Drop Shot Help for Smallies

[Desertcreek]

One of the best things that ever happened to me this year was when my drop shot rod flew off the deck of my boat in 60 feet of water. I was tempted to replace it but resisted the temptation and I am writing this today as a free man. Like a nicotine habbit, if you have made it this far into life without it why start now. I know, I know, I just upset half of America.

[BassDood]

One of the best things that ever happened to me this year was when my drop shot rod flew off the deck of my boat in 60 feet of water. I was tempted to replace it but resisted the temptation and I am writing this today as a free man. Like a nicotine habbit, if you have made it this far into life without it why start now. I know, I know, I just upset half of America.

LMAO...nice

[Anglinarcher]

One of the best things that ever happened to me this year was when my drop shot rod flew off the deck of my boat in 60 feet of water. I was tempted to replace it but resisted the temptation and I am writing this today as a free man. Like a nicotine habbit, if you have made it this far into life without it why start now. I know, I know, I just upset half of America.

You will return to the dark side, it just takes time for the chemical imbalance to get to you.

When you do return, just remember that it is a tool, just a tool, and like any tool, you should use the right tool for the right job.

[tagwatson360]

One of the best things that ever happened to me this year was when my drop shot rod flew off the deck of my boat in 60 feet of water. I was tempted to replace it but resisted the temptation and I am writing this today as a free man. Like a nicotine habbit, if you have made it this far into life without it why start now. I know, I know, I just upset half of America.

Like clockwork, another flawless post from DC. There would be a whole lot more big fish caught if more dropshot rods would fly off the decks of boats. Don't get me wrong, I always have one or more rigged up for smallmouth this time of year, but I try my best to use it as a tool and not a crutch. Without question, the dropshot is a very effective method year around, but I see far too many anglers live and die by the technique for smallies this time of year. The summer smallmouth dropshot epidimic is like the Senko for largemouth in the Spring, perhaps worse......And the worst part about it, while sometimes it can be necessary, many anglers are dropshotting plastics that closely resemble bluegill and crappie baits.

Mix a hard or soft swimbait, tube, wacky jig, weighted fluke, big topwater bait, heavy jig or C-Rig in as well. You will be happy you did.

[Desertcreek]

I was at a tackle shop last week and overheard one angler talking to another about how he was using the d-shot as a search bait. Tears started to well up in my eyes and I had this overwhelming urge to try and save this lost soul. I didn't and in the same way you feel bad when you pass a stranded motorist without helping, I feel a little bit guilty today.

If you have not used the technique then it would probably be a good idea to spend a little time with it. The hardest part is learning to rig it. After that is just like fishing with bait like we did when we were kids. It is effective in certain scenarios, just like chewing Copenhagen helps with stress, just be cautious so you don't become one of "those" guys. As long as you have friends that aren't part of the cult they should be able detect the warning signs and let you know when you may have crossed the line. It is a slippery slope and recovery is a long arduous process. It is much easier to never become dependant than it is to overcome dependancy. I will stop now but I believe that all d-shot materials should have surgeon general warning printed on the packaging.

[islandbass]

As much as I love drop shotting, I see it as a tool. It is definitely not a crutch for me even if I can practically "call" em to the drop shot when the other techniques fail to solicit strikes. It doesn't mean that DS was a crutch for me, it just meant that at that time and place, the fish wanted nothing else.

@ DC: Why did you feel you have to save him and save him from what? Is there a law that states that the D-shot couldn't be used as a search bait (as slow as that could be)? Shoot, for all we know, he could have said that to throw you off the trail or put you on a wilde goose chase to try it. Shoot, I use the DS as a search bait all the time. Ah darn, where's the Winking emoticon?:-$

Just teasing

[Anonymous]

[MaxExp82]

Yeah Im confused? Whats wrong with D-Shoting? Like I said, I had never used it before this week, But i can clearly see its a valuable tool, whats bad about it?

[bpm2000]

As much as I love drop shotting, I see it as a tool. It is definitely not a crutch for me even if I can practically "call" em to the drop shot when the other techniques fail to solicit strikes. It doesn't mean that DS was a crutch for me, it just meant that at that time and place, the fish wanted nothing else.

But how do you know? From reading your posts I take it dropshot accounts for the majority of your catches. How much time are you actually putting in for other techniques vs dropshot? I'm not saying that it didn't pan out how you say it did, but that your other techniques may have failed to solicit a strike due to the very fact that the dropshot is your most practiced/preferred rig.

