What Is Drop Shot Fishing? Master the Finesse Technique That Catches Everything

The first time I tried drop shot fishing, I was anchored in my fishing kayak just off a rocky point on Lake Travis. After struggling all morning with Texas rigs and getting nothing but short strikes, I tied on a drop shot out of desperation. Within ten minutes, I'd boated three chunky smallmouth that had been ignoring everything else. That day changed how I approach finesse fishing forever.

Drop shot fishing is a finesse technique where your weight sits at the bottom of the line with the hook and bait suspended above it – completely opposite of traditional rigs. This unique presentation keeps your bait dancing in the strike zone while the weight stays anchored below. Originally developed in Japan for pressured bass, it's now one of the most effective techniques for catching everything from monster largemouth to slab crappie.

After spending countless hours perfecting this technique from my kayak on waters across Texas and beyond, I've learned that drop shotting isn't just another finesse presentation – it's often the difference between getting skunked and having your best day on the water. Let me share everything I've learned about this game-changing technique.

Understanding Drop Shot Fishing Basics

The drop shot rig flips conventional wisdom on its head. Instead of your weight sliding above the hook like a Texas rig, or fixed above the bait like a Carolina rig, the weight hangs below everything else. This creates a presentation that's impossible to achieve with other techniques.

Here's what makes drop shot fishing so effective:

Natural Presentation: Your bait hovers horizontally in the water column, mimicking a suspended baitfish or struggling prey. I've watched bass on my fish finder swim past other presentations only to crush a drop shot bait.

Precise Depth Control: You control exactly how far off the bottom your bait sits by adjusting the leader length. Fishing over 2-foot grass? Set your bait 3 feet up. Bass suspended at 15 feet? No problem.

Minimal Movement Required: Unlike other techniques that need constant retrieval, drop shotting lets you keep the bait in the strike zone indefinitely. Just subtle rod tip movements create enticing action.

Versatility: From 6 inches of water to 100 feet deep, in crystal-clear lakes or muddy rivers, the drop shot works everywhere. I've caught bass drop shotting in ankle-deep water during the spawn and smallmouth suspended 50 feet down over deep humps.

Essential Drop Shot Fishing Gear

Rods and Reels

The right equipment makes all the difference. Here's what stays rigged in my kayak:

Primary Setup: 7-foot medium-light spinning rod with extra-fast action. The soft tip lets you impart subtle action while the backbone handles big fish. I run a 2500-size spinning reel spooled with 15-pound braid to an 8-pound fluorocarbon leader.

Heavy Cover Setup: When fishing around docks or brush, I'll upsize to a 7'6" medium spinning rod with 20-pound braid and 12-pound fluoro. Yes, you can even "power shot" with baitcasting gear using 15-20 pound fluoro for big bass in heavy cover.

Crappie Setup: For panfish, I scale down to a 6'6" light action rod with 6-pound straight fluorocarbon. The shorter rod gives better control when fishing vertically from the kayak.

Lines and Leaders

Line choice is critical for drop shot success:

• Main Line: Braid offers superior sensitivity and no stretch, crucial for detecting subtle bites in deep water
• Leader: Fluorocarbon is nearly invisible underwater and sinks, keeping your presentation natural
• Leader Length: I typically use 4-6 feet of leader, but adjust based on water clarity (longer in clear water)

Hooks

Drop shot hooks have evolved significantly. Here are my go-to options:

• Nose Hooking: Size 1 to 1/0 drop shot hooks with the turned-up eye
• Weedless: Size 1/0 to 2/0 offset worm hooks for fishing around cover
• Crappie: Size 2 to 4 mosquito hooks or octopus hooks

Pro tip: Thread your tag end back through the hook eye from top to bottom after tying. This makes the hook stand out perpendicular to your line.

Weights

Weight selection affects your entire presentation:

• Teardrop Weights: My standard choice for most conditions, available from 1/8 to 3/4 ounce
• Cylinder Weights: Better for dragging through rocks without snagging
• Tungsten vs Lead: Tungsten transmits bottom composition better but costs more

For kayak fishing, I prefer the clip-on style weights. If you snag the weight, it pulls off and saves your rig. Just remember to tie an overhand knot at the tag end so the weight doesn't slide off when fighting fish.

How to Rig a Drop Shot?

