Skip to content

Dropshotting in shallow water

Featured Replies

Anyone else tried fishing a dropshot in water less than, say, 5 feet deep? I know that it's generally a deep water techniquie, but would it still work in water that shallow? Any other thoughts on it?

I catch perch all the time with dropshotting in water only a few feet deep, but if you're asking about bass, I haven't really used it much for bass. I caught one once on a wacky rigged dropshotted finesse worm but I'm not real sure how deep the water was cause it was a pond.

  • Super User

Bed fishing drop shot is deadly.

Tom

I dropshot 90% of the time in shallow water and sometimes as low as 2 feet of water. It’s a very versatile presentation.

Yes, it's a very productive technique. I read an article last week about thinking "outside the box" with a dropshot and throwing it into all kinds of places. I often set my wife up with a dropshot to fish out of the back of the boat while I'm flipping docks and she does well with it. I didn't try it on beds this year but I plan to next year. 

I dropshot docks alot when they won't eat my jig. 3',5', 10'... My dropshot shows no discrimination towards depth. Only time I won't really throw it is in high winds.

  • Super User

For me, anywhere with a soft muck bottom is dropshot water, no matter how shallow it is. 

If you want to know about drop shotting shallow water, you should read up on how Chad Smith has been doing this year as a co-angler.

 

Drop shotting is his go-to.

 

https://www.bassmaster.com/chad-smith/my-co-angler-win-norman

I get bites on a dropshot 1-2 feet from shore in probably 12 inches of water.  If you observe bass in shallow water near the shoreline a lot of times they're not more than 3-4 feet off the bank, usually in a pack, staring at the shoreline or swimming parallel waiting for food to cross their face.

Great video of Chad Smith and his super year as a co-angler. He moves to the front of a boat next year, should do great. Thanks for sharing!

 

Regarding the drop shot, since I fish from either my canoe or my kayak, I only drop shot in relatively shallow water with the exception of one particular lake.

 

One technique when the fish are right up on the bank is to pitch a drop shot so the sinker lands a few inches or a foot or so up on dry land, this places your plastic bait right at the water's edge, then slowly drag it in.

 

Since shallow water drop shots are more presented more horizontally than the more vertical deeper water techniques, even a 12" leader down to the sinker likely puts the plastic at around 3 or 4" deep, great for even a foot of water.

 

I'd actually like MORE opportunities to drop shot deep but, alas, the combination of windy Texas lakes and big and fast moving bass boats makes it a little sketchy for me.  So, I typically hug the shoreline and drop shot away with good results!

 

Brad 

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.