10-14-11, 04:22 PM | #1 |
BassFishin.Com Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 65
|
Calling all Drop-Shotters
Ok guys, Winter will be here before long and things will have to slow down and go more finesse so I am in the market for a dedicated DS set up and would like everyones opinions. I'm debating on what rod/reel to use. I'm a big baitcast user, I haven't used a spinning set up in years.
I know I need to use a sensitive rod with a fast action tip? Also I would think this same set up would work equally well for shakey head presentation? I'd like to know your preferred set-up: Thanks. Rod: Reel: Line:
__________________
Every chore I can pass along to the wife = more time out on the water. Last edited by Handlebars; 10-14-11 at 06:26 PM. |
10-14-11, 09:59 PM | #2 |
BassFishin.Com Active Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Farmersburg, IN
Posts: 341
|
Truthfully, I use a Daiwa Regal combo from GM. It works great for me.
|
10-14-11, 10:06 PM | #3 |
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bellevue, Ohio
Posts: 2,338
|
Well, living on probably the greatest smallmouth fishery in the country, dropshotting is a mainstay on how we catch fish. The perfect dropshot combo for me is a 7'2" BPS Medium -Fast Carbonlite rod. My reel of choice is Pflueger Patriarch 9535 size, and the combo has the perfect balance point for me. The rod is the perfect combination of power and finesse. It does 1/4 and 3/8 weights great, but will also do 1/8 and 1/2 oz. weights with ease. I went thorugh alot of different fluorocarbon lines until I finally found the perfect line for me... Sunline Sniper in 8lb. Line is super thin, and casts really good for a fluorocarbon. I used to use Gamakatsu SS/DS Hooks, but I have now found the perfect hook, IMO... it is the VMC Size 1 Dropshot hook seen below... it really keeps them buttoned up good, especially the smallmouth.
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_S...e-VMCDROP.html Ryan
__________________
Never Give Up! |
10-14-11, 10:20 PM | #4 |
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
|
Here's my current combo:
7'2" M XF Shimano Crucial DS Rod Daiwa Certate 2000 10lb Sufix 832 in Neon Lime 6-8lb FC leader The Crucial is a great rod for it's price, and I would highly recommend it for the price. However, I've been in the search for a perfect dropshot rod for a while and have a few candidates for my next rod when I can afford one. The Loomis NRX 822S DSR (although it's a bit too short for my taste), Dobyns DX702SF, DX742SF, St. Croix Legend Elite LES76MLXF, etc. As far as reels go, it'd be a toss up between a Daiwa Fuego 2000 and a Shimano Sustain 2500 (although it's a HEAVY reel). It really depends on what you want to spend. I (and others) would be able to recommend something for you if you let us know what you're looking to spend. BB
__________________
As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com! |
10-15-11, 07:49 AM | #5 |
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Okemos, MI
Posts: 1,447
|
Here's my combo:
7'2" M XF Shimano Crucial DS Rod Shimano Symetre 2500 10lb Fireline Crystal 8lb Seaguar FC leader |
10-15-11, 09:08 AM | #6 |
BassFishin.Com Active Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 303
|
I've been meaning to try drop shots especially during the cold weather. Tried slowing things down alot but still no luck. I know drop shot is very versatile but does it typically work better for the colder months ?
|
10-15-11, 09:13 AM | #7 |
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Parkesburg, Pa.
Posts: 3,762
|
I prefer a spinning set up for dropshotting:
Kistler HEII70MS = 7'0" M/f (LTX) w/recoil guides Pflueger Supreme XT (9030) 20# Suffix braid 8# Flurocarbon leader Owner octopus hook (size 1) |
10-15-11, 09:26 AM | #8 | |
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
|
Quote:
BB
__________________
As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com! |
|
10-15-11, 09:43 AM | #9 |
BassFishin.Com Active Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 303
|
Yup. Have to really slow down my presentation. Will have to buy some drop shot hooks. What are some of the more popular ds baits? I have some roboworms which I really like but don't have any flukes. U guys drench the baits with scent?
|
10-15-11, 09:55 AM | #10 |
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
|
Boloson, as far as baits go, never limit yourself. Anything can become a dropshot bait, even though most prefer finesse worms like roboworms.
Roboworms are one of, if not the, most popular dropshot bait, but there are a lot of good ones out there. One of my personal favorites is Chomper's 4" DS worm. They are reasonably prices, fairly durable, have a great subtle action, and are LOADED with garlic (so don't open them in the car). Like I said, I also like the tiny flukes, or even a 3" Senko (or senko knockoff). If the bait doesn't come with it, I rarely use any kind of scent. BB
__________________
As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com! |
10-15-11, 11:55 AM | #11 |
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southwest IN
Posts: 5,630
|
My main dropshot bait is a "sassy shad" type I pick up from Gander Mountain. I usually get the 2" or 3" size, depending on time of year, in a pearl color. Bass love em.
