Drop shot: Everything you need to know about drop shot fishing

Posted On 15 September 2021

The pêche au drop shot is a technique too subtle than playful and effectiveespecially on the most difficult fish. The drop shot allows you to latch on to a position for a long time while limiting the chance of hooking into obstacles. Drop shot fishing allows you to present your lure at the right depth. and speed you want, all in a natural way. As you can see, this technique can be extremely effective, especially on perch and pike-perch. Here's an article giving you everything you need to know about drop shot fishing..

History of the drop shot

Drop shot fishing has deep-rooted roots in the eastern United States, dating back to the mid-1970s. In the early 2000s, it was widely democratized in Japan in areas with high fishing pressure. Over time, the Japanese refined the drop shot that went back to the United States. The drop shot then conquered the biggest American competitions.

Before that, drop shot fishing was relatively unknown. Only a few anglers in Southern California used it and they were careful not to reveal its secrets. It wasn't until the winter of 1999 that the technique was officially introduced. It was used to win two major tournaments on the American circuit. The B.A.S.S on Lake Oroville and the WON Bass Classic on Lake Cachuma.

The drop shot assembly

The drop shot assembly is the most basic of all. The latter rests on an elongated or round lead placed on the bottom. About 1 meter from the sinker, use a palomar knot to fix a single hook, point facing upwards.

Again, animation couldn't be simpler. The aim is to cast your drop shot rig to a desired position and to give the lure a few short pulls. This will have the effect of animating the lure while gently moving the lead and the lure forward.

If you want to insist on a position, you don't even have to move your rig forward. You can also avoid moving your lure at times. Fish, especially perch, are often sensitive to a lack of movement. They will often suck up your lure on the way down or on the bottom.

The touch is therefore manifested by a knock or a series of knock that we feel very well because the banner is always stretched or semi stretched. We tighten and thanks to this tension the fish often stings on the edge of the mouth. Ideal if you want to practice "catch and release".

The basis of a drop assembly is to be able to present a lure or a bait in a natural way taken off from the bottom and to feel the attack live.

Benefits of drop shot fishing

Drop shot fishing is very effective because it gives a natural animation to the lure suspended in the water that no other rig can offer. By shifting the weight under the hook, you can now insist as long as you like on a given area. But the advantages of drop shot fishing don't stop there!

Here are all the points we have identified that allow us to say that drop shot fishing is a machine for catching fish.

• Allows realistic action - Drop shot fishing allows you to animate your soft lure in a state of weightlessness with realistic action and natural movement with the current, wind and waves.

• Used to emphasise a given area - You can fish a given area for as long as you like. Unlike almost all other techniques, you don't need to move your lure to be effective. The drop shot can stay still, letting only the water move your lure.

• Provides abrasion resistance - Your line is protected from abrasive structures. The end of your line can withstand abrasion, while your critical area from line to hook remains intact.

• Allows the lure to stay in constant suspension - By adjusting the length of the leader, your lure can be worked over any structure. Fish naturally raise their heads to feed. So it makes perfect sense to know why a drop shot works.

We also noted a few disadvantages to drop shot fishing. The first is the twisting of the line. However, this can be reduced by using a swivel above the hook. There are now new hooks with integrated swivels that may be worth testing.

Our preferred alternative is to use a main line with braid and a fluorocarbon leader. This avoids twisting problems and allows you to present your drop shot rig more discreetly.

The drop shot knot

The drop shot knot is basically a variation on the palomar knot. The subtlety of the drop shot knot is to ensure that the tip of the hook is positioned upwards.

Here are the steps to make a drop shot knot:

• While holding your hook up, double your line to make a long loop and pass it through the eye of the hook.
• Tie an overhand knot with the doubled line.
• Pass the hook through the loop made by the single knot.
• Moisten the wire to avoid chafing and tighten it firmly.
• Make sure the hook is still facing up.

Once the drop shot knot has been made, add a drop shot sinker to the end of the leader.

Here are the steps to make a drop shot knot!

Fishing equipment

The basic setup for drop shot fishing doesn't have to be very elaborate to be effective. Take a simple approach to drop shot fishing and you'll have more success with this irresistible finesse fishing tactic. The most important thing is to choose a rod with a strong resonance, fitted with a tip slow enough for the fish to attack the lure without feeling resistance. A good Medium Light spinning rod will do the trick.

As for the reel, a size 2500 is for us the most versatile and allows you to have fun on any type of fish.

Drop shot fishing is a fine but very discreet form of fishing. The choice of line is therefore a key factor in this type of fishing. To avoid any twisting problems, we recommend using a light braid for the body of the line, followed by fluorocarbon for the leader.

An 8-strand braid from 8/100 to 12/100 will allow you to feel the slightest touch, while the fluorocarbon will provide you with a discreet presentation.

What lure for the drop shot?

The best lures for drop shot fishing are above all neutrally buoyant lures. They will give you a very suspending swimming action that fish can't resist. You can literally fish with any soft drop shot lure. But there are some that stand out from the rest.

• Finesse Worm - A simple worm in finesse. Roboworm and Zoom Finesse are the most popular lfiness worms, although there are dozens of other brands and varieties in this category.

• Micro Shad - Whenever you notice that the fish are feeding heavily on small fry, opt for micro shads on your drop shot assembly. We are thinking, for example, of the Keitech Shad Impact, the Reins Rockvib or the Fin-S Fish Lunker City.

• Craw Baits - Crayfish style lures are some of the best drop shot lures you can use. An OSP Dolive Craw or a Berkley Chigger Craw are great drop shot lures.

Useful links to complete this article:

Pike lures: 10 pike lures to have in your box of lures

The 10 best zander lures for winter

The 10 best types of black bass lures

Learn to fish with a fishing guide

Start lure fishing