Dropshot Walleyes - The Ultimate Guide (SECRET WEAPON for Summer 'Eyes)

Everything you need to know to dropshot for walleyes!
Gear is listed below:
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ MY FISHING GEAR ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
🔸 Hook (Crawler) - #1 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Worm Light Hook
www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamak...
🔸 Hook (Leech) - #2 Octopus Hook
www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamak...
🔸 Dropshot Plastic - 3.5" Eye-Candy Jig Crawler
shop.northlandtackle.com/soft...
🔸 Dropshot Weight - 1/4oz or 3/8oz Tungsten "Thin" Shape
www.tacklewarehouse.com/Arsen...
🔸 Rod - 7'2" TUCR Apex Elite MLF (can go shorter if preferred)
tunedupcustomrods.com/product...
🔸 Reel - 2000 or 2500 Spinning
fishusa.rv5k.net/c/2074607/77...
🔸 Main Line - 8lb braided line
fishusa.rv5k.net/c/2074607/15...
🔸 Leader Line - 6lb fluorocarbon (10 feet w/ 18" dropper)
fishusa.rv5k.net/c/2074607/77...
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ MY SOCIALS ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
🔰 Instagram - bit.ly/NicksInsta
🔰 Facebook - bit.ly/NicksFacebk
🔰 Twitter - bit.ly/NicksTwit
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ THANK FOR WATCHING! ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Some of the above links are affiliate - if you make a purchase via these links, you will be supporting the channel (with no extra cost to you)

[@jonaslim8594]

Many fishing video don’t show the set up (leader, hook and etc). Here is one very good example and informative

[@NickLindner]

Thanks man. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@badcrispy3933]

The close up shot! What! The effort you put into the production is changing the game. YT Angler of the Year bud.

[@NickLindner]

Thanks man! Just doing the best I can help folks out

[@5199je]

Good video, Nick. Glad to see you out doing somethings on your own! Nice job.

[@NickLindner]

Hey thanks. Much appreciated

[@mengkhang1037]

Keep up the pro tips. I grew up watch everything your family has done. Always love the info.

[@NickLindner]

Thanks! I appreciate you watching

[@glennvandekamp8611]

Awesome video. I’m going to start watching your videos more often now.

[@NickLindner]

Thanks Glenn. I appreciate it!

[@gregbeebe1317]

Great video and instruction. I love that you list your gear as well. I am going to give this rig up a try next weekend.

[@NickLindner]

How did it work for ya???

[@aiddaphomvisay9422]

One of the best videos I've seen for the drop shot technique tips. Thank-you!

[@NickLindner]

Glad you get some value out of it. I wanted to be comprehensive!

[@muskylures]

Excellent instructional video. I learned a lot. Thanks!

[@NickLindner]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-un6to6sr6z]

Nick: Your video's are excellent and very detailed. IF I ever get the chance to fish with you, I WOULD! Thank you for all you hard work and dedication to this channel. From Indiana

[@NickLindner]

Thanks for watching!

[@carlbodene8150]

Excellent video thank you !

[@jamesandersen7430]

First-time viewer. Just want to say great video. You go into some great detail and how to. Thanks for all the info, I left smarter than when I started. 👍

[@NickLindner]

Thanks for the message James. Glad you got some good info!

[@greenpea9412]

This was put together very well and I got some good tips from you. I subbed.

[@NickLindner]

Much appreciated. Glad I could help out!

[@greenpea9412]

@@NickLindner Brother that hair tie thing was nifty. I dug through my wifes hair stuff and I grabbed a blue one and a white one hahaha.

[@josephrezek8481]

Great video! The YT fishing community needed another educator. And you might be the best.

[@NickLindner]

I really appreciate that Joseph.

[@MNPIKE74]

great timing, was just talking about drop shot today!

[@NickLindner]

It’s a deadly weapon!

[@bradray]

Nick, just wanted to thank you for this exceptional video. It was just packed with useful info. I just got back from fishing around North Bay, Ontario, and the fishing was incredibly tough. The drop shot was key for me, keeping it up off the silty bottom. Thanks again for your content.

[@NickLindner]

Right on, thanks for watching Brad!

