The Drop Shot Rig fishing is used to "hover" small baits in front of gamefish such as walleye and bass. It's most commonly used in deep, cold, clear water.
Rigging Up
Use a palomar knot to tie a #1 worm, sproat or circle fishing hook to your line, leaving a 2- to 4-foot tag end. Bring the tag end back through the hook eye (to make it stand out at a 90-degree angle from the line), and attach a 3/16- to 1/2-oz. drop shot weight to the end of the line. Thread on or nose-hook a small soft-plastic bait. Keep a tight line, using the rod tip to jiggle the bait in place.
When to Use the Drop Shot Fishing Rig
This is a finesse rig, used mostly for fishing deep, cold, clear water. It can be cast or fished vertically; jiggle the bait a few times, then slide it a few feet and repeat. Best with light line and spinning gear.
Where to Use the Drop Shot Rig
Look for collection spots in creek channels, cups and off the ends of long points in deep water. Bluff banks with channel drops are also prime territory.
Suggested Fishing Tackle
- Zoom Lizard (4 inch)
- Bass Pro Shops Drop Shot Worm (4 inch)
- Zoom Meat Head 2-3/4 to (4 inch)
- Berkley Gulp! Minnow (4 inch)
- XPS Octopus Hook (4 to 1/0)
- Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot Hook (4 to 1/0)
- Owner Down Shot Hook (4 to 1/0)
- Gamakatsu Drop Shot Rig
Fishing Line (*6-pound to 10-pound test)
Fishing Rod (*6' to 7', ML to MH Baitcast Rod)
Fishing Reels (*Baitcast or Spinning Reel)
- Johnny Morris Baitcast or Spinning Reel
- Pro Qualifier Baitcast or Spinning Reel
- Extreme XPS Spinning or Baitcast Reel
- Bionic Plus Baitcast Ree
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