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This needs to be quick

As in a few hours I will be heading on my boat to Kapowsin. Im planning on drop shotting for largies with real big worms, and weights. Well I shouldn't say big but, im using 3/8 oz. and usually I use 1/16. or 1/8. Im going to trying to go near grass, in trees, and pads. But. I have never done this technique, just drop shot for smallies. Have you guys ever tried this? I would like to go a little bigger, but i don't have time to goto the store and get bigger drop shots. My baits are going to range from 8-10 inches. and hooks 3/0 to 6/0. What should i try to do to go bigger?

Thanks, spencer

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Daniel on July 29, 2010 at 6:54pm

I would agree 3/8th oz with a drop shot rod made for open water small mouth applications is way to much weight for greens in less then 8ft of water.

Spencer Durand said:

When I fish for Smallies, I use a spinning real, Today I used 3/8, and some river pencil lead, and wasn't pleased

Daniel said:
if youre using a baitcaster chances are you will need more than a 1/16oz weight to pitch your bait around regardless of the cover.

Permalink Reply by Chris Blandi on July 29, 2010 at 11:27pm

Anything less than 3/8oz is probably not going to pull a 8-10" worm down in the lily pads. The worm is going to stick on the pads and just the weight will be dangling IMO. If you are in more open water you can get away with less weight. I rarely DS for Largies, I think Jon Werner is the king of that technique.
And I assume you aren't using your smallmouth drop shot rod for this technique ? You will need something a little stronger.

Permalink Reply by Spencer Durand on July 30, 2010 at 12:14pm

To light, I could feel it on my line, But it wouldn't penetrate the weeds, or pads

Aaron Christel said:

What didn't you like about the 3/8? too heavy/light? Didn't get through the junk? Or was it not a match for your rod/reel combo?

Permalink Reply by Spencer Durand on July 30, 2010 at 12:15pm

But, that wasn't on my drop shot rod, I was using my jiggin' rod

Daniel said:

I would agree 3/8th oz with a drop shot rod made for open water small mouth applications is way to much weight for greens in less then 8ft of water.

Spencer Durand said:
When I fish for Smallies, I use a spinning real, Today I used 3/8, and some river pencil lead, and wasn't pleased

Daniel said:
if youre using a baitcaster chances are you will need more than a 1/16oz weight to pitch your bait around regardless of the cover.

Permalink Reply by Brian Walters on July 30, 2010 at 12:35pm

rig up on same rod as jig or texas rig.. if your good you can pitch a DS the same way and make your entrance quiet. This works really well for largies in the junk or under docks. Good luck and have fun.

Permalink Reply by Spencer Durand on July 30, 2010 at 12:50pm

Thanks Brian

Brian Bassguy Walters said:

rig up on same rod as jig or texas rig.. if your good you can pitch a DS the same way and make your entrance quiet. This works really well for largies in the junk or under docks. Good luck and have fun.

Permalink Reply by Zackery Shaff on August 2, 2010 at 10:46am

Why are you trying to punch with a dropshot rig? Having the weight below the bait allows the rig to get wrapped around things way too easily.

Permalink Reply by Spencer Durand on August 3, 2010 at 8:57am

It was a suggestion from someone on here a while back.

Zackery Shaff said:

Why are you trying to punch with a dropshot rig? Having the weight below the bait allows the rig to get wrapped around things way too easily.

Permalink Reply by Marc Marcantonio on August 3, 2010 at 9:06am

Guys, don't limit your options. Think of dropshotting as a different way to present your lure (because the weight is below the lure). There is no single right or wrong weight to use. I make my QuickDrops in sizes from 1/16 oz up to 1 ounce because there are times and places where each size excels.

I have made prototypes up to 2 ounces and they catch fish in places none of the others do; I don't market them because anglers are not likely to buy them due to being narrow-minded; and I would likely not recover production costs.

Sometimes bass want a fast fall, and sometimes bass want a noisy fall. Sometimes bass are in thick cover and you need a 1 oz QuickDrop to punch through the vegetation. Sometimes you are fishing rough water in high winds and a 3/4 oz QuickDrop is all that will work. Sometimes the bass could care less how heavy your dropshot weight is (remember after all that it IS below your lure, and usually on the bottom anyway).

That is my story, and I'm sticking to it.

ciao,
Marc

Permalink Reply by Spencer Durand on August 3, 2010 at 2:51pm

Well said. Marc. Do you ever punch with a dropshot Presentation?

Marc Marcantonio said:

Guys, don't limit your options. Think of dropshotting as a different way to present your lure (because the weight is below the lure). There is no single right or wrong weight to use. I make my QuickDrops in sizes from 1/16 oz up to 1 ounce because there are times and places where each size excels.

I have made prototypes up to 2 ounces and they catch fish in places none of the others do; I don't market them because anglers are not likely to buy them due to being narrow-minded; and I would likely not recover production costs.

Sometimes bass want a fast fall, and sometimes bass want a noisy fall. Sometimes bass are in thick cover and you need a 1 oz QuickDrop to punch through the vegetation. Sometimes you are fishing rough water in high winds and a 3/4 oz QuickDrop is all that will work. Sometimes the bass could care less how heavy your dropshot weight is (remember after all that it IS below your lure, and usually on the bottom anyway).

That is my story, and I'm sticking to it.

ciao,
Marc

Permalink Reply by Spencer Durand on August 3, 2010 at 2:52pm

Also, It isn't a long leader like a smallie dropshot, it is only 3 or 4 inches.

Zackery Shaff said: