What Is Drop Shot Fishing?
Drop shot fishing is a finesse angling technique originally popularised in the U.S. and Japan, but it's starting to make waves down under, and for good reason. At its core, drop shotting involves a hook tied directly to your leader line above a sinker. This setup allows your bait, often a soft plastic, to hover enticingly just off the bottom, moving naturally with the current or rod twitches.
What makes the drop shot stand out is its precision: you can present a lure exactly at the depth fish are holding, even in tough conditions. It’s deadly effective on species like bass, perch, and yellowbelly.
Why Drop Shot Fishing Is a Versatile Technique
Drop shot fishing isn’t just another rig, it’s a problem-solver. Whether you’re fishing from a kayak, boat, or the bank, it allows you to:
- Target Suspended Fish: Perfect when fish are holding mid-water or just off the bottom.
- Finesse in Pressure Zones: In heavily fished areas, a drop shot presents a subtle, less-threatening profile.
- Adapt to Any Cover: Works around weed beds, structure, and open flats, where you control how far off the bottom your bait hovers.
- Works with Many Lures: Though soft plastics like minnows and worms are common, you can experiment with creature baits and even live bait.
In short, it’s adaptable to almost any fishing situation, from clear estuaries to deep impoundments.
When You Should Drop Shot Fish
The beauty of drop shot fishing is that it works year-round, but some conditions really make it shine:
- Season: Best in autumn and spring, when fish are more active but still cautious in clear water.
- Weather: Calm to moderate days are ideal. Finesse fishing relies on subtlety, and strong wind or current can reduce your feel.
- Water Temperature: Most effective between 14°C to 24°C, when fish are active but not overly aggressive.
- Depth: Excellent in 2m–15m depths, where other lures may pass under or over holding fish.
Use your electronics (or good old-fashioned observation) to locate suspended or bottom-hugging fish, then dial in the height of your hook above the sinker accordingly.
How to Rig a Drop Shot
It’s simple once you get the hang of it:
- Tie the Hook: Use a Palomar knot to tie a hook (like a size #2–#1 drop shot or octopus hook) directly to your leader, leaving a long tag end (30–60cm).
- Position the Hook: Make sure the hook point faces upward, you can pass the tag back through the hook eye for better presentation.
- Add the Weight: Attach a drop shot sinker (cylinder or tier drop) to the tag end. These usually have a clip for easy adjustment.
- Add the Lure: Nose-hook or wacky rig your soft plastic, 2.5”–4” minnow or worm-style baits work best.
Optional: If fishing around snags or for more aggressive species, Texas rigging the plastic for weedless presentation helps.
Best Equipment for Drop Shot Fishing
Using the right gear can make a big difference:
- Rod: A light to ultra-light spin rod (6'6"–7'2", 1–3kg) with a fast or extra-fast tip for sensitivity.
- Reel: 1000–2500 size spinning reel with a smooth drag is critical when using light line.
- Braid: 4–8lb braided line gives casting distance and bite sensitivity.
- Leader: Fluorocarbon leader, 4–8lb, depending on target species and structure.
- Hooks: Small drop shot or octopus hooks (#2 to #1).
- Sinkers: 1/8oz to 1/4oz drop shot weights, adjustable based on depth and current.
How to Work the Drop Shot: Technique and Presentation
Once your rig hits the water, how you work it makes all the difference. The drop shot is designed to give your lure lifelike action with minimal movement - finesse is the name of the game. Here are three proven techniques to try in Australian conditions:
Vertical Twitching
Perfect when fishing straight below the boat or kayak. Lower your rig to the desired depth and keep your line vertical. Use subtle rod tip twitches to make the soft plastic quiver and pulse in place - this mimics an injured baitfish or shrimp. Pause frequently to let the lure suspend naturally, as many strikes come on the drop.
Dragging Along the Bottom
Ideal for targeting fish sitting on the bottom. Cast the rig out, let the sinker touch bottom, and slowly drag it along while maintaining tension. The sinker stirs up silt, imitating feeding activity, while your lure hovers enticingly just above. This is especially effective over sand flats or light weed beds.
Slow Retrieve with Pauses
Cast out, let the rig settle, then retrieve slowly with gentle rod lifts and pauses. This technique shines in calm water or when fish are sluggish. The key is restraint, let the soft plastic’s natural buoyancy and movement do the work. Each pause gives fish time to commit to the bite.
Pro Tip: The biggest mistake anglers make is overworking the lure. Think “subtle and patient.” The less you move it, the more natural it looks, and the more fish you’ll hook.
Final Thoughts
Drop shot fishing is still relatively underused in Australia, which gives you an edge. It’s ideal for tricky conditions, pressured fish, or when you want to try something new that works. With a bit of finesse and the right gear, it won’t be long before this method earns a permanent spot in your tackle arsenal.