Dropshot Hatch..

[Mike Bucca]

I get alot of emails on what dropshot baits I like to fish with. If you read my reports for any lenght of time I use alot of different baits for dropshottong and for the most part they are all similiar. I do think size of your bait has more to do with your success than color does. If you net spot tails alot you begin to see an average size and that is the size that I like to try to match the hatch on. Here is a picture that I took tonite of some of the baits that I use.



Before I took the picture above I was looking for this old picture that I posted a while back to use but I couldn't find it until I started looking for this new picture that I took. Funny I took this older picture below probably 2 years ago and I think you will notice that not much has changed in my bait selection.



Brands that I use alot of are Yamamoto's Cut Tails and Flat Tails, Robo Worm products are awesome, Baby Sluggos and Tiny Flukes are also a favorite of mine. Bass Pro Shops Handpours are also good. Here is the old picture I took over 2 years ago.

Also in the top picture see the hooks that I use. The hooks are a very important part of dropshotting. By far dropshotting is the most detailed oriented technique that I have found. There is a reason for everything on your dropshot setup that ranges anywhere from the correct weight, style weight, shape weight, swivel quality, knot tying, leader lenght, hook size, rod action, line use just to name a few.

I like that Gamakatsu hooks for open water fishing where no cover is prevelant. I'll use those Owner Downshot hooks and rig those small baits weedless texas style when dropping down in the brushpiles. I was shocked to find these downshot hooks at Dick's of all places. They are usually pretty hard to find. I believe both the Dugout and Dicks have the Gamakatsu Split shot/Dropshot hook. The most common mistake I see is people using too big of a hook with the dropshot. You'll kill the action of your bait. Both of these hooks coupled with the right action rod will handle the most determined Spot!

Hope this helps you with your dropshotting. It's my favorite panic bait by a landslide. When all else fails the dropshot will put fish in the boat for me and it has saved a many of fishing trips for me. Besides what else allows you to fish a 3 inch bait at 20ft + water?

Mike

[bassamasta]

Great read Mike. I like the custom black spots.

[bfriendly]

Boy if you dont pay attention, you'll miss something.......Thanks for these great pictures! I have a question though........are them owner hooks used the same way as the Gamas? Or are they the Weedless set up...........they look completely different and I need to figure out a way(the best way) 2 set up my favorite rig(drop shot of course) weedless!

[Mike Bucca]

Bruce, First glad to see you over here bud . The owners can actually be rigged both ways. ie weedless and non weedless. If you want to fish brush like you mentioned the owners are the ONLY way to go. Tie the knot just like you do on the Gamakatsu hook. YOu thread the worm on there just like you do a texas rig. One thing on this hook is you can set the hook on it moreso than you can with the gammy hook. Mainly because #1 you have to drive that hook through the plastic.

Now another scenario say you are having problems hooking fish with the gammy hook (ie fish biting the tail). YOu can thread that worm on the owner hook and have the hook exposed but further down the back of the bait. This will also increase your hookup percentages. The issue with the owners is you don't get as good of action as you do with the gammies. So there is a catch 22 there. But atleast the owners are smaller than a traditional t rig hook and the eyelet is bent so you can get that 90 angle with your hook and line.

MIke

[bfriendly]

Thanks Mike I will be lurking for them Owners

[Killian]

I was at Dicks last night and was going to snag some of those owners, but it looks like Mike bought the place out j/k I ended up picking up some of the Gamas instead.

[Mike Bucca]

Actually Killian I did buy them all LOL Sorry

[Killian]

haha it's no biggie. I want that Cabela's in Adairsville to open. 15 mins up the road from me Then I should be able to find all my fishing goodies, at least I hope so.

[bfriendly]

No doubt about Cabelas.......I keep hearing next year, then, no it is not gonna happen, then byt the end of this year.............I guess I will just wait and see.....does anyone know FOR SURE?

[craigv]

Mike, great article. I have very good success using owner mosquito hooks in size #2 and size #1 the hook eye is only upturned a few degrees giving it a perfect perpendicular posiotion too the line and at $1.99 a pack they are a real value.

Up here in NW Michigan we have such clear water and light cover I have yet to need to use the texas rig owner hooks.

Just an FYI since you were showing your preferred baits, I have found for me that one of the best drop shot baits is a 4" berkley power worm in camo color. I cut the tails to resemble the GYCB cut tail worms. Can't keep the smallies off of them.

[harleywizard]

Here is a link for a "minner"trap.


www.fishingwithrolandmartin.com/news_items/spottail_trap.htm