Installation of drop shot equipment

A drop shot or drop shot is an equipment that can be characterized as catchy, not difficult to install, all-season, conquering hard-to-reach places in the reservoir and forgiving many mistakes in fishing techniques.
This article is devoted to the most effective and widespread equipment that unites fishermen from many countries called the “drop shot”.

A little history, a story about the advantages and disadvantages, a description of the equipment elements and the rules for installing a drop shot will allow you to better understand and fall in love with this international type of spaced equipment, used for the purpose of hunting a passive predator, which you can try on your favorite body of water.

Drop shot - history of appearance

On the Internet, there are two versions of the appearance of this fishing method, let’s call them “Japanese” and “American”. For example, the Japanese believe that the founder of the drop shot is Hariki Nuromaki. The method he invented was successfully tested when catching black perch at competitions in the USA by his fellow fisherman named Seyo Kato.

According to our overseas brethren, the appearance of the drop shot comes down to the following facts. The state of Texas in the USA is famous not only for the invention of the “Texas rig,” but also for the appearance, more than 50 years ago, of a special rig for catching fish called “big bass.” Then, in the 90s, a Japanese sports fisherman (we assume it was Seyo Kato) successfully used this equipment, slightly improving it to suit local fishing conditions. It is in this new Japanese form that it has come to us and is popular.

The classic drop shot, the “American” one, has its own characteristics, for example, only monofilament fishing line is used, a single hook, which is attached with a sting to the top. However, this type of equipment is not suitable for our conditions, so it was slightly adapted to Russian fishing conditions, taking into account hunting for “toothy” predators.

What is a drop shot rig?

The drop-shot rig, like other types of spaced mounting, appeared in the USA. The Drop Shot was designed for catching largemouth bass in difficult areas.

In this type of installation, the load is not in contact with the bait, which is located above the load on the main part of the leash.

This makes it possible to use a drop-shot rig for catching various predators in thick grass, snags, etc.

Advantages and disadvantages of installation

A special feature of the drop shot rig is the ability to fish in hard-to-reach, snags of a reservoir at one fishing point, so that due to jerky twitching of the tip of the spinning rod, force the bait to play exclusively in a vertical position.

Advantages of the equipment:

1. Fishing in any place.
2. Catching passive fish.
3. Possibility of using many silicone baits.
4. Simple installation that can be done at the fishing site and by an inexperienced spinning angler.
5. The vertical wiring method is easy to learn.
6. Affordable price of equipment elements;
7. All-season use.

Disadvantages of the drop shot:

1. Area of ​​application of the equipment: shore and boat, but the main requirement is the deep water of the fishing spot. So, if fishing is done from the shore, then this design is ineffective due to the fact that when the fishing line is lowered to the bottom, a smaller angle is formed and then the bait behaves less naturally.
2. Does not work in strong currents.
3. Doesn't work when wiring.
4. Not suitable for fishing at medium and shallow depths.
5. Not suitable for fishing in large bodies of water.

Also, the main difference from other common types of bait attachment is the separateness of the sinker and bait. Why is this done? Seeing prey, the fish swallows it by suction. This is due to the fact that the nozzle in the water is weightless and has practically no weight. But if the bait were paired with a lead weight, for example a jig head, which weighs even in water, then it would be difficult for the fish to perform this action. This rig solves this problem by separating these two elements: the weight at the end of the leader and the bait above the weight.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of the drop shot, like most spaced types of rigs, is the fact that when biting the predator does not feel the weight of the sinker, which means that it attacks the bait more boldly. Soft rubber perfectly disguises the hook hidden in the body. However, there are a number of other advantages that I would like to mention separately. Speaking about the advantages, it would not be amiss to mention some of the disadvantages of the drop shot in more detail in the table below↓

Drop shot equipment elements

A drop shot is the following design - a steel leash, at least 15 cm long, which is attached to the front. Then, a silicone bait is mounted below, another steel leash extends from the leash, shorter in length - from 8 to 10 cm, then a leash made of fishing line from 15 to 40 cm and a sinker is attached. In this installation, metal leashes are used so that you are not afraid of the teeth of a predator.

As for the hook, in this type of tying you can use either an offset hook or an ordinary fishing hook or a special “drop-shot” hook, the selection of which should depend on the size of the predator.

