“Drop shot fishing just catches small fish,” How many times have I heard that? At first I did’nt believe in drop shots for big bass either, until I tried it. In today’s lakes and rivers fishing pressure is at an all time high. That is why if you are not using this great fish catching technique you may be missing the boat!

This technique originated in Japan where fishing pressure is even heavier than in the U.S. I started out fishing this technique with the usual small finesse type approach. I soon realized that I could use this awesome rig to catch quality fish by up-sizing my baits. Instead of sticking with the proven methods of lightline and a delicate touch I went against the grain and spent a day trying larger baits. It worked. It also gave me a great boost of confidence for future trips. It is a great way to present a lure and a great way to target larger fish. I refer to this rig as a “heavy drop shot rig.” I normally use a little heavier weight when fishing this rig, but a lightweight will also produce. I use the heavier weight when fishing in 4ft of water or more. I also use heavier weight when the wind picks up.

There are two major factors to consider when fishing this drop shot rig. One is the amount of line from your weight to your bait. I try and look at where the fish are holding and at what depth. This will determine the length I use. The second major aspect is the way you work the bait. This technique can be worked very fast or very slow. You will be able to determine this by the activity of the fish. I prefer a slow technique, let the bait fall all the way to the bottom before raising it up. If the fish are active they will normally hit on the first fall. Although there are occasions when you have to raise the bait and drop it several times to entice a strike. One of my favorite ways to fish this bait is to flip or pitch it to cover. This approach is very different to a bass that has been pressured and they will often strike out of reaction. We all like to try something different when it’s on the menu at our favorite restaurant, well a bass feels the same way. It’s also presented in a different water column to a bass, instead of being on the bottom it’s presented in front of their face or above them. A bass is programed to strike from below.

If you want to try heavy drop shotting leave the light spinning reel and 8 pound test line in the rod locker and beef it up to at least 12 to 20lb test line. When casting the heavy drop shot I recommend a 7′rod with a light tip and good backbone. When flipping or pitching the bait you should use a 7′6″ heavy action rod with braid or 20 to 25lb fluorocarbon. Picking the right tackle can also increase your chances of hooking up. Try using a 2/0 to 5/0 straight shank hook or extra wide gap Gamakatsu. I also like the tru tungston weights that give a very distinct sound when making contact with the bottom. Lure choice is up to you and the lake you fish. Try anything you would use normally on a t-rig or Carolina rig.

This technique is not difficult it just takes time to experiment with. Remember to always fish every bait with confidence and your chances will definitely increase. So the next time your on the lake and need a bite try this awesome technique!

Keywords: drop shot rig | how to fish a drop shot rig

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This entry was posted on Monday, August 27th, 2007 at 4:49 pm and is filed under Fishing Techniques. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.