Found your channel a couple weeks ago. Subscribed and have been going over past videos. Sounds like you're describing a traditional drop shot rig and the leader is from the swivel you referenced to the weight. Where you tie your hook will dictate the placement of the bait between the swivel and weight. In an earlier video, you mentioned you didn't like the knot going through the eye of the hook and mentioned the 3-way barrel swivel. You had me sold! I ordered and already put them in my tackle box. Would the information in this video transfer over to the 3-way swivel? Putting out some great info and tips that I really want to try this season. By the way, is that river you video on the St. Croix/Namekagon or Wisconsin?
im glad you enjoy the videos and yes the info should carry over to the 3 way swivel. As for the river it is neither the namekagon (which i do like to do inner tube floats with the family down) or the st. croix. Ive got several rivers located through the state that are fantastic smallmouth rivers. I actually just bought a small jet drive 16 ft flat bottom boat to explore some more!
Great Video as always Matt! Much appreciated Haven't used the drop shot technique much. But a few days ago I bought some weights and hooks to give it a go. May try and hit the lake this weekend. I fished hard a couple of weekends ago at Lake Pleasant near Phoenix Arizona. Was in the 40's with at least 20 mph winds. Bur. I was skunked. Not even one bite. Anyone ever fish Hidden Lake in Buckeye Arizona? Its a private Bass lake here Thanks William
@@MattStefanFishing Haven't fished there yet. Going to fish there in the spring. It's a little pricey. 25 for the boat 10 for each additional angler and parking is extra. With gas. Probably cost close to 100 bucks.
For any subs on the fence about adding a swivel to your drop shot.....absolutely do it. Used one today for first time ever and it was the first day that I didn't cuss at my drop shot rig, all joking aside I was impressed with zero line twist. Thanks for your tips, for sure I appreciate them.
Never leave the house without a dropshot rig to change it up sometimes when I'm fishing the st.lawrnce or lake Ontario I'll nose hook a STH 2.5 tube with a 4-6 inch lead. Great videos as always Matt
@@MattStefanFishing the crush worms have a been a staple in my boat for many years! Haven't had a chance to get my hands on some maxscent flat worms yet.
I learned to Drop-Shot in Washington state in the late 1990s from Yusuke Miyazaki. Now Settled down in my home state I have altered my Drop-Shot to accommodate for these big Texas Largemouth. I did take the idea from drift fishing Salmon and Steelhead and using hollow pencil weight instead of a tear drop or drop shot weight. I also generally use a 12 inch tag line but will adapt when needed. I like a Plum finesse worm and use a down shot “keeper” hook…
As far as line twist goes, when nose hooking a bait don't have the hook point exposed. Keeping the hook point in the bait will significantly reduce your line twist. With most soft plastics for drop shots being on the softer side, it's still easy getting the hook to penetrate through the plastic and into the fish. I started doing it this way as opposed to using a swivel
My best drop shot bait on the Great Lakes has been the gulp minnow in emerald shiner color. The smallmouth eat them like candy and I have had some of my most productive 100 fish days. Thank you Berkley !!!!!!😁😁😁😁😁😁
I've learned to keep pre-rigged drop shot rigs of different lengths also. Saves lots of time on the water. Learned the same trick with the swivel up top. I've learned that over the years of walleye jigging in Lake Erie. When fishing is tough, my last resort is dropshotting with a 4" Zoom Dead Ringer worm. My favorite clear water worm color is watermelon Chartreuse. I love the ribbed design of the Erie Darter with its extra slow fall, but I'm not too impressed with the density of the plastic. I'm sure it feels soft to a fish's mouth but they get torn up so fast. For Lake Erie goby presentations, I sometimes use a homemade punch shot rig using those thin wire shafts that Jann's Netcraft and others sell. I think the key is to have baits that fall at different rates to find out what the fish want that day. Thanks for sharing your tips!
Great tips. Thanks Matt:-) I used the BBB smallie smasher when the flat worms were out and had good luck with them. Also RI shiver shot and Missle quivers have done well for me. I prefer a 7’1” rod for DS, too. Little longer for shakeyhead though (how bout you)? Thanks
So Matt when you were talking about using a “short leader” were you actually referring to the tag below the hook, e.g. 3” tag for Great Lakes to remain tight to bottom where gobies live? You mentioned “short leader” aka tag for vertical and river/current situations as well but didn’t mention what length? Longer tag for casting scenario makes sense, good tip. What’s your take on pencil vs teardrop weights. I use pencil in the grass as it goes in/out cleaner, teardrop for current as pencil tips over easier and promotes knot breakage on your weight tie. I like your idea about the swivel for minimizing line twist and easier wholesale DS rig changes on the fly but I use the vmc spinshot to accomplish the same goals. They make an 2/0 light wire EWG version of it which works well for power shotting but I haven’t found an inbetween straight shank spinshot yet for texas rigging finesse worms for largies.
Great comment! Thanks!. The leader length I'm referring to is the length from the weight to the hook. For river fishing my leader is usually 6 inches and vertical 8-12". As for weights I prefer the pencil over anything else. They come through grass great and don't get as snagged in rock IMO.
