Dropshot Fishing | Everything You Need To Know

[@lojofishing]

This was especially helpful for somebody like me who doesn't drop shot very much!!! Thanks boys!!!

[@ajword81]

Trying to figure it out myself. Glad to see you recommend it. Love your channel.

[@bradreid6057]

Tim, excellent and long overdue! I think everyone would like to see some more "on the water" video covering this and other finesse presentations. *** Hey! For presentations with aggressive fish, you mentioned your hook height above the sinker . . . I think you said 9" to 18" depending on circumstances. For whatever height you choose, try attaching a small split shot 1/3 the distance above or below the hook. So, if you are using a 9" drop, put a split shot at 3" above or 3" below the hook. Since the drop shot is typically fished on a line with a bit of very light tension, making it taut to feel the bites and hold the bait out parallel, if you have the split shot on and drop your rod tip, the bait will "bob" up and down to different heights off the bottom. Do this slowly. Positioned 3" above and drop your tip and it'll look like the bait is dipping down more head first . . . like it's feeding off the bottom; and, 3" below for the split shot, and it just lowers and raises the "flag" (parallel bait presentation) through a bit more water column. Works well when bass are really picky . . . might bite well hugging the bottom, or maybe they want it a foot higher. Brad

[@daverice8304]

Reely appreciate the video, Tim - huge commitment to make such a video when you have a cold. I grew up fishing salt and fresh water in Alaska and fished brackish water in S.E. LA for 6 years but just trying to learn bass fishing. There are a lot of techniques to learn and your videos help a lot. No BS, just a ton of good information.

[@nate3836]

Just a heads up if anyone likes the Bass Mafia box he uses the Cabalas waterproof box is the same box, literally blemish for blemish and half the price.

[@jango565]

Learned a ton, thanks for powering through being sick to get us a great video.

[@nikowright9543]

Thank you guys both for everything you teach. My bass fishing has elevated greatly from the help you guys per vide and the education you give in all videos. Thank you again so much.

[@raneyoutdoors9676]

This video is the one every bass fisherman should watch!!! Amazing video!!

[@hammerrough4204]

Almost 100k . Keep up the quality content. Thanks for being sick and doing a 30 min vid Tim!

[@denverwilliams22]

Love these longer unedited vids! Keep em coming.

[@barneywitherington6043]

Tim, thank you very much for the informative video. Am just beginning "drop shotting" and your info certainly should help. Hope you recover from the URI promptly and hope you get some rest.

[@sandman7914]

Great video Tim, thanks a lot fishing in NJ you need every technique. I've been bass fishing for over 50yrs but still learning, there are only a handful of solid teaching channels on KZbin and TB is about the best. Ya I am also aware of your tournament days, very impressed. thanks again,

[@testme504]

Thanks Matt for doing this video even though your not feeling well. I appreciate all the effort an detail you put into this video. Hope you feel better. Tight Lines

[@sunwukongmonkeyking5561]

My favorite #1 KZbin channel!!!

[@williej.allenjr.510]

Nice detailed video Tim. You've given me a few clues to why I'm not catching fish consistently with a drop shot. I hope you're feeling better!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks! Doing great now :-)

[@stoneysdead689]

Fishing a drop shot from the shore means your line is at an angle when your casted out- not really straight down like when you drop it off or make a short cast from a boat. This means if the hook is standing out from the line like it's supposed to it's got the bait pointed sorta head down- swimming in a a very unnatural posture. Buy- if you use the three way swivel- your main line coming in- the drop with the weight on it- and another shorter 6-8" drop with a drop shot hook tied to it- now your bait will run parallel to bottom, horizontally, like it's supposed to. The swivels can be tough to find though- you want the kind that lets the drop with the hook on it rotate all the way around the main line without twisting it. Matt Steffan does a video on it on his channel- good stuff, it really works. It's only necessary of you're casting out a long ways like from shore or if you're sitting up shallow in your boat casting out into the lake or something, If you're in a boat making short casts in deeper water the angle of your line is so steep it doesn't matter.

