Last week, I presented anglers with an introduction to the drop-shot rig that can be used to catch largemouth bass and crappie during the winter months. I received several email questions after last week’s article so this week we will take a closer look at the proper rigging and use of the drop-shot.

Let us take a closer look at knot tying, hook selection, line selection, weight selection, spinning equipment versus baitcasting equipment, selecting soft plastic baits and locations to use the drop-shot.

Originally the drop-shot was used almost exclusively for fishing vertically under the boat. Anglers would locate fish either on the bottom or suspended and drop the rig to just above where the fish were holding. Then the angler would simply let the selected plastic bait move with the current or the angler would give the bait a tantalizing movement by simply shaking the rod.

During the winter months fishing the drop-shot rig vertically is the best technique, but it can also be fished as one would a Texas rig worm even in deep water. I know anglers that are using the drop-shot very successfully in many situations on both Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair.

Anglers have found the versatility of the drop-shot rig and have made the rig part of their arsenal for catching largemouth bass at all times of the year. Those anglers use the rig in deep and shallow water and during daytime and nighttime fishing. But we are now in the wintertime fishing season, so we will look at drop-shot rigging for winter bass and crappie.

Most anglers use spinning equipment when using the drop-shot rig but light baitcasting equipment can also be used. Everything about the rig is intended to be light from the line used, to the hook used, to the weight or sinker used and to the plastic bait used.

Recommended components for the drop-shot rig are 4 to 10 pound fluorocarbon line, hook sizes from No. 6 up to 2/0, weights from 1/16 to 1/4 ounce and small 3 to 6 inch plastic baits. Those components vary little regardless of what time of year you are fishing.

Special hooks, sinkers and plastic baits are available for using and rigging the drop-shot rig. One of the most critical steps in rigging the drop-shot is tying the hook to the line. First the angler needs to determine the length of the leader or distance between the weight at the bottom and the hook riding above.

Leaders can be as little as 6 inches but as much as several feet. For wintertime fishing a short leader of 6 to 8 inches is recommended. Many of the fish during the winter months will be located very close if not right on the bottom.

Once the length of the leader is determined the initial step is to tie the hook to the line using a Palomar knot and make sure that the hook point is left riding upward. Once the Palomar knot has been tied, take the tag end of the line and pass it back down through the hook eye. That will ensure that the hook and the plastic bait stand straight out from main line.

Available at tackle stores now is a hook named StandOut that is designed to hold the plastic bait for largemouth bass or minnow for crappie in place and straight out from the main line. I just started using the hook this week and I am impressed with how it works. The StandOut comes in sizes No. 4 to 2/0.

Next tie the sinker onto the end of the leader line using any knot the angler prefers. There are special drop-shot sinkers available that do not require the tying of a knot.

Next attach the plastic bait to the hook. This is where several options are available to the angler. Most anglers prefer to nose hook the plastic bait and then thread the hook through the plastic bait but leave the hook point exposed for better hook setting. Nose hooking and Texas rigging the worm are best options during the winter.

Most wintertime anglers fish the drop-shot directly below the boat. Always maintain contact between the bottom and the sinker. When current is available the rig does not require the angler to give the bait much action. However a slight shaking of the rod tip will give a tantalizing movement to the plastic bait.

This technique demonstrates why the drop-shot is so effective. You can leave the plastic bait in one location for several minutes and any largemouth bass close by just cannot resist what appears to be a tantalizing meal gyrating in the water.

Good electronics are very important when using the drop-shot rig. You can often spot the fish and actually see the fish take the plastic bait when angling for largemouth bass. The largemouth bass will always be around or near large schools of shad baitfish so that is where you want to fish.

The techniques for using the drop-shot rig to catch largemouth bass are endless and the rig is even used by many crappie anglers to catch crappie when they are holding in deep locations during the winter months. Find a large pod or school of baitfish on your depth finder and drop a minnow hooked on the drop-shot (rigged with a small crappie hook) down through baitfish and be ready for some excellent catches of crappie.

Using the drop-shot during the winter months requires a patient angler willing to spend time on the water using the rig. Certainly the drop-shot is not for every angler, but it might be the difference between success and failure during a tough winter day of fishing.

Good fishing and see you next week.