MONSTERBASS Ambassador Kelly Hollingsworth, AKA @misswishiwazfishin, has another alias she goes by as well— the Dropshot Queen.  

The name comes from Kelly’s favorite technique. As husband Chris Hollingsworth tells it, the couple was watching the coverage of a bass tournament a few years ago and Kelly noticed a trend.  

“They were fishing in New York,” said Chris. “And every pro was using a dropshot. The commentators were talking about how every pro ends up fishing a dropshot in pressured water.” 

A lightbulb clicked on for Kelly in that moment. Why wait until the fishing gets tough to go to a dropshot?  

“And she just developed this thing where every time we go out, she starts with what she knows works when water is pressured.”

As Kelly puts it, she just really enjoys catching fish. So she starts with the thing that she has the most confidence in. 

“I’m going to fish dropshot first,” said Kelly, “catch a couple fish and then I’m going to try something that’s harder to catch fish with.” 

This is a different mindset than the one many anglers have. Most anglers typically start with a power fishing technique, and then move to a more finesse approach. 

“It’s an interesting thing to watch,” said Chris. “Where most people I think fish in reverse. It’s just been a funny thing and kind of her claim to fame.” 

But it’s not just about catching fish for Kelly. The dropshot also helps center this mom of six.

“I usually start out with dropshot, just to relax. It’s a really relaxing way to fish, I think, for me. And I’m usually pretty successful and I catch a fish or two. And once I’ve done that, I usually switch over.” 

Kelly says the opposite is also true for her. When she starts off with something other than a dropshot, it makes her a little anxious.  

“I feel like for me and my personality, it gives me a little bit of nervousness, wondering if I’m going to be successful on that fishing trip.” 

Instead, Kelly just likes to start with the sure thing and go from there.  

“She’s using a bait that she feels she can fish more versatilely, whether it’s weeds or deep or shallow. She will use a bigger weight at times to cover more water and just get it down quicker."  

Chris commented on the machismo that rises to the surface among the fishing faithful at times, and the derogatory names that are heaped onto finesse fishing tactics like the dropshot.  

“She actually works a dropshot along the bottom, but some people will call that a power shot and throw it on a baitcaster and she’s like, ‘Come on, don’t try to make it all masculine.’” 

Kelly embraces the dropshot for what it is, a great tool that catches lots of fish. She doesn’t let the naysayers bring her down. She just smiles and sets the hook, proving she is the Dropshot Queen after all.