[@poststalone1496]

Yet another reason to love this channel, you guys listen to the subs. Thanks Tim!

[@ChrisPowellFishingTV]

Good info!! I got to step up my drop shot game! Thanks for the tips! 👊🏻👊🏻

[@mikeg5523]

Hope you get better soon Tim! Appreciate the excellent advice to further my drop shot skills. God bless

[@CBALLZ666]

Thanks for the drop shot video Tim!!!! Hope you feel better!!!!!

[@sammyh5006]

Great pointers! Drop shot is by far my most confident rig for SoCal bass.

[@markinthemix6055]

This is my go to page for info. If l could add just one thing... we need more closeup shots of the baits and ESPECIALLY during rigging. Closups of rigging and this page would be complete. Blessings to ya and get well buddy.

[@stevenjudd8631]

Very informative and easy to understand, thanks Tim, couldn't have been at a better time I'm north fishing for winter smallies on the Susquehanna river!

[@fishsnatcherstv6292]

Great video Tim!! This is undoubtedly the best drop shot video I have seen. Lots of great info, I will definitely be trying out some of these tips and baits. Thanks as always and feel better brother.

[@paprman]

Enjoyed the video, very informative. Never have used this technic and thought I should add it to my fishing technics this year. Also good to get some idea of bates to pick up.

[@joegross5902]

great video. helped a ton. would love to see more videos from on the water actually using this technic. again thanks and get to feeling better. God bless you both and all your loved ones.

[@mecheledawson4262]

A ton of great information on the drop shot techniques...thanx Tim! Greatly appreciated!

[@nawinchester]

Great video. Waiting for you guys to do a detailed finesse fishing video. Love to see a video of you guys hitting the water using finesse equipment and techniques.

[@9009matorres]

That gamagatsu with the dream shot by kvd killed it for me today. Fished it on 10 lb braid with about 10 ft of 8 lb flouro leader.

[@robertrodriguez4587]

Have you seen the nose hook Aaron Martens does? He actually buries the head in the hook, so the hook point is right at the head of the bait, in the center. It makes the worm stay in line with the hook, instead of moving around the hook. It comes through Cover well too. Anyway, loved your in depth. The drop shot is so versatile.

[@jeffventura8900]

Great informative video, I have always used roboworms but you made a great point about cold water and how much action the bait puts off. I'm definitely gonna switch it up next time I go out to something with less action. I do it with my swimbaits but never thought about that with my drop shot. Thanks Tim.

[@rcaircraftnut]

Just found your channel. Great job man. I grew up on Clearlake. Live 30 min from Broken Bow lake now. Keep up the great content.

[@RobertKearl-Outdoor-Adventures]

Tim great advice my go to drop shot rig is a medium heavy fast action on a 7'1" rod 1/4oz weight with a gama wide gap finess worm on 8lb p-line

[@thomasrobey9851]

great video. nobody talks finesse unless the bite gets tough most people want to "power" fish. but you can make a good day out of fishing with a spinning rod and some patience.

[@zachshott7833]

LOVE the Super in-depth videos guys!

[@HB-ti7ec]

Nice video. Try learning the FG or PR knots for tying braid to mono and fluorcarbon lines.The Fg knot is 80-90% strength and the PR is 100%. Good luck and Tight lines.

[@DeltaBassBuster]

Alberto Knot!!!!!! I love that knot and easy too.

[@brianlee9074]

Thanks for the video Tim. Good info on the drop shot setups for each of your applications. Keep 'em coming! lol

[@gypsygypsy7185]

For all the guys who use drop shot a lot try a 2 foot leader or 18 inch from bait to weight. If you fish docks and you have some grass or some type of vegetation. That bait when you have a tight line will stay above .... and you can drag it and those bass in cover can look up at that worm shad what ever swimming along moving along and will crush it also that bait now has a longer fall ... you'll get that dying bait fish profile seeing when you dip your rod or let it go slack Something you can't get as much with a short leader I always fish with a. 18 or 2 foot leader around docks or open water I get less snags more versatile when going slack also great for wacky rig. Your bait will stay in the strike zone longer

[@gypsygypsy7185]

Also when you drag your drop shot with a 18 or 2 feet leader your worm will not be as close to bottom say a 12 inch leader try it out

[@ryanlittlefish2427]

This video was very helpful!