[@moseskongi4746]

@@NickLindner So if you don't use a palomar knot, the whole setup is a future disaster?

[@NickLindner]

@@moseskongi4746 there are other options. Palomar is the easiest and extremely effective, thus why I pushed it in this video. Regular uni knot would be very ineffective.

[@Combatkid174]

Fantastic video Nick. This is a fabulous learning opportunity. I'm planning to head out on my lake (Oneida Lake) in Syracuse to tune this tactic in. Thanks. Keep this up !. We very much appreciate your knowledge.

[@NickLindner]

Glad I could help. Thanks for watching!

[@jerrystigall6560]

Great video on a great rig. Love a Palomar knot. I use it in every case I can due to its line strength. I'm rigging up a couple of rods right now for my next walleye run. Thanks!

[@NickLindner]

Thanks Jerry!

[@blonko86]

You're a genius, Nick! BTW I like the VMC Spinshot hooks.

[@NickLindner]

Thanks for watching! I typically don't prefer the hooks with built-in swivels. I know they work, it's just a confidence thing for me.

[@bigel8857]

Blonko the bronko! Hey Nick. Great video. One of my favorite ways to fish.

[@danward2490]

@@NickLindnerI love the VMC Spin shot hooks too. And I love the eye candy baits on my drop shot, they float and stay perpendicular. They are also GREAT on ned rigs

[@thelonesomefisherman7425]

Great tutorial, Nick. 😊

[@NickLindner]

Thanks! Hope alls well

[@thelonesomefisherman7425]

@@NickLindner Yes, thanks for asking.

[@joemartin6439]

Thanks , you made fish so clear

[@NickLindner]

Glad to help Joe

[@DanBergundy]

Awesome video!

[@NickLindner]

Thanks Dan

[@jonaholson1583]

hair tie thing is genius!

[@NickLindner]

Not my idea. It’s a game changer for storage haha

[@user-sm8qf7lu9c]

thank you great video. gonna try this method next weekend..

[@NickLindner]

How did it go!

[@craigkelm7914]

Excellent video, Thanks

[@NickLindner]

Thanks Craig. Appreciate you watching

[@chrisgrayson3855]

Thanks buddy, i needed this for my next Frontenac park trip in September

[@NickLindner]

Good luck out there

[@chrisgrayson3855]

@@NickLindner thank you. I usually fish bass but don’t eat them the pickerel are awesome just need to get to bottom guys say

[@AlisOutdoorAdventures]

Awesome video. Great job

[@NickLindner]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it

[@AlisOutdoorAdventures]

@@NickLindner I actually just came up bobcageon today and will try to get some walleyes.

[@Kevin86604]

Great video, thanks!

[@NickLindner]

Thanks Kevin

[@justinniemann1585]

Nice work! I just switched my kid's (ages 6, 4, 2) rods to this setup instead of a slip bob now that we're deeper. My son and daughter caught one on the first cast then we didn't have a bite. It was a good time though! 9:26

[@NickLindner]

Nice! I’ve always found it to be more kid-friendly than a bobber. Easier to cast and less tangles

[@nicholasheath9920]

cool tips on the knot!

[@NickLindner]

Thanks Nicholas

[@Matt-33]

Nice tip with the hair tie to stow the weight... mine's always dangling in the bottom of the boat. Love drop-shotting - been pounding the smallies with gulp on down imaging

[@NickLindner]

Right on! It's a stellar presentation for so many different species.

[@thomasanderson9705]

Concise and excellent

[@NickLindner]

Thanks Thomas

[@kathyg4906]

Great video! I catch a lot of bass on plastic drop shot. I look forward to trying with live bait.

[@NickLindner]

It’s deadly!

[@lancerudy9934]

Great video 😊

[@NickLindner]

I appreciate it, Lance

[@peterosko5040]

Excellent video, Nick. When walleyes go deep on Lake Erie, I can consistently hammer on the bottom hugging walleyes with Crippled Herrings!

[@NickLindner]

Right on!

