My local rivers have about 2 - 3 feet of visibility. I love drop shotting but haven't had much success on it locally. What are some good dirty water baits? Should I inverse the size of my weight to make more noise? Thanks.

I think that is enough visibility.  The advantage to going to a heavier weight would be that it would get down quicker and not be affected by current as much.  I fish in lakes, so current really isn't a consideration for me.  Fishing in a river, it might or might not be.  If you go with a heavier weight and stay with a light line, you will be popping off weights all the time.

I think that is enough visibility. The advantage to going to a heavier weight would be that it would get down quicker and not be affected by current as much. I fish in lakes, so current really isn't a consideration for me. Fishing in a river, it might or might not be. If you go with a heavier weight and stay with a light line, you will be popping off weights all the time.

I do a lot of casting the dropshot though then dragging it and shaking it. So that's why I question the heavier weight for more sound

When the water clarity isn't very good and I still want to drop shot I usually select a brighter color for my bait. The "hot tips" robo worms work really well. Their essentially regular robo worms with a chartreuse tip on the tail. I also use a larger worm too, going from 4 to 6. Another thing you can try is a shorter leader. I generally use long leaders in clear water and shorter ones in murky water.

When the water clarity isn't very good and I still want to drop shot I usually select a brighter color for my bait. The "hot tips" robo worms work really well. Their essentially regular robo worms with a chartreuse tip on the tail. I also use a larger worm too, going from 4 to 6. Another thing you can try is a shorter leader. I generally use long leaders in clear water and shorter ones in murky water.

that makes sense, I fish great lakes tribs so the shorter leader might help immitate goby.

The dropshot hooks with the tie-off on each end would be an option...lots of action.

I have have used a dropshot in what most people would almost considered mud . I use solid BLACK , fish will hold tight to cover if literally on or next to . As far as weight goes generally I use 1/8 - 3/ 16 max . But river fishing everything changes .

Sounds like you have sufficient water clarity. Try drifting with a shorter lead on your DS. Use a small (size 1 or 2) EWG worm hook for the plastic, so that you reduce snagging. You will probably have to use a heavier weight to keep your sinker dragging bottom. And use a bait rig type sinker, such as the Gapen Bait Walker, or one of the longer pencil shaped "bottom bouncer" types - again, to reduce hang ups. 

 

You might also want to take a look at controlling your boat by "slipping" the river, as opposed to drifting right along with the current. Another Gapen technique.

 Don't miss out on Drop shotting a Sk rage craw on a 2/0 ewg - don't forget to dip the claws  ~ !

 

A-Jay

Use a bright color robo worm....

Sounds like you have sufficient water clarity. Try drifting with a shorter lead on your DS. Use a small (size 1 or 2) EWG worm hook for the plastic, so that you reduce snagging. You will probably have to use a heavier weight to keep your sinker dragging bottom. And use a bait rig type sinker, such as the Gapen Bait Walker, or one of the longer pencil shaped "bottom bouncer" types - again, to reduce hang ups.

You might also want to take a look at controlling your boat by "slipping" the river, as opposed to drifting right along with the current. Another Gapen technique.

I use a worm hook right now. How heavy of a weight would you go? 1/4?

Don't miss out on Drop shotting a Sk rage craw on a 2/0 ewg - don't forget to dip the claws ~ !

A-Jay

put a tube on there instead. Little trick I found this year. I'm sure you've tried it.

put a tube on there instead. Little trick I found this year. I'm sure you've tried it.

 

Thanks you & I have Used a tube

 

But this season that Rage Craw was Lights Out !

 

A-Jay

I use a worm hook right now. How heavy of a weight would you go? 1/4?

Depends mainly on the current flow. Use whatever weight is necessary to keep dragging bottom - or close to it - while slipping that current. Using the slipping technique you can actually get away with less weight. There are many variables and you just have to experiment. I've gone up to 3/4 oz. in some cases.

Usually with reduced visibility I try to use a bulkier bait. One of my favorites is a Strike King Baby Rodent. It seems to be pretty effective in water down to about a foot to foot and a half of visibility. I think the added bulk moves more water and really helps them to find it, but it's not so much that it loses it's finesse and subtle appeal. 

Thanks you & I have Used a tube

But this season that Rage Craw was Lights Out !

A-Jay

I am yet to try it. Used tubes and dreamshots a lot this last year. Fish were eating gobies like crazy.

I am yet to try it. Used tubes and dreamshots a lot this last year. Fish were eating gobies like crazy.

 

No Doubt, tubes are very effective.

 

 But once you D-S the Craw - you might not ever use a tube again . . . . .

 

 

A-Jay

No Doubt, tubes are very effective.

But once you D-S the Craw - you might not ever use a tube again . . . . .

A-Jay

have you tried The Missle Baits drop craws?

have you tried The Missle Baits drop craws?

 

I have Not -

 

But then again, I may not need to . . .

 

A-Jay

IMO weight is a matter of bottom contact only ... not water clarity.  Water clarity is all about the bait ... I used a texas rigged power worm with good success in these conditions.  4-7"

For dirty water try a team davies ventana tearshot.

I have Not -

But then again, I may not need to . . .

A-Jay

too stuck on that rage craw?

IMO weight is a matter of bottom contact only ... not water clarity. Water clarity is all about the bait ... I used a texas rigged power worm with good success in these conditions. 4-7"

I'm aware of that, the extra weight would be for noise purposes.

I have used beads above the hook to clatter against each other

Stick a rattle in the plastic