Last Edit: July 24, 2012, 08:14:55 AM by thebassmachine1, Bass Fishing Techniques, Presentations and Lures, Quote from: Bassinkorea on July 20, 2012, 09:30:37 PM, Quote from: Mike Cork on July 24, 2012, 08:27:39 AM, Quote from: thebassmachine1 on July 24, 2012, 08:10:32 AM. Read more. The drop-shot bait that has gained most of Gustafsons confidence is Z-Mans Trick ShotZ, specifically designed for the technique. Trapper Tackle Finesse Hook: https://goo.gl/93mX57I love reviewing new and innovative products that come to the bass fishing world. So, its no surprise they met the drop-shot rig with open arms. Generally all of the baits I talked about I will throw on a g loomis 852jwr, so 71 m xf. Before Ican suggest a specific hook what tackle, spinning or casting and line size / type do you use?? For tubes I usually use a tube jig head, although sometimes I will use a ball head also. The gap should be 2 times the plastic diameter. Nose Hooks: This style is best for tip-hooking worms and other soft plastic baits. It's hard to compete with nature, so I was trying to talk them into a minnow. When hes targeting smallmouth in open water with smaller drop-shot lures, he ties on, Some smallmouth prefer big lures, even on a drop shot. He rigs a worm several ways, but one unique method providing success recently involves slipping the hook through the "gill" region of a worm, as opposed to the center. Weight size depends on the depth of water you are fishing and the wind conditions. This is what I fish with 90% of the time and you will catch a pile of fish if this is all you had in your tackle box. Feider is at home with spinning tackle and Minnesota smallmouths. Ill thread the bait onto the hook and let the point protrude out the back like its rigged on a jig, he said. You are given the option to unsubscribe at any time. Best Drop Shot Hooks & Sizes for Every Rigging Style How to Fish Bait Selection for Bass How to Cast How to Cast a Baitcaster Preventing Backlash How to Fix Backlash How to Catch Fish Detecting Bites Setting the Hook Reeling in Fish Landing Fish Unhooking Fish Seasons Winter Best Winter Bass Lures Best December Baits Best January Baits Not only will this give you a better hook up ratio but the baits tend to stay on better and youll get more action. thatbassmachine1, are you rigging it texas style then, to be weedless in the brush piles? Mike, mostly out here I've been using the 1/0 or 2/0 Robo rebarb with a 4.8 or 5.8 flick shake worm rigged weedless. For the 4.5 inch version I use a #2 drop shot hook for this bait and I bump it up to #1 for the 6 inch version.. Here, we will talk about one of the most effective ways to target this species - the drop shot. "It's light, handles 3- to 8-pound linedesigned specifically for dropshotting," he says". Croch Drop Shot Weights Hand Poured Size 1/8 1/4 3/8 (20 per Pack) . The most universal when around rocks in my opinion is some sort of finesse football head which really helps with not getting snagged. Its extra length and deeper body require a larger straight-shank hook such as Gamakatsus G-Finesse worm hook. If you don't mind could you elaborate on a few things? Even in rough water, it's an efficient choice. This material may not be posted on another website. I have since used the larger straight shank round bend hook on my local waters and it has worked GREAT. This means that the weight sits at the bottom, while the hook and bait hold just above. Smaller 5/0 to 8/0 hooks can be used for panfish. While most of the drop shots dominance can be credited to the rig itself, it has had some help along the way. Learn particular techniques and you'll find the same hook that you'd use for LM, will be the same hook used for SM. Straight tip, which is important for successful hook set. Will admit up front that I didn't read through all the post, the title intrigued me. With so many choices it can be hard to know exactly which ones you should use and when to use them. Thin wire hooks tend to work best, but ordinary hooks will also work just fine. However, the light wire material and forged shank make this hook light enough for finesse fishing. Here is what a drop shot rig includes: The mainline attaches to the finesse hook, while a leader is attached from the finesse hook to the weight. They dont rust and have a solid construction that doesnt bend easily. If its sunny, I like a longer 16 18 tag end, or leader, between my hook and weight because fish tend to be a little higher in the water column. But I use 1/0 and 2/0 EWG hooks and rig them texas style. I think a drop shot is a top finesse technique still today, but what were seeing is a trend toward more finesse and using more baits designed for drop shotting, he said. I hired a VERY reputable guide on Lake Fork on more than one occasion and we have used the drop shot almost exclusively in some cases. Eagle Claw Aberdeen 3. Please. Pro bass angler Bryant Smith shares a simple and effective trick to keep your line under the radar. "Drop-shotting is more versatile than most anglers think. You want to impart action without moving the sinker. A precise combination of rod, reel, line, hook, sinker, and sonar seems more integral to the success of drop-shot angling than any other technique in bass fishing. Most hook manufactures make a drop shot style hook from a size #8 all the way to a 2/0. The best drop shot hook size to use is a #1 or 1/0. The plastic swims along the bottom and when the teardrop tungsten weight hits a rock, the lure flickers, jumps, then resumes swimming. Gustafson said, catching more smallmouth on a drop shot still starts with finding them. Bass anglers are always looking for the next best thing, a technique or rig that puts more and bigger bass in their boat. A drop shot is one of my favorite finesse fishing techniques and is one that I think every angler should be using. I was looking at the Gamakatsu ball heads. He said they are included on reels such as, Gustafson selects his drop-shot hook based on what and where hes fishing. his favorite choice is