One of the first bass fishing lures I ever used was a drop shot, and since then its grown to be one of my all time favorites. I started out throwing this rig in ponds and off the bank of a lake within walking distance. Since then I’ve graduated to a bass boat, giving me the opportunity to test this lure in different lakes and rivers all over the country. Throughout my travels I learned the power of the drop shot as it catches fish in virtually every fishery I’ve ever visited.
This lures not only catches fish all over the country, but it catches a variety of species as well. Ive caught bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish and many of other species on this style of lure. One species of fish this lure is especially effective on is smallmouth bass. The vast majority of smallmouth tournaments all over the country have been won on a drop shot, and there’s several reasons this lure is so productive. This feature highlights exactly why I think a drop shot is the best smallmouth lure of all time.
VERSATILITY
One of the biggest reasons the drop shot is so effective is because of its versatility. A drop shot rig consists of a fluorocarbon leader attached to a small worm hook and drop shot weight. This allows the bait to float above the bottom, creating an enticing action smallmouth bass can’t resist. This rig can be used in all conditions regardless of the depth, weather or season. I’ve had success fishing this lure shallow during the spring and deep during the summer months, only changing the size of my weight based on depth and preferred sink rate. You’re able to throw a variety of different plastics on this style of lure by changing out your hook size, which is perfect for dialing in your specific bite.
Another reason the drop shot is so versatile is because you’re able to target both suspended and bottom dwelling fish. This is ideal for smallmouth bass as they tend to roam the bottom as well as float throughout the water column. I target suspended smallmouth by pitching a drop shot in the direction the fish is traveling, and then watch as it follows my bait to the bottom. Once your bait reaches the bottom the bass will typically strike. This is perfect for targeting both aggressive and lethargic bass as it allows them plenty of opportunity to eat your lure. Not only is this rig extremely versatile, but it’s super simple to use.
EASY TO FISH
Drop shots are used by both professional anglers and weekend warriors alike. This lure doesn’t require any expensive equipment or special cadence, and it’s the perfect bait for getting someone into the sport. Unlike many lures that require precise casts and specific cadences, the rig can virtually be left alone. I typically fish a drop shot by throwing it out, letting it sit and slowly dragging it back to the boat. This is one of the biggest reasons I believe the drop shot to be the best smallmouth lure of all time. You don’t have to be an expert angler to find success with this rig, and its effectiveness has been proven by both professional and novice smallmouth anglers all over the country.
BAIT SELECTION
Bait selection is another reason this lure is so effective. While smallmouth will feed on larger forage, their primary food groups consist of perch, gobies, crayfish and other small prey. A drop shot is the perfect presentation for imitating all three of these forage groups as it allows you to change soft plastics with ease. Whenever I’m trying to imitate forage such as crayfish or gobies, I typically go with a Berkley Maxscent Flat Worm. This is likely the most famous smallmouth plastic of all time, and it’s always a safe bet whenever you’re deciding what plastic to throw.
Whenever I’m imitating perch or other types of baitfish, I like to go with a traditional minnow-style plastic. A few of my favorites include the Z-Man Scented Jerk Shadz and the Great Lakes Finesse Drop Minnow. I prefer the Great Lakes Finesse Drop Minnow whenever I’m trying to imitate small forage such as shiners or perch. Its neutral buoyancy does a great job keeping this lure even in the water column, providing you with a super natural presentation. I prefer the Z-Man Scented Jerk Shadz whenever I’m imitating slightly larger forage such as gizzard shad or bluegill. This bait comes in a variety of different sizes, however I typically stick with either the 3, 4 or 5-inch Jerk Shadz. Not only does a drop shot provide you with a wide bait selection, but it also doesn’t require any electronics to be successful.
WORKS WITH OR WITHOUT ELECTRONICS
Like I mentioned previously, I grew up fishing this rig from the bank. I didn’t have forward facing sonar, mapping or any of the other amazing electronics I’m fortunate enough to use today. Even though I didn’t have this technology, I still caught loads of fish on a drop shot. Even today I still catch fish on this lure without the use of electronics. One of my favorite places to fish is a little smallmouth stream by my house in Knoxville, Tennessee. I fish it frequently from the bank with family and friends. We catch tons of bass in deep holes and current breaks using a drop shot. While I love fishing small streams and rivers such as this, I use this rig in conjunction with electronics on larger bodies of water.
Forward facing sonar has become a valuable tool for me when using a drop shot, especially when targeting northern smallmouth. I recently made a trip to Lake St. Clair for a Bassmaster Open and finished 19th out of 225 anglers. I caught numerous fish using forward facing sonar and a drop shot rigged with a Great Lakes Finesse Drop Minnow. I cruised deep sand flats looking for cruisers both on the bottom and floating in the water column. Whenever I saw a fish I’d pitch my drop shot towards it, waiting to see how it would react. While some ignored my lure, most would strike once it reached the bottom. I caught my two biggest smallmouth of the week using this prevention, each weighing 5.09 and 5.04 pounds.
Its no secret that a drop shot is one of the best smallmouth bass fishing lures of all time. This rig checks all the boxes, allowing you to catch fish 365 days out of the year without any special techniques or equipment. This is a rig I’ve been using since I first started smallmouth fishing, and its something every angler should have in their arsenal. If your looking to catch more and bigger smallmouth, I highly recommend using a drop shot on your next fishing excursion.
