A drop shot rig is a popular rig for bass fishing. You can fish using a drop shot rig in deep and shallow waters. As a beginner and you are trying to familiarise yourself with the drop shot rig, the tips and tricks are endless.
But the most important thing is trying the tips and tricks yourself in your way until you succeed. Always remember to copy the prey fish and not your fellow angler. After all, it is the fish you are after.
Drop Shot Parts
A drop shot rig is a line tied to a hook with a fishing leader and a weight at the end. The weight helps it sink to the bottom of the water while the hook and bait float above it.
Understanding the parts of a drop shot rig will help you know how it works. This way, you will successfully apply the tricks ad tips. For a complete drop-shot rig, you will need the following;
Drop shot rod and reels: preferably, use a 7’0” medium-light, quick action spinning rod and a lightweight spinning reel. The rod consists of outstanding shock absorption, making it great for playing big fish out with a light line.
Drop shot line: because drop shot rig is a brilliant technique, you will need a less visible and light line. Most anglers use Fluorocarbon from 6-8lbs or a more delicate braided line with about 2ft fluorocarbon leader.
Drop shot hooks: they are ideal for nose hooking the bait to offer a more natural motion and action. Most companies have an excellent variety to choose from, but the perfect size is 1-1/O.
Drop shot weights: weights you can tie at the bottom of the line are okay. But there are others with a curvy swivel at the top for easy clipping to your queue. A beginner should start with 1/8 oz to 1/4 oz of round ball weight which is ideal for straight down fishing in a bare cover. However, there are times for heavyweights and lightweights.
Drop shop baits: for a complete drop-shot rig, you must have bait. There are several baits to choose from, but preferable for a drop shot rig, a live minnow will do magic. A great way to hook your bait is through the nose, but there’s also a wacky rigging.
Read also: The 5 Best Saltwater Spinning Reels For the Money
How to Set Up a Drop Shot Rig
- Get a medium-lightweight rod: this size will help you detect even the smaller bites. Also, it has enough action that will move your bait more naturally. There is specific drop shot rigs but not necessary as long as you have the right size of any rod.
- Thread your pole: with about 10–20lbs of braided fishing line, place it on the spool of the rod. Rotate the reel clockwise to unwind some lines. Use the remaining end of the line and insert through the eyelet of the pole. Pull it out to gain at least 8-12” of excess line. This size of the line is tough enough to resist abrasions.
- Tie the fluorocarbon leader to the braided line: use either a Palomar, swivel, or uni knot to tie your fluorocarbon leader to the main (braided) line. Everything else like weight, hook, and bait will be on the leader since it’s less visible hence better presentation in the water. The fishing knot will reinforce the leader not to break loose from the line.
- Tie the leader to the hook: thread the free end of the leader through the eye of the hook. This way you will get 6-8” of line left to work with. Then use either of the above knots to secure the hook on the leader.
- Thread the free end through the other back of the hook: after securing the hook on the leader, thread the tag end of the leader through the other side of the eye to position the hook properly. This way, the hook should point upwards.
- Attach a weight on the fluorocarbon leader: with an excess of about 10-12” of the fishing line, you have enough slack to attach a weight to the leader. Use the tag end of the leader and insert it through the eye of the weight. Make sure the line is secure then snip the excess using a pair of scissors. There’s no need to tie the knot to secure the weight on the line.
- Attach the bait to the hook: this is the final stage of the drop shot rig setup. You can opt for artificial or live bait. But the longer ones like the minnows and worms are the best since their tails ripple in the water. Hook the bait through the nose.
Drop Shot Rig: Tips and Tricks
Here are some of the tips and tricks of drop-shot rig that you can try anytime, every time you go fishing for a successful catch.
Copy the Prey
Focus on your prey more than anything and try to mimic its every movement with your lure. The tip to this is working in clear water. So you can see the actions of your bait and the prey. It would be best if you saw what your every movement is doing to the lure. So that in case of murky waters, you will be sure of what’s going on under.
Better still, you can practice at home in your bathtub. With different lures, test your skills and enhance your finger taps, wrist and rod movements and see the effect on the lures. After you are sure you got this, take your skills into action in the fishing waters. As always, practice makes perfect.
Start Small But Sure
Do not start just anywhere in the waters but investigate the hotspots. If you are sure of the big fish in the area, start small. The small lures do not necessarily catch the little fish. There will be several days you will land on big fish with your small bait. As long as you are sure it’s a hot spot, then there is no way you are missing on a big meal for several dinners.
Moreover, the main trick here is to balance your approach. Use small hooks, soft and light rod, and light braids. Once the tackle is even, then you will have better and easier reeling and jigging. Anyhow you prefer.
Work Your Drop Shot Rig
Because you are not sure of the distance of the fish, always set your leader farm from the hook as possible. Space in between the leader line and the hook does not signify the depth of the fish availability.
Furthermore, you can tie the extraordinary drop shot rigs between the lead and lure. Give your bait sometime to sink to the bottom then jerk it gently back up. This way, your lure becomes active and sooner than you expect, fish will be chasing your bait around to the surface.
Be Patient
You have to be patient for fish to catch bait. Most fish take time to investigate the bait before striking, so you need to watch closely and keenly if it is in clear water.
Remarkably, with the drop-shot rig, you have the freedom to work your lure as long as you can take it. When the fish is not in any hurry to strike, you can continue to work your bait until it has no other option but to accept the invitation. More often, your patience in your working your lure till the fish gives in will pay.
When to Drop Shot Fishing For Bass
Even though you are sure to catch bass with a drop shot, there are situations that it works better than others. To be alert on such conditions, you need to take into account the following things:
- Importance of maintaining your bait slightly from the bottom
- Clearwater
- Fishing deep
- Calm water
- Harsh conditions and no other option works
With the above knowledge, all you have between you and dinner is a drop shot rig.
Parting Shot
The drop-shot rig is a vital skill that keeps winning in bass fishing contents. Hence all anglers, beginners, and experts need to learn. The beauty of a drop shot rig is that it allows you to retain your bait in one top spot without moving away. You can work your bait yes, but not push it away. Be wise! Use a drop shot rig and see how fast your credibility on pro fishing techniques goes up.