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. 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.. Selecting the right drop shot hook to match the baits, cover, conditions and fish you are targeting is crucial.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'tiltfishing_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tiltfishing_com-leader-2-0'); I hope this drop shot hook guide has provided you with some value and you use the information in this article to improve your overall drop shot fishing setup and land more fish using this technique. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Trokar hooks are ideal for finesse fishing or when using a sensitive rod with a weaker backbone. The beauty of the drop shot is that you can get it down (thanks to the weight) to deep areas where smallmouth will often hold. "That's when you want to keep a lure in their face for an aggravation bite. If they are biting like crazy, bump your hook size up a little and give yourself the best possible chance of landing fish, you may as well if they are going to be biting anyway! Straight tip, which is important for successful hook set. Pro bass angler Andy Montgomery talks about selecting the best trailer for your buzzbait and how to rig it correctly. These hooks have a slight curvature design and are custom-built for drop shot fishing. I will throw this into brush without any concerns. But when he fishes a drop shot, he wants a short one. #1, 1/0, and 2/0 are the only real sizes youll need for smallmouth, unless you are really finesse fishing with a drop shot or ned rig. That's what makes a drop-shot what it ismaintaining lure placement precisely on a key spot.". You can post now and register later. Now I have been known to do things out of the box. Search for: Search. They definately work with eliminating line twist and they are super sharp hooks. Give a Gift In more open water I'll whacky rig the worms and senkos. Overall, you want to consider the technique you are fishing and what it is used for, in this case that is achieving the most natural presentation possible. Never missed a single fish and the hooks penetrated beautifully every time bringing "Unicorn Bass" to the boat time and time again. It provides adequate hook gap and is subtle enough to not hinder bait movement. Want to disguise your fishing line? If I'm going to target bass between 2-5 pounds what size drop shot hook would you use. When fishing structure, lure placement is important. The MOST Overlooked Walleye Presentation!! Whether you are a seasoned angler or just starting out, understanding the importance of fishing leaders can greatly improve your success How Often Should You Change Fishing Line? The best drop shot hook size to use is a #1 or 1/0. A drop shot is one of my favorite finesse fishing techniques and is one that I think every angler should be using. #1 July 20, 2012, 03:02:27 PM You'd be surprized what you can catch on a small hook. The drop-shot rig is a simple presentation, yet its one of the most effective bass fishing techniques. It works to catch fish anywhere and at any time. Professional bass angler Bryant Smith talks about why the Strike King KVD Popping Perch is his go-to topwater frog for big bass. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. The hook is critical, too. One exciting new hook is the Trapper Tackle Drop-Shot Bait Lock. The smaller hooks let the bait act more natural and you still get a good hook up. That provides enough material for a retie or two and enough distance between his braid and lure to fool wary smallmouth swimming in crystal clear water. If . Both he and Swendseid like DUO V-tail shads and custom handpours. As stated above, SM aggression makes up for it's smaller mouth. ", In-Fisherman TV fans may remember a segment we filmed years ago using action-tail grubs and worms on drop-shot rigs in rivers, fishing current as Swendseid describes. ", Martens uses 6-inch Roboworm Straight Tails and 4-inch Alive Shads. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Used this for drop shot and Neko rig for smallmouth bass. I'm looking to get into dropshotting next year. However, the light wire material and forged shank make this hook light enough for finesse fishing. This material may not be posted on another website. His choice is G. Loomis' lightweight and ultra-sensitive NRX+ drop-shot rod, which measures 6 feet and 10 inches. That's the key to proper action on a drop-shot. Subscribe to the free Weekly BassResource newsletter. Regardless of location, time of year, or weather, there isnt a situation when a smallmouth wont bite a drop shot. It's a bulky 3-inch softbait. Most of the time I will use a 1/8th or 1/4 oz head depending on depth and current. t's weighted to swim balanced and straighta new direction in softbaits.". Thats really key, because slower reels cant keep up with a Smallmouth thats screaming to the surface and throwing slack in your line., The number one thing most anglers do wrong when drop shotting is use line thats too heavy, concludes Powroznik. 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. Choosing the right drop shot hook and size can make a big difference and will help you catch and land more fish. So would a lot of pros. Please renew your membership here.We cannot find an active B.A.S.S. Can you use octopus hooks for drop shot? Great Lakes walleye legend Ross Robertson talks about hook selection for different applications when building and pulling crawler or minnow harness rigs. The drop-shot has evolved, too. The bend of the hook is "notched" to lock a nose-hooked plastic in place after a "swing and a miss," or for those times when smallmouths play with the bait without getting hooked. Technique-specific drop shot hooks are also shaped to maximize your hook-set ratio. They just give the best bottom feel and look the best, in my opinion, he said. Stay on the small side (#2 or #3) for small baits, bump it up a bit (#2 or #1) for bigger baits but always know, the smaller the hook the better the action. Gustafson said finding all of these characteristics in one reel may require stepping up a model or two. Martens says most of his drop-shot lengths are shorter early in the season and longer later in the year, since bass tend to be shallower and more bottom-oriented then. Most might find it odd that Lucas, one of the world's best bass anglers, who sits . 