Drop Shot Tips

Related: Top choices for drop shot rods!

What is Drop Shotting? The Basics

A drop shot rig suspends your hook above a weight. It’s a simple idea with some profound consequences.

Unlike standard worm fishing, the weight--rather than your line--is taking the abuse of the bottom. Right there, you’ll find this yields more bass, more often. But the drop shot rig’s advantages don’t stop there.

Since you can run as much distance between the hook and the sinker as you wish, you can adjust the height of the hook for weeds and other vegetation. That allows you to target your depth precisely. And because the weight is attached to the line and not your hook or bait, the worm is free to do its thing.

This results in an ultra-enticing action, whether you nose hook, Texas rig, or wacky rig your soft bait.

If you’re not sure how to set up a drop shot rig, watch this short tutorial. It’s as easy as tying a Palomar knot!

Drop Shot Tips

To make the most of this technique, you need to keep in mind that it’s all about finesse.

• Line selection - While you might run a big jerkbait with heavy-weight braid, it’s important that your drop shot line combine sensitivity with subtlety. You want a strong, sensitive mainline, and we recommend Suffix 832 in 10-20 pound test. In combination, we like to run a 6-10 pound fluorocarbon or mono leader from there to provide a touch of shock absorption and provide lessened visibility near our terminal tackle.
• Hook selection - We strongly recommend Gamakatsu drop shot hooks in size 1-1/0. They’re quite simply the best hooks on the market. If you want to run this rig weedless Texas-style, take a look at their offset hooks. See our full guide on hook selection for bass.
• Soft bait selection - Drop shotting really lets an excellent worm strut its stuff. I particularly like the 5-6 inch Yamamoto Senkos and Zoom Trick Worms and Brush Hogs.
• Weight selection - Use the lightest weight you can, starting at 3/16 to ¼ maximum. We like cylinder weights, as they bust grass better than other styles.
• Technique - The idea is to twitch your rod tip, very gently dancing the soft bait to really work its action in a way that looks natural. A touch of slack in your line is essential here, as you want to leave that weight where it is. You’re not trying to work the water column--keep that weight on the bottom!