Friends & Neighbors,

 I bought me some small hooks and weights to try drop shotting. I got out yesterday for a little while at a pond near me. This makes twice (maybe not enough?) I've tried this way to fool Mr. LM. Both times gave it a fair :-/amount of time. Got tired of no strikes and switched to t-rig with same finesse worm and small worm (bullet) weight. It made all the difference in the world. Lots (relative word here) of strikes and hook-ups.

 What is the BIG difference supposed to be? I always wondered about weight being on one side of limb or whatever and bait on other side and if the fish is not supposed to feel the weight because of distance from hook, I thought that was why you used a weight that slides. Like I said, maybe I haven't given a fair chance. Really confused here ...

                                     As Ever,

                                      skillet

The major difference between the two is that on the DS rig, the bait is suspended or at least can be suspended a certain distance above the bottom.

With the T-rig, unless it floats, will sink to the bottom every time.

It is not so much so an advantage as opposed to them being different presentations. This gives you options.

The most notable thing I got from your experience is that the T-rig was more effective that time out. Perhaps next time, the DS will work.

I have found that one of the most effective ways to work the drop shot is on a semi-slack line.  When you "work" your bait, work the slack in the line. This will impart the action to your lure. As you picture your lure sinking back down (unless you're using roboworms) twitch your line again with your wrist. You only need small movements. I am sorry that I can't describe it well, so I hope you can picture that.  If you don't get a bite, dead stick or drag your rig to another spot and allow for a semi slack line.

Also, if your cover allows it, step down to 6# line, with FC line being my choice. Lighter lines aid in giving a lure a nicer action, so says Bill Dance, and I am finding myself agreeing with that.

Your bass might wise up to your T-rigs and this then is where you can use the DS to fool them again. Good luck next time with the drop shot.

yes a trig targets the bottom while the DS targets about a foot to 2 feet off the bottom    you can retrieve the trig alot faster than a dropshot   what im trying to say is that a dropshot is mostly a vertical presentation which means u locate fish with a graph then just pitch the bait right off the side of the boat   the trig u cast and retrieve it horizationally  if thats a word

The fact that you were fishing in a pond probably has a lot to do with it. The DS really shines in deep, clear water when fish are relating loosely to cover (suspended over stumps and rockpiles). I usually only drop shot in at least 15ft and usually in 20-40 ft.

The baits are genrally smaller and more natural, and typically you are seeing the fish off the bottom using your electronics.

The DS is a great tool for "sight fishing" deep if that makes sense. Find them on the graph, and drop (thus the name) the bait right down to them.

For most shallow or stained water applications, traditional power fishing tactics, like TX rigging will work better.

Texas rig, drop shot, are just tools.   When bass aren't relating to bottom, suspended, there are better tools to keep the bait in the strikezone.

I have used a drophot with the bait 4 foot of bottom, something a TX rig wouldn't allow me to do.     some times cranks are better suited for the job, some days its the spoon.

Both have their place in the boat.