The Online Source for Washington Fishing Information

Proper Dropshot Retrieve?

Do you guys think theres a "proper" way to retrieve your dropshot?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Aaron Christel on April 16, 2011 at 10:51pm

Depends on the fish. The proper way is the way the fish want it retrieved.

Permalink Reply by tyler inderbitzin on April 16, 2011 at 10:57pm

All i know is that it is a slow work in progress, i was taught the more you let it sit in between bouncing it the better off you are. I try to always remember to just go slow, i feel like im still fishing for trout and it sucks but it will pay off. Except for days like today where the wind kicks up for me that makes it bout impossible.

Permalink Reply by Austin Heyer on April 16, 2011 at 11:02pm

I like to start by working the bait pretty consistent and if i am getting bit like that i keep it that way. But if the bites arent there i tend to slow down and drag or deadstick.

Permalink Reply by David Parnicky on April 16, 2011 at 11:07pm

Nope, if it's in the part of the water column that the bass are in, looks yummy, and is moving at a speed that the particular fish staring down your bait is ok with, there is a good chance they will eat it! The only wrong way to fish a dropshot in my opinion is to keep it in your rod locker or lying on your boat deck!

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on April 17, 2011 at 7:59pm

However you want to, I suppose is the right way...

Permalink Reply by Joel Alinen on April 17, 2011 at 10:13pm

Ha ya I know it depends on what the fish want. I usually start with the slow drag/shake and work from there, but dropshot fishing has been a frustration for me of late. The more I learn and experience on the water the more complex it gets. Somedays they'll wack it on the fall, other times they wack it swimming, others times they want it hopped back, other times they want it drug back, and my favorite...sometimes they want it dead sticked....I really hate that ...then you have to worry about proper dropshot weight and leader length...just so many more variables!

Ron do you think theres a good starting point to begin with when fishing the dropshot? I'm sure it depends on all the variables such as season, weather, depth, ect? Maybe how do you fish it different when presented the lure to fish you marked on you graph vs fish on a dock vs fish scattered on flats?

Permalink Reply by Tag Watson on April 18, 2011 at 6:27am

Joel, don't over-think dropshotting. You already answered all your questions in your post. Based on your experience, start with what you feel will be the best retrieve, leader length, weight and soft plastic for the conditions and work from there; slowing down, speeding up, etc.

A large percentage of fishing success can be attributed to a mental attitude. There is absolutely no reason the dropshotting technique should "frustrate" you. In all reality, it should be one of the techniques you fall back on when you're frustrated. Look at all the variables you mentioned as a puzzle you are trying to put together. Experience builds instincts, trusting your instincts builds confidence, and confidence catches fish. Not to speak for Ron, but he is a great example of someone who catches them consistently everywhere he goes in the country. He many not know exactly HOW he is going to catch them that day before he launches his boat, but he knows he IS going to catch them. He trusts his instincts (built over time with experience), fishes confidently, and more often than not, he ropes them.

Permalink Reply by David Parnicky on April 19, 2011 at 1:26am

Well said Mr. Watson!!

Tag Watson said:

Joel, don't over-think dropshotting. You already answered all your questions in your post. Based on your experience, start with what you feel will be the best retrieve, leader length, weight and soft plastic for the conditions and work from there; slowing down, speeding up, etc.

A large percentage of fishing success can be attributed to a mental attitude. There is absolutely no reason the dropshotting technique should "frustrate" you. In all reality, it should be one of the techniques you fall back on when you're frustrated. Look at all the variables you mentioned as a puzzle you are trying to put together. Experience builds instincts, trusting your instincts builds confidence, and confidence catches fish. Not to speak for Ron, but he is a great example of someone who catches them consistently everywhere he goes in the country. He many not know exactly HOW he is going to catch them that day before he launches his boat, but he knows he IS going to catch them. He trusts his instincts (built over time with experience), fishes confidently, and more often than not, he ropes them.

Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on April 19, 2011 at 12:17pm

I think the most effective way is a vertical presentation in places you know bass are hiding. Sure you can cover water casting a dropshot, or dropswimming, but to me the drop shot makes its money vertically.

Permalink Reply by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on April 19, 2011 at 6:17pm

Think I will kindly disagree, even though it is probably one of the best at what you say as well, but you could also drop a darter head to these same fish or shakey head or even a grub and get them to bite.

Jake "The Snake" Anderson said:

I think the most effective way is a vertical presentation in places you know bass are hiding. Sure you can cover water casting a dropshot, or dropswimming, but to me the drop shot makes its money vertically.

Permalink Reply by Jon Werner on April 19, 2011 at 9:54pm