Drop Shot Fishing 101 (VIDEO)

ByMatt Fed

The Drop Shot is one of the best techniques for catching finicky bass. It is incredibly subtle, natural, and difficult for any bass to turn down.

When the bite gets tough and you need to go with a finesse approach, it doesn’t get much better than the drop shot.

This video in collaboration with Jerry Douangsouphonh is a great breakdown of everything you need to know to successfully fish a drop shot. Make sure to go subscribe to his channel on YouTube!

Drop Shot Basics:

Drop shot fishing is a highly effective finesse technique for targeting fish suspended in the water column or relating to specific structures. It’s excellent for finicky or pressured fish, especially in clear water.

What is a Drop Shot Rig?

At its core, a drop shot rig consists of:

  • A weight at the very end of your line.
  • A hook tied directly to the main line, a set distance (leader length) above the weight.
  • A soft plastic bait rigged on the hook.

This setup allows the weight to maintain bottom contact while the bait hovers freely and naturally above it.

Why It Works

  • Natural Presentation: The bait suspends and moves subtly, mimicking an injured or struggling baitfish.
  • Precise Depth Control: The weight keeps the bait consistently in the strike zone.
  • Versatility: Can be fished vertically, cast and dragged, or “dead-sticked” (left in place).
  • Finesse: Ideal for clear water or when fish are less aggressive.

Essential Gear

  • Rod: A sensitive spinning rod (6’6″ – 7’3″, medium-light to medium power, fast action).
  • Reel: A 2500-3000 size spinning reel.
  • Line: 12-15 lb braided main line with a 6-10 lb fluorocarbon leader.
  • Hooks: Specialized drop shot hooks (#2 to 2/0), often used for nose-hooking baits.
  • Weights: Cylindrical or teardrop weights (1/8 oz – 1/4 oz are common), often with a line clip for easy adjustment. Tungsten weights offer better sensitivity.

Tying a Drop Shot Rig (Palomar Knot Method)

  1. Thread your fluorocarbon leader through the hook eye, then back through to form a loop.
  2. Tie a Palomar knot.
  3. After cinching the knot, pass the tag end back through the hook eye from the top, so the hook point faces upwards.
  4. Attach your drop shot weight to the tag end. The length of this tag end dictates how high your bait sits off the bottom (typically 8-24 inches).

How to Fish It

  • Subtle Movements: Less is more. Avoid aggressive jerking.
  • Vertical or Cast: Drop straight down when over fish, or cast out and slowly drag/crawl the weight back with slight rod tip twitches.
  • Deadsticking: Sometimes, simply letting the rig sit still allows current to impart action.
  • Watch Your Line: Bites are often subtle twitches or jumps in your line.
  • Hookset: Don’t aggressively set the hook. Instead, lean into the fish and reel.

When to Use It

  • Deep Water: Excellent for targeting fish in deeper areas.
  • Clear, Pressured Water: The finesse presentation is less intimidating.
  • Suspended Fish: Ideal for keeping your bait directly in front of fish off the bottom.
  • Structure Fishing: Highly effective around brush, rocks, ledges, and docks, minimizing snags.

Mastering the drop shot will significantly increase your success, especially when other techniques fall short!

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