Sometimes even the best fishermen get set in their ways. Often when I fish with some of these experts, they'll tease me because, as they say, “I'm sissy fishing”. They would prefer to stick with crankbaits, jigs or other old standbys. By the end of the day, more often than not, they are right there with me drop shotting.

For years drop-shotting was a tournament secret on the western tournament trail, the word is now out and spreading across the nation. If you aren't familiar with this technique, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. If you are new to fishing, the Drop Shot Rig is a great first technique to learn. Once you have learned to drop shot you will be able to apply that knowledge to other techniques as well. With practice and patience you will master this technique and will gain the confidence you will need to have future successful fishing trips.

What is Drop Shotting?

A technique used in Japan and introduced to the United States some time ago, the Drop Shot Rig is an extremely effective technique for catching bass, trout and other fish. Not only does the drop shot rig enable you to suspend your bait where the targeted fish are; it also provokes the fish to strike your lure or bait.

The Drop Shot Rig

The drop shot rig is the reverse of Texas rigging, Carolina rigging and split shotting. When rigged, the hook is above your weight in order to keep the bait suspended. Most drop shotters prefer to use light line and spinning gear, but bait casting reels and heavier line may also be used.

Equipment:

Drop shotting is a subtle style of fishing. The sensitivity of a good graphite rod is almost a must. You need a rod with a very sensitive tip in order to feel the weight and the gentle strikes, but with the backbone to set the hook and handle a good size fish. Rod sensitivity and a well-balanced system cannot be over emphasized.

Spinning Gear:
I use a 7 foot medium-light, extra fast action graphite rod with a matched spinning reel and 6# XXX fishing line by Izorline International.

Bait Casting Gear:
I use a 6.5' to 7' medium-heavy, graphite bait casting rod and matching reel loaded with 8# to 10# Izorline Platinum fishing line.

Hooks, Baits & Weights:
Drop Shot or Down Shot hooks and Drop Shot weights from 1/8 oz. to ¾ oz. in size. The bait you choose will determine hook size, baits may range from 1 ½” to 6” in size. When Nose hooking, I like to use a #4 or a #2 Owner Mosquito Hook, for the larger 6” baits and for rigging weedless, I prefer to use a 1/0, 2/0 or 3/0 Owner Down Shot Hook.

Rigging:

With the hook facing you, double your line and pull it through the eye of the hook. Next, tie the hook on with a palomar knot, leaving the tag end anywhere from 4" to 5 feet long. Take the tag end and run it back through the eye of the hook (this will force your hook to face in the upward position or perpendicular to the line). Finally, attach your weight below the hook to the tag end of your line. The length of your tag end will vary based on the type of structure you are fishing along with depth the fish are suspended. If you don't have a fish finder to tell you where the fish are, experiment with different lengths until you find the fish.

Now, pick your bait, if you are using artificial lures on a bright sunny day and the water is clear, pick a plastic bait that matches the bait in the area you are fishing. If you are fishing stained, muddy water, on a cloudy day or at night use dark colored plastics like black, blue, purple, black/blue, black/purple etc. If you prefer, live worms will do the trick. Nose hook as explained above, wacky rig it (hooking your worm through the middle instead of the nose), or rig it weedless (unexposed hook). Tie on a weight and start casting.

Presentation:

Drop shotting is a technique you can use all year long in various depths of water, from the shore or from a boat. Wherever you are, retrieve your bait by lifting your rod and shaking the tip while slowly reeling in the slack line or try dragging, pausing and shaking your bait as you retrieve your line. Experiment; try different retrieves at various speeds to see which presentation works best.

Conclusion:

Drop shotting is a productive technique and one in which even the beginning angler can quickly become proficient enough to catch fish regularly. It's a valuable tool that all anglers should have in their arsenal and should be utilized often. The subtle action of the lure and the ability to have the lure in the strike zone for a long period of time can often be the difference between success and failure. Give it a try, and soon you won't mind your buddies saying your "Sissy Fishing", because they will be too!