Strike King Dream Shot rigged on a #1 size Owner circle hook. Mostly I use zoom trick worms. I know there are other finesse footballs on the market, cant remember the brands but Ive used a few off of TW that have been great. But like a willing father threading a red worm to a hook under a bobber for his kid, Powroznik just grinned, grabbed the end of Lucas line, and put his expert touch to the finesse rig. Here are the best weedless drop shot hooks that I use and have the most confidence in: If you are looking at purchasing a hook to use on your drop shot rig you might be wondering what size of hook you should be using. Gustafson is intimately familiar with smallmouth, a two-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier, and recent Elite Series winner. "I agree with Sethuse a heavy sinker for the purpose of not moving the lure," Swendseid says. Many drop shot fishermen will "nose-hook" their worms when fishing just sand, gravel, and . Membership for the information you have provided. Gamakatsu EWG Offset Worm Hook 2. It's not ordinary table saltit was selected for ballast. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies., link to Fishing Leader Length [Complete Guide]. But when he fishes a drop shot, he wants a short one. If the fish are really finicky you may even want to drop this down to a size #4 or size #5. I tend to go a little smaller in hook size than some drop-shotters, preferring a size 1 or 2 octopus-style or split-shot/drop-shot hook. From left to right, Ehrler s five Senko faves include: 1) the classic Texas-rigged weightless Senko; 2) a nail weight Senko; 3) a weightless wacky-rigged Senko; 4) a Texas-rigged weighted Senko for flipping and pitching; and 5) a drop shot with the Senko wacky-rigged on the hook. I have one, and its the finest spinning reel Ive ever used. When fishing for smallies, you may want to get deeper as they are often sitting on colder, deeper columns. These are the baits that I have the most confidence in and are ones that you can catch fish on regardless of where you are located. Toggle navigation. Its a slightly more complex setup than other techniques and it may seem difficult to set up at first. Choosing the right drop shot hook and size can make a big difference and will help you catch and land more fish. Catch SM frequently on 5/0 buried in a magnum fluke. Grow your fishing skills and improve your angling effectiveness. The Trokar brand is also known for its consistent build quality, so you can rely on every hook being equally sharp. Keith Comb's discusses. Tight-line shaking pulls and shakes a lure too hard, and can move the sinker. Yes, an octopus style of hook can be used on a drop shot rig. This technique is almost always done on a spinning setup, as this enables better casting of lighter line applications.. This hook lets you stick the tip back through the bait, making your presentation weedless. I know you said to not overthink it, haha but I always do and that's part of my problem. A drop shot is a finesse bass fishing technique that is extremely effective all year round and is one that every angler should utilize. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Many of the big fish I caught were completely full. The size of the bait, caliber of fish, and style of drop shot hook being used are all factors that should be consider when selecting a hook size. They dont actually have very small mouths, really. Professional bass angler Bryant Smith talks about why the Strike King KVD Popping Perch is his go-to topwater frog for big bass. DRFTR Scale down further, coupling a #12 to #18 hook with a 1- to 2-inch softbait. When I do wacky rig it is almost always with a size 1 hook, the lighter the hook the slower the fall and lighter of a setup you can use. Regardless of location, time of year, or weather, there isnt a situation when a smallmouth wont bite a drop shot. A Palomar is the most popular knot for attaching a hook to a drop-shot rig. Smallmouth Best dropshot worms and hooks? "To make a lure move and swim, use the lightest weight possible," he says. New to the drop shot Bass fishing technique. Hopefully this helps you choose the best possible size for a drop shot hook! Better ones are found on top of spools, not on the back of the reels body. Dont overthink it, River smallies are generally very aggressive and will take a shot at most baits if presented correctly. Finesse hook Leader (fluorocarbon) Single weight (tungsten/lead) Soft plastic The mainline attaches to the finesse hook, while a leader is attached from the finesse hook to the weight. Obviously, finesse worms and Senko-style cigar worms lend themselves to a wacky approach, but any soft plastic can be fished wacky style, or "gilly rigged," as Martens calls it. I'd shake the worm in place for 5 minutes at a timethat was the key to catching them. He tied in a 15-foot leader of 6-pound Sufix Fluorocarbon, with a #2 VMC Neko Hook and an 18-inch to 2-foot dropper terminating in a VMC TDSC Tungsten Drop-Shot Cylinder Weight. Heck, its really nothing new. In this complete drop shot hook guide Ill share with you what are the best drop shot hooks to use, what is the best size of drop shot hook and other tips and tricks that will help you catch and land more fish on a drop shot. It locks the lure in place above the tops of the vegetation. It works! Often, when nothing else is working, the drop shot will get the job done., These two are almost a match made in heaven. Most days, Johnston runs a 3/8-ounce dropshot weight. Its a hook designed for nose-hooking baits, he said. That's the key to proper action on a drop-shot. link to How Often Should You Change Fishing Line? set the hook. A drop shot is as successful as it is because of the natural, free flowing action it enables. One thing that Ive learned over the years fishing a drop shot is how important selecting the right hook can be. Great Lakes walleye legend Ross Robertson talks about hook selection for different applications when building and pulling crawler or minnow harness rigs.