What is an offset hook, when can it be used, its features, advantages of use, read here

The shape of the load is selected according to the fishing conditions. For example, a ball-shaped load holds well at the bottom, but does not pass obstacles well, getting stuck in them. A stick-shaped weight overcomes obstacles better, but when it hits the bottom it turns over and thereby gives a false sign of a bite. The pear-shaped sinker is a cross between these sinkers, so it can be used as a rig link. The weight of the load should be light. The weight is attached to the fishing line using a swivel to avoid twisting of the fishing line.

The secret of using a weight is that it is neither heavy nor light, that is, it can hold the bait and at the same time, when it is captured by a fish, it does not give itself away.

An approximate scheme for using a load depending on fishing conditions is based on the rule - the weight depends on the current and depth:

• shallow place with standing water – 0.8 g or more;
• strong current - from 20 g or more.

What fishing line should I use? The main thing is that the fishing line is thin and has a low degree of stretch. You can use a thin cord or a cord made of copolymer materials.

To rig a drop shot, a fluorocarbon leash is used, as it has low elongation and is less noticeable in the water, but is more expensive; the use of monofilament also has its advantages, including low elongation, which allows you to more accurately feel the bite. Some people use steel leashes, but when using them, there are fewer bites.

The rod is taken short and of medium hardness.

You can read more about the types of spinning rods, their choice, and features for jig fishing here

Lucky John Drop Shot

Date: January 25, 2021 | 808

There are wide-profile, universal baits, suitable for a wide variety of equipment and installations. And there are very highly specialized ones. Often, the name indicates exactly the direction for which a particular silicone model is intended. It could be: “wacky worm”, “micro jig”, or maybe “drop shot”. We have just such a case. In this review, a specialized drop shot bait is the Lucky John Drop Shot .

Form . Well, in the face of Lucky John Drop Shot silicone baits we see nothing more than a silicone fish, a slug. The body of the bait is quite elongated and moderately high. The Lucky John Drop Shot has a wedge-shaped body, close to triangular (inverted triangle). In this form, and in material, this model is very similar to some vibrating tails from Lucky John, such as, for example: Lucky John Super Shad. The back is flat. Smoothly expanding from the nose, after the first third of the length, the bait begins to gradually narrow and turns into a thin base of the tail. The tail has a forked shape.

Class . Lucky John Drop Shot is a slug. This rubber model can also be classified as silicone fish, although the similarity is only in shape, but not in decor.

What does it imitate ? A small fish, a narrow-bodied fry.

Active or passive . This is a purely passive bait. The tail of the Lucky John Drop Shot rubber does not show any intelligible play with even wiring. This model needs to be played along and animated.

Dimensions . Lucky John Drop Shot fish are available in several sizes: 4” and 6” (approximately 10cm and 15cm).

So, we can say that the Lucky John Drop Shot 4” is an average bait that is suitable, first of all, for pike perch, as well as for large perch. Sometimes a pike is also caught. But, given the main use of this rubber on drop-shot equipment, this does not make us particularly happy, in view of possible cuts...

The Lucky John Drop Shot 6” version is already a large bait. It is intended, accordingly, for hunting trophy pike perch. Of course, pike can also attack such bait, as can catfish.

Package . Lucky John Drop Shot tires are sold in the usual plastic bags closed with a Zip lock. Lures of size 4" - 7 pieces in a pack, and 6" - 5 pieces each.

Price . A pack of fish costs about $2-2.5. Quite budget-friendly, as we are used to seeing baits from this brand.

Material . The silicone used is quite soft. But, at the same time, it is durable, tenacious, capable of withstanding more than one attack from predatory fish. In this regard, the material is good. True, he doesn’t really like contact with silicone from other companies. So, don’t store it in bulk boxes. In addition, it was noticed that this rubber breaks quite quickly at the points of contact with the hooks. But, for a very reasonable price, you can close your eyes to these minor flaws. This is not 1 bait for $1 (or even more expensive), like many Japanese edible brands.

By the way, about edible food. This model does not apply to it. This is a bait from a series of ordinary silicone. So, you can give it a smell by treating it with an attractant yourself.

The rubber from which these slugs are made has positive buoyancy. No wonder. Usually lures are oriented specifically for drop-shot rigs, and that’s how they should be.

