This is probably a dumb question, but does anyone have any weird tips to get a drop shot to hit the water more quietly. Specifically when fishing shallow cover like cypress and docks. I have some success slowing or stopping the cast like I do flipping a bait caster, but can't get anywhere near that consistency/accuracy with spinning gear. 90% of the time I'm throwing a finesse worm on a 1/0 EWG about 8-12" above a 1/4 ounce tungsten drop shot weight. I know I'm missing fish when I splash that thing right on their heads in 2 ft of water. 

Cast with sidearm underhand lob and just before it hits the water lift the rod tip up slightly. 
With a spinning reel you’ll have to use your off hand as you would your thumb in a casting setup to control your accuracy 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike

I've been using casting gear for pitching the dropshot rig to shallow cover with a bfs reel/spool and 1/8-3/16oz weight for a long time, I find the lighter weight makes it an extremely stealthy and natural presentation. 

That's a pretty darn heavy weight you're using for shallow water IMO.

4 hours ago, JHoss said:

This is probably a dumb question, but does anyone have any weird tips to get a drop shot to hit the water more quietly. Specifically when fishing shallow cover like cypress and docks. I have some success slowing or stopping the cast like I do flipping a bait caster, but can't get anywhere near that consistency/accuracy with spinning gear. 90% of the time I'm throwing a finesse worm on a 1/0 EWG about 8-12" above a 1/4 ounce tungsten drop shot weight. I know I'm missing fish when I splash that thing right on their heads in 2 ft of water. 

In water that shallow you might try going with a weightless presentation;  just my opinion.

17 hours ago, Mike L said:

Cast with sidearm underhand lob and just before it hits the water lift the rod tip up slightly. 
With a spinning reel you’ll have to use your off hand as you would your thumb in a casting setup to control your accuracy 

This is standard for me whenever I can. I probably just need more practice with the spinning gear to get better at it. 

 

17 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

I've been using casting gear for pitching the dropshot rig to shallow cover with a bfs reel/spool and 1/8-3/16oz weight for a long time, I find the lighter weight makes it an extremely stealthy and natural presentation. 

This is something I've been considering. The only catch I see is when I'm fishing it in more open water and want to avoid the pendulum effect. 

 

15 hours ago, RRocket said:

That's a pretty darn heavy weight you're using for shallow water IMO.

You're probably right. I mostly do that for the versatility. I can go from fishing in 2 ft to hitting a brush pile in 20 feet without any re-rigging. Often times I'm forced to go to 1/4 to maintain good contact in the wind. But next time, I'll try going to down to 1/8 and see if I can get away with it. 

 

13 hours ago, Tackleholic said:

In water that shallow you might try going with a weightless presentation;  just my opinion.

I'll almost always try that first. Sometimes I find they really want it suspend it, though. 

I would use a lighter weight,  1/8oz, for that shallow of water. I only use a 1/4oz for 10-20 feet. 3/16 is generally my go between.  I would side arm cast and thumb the spool to slow it down or feather your cast if you're using spinning gear. I would also use a shorter line, like 4in, for your weight.  It still keeps the weight off the bottom and it help with the weight yo-yoing. 

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

I would use a lighter weight,  1/8oz, for that shallow of water. I only use a 1/4oz for 10-20 feet. 3/16 is generally my go between.  I would side arm cast and thumb the spool to slow it down or feather your cast if you're using spinning gear. I would also use a shorter line, like 4in, for your weight.  It still keeps the weight off the bottom and it help with the weight yo-yoing. 

I've probably got some lead 3/16's but will order some Tungstens to test out. I agree that shortening the weight line would help, but I wonder how far off the bottom a 4" line gets your bait when it's 30 yards out in 2 ft of water. 

My drop shots don't make any noise because I don't fish it. 😆

8 minutes ago, JHoss said:

I've probably got some lead 3/16's but will order some Tungstens to test out. I agree that shortening the weight line would help, but I wonder how far off the bottom a 4" line gets your bait when it's 30 yards out in 2 ft of water. 

