What is a drop shot?
A drop shot is a terminal presentation where the hook is tied above the sinker, suspending your plastic at a fixed distance above the lakebed. Because the weight rests on the bottom, the lure moves freely with minimal angler effort.
How to tie a drop shot rig
- Tie a Palomar knot: Leave a 12 to 18 inch tag end below the hook. See our Palomar knot guide.
- Orient the hook: Pass the tag end back down through the hook eye from top to bottom so the hook point faces upward.
- Clip the weight: Attach a quick-clip drop-shot sinker (1/8 to 3/8 oz) to the bottom of the tag.
- Rig your soft plastic: Nose-hook a 3-inch minnow or roboworm with an exposed hook point.
Where and when to fish it
The drop shot shines in 15 to 40 feet of water over rock piles, sunken islands, and steep breaklines. When fish are glued to the bottom after high-pressure weather fronts, dropping a finesse plastic straight down into their strike zone triggers reflex takes.
Five common mistakes to avoid
- Leader too heavy: Stiff 12+ lb line destroys the natural quiver of the plastic. Stick to 6–8 lb fluorocarbon.
- Over-working the bait: Vigorously shaking the rod moves the weight and spooks fish. Shake the slack without lifting the sinker off bottom.
- Hook too large: A bulky 2/0 bass hook weighs down small plastics. Use a size 1 or 2 drop-shot hook.
- Setting too hard: A sweeping reel-set pins light-wire hooks instantly; hard hooksets snap light leaders.
- Dragging too fast: Let the bait soak in place for 10–20 seconds between short twitches.
Recommended tackle
A 6'10" to 7'2" Medium-Light spinning rod paired with a smooth 2500 reel (see our best spinning reels) ensures effortless casting and smooth drag on head-shaking bass.