[bpm2000]

Yeah Im confused? Whats wrong with D-Shoting? Like I said, I had never used it before this week, But i can clearly see its a valuable tool, whats bad about it?

Nobody is saying the dropshot is inherently bad - just that it is used far too often as an exclusive or crutch technique, much like senkos for largemouth.

[Amx]

Ok, lets try something;

List the times/conditions when to use Drop Shot, Carolina Rig, Split Shot.

Then list the times/conditions when NOT to use them.

Same with Senkos.

[MaxExp82]

Hmmm.... I have only fished a senko like 3 times, and never caught anything on one... SO its hilarious to think people are using a senko as a crutch? Drop shotting to me is just something i would use during the warmer part of the day to target suspending bass, not as a crutch at all... Dont really understand that one either, how or why would you use a drop shot full time?
I do 90% of my fishing in Pre dawn , or Post dusk conditions, so Im mainly using top waters... maybe thats my crutch ;-)

Edit: I fish for 95% Large Mouth.. so i can kinda understand getting to using a DS rig to much when smallie fishing...

[Teal101]

Senkos? Fished ONCE this year, no catches.

Drop shot? Used once and no catches.

Crankbaits? used 90% of the time and accounts for majority of my catches.

Other plastics? The remainder of fish caught.


Cranks are my crutch...


Edit: For days in the field its about 60% smallie, 40% largie although for the average weekend excursion its moses for smallies. All largies but one little dink were caught on Curlew.

[Desertcreek]

I knew I should have just kept my mouth shut and stayed away from this one.

What is wrong with using a d-shot as a search bait? By definition a search bait is a bait that can be used to cover as much water as possible in the shortest amount of time possible. The d-shot is intended to coax in-active fish into biting and isn't effective when moved quickly. That excludes the d-shot from the category of search bait and the fact that guys think they are using them as a search bait only furthers my argument that the technique is both over used and in this case improperly used. I know somone is going to say that they fish it quickly and it is effective. Again further stating my case that it is over used because if that's the case then there are a hundred other baits that would make more sense to fish in that scenario.

I have no problem with the technique or those that over use it.I am also a user but I was under the impression this was a place to learn and grow as a fisherman. So don't get upset and defensive when somone says something critical about your favorite technique. I was very close to becoming dependent and I feel fortunate that another angler saved me. I am doing my best to show others the light and free them from the opression that is a long limp rod and angel hair line attached to hooks that wouldn't choke a midget. Feel free to now post those giant fish I am certain you have all caught on the d-shot so you can sleep better at night or broaden your horizons and put it down for a couple of weeks and liberate yourself.

[Amx]

If most of a person's fish are caught on cranks, then that isn't really a crutch, it would be more of a confidence bait. The person knows he'll catch fish on it most of the time.

[nwbasshunter]

OK guys, I've been taking all this info in here, but I have one question. If you're looking for structure in 25-50 of water that's holding bass, how would you fish it without dropshotting. With this being said, i use and like to use a shakey head from time to time, do you think this technique would work, maybe a little heavier jighead to get it down?

[Anonymous]

1/2 oz or heavier jig.

Carolina Rig, Drop Shot, Split Shot I consider all to be 'the same', so any of them.

Altho I refuse to fish that deep.

[Desertcreek]

OK guys, I've been taking all this info in here, but I have one question. If you're looking for structure in 25-50 of water that's holding bass, how would you fish it without dropshotting. With this being said, i use and like to use a shakey head from time to time, do you think this technique would work, maybe a little heavier jighead to get it down?

Now that is a great question. I will be targeting fish in the 25-30 depth tomorrow when I pre-fish Banks.
This is exactly what I have tied on as I type and exactly what I will target those fish with in that depth tomorrow.

1- 3 1/2 inch tube on a 3/8 oz. head
2- 1/2 oz. football head with a trailer that I would mention but then I would have to kill all of you and I just don't have the time to kill each and everyone of you.
3- Lucky Craft jerk bait
4- Lipless crank bait
5- Deep diving crank bait
6- Sammy

Obviously Banks is a very clear lake and some of these baits may be less effective otherwise but I will be surprised if all 6 of them don't produce at least one or two good bites and hopefully some of them much more than that. I would also add that your shakey head idea will work and I may resort to the same thing if the above mentioned don't pan out.

[Desertcreek]

1/2 oz or heavier jig.

Carolina Rig, Drop Shot, Split Shot I consider all to be 'the same', so any of them.

Altho I refuse to fish that deep.

These are not even remotely the same.

[Amx]

Sure they are, just look at how they are 'assembled'. lol