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. Receive Premium Angler Content, 100% Free of Charge. Gustafson prefers ones with a tear-drop shape. Lee used a drop-shot with a size 1 Berkley Fusion hook, a 3/8-ounce tungsten teardrop weight, and a Berkley Flat Worm. All reviews of casting and spinning rods for bass fishing, All reviews of casting and spinning reels for bass fishing, Reviews of braid and fluorocarbon fishing line for bass fishing, Buyer's guides developed to help you buy fishing tackle that suits your needs, A variety of charts and guides designed to help you get more fish in the boat. By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our. 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. Denser hooks have fewer impurities and more tensile strength. The main river I fish smallmouth on is a state protected catch and release only river with true trophy potential. But there are times when its very effective. Currently I am catching them in 20' of water with a 10" worm threaded on a straight shank 6/0 hook. Pro bass angler Andy Montgomery talks about this custom designed Strike King Skipping Buzzbait, and demonstrates how to use it. Generally, you want to use the smallest hook possible to keep a realistic presentation. link to How Often Should You Change Fishing Line? When fishing a drop shot for smallmouth bass you can't go wrong with having a roboworm tied on. yuri ashikhmin. While nearly any spinning reel will work with a drop shot, Gustafson has uncovered a few characteristics that are well suited to the technique. 10 Best Drop Shot Baits: Pro Anglers Guide - Boat Safe While there are considerations to be made when choosing hook size for a drop shot rig we thought we would give the quick, easy answer as to what the most commonly used drop shot hook sizes are. Stay away from 8 and 10 pound test, loosen your reels drag a little bit, and use 6 pound Hi Seas fluorocarbon instead. "With his multiple drop-shotting wins around the country, Martens demonstrates his versatility with the technique," Swendseid says. I want it on the bottom doing its thing, he said. An often key but overlook aspect of the drop shot rig is the hook. Let the current work it. An early adopter of the technique, he has maximized the effectiveness of each component of his drop-shot setup from rod to weight. Thank you! A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work! Nose hooks are slightly curved, which keeps your bait secure and improves hook-up ratios. I've used the VMC Spin Shot style hooks and now changed to the 1/0 Octopus/Drop Shot hooks. Improved electronics, for example, allow anglers to find, follow and catch open-water smallmouth with GPS, mapping, and scanning. Since most of the hook is unexposed, larger sizes will improve your success. Updated: Jul 2, 2022 The drop-shot rig is a simple presentation, yet it's one of the most effective bass fishing techniques. In the Columbia River, 30 feet down, I don't impart any action to the lure. However, in most cases I recommend using a straight shank hook for bigger baits and a nose style hook when fishing with soft plastic worms. https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot-rig.html, When Gustafson reaches into his Lunds locker, he usually grabs a rod a bit longer than average 7 feet or more. Feider wacky-rigged cigar-style worms to win the Bassmaster event on Mille Lacs. Apparently they don't make them in 5/0 and 6/0 so I'm lost. With so many choices it can be hard to know exactly which ones you should use and when to use them. ", On the other hand, he often uses a long dropper. As with any technique, choosing the right terminal tackle is crucial. We cannot find an active B.A.S.S. The longer the cast, the closer to bottom the lure is, no matter how long the dropper. What Size Hook Is Best For Bass Fishing - Tactical Huntr Drop-Shot Bass Basics - On The Water Set the hook and an exciting battle is on. April 12, 2020 in Smallmouth Bass Fishing, I have so many random hooks around and as i learn more about rigging techniques i want to grab an assortment of finesse hooks, hooks for rigging weedless, hooks for plastics bumping over rocks. Nose-hook or wacky-rig? Line ties together Gustafsons drop-shot setup. Display as a link instead, Where there's a nice balance of forage I've always done well to go away from what they're presently eating. See image of the Gamakatsu Aaron Martens G-Finesse Hook below for reference. When bass spit up minnows, use water clarity and sonar info to call the shot. "Most of the time, I tie my hook 2 to 3 feet above the weight with a nose-hooked goby imitation or finesse worm. After throwing a drop shot for years is a list of what I consider to be the best and most effective drop shot baits on the market. BassTackleLures.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This does not alter the price you pay in any way. Size the hook to the bait. They need to be as they thrive in clearwater conditions, and some drop shot baits are just irresistible for smallies. This is brilliant. 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. I use the VMC spin shot or Mustad red. I agree with @ww2farmerabout hook sizes. If Im using a 4 V & M Chopstick, or a small soft plastic jerkbait on my drop shot, then Ill go as big a 2/0 straight shank hook, because youre not going to get enough of a tiny hook through the bigger lures to keep bass hooked if you use anything smaller., Greg Hackney and Kevin VanDam are using big, size 40 and 50, spinning reels these days because their larger spools reduce infamous twist and tangles, but Powroznik still opts for the smaller size 25. Many of the big fish I caught were completely full. "When targeting fish on bottom I sometimes 'drop-crank,'" he says, "with the hook just 3 inches above the weight. Oops! BlackSize: 2 Verified Purchase. Best dropshot worms and hooks? : r/bassfishing - Reddit If you use [those], you just lose [your weight] every time you hook a big smallmouth, and it jumps, Gustafson said. When anglers shake a worm they move the weight. While the bait and sinker are essential variables, using a specialized hook will drastically improve your hook-up ratios, underwater action, and overall success. His choice is G. Loomis lightweight and ultra-sensitive NRX+ drop-shot rod, which measures 6 feet and 10 inches. Ive fished Michigan rivers and lakes for a long time. From basic bell-shaped to cylindrical, the weights used on drop shots have also changed.