A simple hair tie keeps the sinker cinched down tight
Drop-shot rigs are awesome for many reasons: They’re low-cost, easy to tie and best used with spinning tackle.
It’s a great way to fish the bottom, whether you are fishing horizontally or vertically and, best of all — a drop-shot’s design utilizes maximum sensitivity of the rod.
That’s because the sinker is positioned at the bottom of the rig, beneath the hook.
Because of this, it’s much easier for inshore anglers to feel a soft speckled trout bite, whether the water is low and cold, or if the specks are just being finicky.
On days most inshore anglers might struggle, you’ll be catching limits.
But, there is one thing anglers definitely find annoying about the drop-shot rig, and that’s its awkward configuration.
It works great in the water, but not so much when the rod is stowed.
Many anglers end up avoiding the drop-shot because the dangling sinker bangs into the side of the center console, or gets tangled up on other rods.
If anglers knew this simple trick, they’d fish a drop-shot more often (and look like an inshore version of KVD).
How to secure a drop-shot rig
Most rods already have a keeper for the hook, but that leaves the sinker hanging below the spinning reel, ready to potentially knock gelcoat off your boat.
To avoid this you should fasten the sinker to the rod using something sleek, cheap and easy to find.
I use hair ties from the store or from atop of my girlfriend’s head — whichever is most convenient.
A few wraps around the bottom of the rod keeps it nice and tight, and that’s right where the sinker stays until it’s time to hammer some trout.
Check out the pictures to get a better visual on securing the sinker.
Speaking of helpful pictures and learning, I have a lot of awesome content on my blog, and tons of video in my university.
There I have specialized courses dealing with different aspects of inshore fishing, with instructor support from me. Be sure to check out the previews.
Until then, tight lines — and I hope to see y’all on the water one day.
Editor’s Note: Devin Denman is an avid inshore fisherman who writes the Louisiana Fishing Blog. To read more of his articles, visit lafishblog.com.