[@peterosko5040]

@@NickLindner Hi Nick...How are you related to Al and Ron? I got to know Ron and his wonderful wife, and family, during the years they wintered in Naples, FL during the 1990s. At the time, I was running offshore charters off the Marco Island/Naples coasts. Ron fell in love with slow drift jigging with the Crippled Herring (CH), a metal jig that I created in the early 1980s. Prior to that, Al discovered the Crippled Herring while passing by a demo of the CH in the "Hog Tank" at a Detroit outdoor show. That led to the explosion of my manufacturing business because of Al's generous media support. Eventually, Rapala founder Ron Weber joined Ron L. because of his drift jigging enthusiasm. It was my second metal jig, the Kandlefish, that I subsequently created for Ron Weber. It has emerged as the most effective salmon jig presently on the Pacific market. My summers are now spent on a salmon research vessel, working for the WDFW (WA State Dept of Fish & Wildlife). In closing, I consider these two Rons as special friends and was deeply saddened when they passed away. Keep up your fantastic work, Nick!

[@popeye1775]

EXCELLENT video Im along time lake Erie fisherman, drop shot and slip bobber setups are just plane deadly

[@NickLindner]

Those presentations catch em everywhere!

[@user-cp6cu6tq8f]

Loved this video!!! Not many walleye in my area, but a ton of Saugeye and I think they'll eat this presentation same sa a walleye, eh? Thanks again for this video!!

[@NickLindner]

For sure! It’s super effective for just about anything swimming around your boat

[@richiepcc]

Bro nice video! A+!

[@NickLindner]

Thanks man!

[@baccoff3308]

Nice video!

[@NickLindner]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@BPinney]

A snelled Uni knot passed back through the eye as you described works just fine as well.

[@NickLindner]

For sure!

[@Fishpig65]

Thank you for this Sir. I'll try it on Mille Lacs.

[@NickLindner]

It WILL work :)

[@bruno12746]

Subscribed 🔥

[@NickLindner]

Thanks Bruno

[@DirtyJobsGuy1]

Great video Nick! Love your content! Is their a time when you would use crawlers over leaches or vice versa?

[@NickLindner]

For me, crawlers seem to be great when I'm just trying to get a bite. Leeches are nice because they are easier to deal with, more durable and less of a mess. I like to have both on-hand, because sometimes one will shine over the other.

[@fried_nice]

Thank you for this video. I love jigging and now adding drop shot to my arsenal. Those two is all i do since i refuse to troll.

[@NickLindner]

Sounds like you have a good system!

[@crazycarlsju]

The tip about using a hair scrunchy (as my daughter calls it) to hold the weight is genius!!!

[@NickLindner]

Haha it works great man

[@hsmlz]

like the way you do with the dropshot weight

[@NickLindner]

Thanks!

[@yurilobachevsky9300]

Nice clear video, Nick, thanks! Where are you fishing for walleye btw? And what time of year was this made? Thanks so much!

[@NickLindner]

This video was made mid summer in central mn 👍

[@castawayuk]

Great video with spot on advise, I use this method in the UK for Zander and perch. There's only one other rig that works better.

[@NickLindner]

What rig is that???

[@castawayuk]

​@@NickLindnerpaternoster rig, you can fish lures and worms and keep it above their heads when they sit on the bottom. It's very effective. Give it a go

[@ajierfishing7767]

Good job

[@NickLindner]

Thanks for watching

[@fish6ix]

Awesome video - when do walleyes congregate here and what are other seasonal fish you can find here ? Looks like there would be bass and pike / Muskie

[@NickLindner]

There are all kinds of species. This time of year, weed lines can be excellent.

[@briantix7693]

like it !

[@NickLindner]

Thanks Brian

[@christiancognigni6234]

Great video! I subscribed straight away! I am going to try this today with soft plastics for Pennsylvania walleyes!

[@NickLindner]

Best of luck! Let me know how it goes!

[@christiancognigni6234]

It actually didn't pan out but that is how it goes sometimes. I caught some river walleyes the day prior and they just weren't there the next day when I gave the drop shot a try. I liked the way it presented the bait... always nose into the current, looked very natural. Will try it again when the water clears up some... water clarity wasn't the best for drop shot. Thanks for the info and the tips! Excellent videos, man!@@NickLindner

[@NickLindner]

@@christiancognigni6234 thanks for the update! I know you’ll crush them on it when things line up better. It’s deadly effective!

