or fish on rockpiles or does it not matter at all? Im kind of thinking this spring on the river of using a rig like this. Using a big jig head with a minnow as the dropper weight and some kind of plastic up above.

[Mille Lacs Guy]

I prefer live bait when drop shotting primarily because I find drop shot rigs work best when fish are in a neutral or negative mood. I use minnows, leeches, and a small piece of crawler. Early in the year I find minnows work the best. If I had to pick a bait I would pick leech as it has work best for me.

If I do use artificial bait I prefer Gulp, I have had good luck with the Gulp minnows and a small piece of Gulp crawler.

I hope this helps.

[CrappieJohn]

JWalleye...

The rig you describe is very similar to the Dubuque Rig where a jig is the dropper weight and the mainline hook is a ringie or other longer plastic, except the three way swivel is eliminated. Remember that a rig like this can only be used on border waters where two lines are permitted....this rig constitutes those two lines.

The best luck I have seen comes with a jig/minnow dropper and a ringworm of 4" or any of the many drop-shot worms available today. The rigging I do does not use a hook tight to the main line though. Where that hook should be, I make a haymaker loop about 8 inches long and tie into that to get more action out of the top bait. This hook is a light wire design so the hook's weight doesn't drag the bait down.

River walleyes and sauger are not all found on the bottom either. I set this rig up to carry that top bait about two feet up from the bottom.

This rig and the drop shot rigs are excellent in water with a bit of current but the straight drop shot rig will loose its effectiveness where current is strong.

If you ever get into a mess of fish and double up on a Dubuque Rig you'll get you eyes opened. It has happened only a couple times for me, both with smaller fish but the experience is nuts.

[james_walleye]

I knew i had seen that before crappietom. I saw the dubuque rig on a TV show before, i think thats where i first got the idea. Im definately going too give that a try this spring.

[riverrat56]

What if you were to add a spinner above the first hook, would that make it legal? It would be like fishing a spinner rig vertically then at least in threory...

Minnesota....The Land of 10,000 Laws

[CrappieJohn]

nope

[riverrat56]

Crappie Tom, thanks for the answer, rules out trying it for me, but can you please explain the rational behind having multiple hooks on a spinner rig being legal but this not be?

Just wondering...

[Northlander]

Spinner rig is 1 lure the Debuque Rig is 2 seperate lures.

I use this set up in the St. Louis River and use a heavy jig on the drop and a spinner rig or lindy rig on the top side. Deadly. I have also used smaller floating or suspending sticks on the top side and done ok that way as well. Usually best against the current with the last rig.

[eyehead]

Basscatcher

I'm looking to give this drop shot thing a try this year, but i cant find a good visual on how to tie the palomer knot. I seen you found a good visual on it. Could you help me out THanks

[BlackwaterStout]

The palomar knot is nto only the easiest knot to tie, it's also one of the strongest. Check the link I included below.

When using the polamar for drop shotting just make sure you leave a couple of feet of line to tie your weight to.

http://www.fish4fun.com/palomarknot.htm

[eyepatrol]

Black...

That's the exact one I found on-line!

eyehead....BlackwaterStout's link is what I had found...very good visual and instruction.

[eyehead]

Thanks guys!!!