Mastering the Drop Shot: Because It Just Works

Posted by 🔥 MONSTERBASS 🔥

When the bite gets tough, cold fronts roll in, the water clears up, or bass get lockjaw - the drop shot is one of the most effective techniques in your arsenal. It’s subtle, deadly, and wildly versatile.

In this article, we’ll break down how to rig it, where to fish it, what baits to use, and why it works even when nothing else does.

What Is a Drop Shot?

The drop shot is a finesse fishing technique where your weight sits below your hook. This keeps your bait hovering off the bottom in the strike zone and allows for subtle twitches that drive pressured or lethargic fish wild.

It was born in the world of deep, clear, vertical fishing. But today, it's used in everything from 2-foot shallow flats to 30-foot offshore rock piles. And while many people are like, ugh, I hate fishing a drop shot, the truth is that it works when nothing else seems to work. So stop fighting it and start fishing it!

How to Rig a Drop Shot

The classic setup:

Hook: Nose-hook your soft plastic using a drop shot hook (like a Mustad or Daiichi Drop Shot Hook)
Leader Line: Tie your hook using a Palomar knot, leaving 12–24 inches of tag line
Weight: Clip a drop shot weight (round, teardrop, or cylinder) to the end of the tag line
Rod: 6’10”–7’2” medium-light spinning rod with a fast tip
Line: 6–10 lb fluorocarbon or braid-to-fluoro leader

Tip: Make sure the hook point faces up after tying so the bait suspends horizontally in the water.

Why the Drop Shot Just Works

It keeps the bait in the strike zone longer
Allows for minimal movement which is perfect for pressured fish
Great in both deep and shallow water
Incredibly natural presentation
Vertical or horizontal. It works both ways

It’s a confidence rig for pro anglers because it’s that effective when other techniques fail.

Best Drop Shot Baits

Here are a few MONSTERBASS-approved options that we like:

Straight-Tail Worms

E.g., Z-Man Long ShotZ, Roboworm, GrandeBass AirTail Wiggler
Best for: Natural action with subtle quivering
Use when: Water is clear and fish are finicky

Minnow-Style Baits

E.g., XZone Rally Shad, Berkley PowerBait Minnow, Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm
Best for: Imitating baitfish in open water
Use when: Smallmouth or spotted bass are keying on shad

Small Creature Baits

E.g., Baby brush hogs, Ned-style craws
Best for: Targeting largemouth in brush, rock, or grass
Use when: You want a little more presence in stained water

Where & When to Fish a Drop Shot

Deep Water: 15–30+ feet. Hover the bait over rock piles, brush, and structure. Ideal in clear lakes and summer heat.
Under Docks: Pitch it into shade lines where big bass suspend mid-column.
Around Grass: Use a teardrop weight and keep it above submerged grass or inside pockets.
Shallow Finesse: Fish it like a Ned rig. Cast it shallow, let it sit, and barely move it. Works great when fish are bedding or inactive.
Forward-Facing Sonar: Perfect for hover-strolling or vertical presentations when you see fish suspended.