Drop shot fishing is a great way to catch largemouth bass especially in the cooler months when they are a little slower than during the spawn. With a drop shot you can catch bass consistently in deep water, say 25 feet to 35 feet or even at 45 feet deep.
How to rig a drop shot?
Photo: Roboworm: Red Crawler RoboTail
The drop shot rig is a finesse worm technique. I prefer to use Roboworms (pictured above) and have found them to be very effective at Bartlett Lake
- Tie your hook (#1 wide gap hook preferred) about 18 inches above the loose end of your line. Use a Palomar Knot.
- Take the loose end of your line and bring it back through the eye of your hook. This will help the hook stay straight.
- With the loose end, attach a 3/16th once drop shot weight with another Palomar knot.
- Choose your bait. Work with 3 to 4 inch soft plastic worms or soft plastic shad type imitations. Color is dependent on the water color. Use watermelon or green shades in clear waters and reds to June bug in murky water.
- There are 3 ways to rig your bait for a drop shot:
- Texas rigged where you hook the bait into the worm and bury the hook into the back to make a weed less hook. Texas rig works best in deeper waters.
- Wacky style where you hook the bait through the center and leave the hook exposed. Wacky style works great in deep water when fish are suspended away from structure
- Standard style hook your bait directly through the nose and leave the hook exposed.
Using a Drop Shot Rig
- A drop shot is best used on a spinning rod and reel. You want a rod that is flexible and sensitive to any taps.
- Your choice of line depends on water clarity. In deep clear water use 6 and 8 lb test line.
- Cast out into the lake. Drop shot has a tendency to twist. Try tying a swivel onto your weight.
- Allow the bait to sink to the bottom. Pay attention and you’ll feel when the sinker hits the bottom through your rod.
- Slowly work the bait back and keep the line taunt. Try walking, skipping, swimming the bait and wait several seconds in between each motion. The timing is important. Cool water bass, like in the early spring and fall, will have a slow reaction time where warmer water bass might move in quicker.
- You’re waiting for the “TAP-TAP”, the trademark of the largemouth bass strike on your bait. Sometimes it’s very soft and you might miss it, others it’s so sharp you can’t possibly miss it.
- When you feel the “tap-tap”, set that hook as quickly as you can. You got a fish.
