The Drop Shot
Why is it that all the fisherman on the pro tour using this method to win pro tournaments? Quite frankly it’s because this method of fishing is very successful. This tactic was kept a secret for a long time by pro fisherman because it is so successful and produces fantastic results. The good news for us who are not tournament fisherman is the secret is out. It’s pretty hard to keep a secret when the cameras are rolling and they are watching your every move. The secret I’m talking about is called the drop shot.
What makes this technique so deadly is it lets you place your soft plastic or live bait at a pinpoint depth in the water column and keep it there without any effort. How is this you ask? This is made possible because you swap the hook and sinker from there traditional positions. With drop shotting, the weight is attached to the end of the line and the hook is placed 8 inches to 2 feet up the line. The weight acts as an anchor to carry your lure into position and keeps it there with as much, or as little action you desire while ideally keeping a semi-slack line.
Some of the keys to success using this method is selecting the right equipment and tackle for this finesse style fishing. Your rod should be no longer than 7 feet; I use a 6 foot 6 inch rod for this technique. A rod with a tip that bends under very low pressure is perfect. This will help you to shake the bait, I call it “shake and bake” on a semi-slack line which will enable you to feel the slightest nibble and increase your hook up success. This also eliminates the need for dive charts and casting/trolling charts. You will know exactly how deep you are fishing and at what depth the fish are feeding that day. This style of fishing totally eliminates the guess work.
You will also need to use specific line for this fishing application. Fluorocarbon is used exclusively with this tactic. Do not substitute monofilament or braided line. I use 6 pound test when drop shotting as it creates the most life like movements of my bait. Fluorocarbon has the lowest stretch and will let you feel even the slightest of pressure bites. It is also absolutely invisible under water and it sinks very quickly. Use this line and you see immediate results in your catch rate. Stay tuned as there will be more articles to come on the drop shot.
