Dropshot Depression

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Zackery Shaff on May 19, 2009 at 1:55pm

Ben, I like to use a 7M Fast action baitcaster (I'm using a Shimano Crucial) with whatever lb test power pro I feel like/is on sale(35-60). I tie this to a good swivel and 10lb flouro on the other side with my dropshot rig. The only reason for the braid is that it is easy to handle and i don't want any weak spots in the rig that are avoidable. A 1/0 EWG hook and nothin lighter than 1/4oz sinker. If the fall is whats triggering the bite I wouldn't use a drop shot, mebbe a small wacky rigged worm or even a...senko.

Permalink Reply by Chris Blandi on May 19, 2009 at 2:13pm

This thread has a ton of info. I'm going to have to try some drop shotting for Largies. I have the heavy quickdrops thanks to Marc, so might as well use em.

Permalink Reply by Ben Hanes on May 19, 2009 at 3:39pm

.....Just don't bust off on them like I was doing!

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on May 20, 2009 at 7:58am

Pretty Much! Did you know the 8lb. cxx breaks like at 14 pounds of pressure? That is knot strength! Just don't horse them, ease into them, and just follow them around the bushes if it's a real hog, 4 pounders should be in the boat. Just make sure that you have good line and knots.

Ben Hanes said:

.....Just don't bust off on them like I was doing!

Permalink Reply by Ben Hanes on May 20, 2009 at 10:10am

Ron,
Do you ever have any memory/line twist issues with the 8lb CXX (P-Line Extra Strong is what I'm talking about)? I do love that line because it is very strong, but memory issues and castability is frusterating. Any suggestions to help alleviate that problem? Do you experience the same issues?

Permalink Reply by Mike Bess on May 20, 2009 at 11:02am

Reel Magic

Ben Hanes said:

Ron,
Do you ever have any memory/line twist issues with the 8lb CXX (P-Line Extra Strong is what I'm talking about)? I do love that line because it is very strong, but memory issues and castability is frusterating. Any suggestions to help alleviate that problem? Do you experience the same issues?

Permalink Reply by David Ohl on January 14, 2010 at 6:58am

Ben it sounds like you have a minor setback but not a big deal..Depending on the "nastiness" of the cover, it sounds like you could spool up some 20lb power pro which is strong and has a 6-8lb dia. I cant remember. You could also tip it with a 12-17lb flourocarbon which is extremely abbrasion resistant. Depending on the cover depends on your preference of diameter, but p-line makes very good line..

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on January 14, 2010 at 8:15am

Ben,
At times, Potholes (or any other place) calls for that approach (finesse).
A few others have mentioned a braid mainline with a fluoro leader. I would agree this gives you the best of both worlds. The braid will handle well, the leader will increase your bites and come through the willows better. 10-12 lb fluoro is strong enough. I think a spinning rod/reel is best for the size of weight you are talking.
So you compensate for your light gear with boat positioning and just keeping steady pressure on the fish. The fluoro is very abrasion resistant. Just lean against the fish - don't jerk on them. Let the cover help you wear them down, then either go get them or use the boat to help you pull them out to open water. It's not ideal, but then either is going with heavy gear during a finesse bite and not catching any fish.

Permalink Reply by Steve Hastings on January 14, 2010 at 11:07pm

Don, and others just curious about your choice of connection for the braid to flurocarbon. I have used swivels, primarily for deep drop shotting, but in the shallow stuff a swivel just seems like two knots to have issue with. I've tied blood knots but my confidence in the blood knot for fluro to braid is about a 5 on a 1-10 scale.

Curious if there are other knots others have tried, I have heard using a uni-knot can do the job but don't know if its good in this application.

thanks,

Steve



Don Hogue said:

Ben,
At times, Potholes (or any other place) calls for that approach (finesse).
A few others have mentioned a braid mainline with a fluoro leader. I would agree this gives you the best of both worlds. The braid will handle well, the leader will increase your bites and come through the willows better. 10-12 lb fluoro is strong enough. I think a spinning rod/reel is best for the size of weight you are talking.
So you compensate for your light gear with boat positioning and just keeping steady pressure on the fish. The fluoro is very abrasion resistant. Just lean against the fish - don't jerk on them. Let the cover help you wear them down, then either go get them or use the boat to help you pull them out to open water. It's not ideal, but then either is going with heavy gear during a finesse bite and not catching any fish.

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on January 15, 2010 at 3:47am

The Slim Beauty knot is the best I have found for a braid to fluorocarbon union. It is easy to learn and very strong. Another benefit to this knot is that the tag ends face back towards the reel so there is no interference with the guides while casting. Therefore, distance and accuracy don't suffer one bit. Tied properly, the Slim Beauty is much stronger than the Uni to Uni and Blood knot. The Albright knot is another good option, but I find the Slim Beauty knot is just as strong, plus quicker and easier to tie.

http://www.netknots.com/html/slim_beauty_knot.html

Steve Hastings said:

Don, and others just curious about your choice of connection for the braid to flurocarbon. I have used swivels, primarily for deep drop shotting, but in the shallow stuff a swivel just seems like two knots to have issue with. I've tied blood knots but my confidence in the blood knot for fluro to braid is about a 5 on a 1-10 scale.

Curious if there are other knots others have tried, I have heard using a uni-knot can do the job but don't know if its good in this application.

thanks,

Steve



Don Hogue said:

Ben,
At times, Potholes (or any other place) calls for that approach (finesse).
A few others have mentioned a braid mainline with a fluoro leader. I would agree this gives you the best of both worlds. The braid will handle well, the leader will increase your bites and come through the willows better. 10-12 lb fluoro is strong enough. I think a spinning rod/reel is best for the size of weight you are talking.
So you compensate for your light gear with boat positioning and just keeping steady pressure on the fish. The fluoro is very abrasion resistant. Just lean against the fish - don't jerk on them. Let the cover help you wear them down, then either go get them or use the boat to help you pull them out to open water. It's not ideal, but then either is going with heavy gear during a finesse bite and not catching any fish.

Permalink Reply by Don Hogue on January 15, 2010 at 10:11am

I usually use a back to back uni. Sometimes a little superglue. I may try the "slim beauty" that Tag recommends, although I haven't had any issues with the uni knots. At times I will use a swivel, but not around thick cover, just when using a soft jerkbait, or dropshotting. You want a longer leader than a swivel will allow around thick cover.

What I've settled on most of the time:
Moving baits, horizontal presentations = fluorocarbon, or mono
Touchy,feely,or vertical presentations = braid with fluoro leader

Permalink Reply by Zackery Shaff on January 15, 2010 at 11:56am

I also use the uni to uni and don't have problems. If I break off, it's the line, not the knot. The only exception is when using light weight braid (<20lb), which can sometimes cut through the flouro.

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