The drop shot rig is a popular and effective technique for catching bass. It involves vertically presenting a plastic bait or soft plastic worm below a weight that is tied directly to the line. Anglers typically use very small weights - often 1/8 to 3/8 ounce - when drop shotting so that the bait falls slowly and naturally in front of inactive fish.
However, there are times when it pays to use a heavier drop shot weight such as when fishing:
- Windy Conditions: When it's windy, a lightweight drop shot rig can get pushed around by the wind, making it difficult to maintain contact with the bottom and vertical presentation. Weights of 1/2 ounce or heavier will penetrate through the wind better.
- Deep Water: In water deeper than 20 feet, a heavier weight will allow you to get the bait down to the strike zone faster. Quickly reaching the bottom is key to catching lethargic deep water bass. Weights up to 3/4 ounce and even 1 ounce can be effective.
- Current: If you're fishing a river or lake with significant current, a heavier drop shot weight will keep your bait in the strike zone better than a lightweight rig. Go with at least 1/2 ounce or higher if faced with current.
Upper Midwest bass pro Austin Felix spends countless hours chasing green and brown bass and the drop shot rig is one of his "go-to" finesse rigs. Take a few minutes and listen as he gives his reasoning and criteria for using heavier than normal drop shot rigs:
The ideal drop shot weight in most situations is the lightest one that allows you to maintain bottom contact and get your bait to the desired depth. But don't be afraid to beef up your weight when conditions call for it. Going heavier on your drop shot rig will lead to more bites when fishing gets tough and a faster fall rate helps trigger reaction strikes.
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