Two fairly new techniques have recently gained substantial press,
and for good reason. While split shot rigs have been around for longer
than
I like to remember, the “drop shot” is relatively new to bass fishing
circles. Lately, I have been asked by clients and other fishermen, who
I consider to be at very competent, to describe and demonstrate both.
I’ll try to do that here.
A SPLIT SHOT RIG is nothing more than exactly what the name implies;
i.e., a good quality 1/0 to 2/0 wide gap worm hook secured to the
terminal end of
8 pound test monofilament line spooled onto a spinning reel such as a Shimano
2000 or Ambassaduer “CD” series which I have mounted on a 6’6” KSL66 rod by
Kistler Custom Rods, an American owned and operated company. This is one of
the most sensitive spinning rods I have ever used with plenty of backbone for
the hookset and fight. The lightest piece of split shot (just heavier than
BB shot) that will cast very lightweight plastics the required distance is
pinched on approximately 18 inches above the hook. While there is no end to
the variety of plastics made by several manufacturers, both in the U.S.A. and
overseas, the most consistently productive lure I have found after endless
trail and many errors is the new patented Devil’s Tongue made by Crème Lure
Co. of Tyler, Texas. This lure will literally float a 2/0 Gamagatsu and therefore
attracts more strikes and positive hookups than anything I have used. Split
shot rigging is most effective in water 2 to 12 feet deep. The minimal weight
of the split shot is never detected by the bass, but the strike is immediately
transmitted to the angler in at least two perceptible ways; 1) feel and 2)
line movement. While inching the weight across the bottom with your rod held
parallel to the water, the lure floats, free of snags and right in the face
of the fish. A sweeping motion to the side at the first indication of a strike
and the hook is set! Yes, as simple as that.
THE DROP SHOT: I’ve found the drop shot rig to be very effective
from one to 20 feet. Below 20 feet a lot of the sensitivity necessary
for finesse fishing is lost, but that may just be me. From working spawning
largemouth on beds to finesse fishing in a deep, clear water lake, the
drop shot has recently proven itself to be one of the more productive
methods. Attach a 1/0 wide gap hook approximately 18 inches above the
terminal end of the line with a palomar knot. At the tag end, below the
hook, tie on an 1/8 oz. bell sinker. Kistler Custom Rods is one of the
few American rod manufacturers that builds a rod specifically designed
for this technique. Appropriately enough it is called their KDSS69 “Drop
Shot Special”. At 6’9” this rod has the sensitivity necessary to feel
a bass breathe on the bait and plenty of backbone for the hookset. We’re
using the Crème Devil’s Tongue primarily because of its buoyancy and
rainbow of colors. A drop shot allows the angler to hold the lure in
place, right in the face of the fish for as long as it takes to get
it to bite.
Give both methods a try and improve your success. You can find both
Kistler Custom Rods and Crème Lures with a click of the mouse.
www.kistlerrods.com
www.cremelure.com
JF
