Bass anglers became well aware of the advantages of fishing a drop-shot rig several years ago.
Catfish anglers are wondering what the fuss is all about, since they’ve been using rigs like the drop-shot for eons.
The premise behind this technique for bass anglers is that, rather than having a sensation-robbing weight between a lure and the angler, the lure comes between the weight and the angler.
For catfish anglers, they just want their baits up off the bottom in a more-visible zone for catfish that are feeding upstream.
This is definitely a finesse presentation that allows anglers to feel even the slightest tick on their line, and it does raise baits off the bottom — but saltwater anglers are noticing that the drop-shot also has several advantages other than increased feel and better depth control.
Whereas the standard Carolina rig seems to be the most-used method of fishing live bait near the bottom, Capt. Craig Matherne with Premiere Fishing Charters of Grand Isle believes a drop-shot rig is tailor-made for fishing the rocks on the island’s surf side.
“First off, on the bare beaches from Caminada Pass to the first rock pile, there’s probably no better way to present live shrimp and croaker than with a Carolina rig,” he said. “But when you get to the rocks, a Carolina rig is going to get hung, and you’re going to loose the entire rig.”
To remedy that, Matherne switches to a drop-shot tied with a lighter line than his main line between the swivel and the weight.
“I generally tie my weight to the three-way swivel with 15-pound-test mono,” Matherne explained. “Since my bait is on a separate line tied to the other part of the swivel, I expect to get it back because my drop-line to my weight will break way before my main line.”
Not only is Matherne able to save some bait and hooks with a drop-shot, he is also able to present his shrimp and croakers to trout around the rocks in what he believes is a much more natural presentation.
Even with a 3-foot leader, a Carolina rig tends to keep a live bait close to the bottom. With a leader line tied as far as you want it to be above the weight of your drop line, your bait is able to swim naturally in the ebb and flow of the current right in that zone where you think trout are feeding best.