[@socalbendo6563]

So I see that this video is from last year, but I’m just getting to see it. I personally live in SoCal and throw a dropshot a lot in the reservoirs around me, but I’m a very different way. I throw a 7’ Med. Heavy spinning rod with an exposed hook Mustad 2/0 Blue Worm Hook, yes I know, very unusual, but it gets hung up especially fishing places like San Vicente with all those dang zebra muscles. I haven’t ever tried the Texas rig or smaller, more finesses, exposed hook setup either. I’m afraid with the smaller exposed hook that I’ll be loosing a lot more baits because of fish biting the tail and not completely eating the bait. Any tips or things you guys might change with the way I fish a dropshot? Thanks for all your guys’ help through these videos, I can honestly see a difference in the way I fish just by getting all this new information from your videos. Keep up the great work, and please reply back if possible. Happy Holidays!!

[@MoneyBass]

Drop shot aka video game fishing has won tournaments for me. *Catching Bass for Cash*

[@kylehenderson2257]

Really liked the video! would like to hear more about the action you give the different lures with a bit more detail. Keep'em coming

[@joshsabota9875]

Thanks for some tips and tricks on the finesse side of things. Get to feeling better

[@igotnothing2657]

Thanks for toughing out this video for us. I take it that half shell /or half sweet beaver good for pre spawn up until the spawn

[@logicalrationalfishing7481]

I watch all of your videos, especially on finesse (mainly what I have to do on our river system), but I have to be VERY careful with the Owner light's, same as the Gama's. If I use 10lb braid, the Mosquito and SS/DS hooks are good to go, but I have to use lighter 6lb fluoro or 8lb braid with light drag on the "light" versions to not bend them. On the other hand, the Trokar's you mentioned seem to handle up to 20lb braid just fine with a stout drag.

[@meganboose9226]

I took a rubber bobber stop put on my line then put the drop shot hook on then another bobber stop with the weight at the bottom. with the bobber tops i can slide the hook up or down the line where ever i want it and the stops keep the hook standing out!

[@fresnocascabel7571]

Another worm to wacky rig on the drop shot is a 4" senko. Use a white 4" senko in the Fall, looks like a dying shad.

[@CMSKA1]

I like your information on the drop shot with a swim bait I’m going to give it a try today

[@kenbremer940]

Hey Tim, great video. Have you guys ever tried power shotting? Same concept but beefed up weights and hook for casting gear. Also can be used around heavy cover weedless for finicky fish. Hope ya feel better!!

[@Interp66]

So much great information! I'm glad you posted it!

[@richshackelford5793]

Good stuff Tim, Get well soon. Merry Christmas Tim, Matt and family's. Thanks for the buyers guide videos.

[@ScottGrizzly2]

Hey I’m sure you’ve talked about this but tackle bags, especially ones when tournament fishing. What’s too big, quality, smallest platform/ biggest capacity. When you guys go to get into another anglers boat. How do you prepare?

[@jameswoodard4431]

Awesome vid bro thanks for taking the time to explain everything! I appreciate it for sure!

[@bigredbass7898]

Thanks Tim. This helps a lot buddy. Im still not good with this and needto spend time with it.

[@ethanfriesen5843]

You should try nose hooking a TRD and pretty much dead sticking it when the water gets really cold. I fish Lake of the Woods in Canada mostly so a very different environment than you guys but the SmallMouth were absolutely killing that presentation in water temps less than 55. I think it was the absolute lack of action that that bait gives, but it was working for me even better on the drop shot than Ned rigged.

