These Drop Shot Tips Will Save Your Day!

Drop shots can be frustrating but these fishing tips will make you more efficient and help you catch more bass. Make sure you support todays presenting sponsor by downloading the Deep Dive app! onelink.deepdi...
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I was born and raised in Chicago, but after working 12 years in the financial Industry regulating the futures and options markets at the CME/CBOT I decided to pursue my passion fishing professional tournaments and left my full time corporate job. At that point, I moved to Junction City, WI with my wife Sara and two boys Hank and Duke. I've been fishing professionally since 2011 and full-time since 2015. I've qualified for seven MLF Championships and won over a half million in tournament winnings at the professional level.

[@uncclifford1877]

I develop a drop shot system that avoids line twist and in fifteen years that I have been using it I have yet to loose a fish to a brake off, unless it runs into a snag. You place a bobber stop on your line. Pass the line through the eye of the hook (no knot) then add another bobber stop. Use a triple surgeon's knot to attach a drop to your sinker. Since the hook is free swinging it won't twist your line and if the line does brake the fish can free itself of the sinker. Since the bobber stop will slide up and off the line. You will have to adjust the top bobber stop since it will move, but it's a small price to pay. Since the fish is pushing on the knot and not pulling on it I have yet to have one brake. I call it the "Freedom Rig" because the fish can free itself of the sinker and also I was fishing in the Freedom District of Carroll County, Md. When I came up with idea.

[@BrodieBassin]

I'm definitely going to mess around with this!!

[@darrellgrant7615]

Yeah I’ve seen other fisherman use this rig. I think even Ike uses it. I use it too.

[@scottkessler9602]

Ike does use it. He made a whole video detailing it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@uncclifford1877]

Great! I'am glad guys are using it. I'll check out Ike's video. I did make a change last week to make my worms last longer when fishing weedless. Instead of a hook with a keeper I use a straight shank hook like a Gamakatsu B10S stinger and a boil-lie spike (used by carp fisherman) I caught eight bass on one Robo worm.

[@Agile47509chicken]

I got so annoyed with the weight swinging all over the place when not being used, I got the Cali Coast clip and it made life so much easier. It easily attaches to your rod above the reel and you can slip the drop shot weight under it and it stays put. A real game changer.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good tip

[@mikegardiner3934]

Totally agree! I’ve been using the Cali coast clip for about three years now. Don’t know what I would do without it. Lol.

[@robwright3064]

I like using the Gamakatsu swivel shot hooks. Makes it easy for me to tie quickly. They cost more, but the convenience and substantially reduced line twist are worth it as a newbie angler. Just caught my new PB 4.3lb largemouth on this setup this past Saturday.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nice one!

[@raybrenneman7240]

Vmc spinshot offers a large selection of hook styles and has built in swivels to prevent line twist plus you won’t reel the swivels into the rod guides.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@FamilyFishinFun]

Very good tip on the clip on weights. In a lot of cases the tungsten weights we use are more expensive than the actual hook and lure 😆

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep

[@jaydrfish]

Thank you, Matt. I like and use all your suggestions... the line tie at the top of the weight, the straight worm, the swivel above the hook. I'd also add this: use the lightest weight you can to stay on the bottom. Really enjoy your channel!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@badneed]

Put a bead above your swivel. It protects the top eye of your fishing rod from getting destroyed as you keep accidentally reel up too much line. The bead also acts as an attractor to fish if the swivel is less than a foot above your hook

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@rickjorstad6666]

I have a couple of leaders pre rigged and stored in a plastic sandwich bag. These consist of a barrel swivel followed by hook about 18 inches down. I leave about 18 inches below the hook for attaching the sinker. This works well for me. Thanks for the tips!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@texoma_outdoors]

I totally agree with the pinch line tie, I hate them. I wish more companies made cylinder weights with just a ring on top

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for watching

[@stevesteve4350]

Juice on opening up weight clip to reduce line twist!!! Although I only use ball style. The cylinder style gets all tangled especially when a fish jumps for me anyway.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Use what you feel most comfortable with

[@jeffdubinok7312]

Matt - thanks for the video. It is very timely for fishing in the heat of summer. Free rig weights come with an open eye, are cylindrical, and come in a variety of “drop shot” sizes in either tungsten or lead.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Sirius_W]

Thanks for the tip on opening up the pincher part on the weight. I was considering throwing mine away but that saved me a few bucks. In terms of suggestions for others one thing I'd say is don't be afraid to try different hooks until you find one you really like using for a drop shot. In my case I went from a classic drop shot hook to an owner cover shot type hook and then a local guide told me to try a 1/0 ewg hook. I actually like that one the most since I use a shad impact instead of a worm sometimes...owner also makes one called the down shot that I'm planning on trying out next.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad to help

[@williamschneider6811]

Matt, I am 76 years young, and lazy. I pre tiered my techniques that I use a swivel for such as a Carolina rig, a fluke rig and a drop shot rig. I take a swivel and tie on at least 12 inches of line on one end and then the hook. If it is a drop shot or Carolina rig I use enough line for the leader and weights needed. I use a clip at the end of the main line and attach the other end of the swivel to it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing

[@johnroskosky7816]

Thanks for the tips on drop shots Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

you bet!