[@christiancognigni6234]

DUDE! Last Sunday, as a heavy rain storm moved in... the drop shot was KILLLLLER on the walleyes in the Susquehanna River, PA!!! I appreciate the tip and I must attest, it worked GREAT! I was using very small soft plastics and I never caught 6 in one day until last week. I was screaming like Mike Iaconelli. Thank you and Merry Christmas!!!@@NickLindner

[@NickLindner]

@@christiancognigni6234 amazing! Glad it worked for ya! Merry Christmas 👍

[@user-ls1xh7hw9x]

Am just getting into drop shotting. Have watched quite a few videos and this was by far the most informative and very well put together! Thank you!

[@NickLindner]

Right on! Thanks for the comment. I'm glad I can hopefully help!

[@jhulbe]

Thanks for the vid! what kind of scent do you like to go with for walleye?

[@NickLindner]

I’m usually doing scent-less, but procure has a lot of good stuff.

[@JakeBaaginige]

Awesome video. I’ll try that out this summer on the mighty Wabigoon. BTW, what set are you using for your live scope?

[@NickLindner]

Let me know how it goes!

[@user-sh3ms1hw5p]

a good worm keeper is to take a paper puncher to a soft drink cover put bait on your hook than place the plastic punch on the hook keeps your bait longer

[@NickLindner]

Thanks for the tip!

[@joemartin6439]

Thanks so much , live scan is so darn expense

[@NickLindner]

It really is

[@scottrouwhorst881]

Nice

[@NickLindner]

Thanks Scott

[@andys1170]

Aaron martins used a uni knot. Makes a bigger knot which helps level the knot

[@NickLindner]

Aaron is the dropshotting GOAT. One of my heroes when I was a kid. The knot he ties is tougher to learn than a Palomar knot though. Your average angler doesn't know much beyond a standard fisherman's knot. If they are going to learn a second, I think Palomar is the best option.

[@andys1170]

For sure he was the man I got to chat with him on Champlain a couple times through the years. Always with a smile and a clever comment

[@timyogerst4349]

Are walleye spooked by the vertical line? Wouldn't dropper loops be preferred to get the hook away from the leader? (Still can use palomars to tie-on...)

[@NickLindner]

I haven’t found fish are afraid of the vertical line

[@michaelmoller5218]

Nick, I was just watching your dropshot video. I was wondering if you could tell me what the round instrument is on your console beneath your large graph. Is it a Hawkeye depth sounder? If so, are you satisfied with how it operates (real-time data about depth changes, etc.)? Thanks!

[@NickLindner]

Hey Michael. What you’re seeing is probably just a standard stock gauge for something on the boat. I’d love to have one of those devices to read deeper water temps, but I don’t have one. I’ve heard they’re great.

[@michaelmoller5218]

@NickLindner I had looked into a less expensive device (compared to a flasher that can be used on open water, but is somewhat costly) for measuring real-time depth changes. I'm kind of a Buck Perry disciple and like to be able to precisely determine break lines. Anyway, since I wasn't able to find anybody who was able to provide me with a "performance review" of such devices, I bit the bullet and added a Vexilar Edge to my boat. The Edge has a 10° cone angle for determining more precise/real time depth changes as well as 2D sonar (40° and/or 10°). Thanks for your response.

[@TW14137]

It's the upgraded "Kicker Stereo". Same one came on my Lund ProV. I don't care for the bigol'uglyassthing.

[@mikev4654]

I tie my dropper weight using a lighter line off the tied hook so I can then break that off and at least bring the hook home after a snag. And less to tie to get back in the water

[@NickLindner]

That makes sense. Do you do anything to make sure your hook is always oriented upwards?

[@bfray3218]

Like the drop shot , I only have depth finder , what average depth would be good ? Thanks !

[@NickLindner]

Shallower in spring, then deeper as the season goes on.

[@KissmyBasss]

Should be good for Saugeye? I've caught a few on spoons but I want to clean some.

[@NickLindner]

Should be excellent

[@KissmyBasss]

You are probably familiar with this, but I just found spoon plugging. Without the lures, we had success our first weekend with 3-3lbrs and a 5 (Bass). We are hooked!

[@NickLindner]

@@KissmyBasss awesome!