I use a 4in line to the weight all the time when I fish one particular pond and a few spots on a local lake when I'm kayak fishing.  Both spots have shallow sandy flats. I just toss it and slowly drag it in or hold it in place if possible. My favorite drop shot baits to use are the Berkley Flat Worm and a 3in Megabass Hazedong shad. I also like fishing the OSP Dice with the same technique.  

The height of the rig above where you aim it is what causes the splash.  Either eliminate that height distance (sidearm, skip or lighter weight) or cast beyond your target and draw it back. Btw, 1/4 is my everyday weight and I never go down, only up, for deeper presentations.  

8 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I use a 4in line to the weight all the time when I fish one particular pond and a few spots on a local lake when I'm kayak fishing.  Both spots have shallow sandy flats. I just toss it and slowly drag it in or hold it in place if possible. My favorite drop shot baits to use are the Berkley Flat Worm and a 3in Megabass Hazedong shad. I also like fishing the OSP Dice with the same technique.  

Where in the country are you? I've been trying to get the dice baits to work all summer and have only caught a handful of bass on them.

 

For any of the BFS guys, does the drop shot create a bunch of line twist? I don't like casting a line-to-leader knot through casting rod guides, so I'd want to throw it on 10-12 lb straight fluoro. 

1 hour ago, JHoss said:

Where in the country are you? I've been trying to get the dice baits to work all summer and have only caught a handful of bass on them.

 

For any of the BFS guys, does the drop shot create a bunch of line twist? I don't like casting a line-to-leader knot through casting rod guides, so I'd want to throw it on 10-12 lb straight fluoro. 

My drop shot setup for OSP dice...... I use spinning gear, braid (pe 1.2) to a 10lb FC leader, an Owner centering pin size small, Decoy or Gamakatsu rigged drop shot hook size 3 or 2 (sometimes bigger), and a 1/8 to 1/4 oz tungsten weight.  I put the pin in top of the bait, the hook through the centering pin and then screw the hook secure to the bait. I fish it sort of like a jerkbait.  Rod pointed down, I tap the slack, and let it sit. The idea is to get the bait to flex and then relax. I have no clue what the fish think it is but it works.  Its not my go to but its fun to fish. 

 

For whatever reason,  I don't like throwing a drop shot on casting gear. I'm in Indiana by the way. 

 

3 hours ago, JHoss said:

The only catch I see is when I'm fishing it in more open water and want to avoid the pendulum effect.

Understandable but easily mitigated by finishing high with the rod and/or slightly overcasting.

On 9/26/2025 at 1:25 PM, FishTank said:

My drop shot setup for OSP dice...... I use spinning gear, braid (pe 1.2) to a 10lb FC leader, an Owner centering pin size small, Decoy or Gamakatsu rigged drop shot hook size 3 or 2 (sometimes bigger), and a 1/8 to 1/4 oz tungsten weight.  I put the pin in top of the bait, the hook through the centering pin and then screw the hook secure to the bait. I fish it sort of like a jerkbait.  Rod pointed down, I tap the slack, and let it sit. The idea is to get the bait to flex and then relax. I have no clue what the fish think it is but it works.  Its not my go to but its fun to fish. 

 

For whatever reason,  I don't like throwing a drop shot on casting gear. I'm in Indiana by the way. 

 

I've been rigging them the same way basically. I'll experiment with that retrieve next time I try them. It's similar to how I've fished them wacky/neko. I've heard that pulse of water when you move it is what triggers most bites. Probably just need some more time tossing it. 

I'll let you know after I figure out how to get a 3 oz swimbait to land softer/quieter.     :)

I'd probably drop it down to 1/8 oz or 3/16.   I've been using a 1/4 for 20-25 fow.

Definitely go down on the weight - I don’t go to a 1/4 oz until I’m over 30’ deep. For skinny water (6’ or less), my preferred dropshot sinker is a #4 splitshot, with a 4”-6” dropper.

All depends on the depth I'm fishing. Skinny water (3'-6') I go down to a 1/16oz...then increase the weight as it gets deeper.