07-24 REELLIFE print single digital - Flipbook - Page 27
fishing
I am no expert by any
stretch of the imagination,
but I have grown fond of
the Drop Shot technique
in my short, four-season
fishing journey. I have
been using it for just over a
season’s time. This is a very
productive method to catch
fish in a variety of states. In
my first outing for smallies
this season, I hooked and
caught 3 smallies on three
consecutive casts. It is the
only method that has done
this for me to date, and
from the shore to boot.
At the very least, I can
share with you what I have
learned through trial, error,
and experience (which isn't
much).
You don't need a Drop Shot
specific rod. A mediumlight to medium-action rod
from 6'6" on up to 7' should
work for you for now. If
you find drop shotting to
your liking, you can then
opt to go with a Drop Shot
specific rod of your choice.
As a rule of thumb, a longer
rod will enable you to have
more line control and
leverage; two big pluses in
drop shotting.
I prefer spinning reels (a
size 20 or 2500 reel is an
excellent choice) because
they require less work
to give the bait a better
(IMHO) descent than a
baitcast reel. Sorry baitcast
reel users, but the way a
spinning drops the bait
smokes a baitcast reel any
and every day for drop
shotting. To those who use
baitcast reels exclusively,
please note I said for drop
shotting. There will not be
a need to strip line off just
to make the bait fall. With
that said, casting reels can
also be used. I just prefer a
spinning reel. You may use
whatever reel you want.
Even a Barbie pole can get
it done for drop shotting!
However, I would opt for
heavier line and a BC reel
if I were to drop shot heavy
cover.
Drop Shot Weight and Type
A 3/16 - 1/4 oz weight is
a good starting weight.
Going any lighter might
make it harder for you
to read what is going on
until you get experience.
As for the shape, I like to
use either a teardrop or a
cylindrical shape. I have not
experimented with other
shapes. Windier conditions
and stronger currents
might make you want to
choose a heavier weight,
but let’s not worry about
that for now.
LINE
Because you are drop
shotting, lighter line is
preferred if the cover you
are fishing allows it. Go
up in # strength if the