[@toddl5424]

Tim, awesome, great video. How long is your flourocarbon leader? I don't mean from the hook to the weight, I mean from the hook to your bloodknot where you join the braided and fluoro? Nobody ever really touches on this. (I am using Hi visibility braided if that matters)

[@zeangelinofishing961]

Awesome vídeo! thank you!! I´ve had awesome experiences fishing a zoom superfluke jr. on a dropshot, texas riggued with a n1 hook on tree stuff, and nose hooked with a n2 mosquito hook on open water! Just thought I would share, imo a superfluke jr on a dropshot is a sure fish catcher on those lakes with allot of baitfish ;)

[@ufcguruofficial714]

Another great video! I use a dreamshot and Yamamoto shad as well or Berkley Gulp minnow.

[@ufcguruofficial714]

Get well Tim!

[@shakespearo]

I loved you on The Wire!

[@roymyers3067]

Thank you for the knowledge you guys share, i learn alot, hope you are getting well

[@benpearse4298]

Personally I like to use a little bigger weight when using a wacky style drop shot because it sinks slower wickey style and if you can get an extra 30 -40 casts in a 8 hour tournament it could make a difference

[@haymanwoo1031]

Thanks for all the important details most people won't tell you. What weight sizes for different depths, bottoms, and baits do you suggest?

[@blackdogbite]

Tim I just spent $1600 gearing up with your recommendations from this video alone... I am seriously going to catch.. hehe... Kidding. Good video but for those of us that are new to drop shot... You didn't show the actual rigging. Weight at bottom... Where are you tying in leader? Does the weight slide? Also.. you discuss details of hook gap and show a worm, etc.... We can't see that. Maybe get up close to the camera so we can see what you're talking about. Thanks.

[@michaelvillanueva9703]

Get better Tim! Thanks for the tips. With the 2.8 Keitech, am i just soaking that in the water with the tip down with little to no shake? I have the bluegill 2.8 and plan on trying it out in a reservoir off the shore. Have had amazing luck there with the baby fluke jr

[@mikegr169]

Thanks for the great info!! Hope your feeling better...

[@MarkNJBass]

Good stuff Tim! What! Matt hates drop shotting so much that he has you do the video when you're hacking up a lung? Thanks for fighting through it...much appreciated! Mark

[@dickiehoskins9835]

Awsome video Bro! 2018 will be my drop shot, learn alot, I will have to try the heavier drop shot for the bait cast I fish mostly stain water

[@keenonmoore7651]

Ive always been told the way you put the worm on doesnt matter ima try this set up! Thnxs alot of info

[@fisherofmen9897]

Thank you for the great information! I'm not sure this is the right place to ask or request this but I will anyway. I live in the South East and the lake I fish the most is a highland reservoir that is deep, rocky and clear. I would like to see a video about fishing tubes especially in the winter for smallmouth. Im interested in the internal jighead and exposed hook. Can you help out? Thanks again for all your great information.

[@brandonsovick8057]

Great video man, hope you're feeling better. I don't drop shot but feel like I should try. One question I've always had...why the weight on the bottom? Why not use a little finnese jig??

[@davidnewcomb2431]

Drop shot is key year round here on Lake Lanier in Georgia!!!

[@victorpapaiz7364]

Great video! Seems like I've been the only guy drop shotting keitechs on Erie the last couple years... Guess the secret's out now! Get better soon, eh!

[@Stratollac]

Thanks for another great video, Tim. When you’re nose hooking or wacky rigging, how do you decide on weight? Are you always going with the lightest you can get away with under the conditions? Or do you find that you can get away with a little more weight when you’re working on the bottom because you’re working the worm on a little bit of slack?

[@gypsygypsy7185]

Caught. A 7 pounder couple days ago on a drop shot

[@tlalexander3]

Are the 4.5inch roboworms good for dropshotting also? I just went and bought 2 packs and realized you recommended the 6 inch. One was Morning dawn and the other was margarita mutilator color. Where I fish is primarily spotted bass so maybe it'll be alright since they are a little smaller than large mouth usually

[@dakotajones7984]

Great video! I hope to improve my drop shot game tremendously in the coming months using some of these tips... Have you guys ever played around with using multiple hooks on a drop shot? Like having one at say 6” from the weight and another around say 18”? I have had decent luck before with it, but I’m not sure it’s significantly better than using just one hook... thoughts?