[@cbaesemanai]

I have been crushing them for years on a drop shot.

[@NickLindner]

Right on! It's works

[@colobisman6132]

Can you fish a drop shot effectively from the bank? It doesn’t seem to me that the bait would stand up well.

[@NickLindner]

It’s great from shore because you can cast it really far

[@southernalbertapikewalleye6833]

Good walleye gomer

[@NickLindner]

🔥

[@kenzistoen6668]

I was watching a bass fishing video. And the guy was 'fizzing' the fish to get rid of extra air in swim bladder. They were in 25 ft of water. Wouldn't you have to do the same for a walleye outta 30 ft of water?

[@NickLindner]

I’m not an expert on that. Haven’t done it much. Pulling them out of deep water can certainly be an issue. It depends on the conditions ultimately

[@ChrisG9978]

You can also thread the fishing line through the eye of the hook so that the hook is facing up (correct direction for drop shotting), bring the tag end around and make a loop, then just twist the hook across both lines (both the tag end and the main line) at the top of the loop 4-5 times, and cinch it. That'll hold as well as a palomar knot and it's slightly easier/quicker to tie up while out on the water. This video illustrates the knot quite well - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKKxpa2uf9SAZ7s Palomar knots are fairly straight forward, but I've found that when there's a breeze they can be tricky.

[@NickLindner]

Thanks for message! I’ve actually found the opposite personally. Once you’ve tied the palomar knot a few times, i think it’s one of the easiest to execute (which is why i recommend it in the video). But that’s just my opinion!

[@danappel2611]

What's the difference between dropshot and a Lindy rig?

[@56igadget]

I use the number eight hook

[@NickLindner]

Nice!

[@barrybutleroutdoors5293]

Whats your favortie walleye method on ice ,

[@NickLindner]

Honestly, a spoon is always a go-to. I love to get them on a rattle bait when I can though.

[@barrybutleroutdoors5293]

@@NickLindner totally agree

[@gordjohnson70]

Small swivel above hook ?

[@NickLindner]

You can. I don’t

[@PerryShriver]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@NickLindner]

👊

[@seanshykes9662]

How hard do you think it is on the fish catching them in 30 feet bringing them up i caught a 28 3/4 inch walleye this summer in 22 feet played the fish the whole why to the boat then experience it got its eyes blown out i felt very terrible about the outcome of the situation 😢

[@NickLindner]

Honestly, it depends on a lot of factors. But 30 feet is right on the edge of the danger zone for deepwater walleye fishing.

[@nchec326]

Great video. I'd rather see someone tie knots with actual fishing line vs rope.

[@NickLindner]

I agree in many cases. In retrospect, the footage on my camera turned out a lot better than I expected. It should have been pretty easy for folks to see/understand

[@andrew5207]

How much line do you want between the hook and the weight?

[@NickLindner]

Honestly, it can depend on the depth you’re fishing, how high the walleyes are off the bottom, etc. but as a general rule of thumb, I’m usually around 1.5 feet.

[@rockyraab8290]

Great job, sir. However, I do have to say that there is a MUCH better knot for this than the Palomar. Called simply the Drop Shot Knot. Many vids on it.

[@NickLindner]

I'll look for it, Rocky 👍

[@redred2772]

Full worm add a stinger?

[@NickLindner]

No stinger needed! Just let em eat it a few seconds.

[@swivels]

Drop shot is so good no matter what you're targeting. If it isn't broke don't fix it aha

[@NickLindner]

100% agree

[@ct9737]

Wasn’t the technique originally from Walleye fishing?

[@NickLindner]

Originally brought over by Japanese bass anglers.

[@davidanderson1918]

Lmao! Canadian boy here. I have been doing the drop shot for eyes for ...30 years! Not a big secret, simple tatctic

[@NickLindner]

Super effective!

[@edwardlabelle6545]

Are u anchored or drifting?

[@NickLindner]

Usually driving around with trolling motor

[@jtn-minn8105]

Drop shotting is fun been doing it for 40 years it catches everything. When I catch them at 30' they go in the well, to eat.I'd be worried about the air bladder at those depths.

[@NickLindner]

100% for sure. That's not a great depth for releasing fish

[@erich4111]

How far is the hook from the drop shot?