Rigging a drop shot properly makes the difference between success and frustration. Here's my step-by-step process:

Basic Drop Shot Setup

1. Tie the Hook: Using a Palomar knot, tie your hook 12-18 inches from the end of your line. Leave the tag end long – this becomes your weight leader.
2. Position the Hook: Thread the tag end back through the hook eye from the top. This kicks the hook out perpendicular to the line.
3. Attach the Weight: Clip your drop shot weight to the tag end. For security, tie an overhand knot below the weight.
4. Add Your Bait: Nose hook your soft plastic or wacky rig it through the middle.

Drop Shot Variations

Double Drop Shot Rig: Tie a second hook 6-12 inches above the first. Deadly when fish are schooled up. I've caught doubles on crappie countless times with this setup.

Swivel Drop Shot: Add a small barrel swivel 2 feet above your hook to prevent line twist. Essential when fishing current or making long casts.

Power Drop Shot: Use heavier line (15-20 pound fluoro), larger hooks (3/0-5/0), and bigger baits. Perfect for flipping to bass in heavy cover where finesse isn't necessary.

Best Drop Shot Baits and Lures

Bait selection can make or break your drop shot success. After testing hundreds of options, these consistently produce:

For Bass

Finesse Worms: 4-6 inch straight-tail worms like Roboworms or Strike King Dream Shots. Morning Dawn and Oxblood are my confidence colors in clear water.

Minnow Baits: 3-4 inch shad-style plastics that dart and glide. The Strike King Drop Shot Half Shell and Zoom Fluke Jr. are deadly on suspended bass.

Creature Baits: Small craws and creature baits work great when bass are feeding on bottom-dwelling prey. Nose hook them for the best action.

For Crappie

Small Plastics: 2-3 inch minnow profiles like Bobby Garland Minnow Mind'R or Crappie Nibbles. I'll often tip these with a small piece of minnow.

Live Bait: Nothing beats a lively minnow for sluggish crappie. Hook them through the lips for drop shotting.

Tubes: 2-inch tubes in white/chartreuse are killer in stained water. Thread them on nose-first.

Drop Shot Fishing Techniques

Success with a drop shot comes down to presentation. Here are the techniques that consistently produce:

Vertical Presentation

My favorite from the kayak. Position directly over your target and drop straight down:

1. Let the weight hit bottom
2. Reel up slack until you feel the weight
3. Gently shake your rod tip – think nervous baitfish, not dying shad
4. Pause frequently – most bites come on the pause

Casting and Dragging

Perfect for covering water from shore or when fish are scattered:

1. Cast past your target
2. Let it sink to bottom
3. Slowly drag the weight, pausing every few feet
4. Keep a semi-slack line – too tight kills the action

Current Fishing

Drop shotting in current requires adjustments:

• Use heavier weights to maintain bottom contact
• Cast upstream and let the current sweep your rig downstream
• Position your kayak upstream and drift backwards at current speed
• Keep your line at 45-degree angle for best feel

Drop Shot Fishing for Bass

Seasonal Patterns

Spring: Fish spawning areas with short 6-8 inch leaders. Bass protecting beds can't resist a drop shot worked slowly in place.

Summer: Target deep structure with longer leaders. I've caught my biggest summer bass drop shotting points and humps in 20-30 feet.

Fall: Follow shad schools with minnow-imitating baits. Suspend your drop shot at the same depth as the baitfish.

Winter: Slow down and downsize. A 3-inch worm on a drop shot barely moving is deadly on cold-water bass.

Location Strategies

Points and Humps: Position over the structure and work different depths until you find fish

Docks: Skip under docks and let it sink along pilings. The vertical presentation is perfect here.

Grass Edges: Run your drop shot along weed edges, keeping the bait just above the grass tops

Deep Water: Use your electronics to find suspended fish, then drop your bait right to their level

Drop Shot Fishing for Crappie

Crappie respond incredibly well to drop shot presentations, especially when they're finicky or suspended.

Rigging for Crappie

• Lighter line: 4-6 pound test
• Smaller hooks: Size 2-4
• Shorter leaders: 8-12 inches typically
• Lighter weights: 1/8 to 1/4 ounce

Crappie Techniques

Dock Shooting: Skip a lightweight drop shot under docks where crappie suspend in shade. The slow fall is irresistible.

Brush Pile Fishing: Drop straight down into brush, then slowly lift through the cover. The drop shot comes through snags better than jigs.

Open Water Suspending: When crappie suspend over deep water, a drop shot keeps your bait at their exact depth while you wait them out.