[@kanheezy]

Great video! I had a question with regards to braid to floro. I use a Shimano chronarch 151HG. How much length of braid should I put and how much leader should I use? Is there a standard I can use for spools of different size? Thanks!

[@weouchhere9338]

Tim this was wicked helpful, I am loving your emphasis on drop shot fishing.... get matt to the dark side haha!

[@rickhouser9310]

You should sell a drop shot kit!!!

[@mburke1211]

Great video Tim! I learned a lot.

[@bennettkudder9802]

Great vid as always. Ive been using the gamakatsu "swivel shot" hooks with the built in swivel for dropshotting. I know i would probably get more/bigger bites on hooks without it. Do you have a stance on those hooks? Do you not use them for that reason? Thanks and feel better. Merry Christmas.

[@williamjackson6443]

I'm shopping for a new drop shot rod. mainly for a weedless Rebarb straight shank hook setup. Do you think G. Loomis GLX Spinning Rod 6'10" Mag Medium 822S SYR is to heavy of a rod or a good option. If not what would you recommend. Thanks I love the videos

[@christianchavez5308]

Have you or Matt tried the Gary Yamamoto sugoi floro. Amazing finesse line I put it past Segar or sunline. Try it out?

[@tacticalmayo879]

I live in lake havasu water is super clear any tips for clear water. Thanks love your vids

[@alexanderlee6509]

Tim - on the Texas rigged drop shot, what size hook do you use?

[@virginiaowen]

Did you see in the bass master magazine a picture of a guy that had one of your hoodies on Great vid saved me this winter and spring

[@natebroughton1795]

How long of a leader on the Texas rig upgraded gear? (Braid to hook, not hook to weight) also if you have tried the z-man trick shotz is a very nice bait similar to half shell but elaztech.

[@christopherbrooks3321]

Do have to use braid to fluorocarbon? Can you use straight fluorocarbon?

[@stevesellers2518]

How do I email yall. I need advice on how to use a reel I won and what rod to buy to pair it up with. I fish chic whenever I can, it's about 5 hours from me in Indiana! Also wanted to see if either of you guide down there.

[@braddunn9960]

do you ever use a craw style bait dropshotting or am i overthinking it?

[@NamathCB]

Great vid! Your the best Tim, Mr Finesse.

[@bskull182]

do you typically use the same dropshot rig for the Delta as well as Clearlake?

[@out4danoney29]

What weight tungsten or lead drop shot sinker do you use for both shore and pier fishing?

[@miguelalvarez1155]

Sure is warm this year in California isn't it? Would drop shotting work for bank fishing?

[@Southguy42]

Have you tried gene lew rally grub

[@joshdunn8544]

First of all thanks for all of the incredibly helpful info in all of your videos! I had a question about drop shotting. Yesterday I saw bass on my fish finder suspending at 20’ in 30’ of water. Does the drop shot rig have to sit on bottom because I would need a 10’ space between my hook and weight, right? What is the best way to catch these fish?

[@tacticalbassin]

No, you can absolutely use it mid-column for those fish.

[@tylers1710]

For an all around mh casting rod would you recommend a shimano zoidias, or the new curado rods? I can’t decide which one lol. Not sure if I can go wrong either way but thanks for your input.

[@mikeprice8995]

Thanks Tim good stuff learned a lot!

[@foreignbeggar3783]

if you’re using the keitechs and stuff on a drop shot, what about using a fluke and nose hooking it? would that work similarly, or is there not enough action with the fluke since it’s a soft plastic jerkbait?

[@mr.fatbasstard648]

Hey Tim can you share a few words on drop shot bite detection. In the winter months I have readied the net for a few friends and have had to ask them 'are you going to set that fish or not'! Lol Had the same issue myself years ago. Especially on windy days....