I dropped two good smallies yesterday on the drop-shot.  I was wondering if there was any advice on improving my hook-up and landing ratios.

 

My gear:

 

68MXF rod

2500 stradic with 12lb Sunline Braid with a  6 ft leader of 8lb PLINE Fluorocarbon

1/0 (not size # 1) gammy drop-shot hooks

nose-hooked shad imitating bait

3/16 ounce tear drop weight 1ft - 1.5ft below hook

That's very similar to my set-up, but I use a size 6-1 Gammy DS hook. I'd ask about your hook set. You should be reeling until you feel the weight of the fish, then *gently* lifting (more like leaning) up on the fish.

Also, that's the nature of fishing smallies with tiny hooks; you lose some. If you had four bites and lost two, is be concerned. If you had twelve and lost two, that's typical.

Can you give more details????

As soon as I feel the bite I pull my hands up pretty quickly (maybe too quick or too hard).  And then I extend my arms further out (but not too far) from my body to allow for absorption of the hard runs that SMB are known for. For one fish I had casted the DS pretty far away.  He hit at the end of the cast and I "leaned" into him - thought I was doing everything right, but lost him near the end of the fight - so I'm not sure if that one was my fault or not.

 

Am I right by letting the fish set the hook on himself after the initial "lean" into him?  What should I do when he makes the run to the surface and eventually catapults 3 feet in the air?  I've lost more fish on this characteristic run to the surface followed by the jump

I have found using a light wire hook works best to punch thru and get a hook set. I let the fish bite 3 times or so and then take up the slack and lifting the rod with a moderate hook set. No hard swing for hook set with the lighter wire.

Your setup sounds good. Personally I prefer a ML-F rod around the same length as yours, but that's just me. 

 

Usually if I'm smallie fishing I will use a 4 to 1 size hook. Rarely I will step it up to a 1/O if fishing for lmb, but even then a size 1 is usually my choice. I fish for walleye and crappie a lot (size 6 to 2 hooks usually,) and have caught plenty of decent bass on size 6 and 4 hooks in the process (but I've also caught plenty of bluegill on size 1.) I've found size 2 hooks to be a great all-around smallie size. Keep in mind that I usually throw small 3-5" baits on a ds, so I choose my hooks accordingly.

 

I set the hook on a ds similar to how one would on a jig, but with more of a reeling action. Basically the moment I feel something different on my line I lower my rod tip about a foot momentarily (usually 1-2 seconds,) then slowly swing straight up (follow through) while reeling in the slack. This method has proven to be the most effective for me. Once you get the hang of it you can tell whether a fish has eaten the lure, or simply swiped at it. With this technique I can boat a lot of fish that are only investigating my offering (e.g. hooked on the side of the lip.)

 

Once I have a fish hooked, I usually apply increasing pressure as I reel them towards me. If it's a bigger fish, I'll really swing into it once it's hooked to drive it home. 

 

Your line choice is ideal. I usually use 10-15lb braid with 6-8lb fluoro leader. Typically I'll set the drag really light with a ds (around 25-30% the strength of the weakest link in the line [usually the leader knot,]) and once I have a fish on I will really lay it in; letting the drag do it's thing. On larger fish the drag will engage on the hook set. 

I would drop back to the #1 hooks if the size of the bait allows.  The couple time I increased to a 1/0 I didn't like it.   I have caught a bunch of big fish on #2's and 4's as well, but the #1 is my all purpose smallie hook.

 

As for fish launching, Once I sense the fish rising quickly to the surface, I try to pull fairly hard to the side with the rod tip low to try to get them to turn and start digging again.   Once in the air, anything can (and usually does) happen.

 

I also prefer a ML rod for extra shock absorption.   I don't lean into anything when hook setting, I still cross their eyes, but I also use straight flouro.

I bend the hook out a tad bit on my octopus hooks so the point is not directed as much towards the loop. Its really not much, but I feel like it helps me get better hook ups.

I'd try a circle hook. Size 4 or maybe a little smaller. If you've never used a circle hook there's lots of good videos that explain how they work. 

 

The one you lost that was casted out a ways sounds like a good time to use one. When you feel your rod start to load start reeling in. There's no real need to set the hook. The circle hook does all the work for you. Once the hook is lodged you're good. Fish on! 

You need to rethink the rod with braid. X fast should be moderate fast like a 2 power drop shot rod, your rod sounds like a 3 power XFast and may tear out mouth skin hooked fish...not much give in this set up. Another option is a1.5-2.0 drag tension.

Tom

i have a Kistler magnesium technique specific DS rod that's MLF - but I found it to have a heavy tip and not balance that well.  I've been using an older St Croix Legend Elite 68mxf lately.  Which rod would you use with 12 lb braid to 8 lb leader?

I use a ML with 10 or 15 lb braid and bend the hook to the side a little as well.

I'd try a circle hook. Size 4 or maybe a little smaller. If you've never used a circle hook there's lots of good videos that explain how they work. 

 

The one you lost that was casted out a ways sounds like a good time to use one. When you feel your rod start to load start reeling in. There's no real need to set the hook. The circle hook does all the work for you. Once the hook is lodged you're good. Fish on! 

 

I only use circle hooks on my dropshot rigs. I did really well with them this past Sunday. As soon as the fish take the bait and start swimming off, i just lift my rod slightly and start reeling. Then the hook just does the work. My circle hooks are Eagle Claw 3/0 size though. Even the small bass doesn't seem to have problems with that size.

i have a Kistler magnesium technique specific DS rod that's MLF - but I found it to have a heavy tip and not balance that well.  I've been using an older St Croix Legend Elite 68mxf lately.  Which rod would you use with 12 lb braid to 8 lb leader?

The ML-F sounds like the ticket, but either will suffice. As for the balance issue, what size reel do you have on it? A Tennessee grip works well on a ds rod, and will allow you to balance the rod to your liking.

My dropshot setup is a 6'6" ML with 8 LB fluoro.  35 size Pflueger spinning reel.  I almost always use 1/0 or size 1 Gammy dropshot/octopus hooks.  Roboworms/Z-drops/meatheads.

 

I feel the nibble and just slightly pull up and to the side.  Usually fish is hooked.  I don't jerk.  Just slow deliberate hookset.

Man I feel lonely. Am I the only one using a 2/0? In my defense I actually have great hookupability.

Man I feel lonely. Am I the only one using a 2/0? In my defense I actually have great hookupability.

Hey, whatever works man. I went back and forth on this for a long time before settling on the smaller hooks. I might fish a 2/O too if I was smallie fishing in TN

I use a 1/0 or 1 vmc Ds hook with 8 lb floro, I was using a 6'8" Fenwick techna av Mf rod and a quantum smoke pti 25 reel but I traded it for a small boat. My new rig is a gl3 with a soron stx reel. When I feel a bite I reel slow and lift the rod slowly, I get pretty good hooksets this way.

Check out the Aaron martens Ds video on you tube

I use a 1/0 widegap hook, just like a normal texas rig hook. I have had alot better hooksets with this hook vs those small hooks. I have a M action rod but im thinkin of tryin a MH next year to give me a lil more backbone. And yes a nice fast reel and steady lift should land more. I personally have lost more fish with the smaller hooks and have had much better luck switching

The equipment is fine, just a matter of perfecting your own technique, I don't see a major problem in landing them.

Like Ike said, dont set the hook, reel into the fish, and make sure your using the correct rod size and action