@@MattStefanFishing one more followup, for the 6” roboworm straight tail for largies do you go with regular or fat? Roboworm rebarb straight shank... light or medium wire? Size recommended for the 6” roboworm... 1/0, 1, 2?
Hey Matt: Great channel and content. I'm new to dropshotting in my kayak. As for baits, I really like the 6" ZMAN Long ShotZ because they'll endure being nose hooked. For weedless, I intend to put them on a Gamakatsu 58409 size 2. Sound good?
Damiki is a tough call for a co as you have no control over where the boat goes and it assumes the boater leaves graph on for you to see what’s under the motor. You are better off figuring out the drop shot. Last year was my breakout year with it cashed a few checks from the back of the boat. Prior to that I had very little confidence in the technique. I shied away mainly because I thought it was a video game presentation. With increased fish pressure it has become harder for guys to drop on em which made me realize I could catch em away from the boat just the same as my boater. I use the vmc spin shot to reduce line twist and have not had any issues with it. Best of luck.
Great comments as always…thanks Matt!
Thanks again!
Buy the book “The last Guide.” This episode is heart warming.
ill check it out
Great tips Matt
Glad you like them!
A great video for livescopers.
thanks for watching
Found your channel a couple weeks ago. Subscribed and have been going over past videos. Sounds like you're describing a traditional drop shot rig and the leader is from the swivel you referenced to the weight. Where you tie your hook will dictate the placement of the bait between the swivel and weight. In an earlier video, you mentioned you didn't like the knot going through the eye of the hook and mentioned the 3-way barrel swivel. You had me sold! I ordered and already put them in my tackle box. Would the information in this video transfer over to the 3-way swivel? Putting out some great info and tips that I really want to try this season. By the way, is that river you video on the St. Croix/Namekagon or Wisconsin?
im glad you enjoy the videos and yes the info should carry over to the 3 way swivel. As for the river it is neither the namekagon (which i do like to do inner tube floats with the family down) or the st. croix. Ive got several rivers located through the state that are fantastic smallmouth rivers. I actually just bought a small jet drive 16 ft flat bottom boat to explore some more!
Great Video as always Matt! Much appreciated Haven't used the drop shot technique much. But a few days ago I bought some weights and hooks to give it a go. May try and hit the lake this weekend. I fished hard a couple of weekends ago at Lake Pleasant near Phoenix Arizona. Was in the 40's with at least 20 mph winds. Bur. I was skunked. Not even one bite. Anyone ever fish Hidden Lake in Buckeye Arizona? Its a private Bass lake here
Thanks William
i like the sounds of a private bass lake
@@MattStefanFishing Haven't fished there yet. Going to fish there in the spring. It's a little pricey. 25 for the boat 10 for each additional angler and parking is extra. With gas. Probably cost close to 100 bucks.
For any subs on the fence about adding a swivel to your drop shot.....absolutely do it.
Used one today for first time ever and it was the first day that I didn't cuss at my drop shot rig, all joking aside I was impressed with zero line twist. Thanks for your tips, for sure I appreciate them.
Thanks for the support!
Never leave the house without a dropshot rig to change it up sometimes when I'm fishing the st.lawrnce or lake Ontario I'll nose hook a STH 2.5 tube with a 4-6 inch lead. Great videos as always Matt
I just started using the STH baits and like them a lot!
@@MattStefanFishing the crush worms have a been a staple in my boat for many years! Haven't had a chance to get my hands on some maxscent flat worms yet.
Matt Stephan for president!
haha
I learned to Drop-Shot in Washington state in the late 1990s from Yusuke Miyazaki. Now Settled down in my home state I have altered my Drop-Shot to accommodate for these big Texas Largemouth. I did take the idea from drift fishing Salmon and Steelhead and using hollow pencil weight instead of a tear drop or drop shot weight. I also generally use a 12 inch tag line but will adapt when needed. I like a Plum finesse worm and use a down shot “keeper” hook…
thanks for sharing!
Gulp minnow 6 inch leader to the weight a flounder pounder
nice!
As far as line twist goes, when nose hooking a bait don't have the hook point exposed. Keeping the hook point in the bait will significantly reduce your line twist. With most soft plastics for drop shots being on the softer side, it's still easy getting the hook to penetrate through the plastic and into the fish. I started doing it this way as opposed to using a swivel
thanks for sharing
Thoughts on the VMC spinshot dropshot hooks with the swivel on the nose of the hook itself?
i havent beein as imperessed as I was hoping honestly but im going to continue to give them tries
My best drop shot bait on the Great Lakes has been the gulp minnow in emerald shiner color. The smallmouth eat them like candy and I have had some of my most productive 100 fish days. Thank you Berkley !!!!!!😁😁😁😁😁😁
thas a killer bait!
Roboworm FX sculpin is a favorite
That is a good worm!
When is the best time and water color for morning dawn colors? I’ve yet to catch a fish on that color.
clear water in the summer
@@MattStefanFishing thank you.