Roboworms are okay, but I find the panfish tend to tear them off before the bass get to them.
__________________
Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after. |
10-15-11, 12:10 PM | #12 |
BassFishin.Com Active Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Milford,PA
Posts: 312
|
A 6'9" ML/XF makes an awsome drop shot rod. I built my own on an MHX but a close production rod is a St Croix AVC69MLFX. You shouldn't need anything special as far as a reel. I fish braid with a flouro leader.
__________________
Visit us at www.delawarevalleytackle.com |
10-15-11, 03:57 PM | #13 |
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Bellevue, Ohio
Posts: 2,338
|
My favorite dropshot baits are listed below (for both LM and SM bass):
Jackall Cross-Tail Shad 4" Strike King Finesse Worm Mizmo 3.75" Scorpion Roboworm 4.5" Berkley Gulp Minnows 3" & 4" Berkley Powerbait Wacky Crawler 5" Berkley Gulp Fry 3" Berkley Gulp Leech 3" Berkley Gulp Crawler 4" Ryan
__________________
Never Give Up! |
10-15-11, 09:37 PM | #14 |
BassFishin.Com Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 65
|
This is some great info guys and much appreciated. I'm going to do some homework on all of these listed. I have drop shotted a few times but would like to get more serious with it. This is great.
__________________
Every chore I can pass along to the wife = more time out on the water. |
10-15-11, 10:56 PM | #15 |
BassFishin.Com Active Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 303
|
yea really love this board. i was looking at some of them pre-rigged drop shot line & hook combos. any good? i dont have different rods dedicated for different rigs so i was thinking of using a swivel so i can quickly switch out rigs from cranks to worms to that pre-rigged drop shot combo. doable or not?
|
10-15-11, 11:26 PM | #16 | |
BassFishin.Com Premier Elite
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Shawano, WI
Posts: 7,761
|
Quote:
__________________
If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die. |
|
10-16-11, 01:43 PM | #17 |
BassFishin.Com Super Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Brighton, MI
Posts: 2,414
|
If you want to switch quickly I think that it would be better to tie up several rigs at home with a tiny swivel at the top end. Then you could tie your main line directly onto the swivel when you want to use the drop shot rig. A lot of people use braid for their main line and use the tiny Spro swivels. I will be changing all of my drop shot rods over to this over the winter.
As far as rods go I prefer the 6'8"-6'10" rods for inland lakes where I am target casting with lighter weights up to 1/4 oz. The two rods I use for this are super sensitive Medium Lights with extra-fast tips. For the bigger water dragging I like the 7'2" or so longer rods. The rods I use are Fenwick, GLoomis, and Powells. I like the extra sensitivity but by keeping your finger on the line 100% of the time I think that you can get away with a less expensive rod without missing any bites. |
10-17-11, 09:20 PM | #18 |
BassFishin.Com Active Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 303
|
ok, tied myself a drop shot rig & will hit my local pond tomorrow morn. got some zoom super flukes & bunch of worms i want to try out. i'm in MA so the water temp is cold maybe in the high 30's?
this will be my first time fishing the DS rig so any advice on how to fish it? cast & let it sit? twitch it? sweep it? |
10-18-11, 07:34 AM | #19 |
BassFishin.Com Active Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 406
|
Jeees Dvt you make rods too....is there anything you don't do?
|
10-18-11, 08:53 AM | #20 | |
BassFishin.Com Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 65
|
Quote:
I use Gamakatsu drop shot hooks. There are no wrong baits just have to experiement. I use scents alot, Gulp in a spray. Cast it out, let it sit, twitch it, let it sit, twitch it, reel it in a few feet, start all over.
__________________
Every chore I can pass along to the wife = more time out on the water. |
|
10-18-11, 09:02 AM | #21 | |
BassFishin.Com Active Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Milford,PA
Posts: 312
|
Quote:
Yard work! lol
__________________
Visit us at www.delawarevalleytackle.com |
|
10-18-11, 06:52 PM | #22 |
BassFishin.Com Veteran Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gardner, KS
Posts: 605
|
Our lakes aren't deep and the ones that we do dropshot in don't have much cover so we can get away with light rods, weights, and line. My dropshot combo is a 6'8" M/L Crucial with a 1000 Symetre and 6lb fluoroclear. I've handled some big fish with that rod and reel and it weighs next to nothing so it doesn't wear you out. I wouldn't even thing about fishing a shakeyhead with it though. 99% of my dropshot fish are caught on a Zoom Meathead or a 3" Gulp minnow.
|
Disclosure / Disclaimer
Before acting on the content posted, you should know that BassFishin.Com may benefit financially and otherwise from content, advertising, links or otherwise from anything you click on, read, or look at on our website. Click here to read our Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer. |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|