drop shot for winter gills ?

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12-31-2021, 07:06 PM
gillchaser999

drop shot for winter gills ?

With our winter weather arriving next week , I’m thinking of giving the drop shot a try for gills .
Figure the fish should be going deeper and a just off the bottom presentation would be best .
Planning on using some hand ties and/or some 1” Gulp minnows with a shortened 1/8 oz drop shot weight .
Should I use a 1/80th or 1/64th jighead or a #8 streamer hook ?
Which do you think would swim more natural.
At first I thought the streamer hook , but a jighead might keep the “bait/lure” more inline without spinning , sort of like a keel .
I’m not a live bait fisherman. Prefer artificial baits .
Any opinions?
12-31-2021, 07:39 PM
Alphahawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

With our winter weather arriving next week , I’m thinking of giving the drop shot a try for gills .
Figure the fish should be going deeper and a just off the bottom presentation would be best .
Planning on using some hand ties and/or some 1” Gulp minnows with a shortened 1/8 oz drop shot weight .
Should I use a 1/80th or 1/64th jighead or a #8 streamer hook ?
Which do you think would swim more natural.
At first I thought the streamer hook , but a jighead might keep the “bait/lure” more inline without spinning , sort of like a keel .
I’m not a live bait fisherman. Prefer artificial baits .
Any opinions?

In winter I will drop shot a Trout Magnet and I have no problem catching them. I use a 1/64 ounce head with #8 hook.

Regards

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com
12-31-2021, 08:14 PM
gillchaser999

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

In winter I will drop shot a Trout Magnet and I have no problem catching them. I use a 1/64 ounce head with #8 hook.

Regards

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

I was thinking a light jighead would be the way to go . I’ll be trying some soft plastics as well , TM’s and some Bobby Garland Itty Bitty baits .
Thanks for the insight.
12-31-2021, 08:15 PM
gillchaser999

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

In winter I will drop shot a Trout Magnet and I have no problem catching them. I use a 1/64 ounce head with #8 hook.

Regards

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

I was thinking a light jighead would be the way to go . I’ll be trying some soft plastics as well , TM’s and some Bobby Garland Itty Bitty baits .
Thanks for the insight.
12-31-2021, 08:23 PM
gillchaser999

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

In winter I will drop shot a Trout Magnet and I have no problem catching them. I use a 1/64 ounce head with #8 hook.

Regards

Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Do you have a video of you drop shotting gills ?
12-31-2021, 08:44 PM
deathb4disco

I'm not a drop shot master, but don't you normally just use a hook (no jighead)?

That's what the bass guys do.
12-31-2021, 08:57 PM
Alphahawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

I'm not a drop shot master, but don't you normally just use a hook (no jighead)?

That's what the bass guys do.

You are correct. Years ago I would use crickets or worms on a #8 hook while drop shoting. As time went on I gave up live bait and just fished with jigs. Gave away a ton of hooks. So I decided to try it using a Trout Magnet on the TM jig head. It worked out great. Used to use the Blue Current TZ doing that….could rip some lips with that rod.

Regards

Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
12-31-2021, 09:01 PM
deathb4disco

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

You are correct. Years ago I would use crickets or worms on a #8 hook while drop shoting. As time went on I gave up live bait and just fished with jigs. Gave away a ton of hooks. So I decided to try it using a Trout Magnet on the TM jig head. It worked out great.

So, how does it work with a jig head? With just a bare hook, the bait stands out at a right angle from the line.
12-31-2021, 09:02 PM
Alphahawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

Do you have a video of you drop shotting gills ?

No I don’t. I meant to tell you the weights I would use came from Snake In Da Brush. Snake n da brush - Podunk (po dungk) A small isolated town, region, or place that is regarded as unimportant. . . .. I’ve yet to hang up using those. You can cut them in half if he doesn’t have the exact weight you want and burn the end and keep the lead shot in. I highly recommend those.

Regards

Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
12-31-2021, 09:07 PM
Alphahawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathb4disco

So, how does it work with a jig head? With just a bare hook, the bait stands out at a right angle from the line.

I don’t have any issues using a jig head. Now sometimes I will tie wrong and the hook will not be at the upright angle but I’ve found if they want it they are going to get it. It’s a great way to fish but I still prefer casting and retrieving. But when and if the waters get to the mid 40’s I’ll use it. I need to try this method on trout. I’ve heard a lot of folks out in California drop shot for trout.

Regards

Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
12-31-2021, 09:46 PM
gillchaser999

I was thinking of using a loop knot to attach my jig to my line above a drop shot sinker . Also thinking of a double hook with a hook on top and a jig below , then a sinker .
Maybe an unweighted woolybooger on top , a 1/64th jig below 6-8” with either a Gulp minnow or plastic bait .
I’ll be fishing this rig from the bank and hoping to get longer casts and into deeper water . I’ll probably work the dam of the lake I have in mine .
Longer casts = more coverage.
12-31-2021, 10:36 PM
VaCrappieMan

I drop shot from the bank with success using small jigheads…. I will secure them to the line with a loop knot…. I think you are on the right track!
01-01-2022, 02:13 PM
Techno2000

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillchaser999

I was thinking of using a loop knot to attach my jig to my line above a drop shot sinker . Also thinking of a double hook with a hook on top and a jig below , then a sinker .
Maybe an unweighted woolybooger on top , a 1/64th jig below 6-8” with either a Gulp minnow or plastic bait .
I’ll be fishing this rig from the bank and hoping to get longer casts and into deeper water . I’ll probably work the dam of the lake I have in mine .
Longer casts = more coverage.

Thread a fly, jig and a sinker on your main line all at the same time, then tie 3 surgeons loops, starting with the sinker, come up, next the jig and then the fly.