05-24-2004, 02:51 AM
[cool][font "Arial"][#800000][size 2]For the benefit of our newbies and those folks that are not familiar with the drop shot rigging the following instructions should help you get started.[/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Arial"][size 2][#800000]Rigging:[/#800000][/size][/font][font "Arial"][size 2][#800000] [/#800000][/size][/font]
[font "Arial"][size 2][#800000]With the hook facing you, double your line and pull it through the eye of the hook. Next, tie the hook on with a palomar knot, leaving the tag end anywhere from 4 " to 5 feet long. Take the tag end and run it back through the eye of the hook (this will force your hook to face in the upward position or perpendicular to the line). Finally, attach your weight below the hook to the tag end of your line. The length of your tag end will vary based on the type of structure you are fishing along with depth the fish are suspended. If you don't have a fish finder to tell you where the fish are, experiment with different lengths until you find the fish.[/#800000][/size][/font][font "Arial"][size 2][#800000] [/#800000][/size][/font]
[font "Arial"][size 2][#800000]Now, pick your bait, if you are using artificial lures on a bright sunny day and the water is clear, pick a plastic bait that matches the bait in the area you are fishing. If you are fishing stained, muddy water, on a cloudy day or at night use dark colored plastics like black, blue, purple, black/blue, black/purple etc. If you prefer, live worms will do the trick. Nose hook as explained above, wacky rig it (hooking your worm through the middle instead of the nose), or rig it weedless (unexposed hook). Tie on a weight and start casting. [/#800000][/size][/font]
[font "Arial"][size 2][#800000]Presentation:[/#800000][/size][/font][font "Arial"][size 2][#800000] [/#800000][/size][/font]
[font "Arial"][size 2][#800000]Drop shotting is a technique you can use all year long in various depths of water, from the shore, tube or from a boat. Wherever you are, retrieve your bait by lifting your rod and shaking the tip while slowly reeling in the slack line or try dragging, pausing and shaking your bait as you retrieve your line. Experiment; try different retrieves at various speeds to see which presentation works best.[/#800000][/size][/font]
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[font "Arial"][size 2][#800000]Rigging:[/#800000][/size][/font][font "Arial"][size 2][#800000] [/#800000][/size][/font]
[font "Arial"][size 2][#800000]With the hook facing you, double your line and pull it through the eye of the hook. Next, tie the hook on with a palomar knot, leaving the tag end anywhere from 4 " to 5 feet long. Take the tag end and run it back through the eye of the hook (this will force your hook to face in the upward position or perpendicular to the line). Finally, attach your weight below the hook to the tag end of your line. The length of your tag end will vary based on the type of structure you are fishing along with depth the fish are suspended. If you don't have a fish finder to tell you where the fish are, experiment with different lengths until you find the fish.[/#800000][/size][/font][font "Arial"][size 2][#800000] [/#800000][/size][/font]
[font "Arial"][size 2][#800000]Now, pick your bait, if you are using artificial lures on a bright sunny day and the water is clear, pick a plastic bait that matches the bait in the area you are fishing. If you are fishing stained, muddy water, on a cloudy day or at night use dark colored plastics like black, blue, purple, black/blue, black/purple etc. If you prefer, live worms will do the trick. Nose hook as explained above, wacky rig it (hooking your worm through the middle instead of the nose), or rig it weedless (unexposed hook). Tie on a weight and start casting. [/#800000][/size][/font]
[font "Arial"][size 2][#800000]Presentation:[/#800000][/size][/font][font "Arial"][size 2][#800000] [/#800000][/size][/font]
[font "Arial"][size 2][#800000]Drop shotting is a technique you can use all year long in various depths of water, from the shore, tube or from a boat. Wherever you are, retrieve your bait by lifting your rod and shaking the tip while slowly reeling in the slack line or try dragging, pausing and shaking your bait as you retrieve your line. Experiment; try different retrieves at various speeds to see which presentation works best.[/#800000][/size][/font]
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