Dropshot Rig

[kanerZ71]

I was reading the atricle of dropshot rigging on the ice and also during the summer. I have been fishing 15+ years and have never heard of it. Either I'm not as seasoned as I thought or it is not very common.

Could someone please explain what it is???? I would like to try it this winter.

Thanks

[lookincalifornia]

you basically tie your hook on with a palomar knot. leave the tag end long and attatch a weight to the tag end. this puts the hook off the bottom at what ever hight you desire. a gentle shake of the rod tip will impart the action.

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bottom.

surely you can find an actuall pic. this has been a popular bass rig for a few years.

[PerchJerker]

Very basic explanation .....

The weight goes on the very end of your line, you use the weight to make contact with the bottom. There are specific weights for dropshotting but you can also make do with split-shot or walking-style sinkers. For ice fishing you don't need much weight.

Your hook goes a few inches above the weight, however far off the bottom you want your bait. Tie the hook on with a palomar know with a long tag end, and pass the tag end though the hook eye again to make the hook stand out from the line at a right angle. The weight attaches to the tag end. There are hooks specific for drop-shot rigs or you can use a small octopus or other hook.

Bait your hook, with something like plastics or a live minnow hooked through the lips, or waxies/euros, etc.

Drop it down until the weight hits the bottom, tighthen up the slack, jig it or deadstick it. Your bait is however far above the bottom you spaced the hook and the weight.

Dropshotting started with saltwater fisherman, like the surf casters. Then the fresh-water bass guys picked up on it, and now it is making an appearance in ice fishing circles.

[fishwater]

It is useful on river systems were you have a little current. You can have a hook only presentation that won't get swept downstream.

My first experience with dropshoting was for Halibut. Boy is that some serious work...

[CALVINIST]

If you use the dropshot rig, make sure you have a reel with high gear ratio, as the fish tends to come up pretty fast.

[slipperybob]

It's also good when your flasher runs out of power...

[gritsnham]

Do people fish this the same way when ice fishing as when open water? Obviously it will be a little more vertical but do you just drop it down the hole and then shake it?

[kanerZ71]

Thanks for the replies. I will have to try that this winter.

[fishwater]

do you just drop it down the hole and then shake it?

The few times of done it, i've used it on a noodle rod deadsticking for crappie on the river. Basically just drop it down so the weight just barely hits the bottom and starts to take tension off the rod, let it sit and watch the rod tip for movements up or down.

[Ed Carlson]

Try a Diachie Stand-Out hook about 1' up from a bullet weight that is kelp secured to the end of the tag line dropper with a tiny split shot. This rig allows for quick changes of weight as needed. If the weight gets snagged, simply put it off and rig another weight and shot.

A trick is to also add a couple glass beads above the weight to add noise as you tap it on the bottom. Perch dig this trick.

I prefer to use a long light deadstick rod with a fast tip when so you can load it up a bit at rest on a tight line. Than way if a fish comes up on it you see that immediately, and the rod lifts the weight of the shot so the fish will not spook. The longer deadstick rod allows for fast line pick-up as well.

[chad austin]

I've used this method for tip-ups in the past

works good for quickly getting your tip-up

set up after catching a fish

[Jiggawhat]

I will definitely have to try the drop shot rig on tipup this winter. It will be something new for me.