Hey guys so lately I have been watching a lot of MLF online. A lot of the pros spend a lot of time using a drop shot, which is something I am very new to. My question is about the hook set. I have always thought that you use circle or octopus hooks with a drop shot, and I also thought that with those types of hooks you arent supposed to hook set vertically but more horizontally like a sweep. However I have seen a lot of them set the hook by pulling the rod upwards. So my question is, are they using circle hooks and it is actually ok to set the hook like that, or are they using some other type of hook?

With a DS rig, all you really have to do to get a good hookset is a lightly firm sweep upwards and reel into the fish.

I think most guys reel into the fish until they have solid contact and then sweep the rod.  The hooks is set while reeling, the rod sweep just helps drive it deeper.

Some use circle hooks, but not as often as an open hook like the Gamakatsu Split Shot hook. Because its mainly a tight line technique, its usually very easy to detect a bite. So using circle hooks to protect from gut hooking isn't very necessary. Most of these anglers you're watching are using some sort of normal open hook, and they are setting it like normal.

You really gotta remember what you have in your hands. I lost an absolute monster yesterday when using light line with a circle hook when I had a brain fart and cracked her with a flipping style hook set on six lb line.

 

Dropshots will fish any bait, theres nothing you cant throw on it. I fish some really really small baits at times and catch some big fish.

Thanks for all the replies guys that makes a lot more sense now. I was wondering for those of yall that fish them, what size weights do you use for different depths?

I use anything from 1/8 all the way up to about 1/2. It depends on the conditions. You need to use a heavy enough weight to be able to feel it given the weather and water conditions.

For weights I use 1/8 ounce unless I'm in heavier winds.