[@NickLindner]

Anywhere from 1 to 2.5 feet for me. I like 1.5 feet most the time.

[@patrickethier6190]

Seems kind of close to almost like a slip bobber in some ways!!

[@NickLindner]

Totally. There are some similarities

[@brezovo59]

Distance between hook and weigh.

[@NickLindner]

For me usually a couple feet

[@braapindapits55]

The waters I fish you could not keep the perch and sunfish off a live bait rig like that

[@NickLindner]

Leeches are slightly better than crawlers in those situations, but usually that’s when plastics get the nod for me

[@evanmalison4489]

❤️👊💪🎣

[@NickLindner]

Hey Evan 👋

[@Muskiehunter4841]

Number one rule of fishing nowadays is don’t go fishing buy forward facing sonar, so you just get to play video games all day😂

[@NickLindner]

Look at you, you figured it out!

[@brendanbutkus2392]

The drop shot just reminds me of a bear bones bottom bouncer rig

[@NickLindner]

It kinda has those vibes!

[@harrybrodmarkle6368]

What ......no net!

[@NickLindner]

Kids were netting bluegills with it! Forgot to put it back in. Good seeing you today!

[@Offthegridfishing]

Is it really fishing when you have all that tech ?

[@NickLindner]

Yessir!

[@chriskourlos4407]

Lad to see you fishing still Nd are you a Christian? I met a lady at bpa today and I asked her if she was a chrisyian she sYs No I. A catholic .I then Sked her the if she would like to go home Rida, she says mo.

[@NickLindner]

Hi Chris. I am

[@chriskourlos4407]

@@NickLindner I. Is mt favorite fish man. He can catch fish in a ditch!! Plus now he has devotions to christ! It is soo awesome! Thankyou jesus!!! Great Christian family 👪!!

[@danward2490]

No it’s not 100% required. You can snell it to your hook and put the tag end back through the eye of the hook.

[@NickLindner]

Sure, technically other knots with a tag end could work.

[@danward2490]

@@NickLindner I’m 69. The only time I would use the term 100% required is that Jesus is the only way to heaven. There are many options that work for people in fishing and in life. Maybe you want to change your wording in the future. Just a suggestion from a old man😊

[@NickLindner]

@@danward2490 🙂

[@duggaboy]

As soon as I heard "100%" I had to scroll down and see who would be the first asshole to comment on it. Good job Dan you win.

[@danward2490]

@@duggaboy 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@zebwalton979]

Let’s see how you do without the aid of electronics... you know, like the last great true fisherman? Where’s your knowledge, instinct and skills outside of the aid of electronics???? So you really think your skills are better than the fish without those finders???

[@NickLindner]

Caught plenty of fish blind-casting from shore, but this is more fun.

[@fishingguy76]

Secret weapon? HaHa, keep trying kid.

[@NickLindner]

Thanks I will. Hope you have a great season

[@WiredForFishing]

Drop shot vs trolling is like the difference between a Red Ryder and a M2 Browning. Get lost with this nonsense. Trolling will always yield more fish.

[@NickLindner]

Actually it doesn't!

[@2triscuit]

Great video and love the knowledge. But using lead when there's a good chance of losing it is exactly the wrong message.

[@NickLindner]

I understand that

[@DrDime_]

Been fishing below a dam in waverly iowa. Some nice fish there but full of rocks under the damn. Really struggling to find a setup to avoid snagging as much. Just gonna get some cheap led and go with this and see what happens.

[@NickLindner]

Let me know how it goes!

[@DrDime_]

@NickLindner not well. Bottom rigging aint gonna happen. Have limited success with shallow crankbaits and Texas rigged crawdad baits. Caught my first 25 inch walleye last weekend on a Texas rig crawdad. And a 22 and a half one right after. It's like a 20 foot gap between me and the dam. I stand in 3 inches of water and it drops off fast to about 10 feet between me and the dam. Small area. The water runs fast. It's tough. But it's full of smallmouth and walleye. Considering a drone to hold live bait in place 🤣🤣🤣

[@kevincrowe2404]

The key is going to a lake with good walleye, you'll figure it out

[@NickLindner]

That's a very important factor. Anyone can catch *some* on an easy lake.