The dropshot is my get the skunk out the boat setup. Great video!
Its a great bait for putting fish in the boat that's for sure!
Didn't know about improved clinch thought every one used palomar ..That's gonna make it easier for me thanks alot.
I've learned to keep pre-rigged drop shot rigs of different lengths also. Saves lots of time on the water. Learned the same trick with the swivel up top. I've learned that over the years of walleye jigging in Lake Erie. When fishing is tough, my last resort is dropshotting with a 4" Zoom Dead Ringer worm. My favorite clear water worm color is watermelon Chartreuse. I love the ribbed design of the Erie Darter with its extra slow fall, but I'm not too impressed with the density of the plastic. I'm sure it feels soft to a fish's mouth but they get torn up so fast. For Lake Erie goby presentations, I sometimes use a homemade punch shot rig using those thin wire shafts that Jann's Netcraft and others sell. I think the key is to have baits that fall at different rates to find out what the fish want that day. Thanks for sharing your tips!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge as well. All great info!
Great finish dude!! Congrats and love your channel and content.
Thanks a bunch!
Love the drop shot
Always great info Matt love the content sir!!
Thanks!
Great tips. Thanks Matt:-) I used the BBB smallie smasher when the flat worms were out and had good luck with them. Also RI shiver shot and Missle quivers have done well for me. I prefer a 7’1” rod for DS, too. Little longer for shakeyhead though (how bout you)? Thanks
I agree with everything you said! I use 7'3" for shaky heads
Would like to hear your dropshotting tips for bank anglers.
Noted!
Been drop shooting before electronic made it to easy lol 😆 see fish drop down catch'em
I’ve had good results from the KVD dream shots. You ever up your sizes for more of a “power shot”? Would be interested. Thanks
Yep i do like a power shot
How much fluorocarbon are you tie to your braid?
How long is the entire leader not just from the weight to bait
my leader is roughly the length of the depth of water im fishing
@@MattStefanFishing so if you're fishing in 20ft of water, you'll have 20ft of fluorocarbon tied to your braided line?
So Matt when you were talking about using a “short leader” were you actually referring to the tag below the hook, e.g. 3” tag for Great Lakes to remain tight to bottom where gobies live? You mentioned “short leader” aka tag for vertical and river/current situations as well but didn’t mention what length?
Longer tag for casting scenario makes sense, good tip.
What’s your take on pencil vs teardrop weights. I use pencil in the grass as it goes in/out cleaner, teardrop for current as pencil tips over easier and promotes knot breakage on your weight tie.
I like your idea about the swivel for minimizing line twist and easier wholesale DS rig changes on the fly but I use the vmc spinshot to accomplish the same goals. They make an 2/0 light wire EWG version of it which works well for power shotting but I haven’t found an inbetween straight shank spinshot yet for texas rigging finesse worms for largies.
Great comment! Thanks!. The leader length I'm referring to is the length from the weight to the hook. For river fishing my leader is usually 6 inches and vertical 8-12". As for weights I prefer the pencil over anything else. They come through grass great and don't get as snagged in rock IMO.
@@MattStefanFishing one more followup, for the 6” roboworm straight tail for largies do you go with regular or fat? Roboworm rebarb straight shank... light or medium wire? Size recommended for the 6” roboworm... 1/0, 1, 2?
@@wesvyverberg9517 i like the 6” regular with 1/0 light wire hook.
Good info. Great technique. Can't stand fishing it..... slow stuff drives me nuts. Keep up the great work.
Haha! It’s not for everybody
Good advice. Do you fish a drop shot during the spawn, and if so what leader length and bait preference?
I love the dropshot during the spawn. General i fish a 12 inch leader for spawners
Hey Matt: Great channel and content. I'm new to dropshotting in my kayak. As for baits, I really like the 6" ZMAN Long ShotZ because they'll endure being nose hooked. For weedless, I intend to put them on a Gamakatsu 58409 size 2. Sound good?
That's a great choice! Just make sure its the normal gauge wire and not the heavy cover EWG
I have a dedicated DS rod as a co-angler it's my Achilles heel could never get it.
Matt would a Damiki Rig be a good alternative?
Damiki is a tough call for a co as you have no control over where the boat goes and it assumes the boater leaves graph on for you to see what’s under the motor. You are better off figuring out the drop shot. Last year was my breakout year with it cashed a few checks from the back of the boat. Prior to that I had very little confidence in the technique. I shied away mainly because I thought it was a video game presentation. With increased fish pressure it has become harder for guys to drop on em which made me realize I could catch em away from the boat just the same as my boater. I use the vmc spin shot to reduce line twist and have not had any issues with it. Best of luck.
I agree with what Wes said !
I looked up that MHX blank and I can’t find it..?
Looks like it’s not offered currently. I also love this blank for dropshotting
www.mudhole.com/MHX-Elite-X-Rod-Blank-NSJ8515
The poor boy`s bait looks like a good goby imitator . Or do you have something better to mimic Goby`s
Its a good imitator but i really like poor boys Goby to mimic gobys.
@@MattStefanFishing Thanks for the tip and your reply