Northwest Reel Life July 2024 Volume 3 Issue 9 - Flipbook - Page 28
cover dictates this. I like
and use 6# fluorocarbon,
particularly Seaguar's Invizx.
This line kicks fanny. No
doubt about it. The plus in
going with fluorocarbon in
a higher # test if needed
is despite having a slightly
thicker line diameter; the
angler retains the benefit of
fluorocarbon’s trait of near
invisibility as advertisers
so claim. Whichever line
you choose, I think the
fluorocarbon line of your
choice will be fine.
BAITS
Keep an open mind here.
Many baits of a variety of
shapes can be used. The
general rule of thumb is a
tendency to use smaller
baits since we are "finesse"
fishing (translates to
downsizing in general). The
typical length of a drop shot
bait usually ranges from 3"
- 4.5" but this is NOT set in
stone. Roboworm, Senkos,
Sniper Snubs and Bolts
(these two are locally made
baits), Reaction Innovations
Flirts, and heck, even Baby
Brush Hogs and Tubes can
be used. Think out of the
box. I have used longer
worms too. This season,
the 4.5” Roboworm (in
Aaron’s Magic) and Sniper
Snubs in Watermelon and
Dark Brown have been
so effective that to date I
have not seen a need to
try something else or other
colors. It might be different
for bass in other waters. If
you wish to know, so far the
most effective baits for me
have been, the snubs and
roboworms.
HOOKS/KNOT
I prefer to use size 1 or 2
(mostly size 2) Gamakatsu
Split Shot/Drop Shot hooks,
or Owner Mosquito hooks. I
attach the hook to the line
with a Palomar knot and
after it is tied, I insert the
extra line (tag end) through
the hook's eye before
attaching the weight.
I have heard good things
about size 4 Gamakatsu
hooks, but I have not yet
had a chance to try them
yet.
LEADER LENGTH
The best way to figure
this out is to experiment.
I have had success with
leaders being as short 4-6"
to nearly but not quite 2'.
Because drop shotting
is not limited to a purely
vertical presentation, a
longer leader is a good
idea if you wish to work
it somewhat like a Texas
or Carolina rig. The longer
leader length (which I
define here as the distance