I discovered drop shotting for crappie by accident while bass fishing a brush pile. Caught fifteen crappie before the bass ever showed up. Now it's my go-to technique when traditional tactics fail.

Advanced Drop Shot Strategies

Electronics and Drop Shotting

Modern electronics have revolutionized drop shot fishing. Here's how I use my fish finder:

• Mark fish depth precisely, then set leader length accordingly
• Watch your bait on screen – you can see fish react in real-time
• Identify bottom composition to choose the right weight style
• Find subtle structure that holds fish others miss

Kayak-Specific Tactics

Fishing from a kayak offers unique advantages for drop shotting:

Stealth Approach: Paddle quietly to position directly over structure without spooking fish

Precise Anchoring: Use a kayak anchor to hold position in wind or current

360-Degree Coverage: Spin your kayak to cover all angles around structure

Storage Solutions: Keep multiple rods rigged with different drop shot setups for quick changes

Multi-Species Applications

Don't limit drop shotting to just bass and crappie:

Walleye: Leeches or minnows on drop shots are deadly in rivers Perch: Small plastics dropped through schools produce limits quickly
Pike: Yes, pike! Larger plastics on heavy drop shots work in weedy areas Trout: In deep lakes, drop shot nightcrawlers or minnows near the thermocline

Common Drop Shot Mistakes to Avoid

Over-Working the Bait

The biggest mistake I see is too much action. Drop shot success comes from subtle movements. Let the bait's natural buoyancy do the work.

Wrong Weight Size

Too heavy kills action and spooks fish. Too light won't maintain bottom contact. Start with 3/16 ounce and adjust from there.

Poor Knot Choice

A bad knot ruins everything. Master the Palomar knot – it's stronger and positions the hook correctly.

Ignoring Line Management

Line twist from spinning reels ruins drop shot presentations. Add a swivel or manually untwist your line regularly.

Drop Shot Success Tips

After thousands of hours drop shotting, these tips consistently improve my catch rate:

• Match Leader to Cover: Longer leaders in open water, shorter in cover
• Watch Your Line: Many bites just feel like weight – set the hook on anything different
• Experiment with Baits: What works one day might not the next
• Use Quality Components: Cheap hooks and weights lead to lost fish
• Keep Multiple Rods Rigged: Different leader lengths and bait colors save time

FAQ Section

What is the best rod for drop shot fishing?

A 7-foot medium-light spinning rod with fast action is ideal for most drop shot fishing. The soft tip allows subtle bait action while providing enough backbone for solid hooksets.

How long should a drop shot leader be?

Start with 12-18 inches and adjust based on conditions. Use shorter leaders (6-12 inches) in heavy cover or shallow water, longer leaders (2-3 feet) in clear, deep water.

Can you drop shot from shore?

Absolutely! Drop shotting from shore is highly effective. Cast out, let it sink, then slowly drag it back with frequent pauses. Focus on drop-offs, points, and any visible structure.

What's the best drop shot weight?

For most situations, 3/16 to 1/4 ounce weights work perfectly. Use lighter weights in shallow water or minimal current, heavier weights for deep water or strong current.

Do you need special hooks for drop shot fishing?

While specialized drop shot hooks work best, you can use standard octopus hooks or mosquito hooks. The key is threading your line back through the eye to make the hook stand perpendicular.

Can you catch crappie on a drop shot rig?

Drop shotting for crappie is incredibly effective, especially for suspended fish. Use smaller hooks, lighter line, and 2-3 inch minnow imitations or live bait.

What's the best knot for drop shot fishing?

The Palomar knot is ideal for drop shotting. It's strong, easy to tie, and naturally positions the hook perpendicular to the line when tied correctly.

How do you fish a drop shot in current?

Use heavier weights to maintain bottom contact, cast upstream, and let the current sweep your rig downstream. Keep enough tension to feel the bottom but allow natural drift.

Final Thoughts

Drop shot fishing transformed my success on the water, especially during tough conditions when fish ignore traditional presentations. Whether you're targeting pressured bass from your kayak or trying to pattern suspended crappie, mastering the drop shot adds a deadly weapon to your arsenal.

Start simple with basic gear and gradually experiment with different techniques. Pay attention to what works on your home waters – every lake has its quirks. Most importantly, have confidence in the technique. Some days, the drop shot is the only thing that produces.

Next time you're on the water and the bite gets tough, tie on a drop shot. You might just discover what I did that day on Lake Travis – sometimes the best way to catch fish is to turn conventional wisdom upside down. See you on the water!