Colors . The color palette in which Lucky John Drop Shot fish are presented is quite wide. There are many combined colors, where contrasting colors of the whole body and tail, or the back and belly of the bait are combined.

How to mount . Since the bait is intended primarily for a drop shot, it should be equipped with this method. You can use different hooks for a drop shot, and bait the fish in different ways. You can use a regular or specialized drop-shot single hook, you can use an offset hook, both classic and special, an offset hook for a drop-shot.

In addition to the drop shot itself, you can use Lucky John Drop Shot fish for a retractable leash or for hinged mounting.

Purpose . Catching pike perch and large perch. The bait is relevant on rivers, when fishing steep edges, sharp slopes, and also when searching for a predator at great depths, above snags.

Wiring . To animate the Lucky John Drop Shot fish, you need to use smooth or sharp stretches, tosses, short twitches, and trembling movements with the tip. All these manipulations are designed to create natural movements of the silicone, as if it were a living fish, to make the tail tremble attractively and sway. Also, use pauses so that there is a moment when the fish hangs in the water column, with a series of damped oscillations. This greatly excites the predator.

Advantages . Narrow specialization, and accordingly, excellent catchability in its narrow direction - catching pike perch with a drop shot and other spaced equipment.

Flaws . Lack of edibility. This has to be made up, if necessary, with the help of attractants sold separately, in the form of tubes or sprays. Many well-known manufacturers of edibles also have such items in their assortment.

Conclusions . If you are interested in fishing with equipment such as a drop shot, definitely buy yourself a few packs of Lucky John Drop Shot rubber to try. Fortunately, it costs very tolerably. Perhaps this silicone fish will become one of your favorites.

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Categories: Lucky John · Tags: Lucky John, Drop-shot, Lures, Walleye

Drop Shot Installation Basics

Hook fastening diagram:

As can be seen from the installation diagram, the offset hook is knitted directly to the fishing line. The main thing is that the tip of the hook should point up.

You can see how this is done in practice in this video.

What bait to use

A drop shot is an equipment that allows you to use numerous types of silicone baits, including live bait (crawlers, leeches, small fish). However, not all of them respond well to the slow twitching of the spinning rod. Among the silicones, the most effective are worms and vibrotails made from soft (almost jelly-like) silicone. Twisters can be catchy when the tip of the spin is used to lower and rise at a slow pace. Passive worms, slugs, and crayfish can also be useful.

What kind of fish are caught with a drop shot rig?

• zander;
• perch;
• pike;
• asp;
• catfish;
• chub;
• ide;
• burbot;
• trout;
• grayling.
• barbel
• musht

Who is the drop-shot rig designed for, and where to fish with it?

The drop-shot rig works most effectively when fishing for pike perch.

Perch goes less often:

In very rare cases you come across:

• pike;
• asp;
• ide;
• burbot;
• and catfish

The use of drop-shot equipment is completely justified when fishing in:

• snag;
• reservoirs with dense bottom vegetation;
• rocky bottom.

Drop Shot also performed well when fishing humps, hills, grooves and pits.

Fishing technique when using drop shot rigs

1. Classic wiring used in step jig fishing. Read how to do the wiring correctly here
2. “Drawing” - the bait is cast and falls to the bottom, then the spinning rod is smoothly pulled along it. This wiring is also possible in combination with a “step”.
3. “Twitching” is best used in calm water and not a strong current. When wiring, pauses are made, during which twitches are gently made with the tip of the spin. The main thing that should be observed is: the distance from the bait to the load is 0.5 m, the bait and hook must retain their buoyancy, use an elongated load for better passage through the thickets.
4. “For demolition” - performed on water with moderate or strong current. The rig is thrown across the current, the load sinks to the bottom. After touching the bottom, the bait is pulled in with jerking movements. In this type of retrieval, you need to select a sinker so that it has the weight to hold the equipment at the bottom during the pause and, when it is lifted, move towards the spinning player.
5. “Pelagic” - a light sinker is used. Retrieving is done in steps with irregular twitches and pauses, at which time the bait is played with the tip of the tackle.
6. "Fan";



7. "Arc on the Current."

And in conclusion, we want to say that this type of equipment can really help out even on the most difficult day in cold weather! You need to try and experiment.