[@mattrochefishing]

Yes, Spro power swivels work great! And I carry pre-rigged leaders with the swivel, hook and weight already tied on.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MariaMcdonald-tv9zg]

I like the Trokar dropshot hook or vmc spinshot. Those hooks have a built-in swivel that eliminates most line twist.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@wciii3591]

I like it! Yesterday I used a combination of tips you have recently given. I'm a smallie reiver guy, so used a bever tail type bait, the Missile Baby D Bomb. I didn't catch any real big ones but the size of what I was catching increased as soon as I switched from a ned rig. I also used your offset worm hook idea also, almost. I didn't have the correct worm hook so I used a 90 degree jig hook. I had to restraighten it once and while but no big deal. Even though I lost a couple, they all hooked up. The way you think about and explain these things, really rings a bell. Good job and thanks!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad to help!

[@borreholic7238]

Recently I've bought a couple of rods that happened to not have a hook keeper. As a (maybe not super elegant) DIY solution that I stumbled across you can zip-tie a small wacky rubber ring to the blank. On my most recent trip last week I also noticed coincidentally that the ring is perfect for fixating a cylinder style dropshot weight - just put it through and reel in the slack line, and the weight gets "stuck" in the ring (since the ring opening is facing ""up" and not the rod tip). I guess is doesn't work as good if you switch weight sizes a lot on the same rod, but it might be worth a try.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@chuckfish1855]

I use a Norman Speed Clip to attach my weight. This allows for quickly changing the size of the weight and removing the weight for storage. The Norman Speed Clip will not get caught in your net!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@gregchilders7643]

I like putting my pretied rigs in 3×4 poly bags. I also use a pair of split ring pliers to open up the loop on dropshot sinkers

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@joepworther2284]

Thanks for the tips, Matt !!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@larryppe]

They also sell cylinder weights that don't have the cinch type rings. Even if you open up the cinch type, it still tends to weaken the line. I also use spinshot hooks to eliminate line twist.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@toad465]

I use a swivel off the braid, and use a quick ring on the pre tied drop shot rigs. So I don't have to tie, just slip it on and off the swivel.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Southpawreb]

Nuggets😂 I love your Nuggets you give out. Little things that mean alot.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha

[@PaintballShyguy]

Haha I do the same with those line clips. Nice tips 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks 👍

[@shadybanks8625]

Your tip last year to use the Norman Speed Clips sure saved a lot of frustration for me. Have you tried the drop shot hooks by Nishine that allows you to use a snell knot on the drop shot? I wish there were more sizes but it’s a great hook.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad to help

[@jerjbray]

VMC puts out a swing shot. Main line attaches to the hook and below you tie on the sinker line. The whole hook swivels. I also trust my knots better doing it this way.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@bill7949]

Thank you

[@MattStefanFishing]

You're welcome

[@maxcole3930]

I can't think of any improvements on that. I do basically same. I like the cylinder weights, I open them up & tie a simple overhand so I can break the weight off if needed. I also use size 10 or 12 swivels. Do you use a palamar knot with your tag end back through the eye of the hook? I'm curious what's the strongest knot you could tie on a dropshot that still makes your hook& baits stand out correctly?? I use power shot a lot in summer

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@AyCee21]

Great informative video - thanks Matt. Which knot would you say is best for a DS?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I u see a miller or Palomar knot

[@cjn8730]

I need help. Thermocline. How do I fish around it? What baits and techniques work. Lakes 20 ft or less.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Crankbaits swimbaits drop shot football jig

[@itllkeal]

Thanks Matt. Do you know anything about Diawa concept baits?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haven’t tried them

[@nicksandrof9345]

Good tip on the pre rigged leaders, I actually carry two rod set ups but a couple extra leaders makes much more sense. As others have mentioned Cali clip for the win!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@glennschramm7255]

do you ever use the spin shot hooks to help with line twist

[@MattStefanFishing]

Not normally

[@dougsaroma]

I've never fished with a drop shot, just wasn't being done around my neck of the waters when I was learning fishing back in the day. What about using a jig instead of a weight, maybe even double your chances of a hookup? Is that a silly thought?

[@wciii3591]

I river fish a lot. Drop shots hang up less than ned rigs and are usually as good and sometimes better.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You can do it but it’s not legal in my tournaments so i don’t

[@backcountrybrian3746]

How do you store your pre-rigged leaders?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I use a pool noodle

[@FishingWithLiz]

But aren’t the line ties on most drop shot weights free to swivel? The ones I have are this way. Please clarify. Thanks.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yes

[@po0ko0dude62]

matt..how are you storing your pre made dropshot rigs?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I wrap them on a pool noodle piece

[@paulhirschfield7214]

Do you still use the nishon hooks

[@MattStefanFishing]

i still use them...but am actually out at the moment and last time i went to order them they were sold out.

[@Craig-o3g]

Matt what’s your opinion on drop dead Ned rigs?

[@MattStefanFishing]

It’s not legal in my tournaments and in some states

[@williamknight5142]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺Thanks Matt. I personally use the Gamakatsu swivel shot G-finesse drop shot hook. It greatly decreases line twist and I can change the length and size of my drop shot weight very quickly/efficiently🤠.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!