![How to drop shot [Full Guide on drop shot fishing for perch]](https://wpbuzzlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/How-to-drop-shot-Full-Guide-on-drop-shot-fishing-for-perch.jpg)
For catching predatory species like perch, drop shotting is a common and comparatively simple method. You can start drop shot fishing with the assistance of this article.
Drop shot tackle or equipment
Before we start down the river, I actually went to the tackle shop to grab some equipment and get a new drop shot rod for myself because my old one broke when I stepped into a tree. So, don’t do that.
The rod I’ve selected is the ideal all-purpose drop shotting rod. Something between six and eight feet long is the length you need to search for, and it’s crucial that it be very light.
It should be light enough that you can carry it in your hand all day without getting tired or tense. Additionally, you should search for a rod with a casting weight of between 0 and 15 grams.
The casting weight of the one I’m holding is one to nine grams, so it has a really delicate and sensitive movement, heavier rods with a casting weight of at least 20 grams. The bite most likely won’t be noticeable through the rod tip. Therefore, a rod like this is ideal.
You can tell that this is a dedicated drop shot rod because it has a small white mark at the end. When the light is fading, especially when it’s starting to get dark, keeping an eye on that white dot on the end of the rod can help you spot bites.
This rod and reel combination will cost you about 60 pounds, which is a reasonable price for a beginner drop shot setup. The reel I have on it is little; I believe it is around 20 pounds.
To set up the rig, you will also need a few pieces of terminal tackle, but you won’t need as much equipment as you would for carp or pike fishing, which requires floats and other equipment.
You should use some fluorocarbon to tie your trace; a breaking strain of between four and eight pounds will work well. It goes without saying that you must determine the line strength that is appropriate for you based on the size of the fish and the number of snags in your line’s path.
A few drop-shot hooks of size six seem to be ideal for worms and soft plastic lures.
If you’re targeting somewhat larger fish with larger baits, you can use a bigger hook—possibly a size four—but size sixes work well for me, too, along with some drop shot weights. You’ll attach this to your line to give it weight so you can throw and pull your bait to the bottom.
The braid is also crucial because without it, your reel won’t feel the bite as strongly and you won’t be able to give your lure or worm any activity. Braid doesn’t stretch, so as you move the rod, the bait moves along with it.
Normal monofilament fishing line causes you to twitch the rod, but the stretch prevents you from being in direct contact with your bait.
Anyhow, after I buy these items—with the exception of the reel, which I’ll return—we’ll start our journey down the river.
How to tie the drop shot rig for perch fishing
We have arrived at the first location for the perch fishing, and I have already put up the rod. Drop shot rigs are quite easy to tie, much easier than float or feeder rigs.
I have a length of fluorocarbon that is between 1.5 and 2 feet long. I had already removed it from the spool, trimmed it to length, and attached my hook. To perform this, I thread the line with it, double the line over on itself, and tie a Palomar knot.
Once the Palomar has been formed, it is worthwhile to pull the fluro tight by threading it back through the eye.
The hook is kicked out and held at the desired angle so that you can hook a fish by threading the line back through the eye of the hook.
There are many different knots you may tie for the drop shot, but the ones that keep the hook straight out, ready for a fish to get hooked by, are the ones that perform best.
Sometimes when you tie a drop shot rig, the hook is sort of sitting to the side or upside down, and you’re just going to miss a lot of bites that way.
By simply tying a few overhand loops and looping them together, I’ve then tied the trace material to my braid. Albright knots are another option, though.
Finally, I’ve added a drop shot weight to the fluorocarbon’s tip. This can be positioned at any distance from the hook; nevertheless, it will sit at the bottom with the hook rising above it.
If there are a lot of weeds, you might want to position it farther from the weight so your hook will stay above them. Put the weight directly below the hook if you wish to fish towards the bottom or if you’ve seen fish below the deck.
I’m going to start with a gap of eight or nine inches between the weight and the hook. I’ll create a cast and see what we can find in the first spot.
How to move the bait
I’m going to try the first location for perch fishing beneath the bridge right away, very little depth exists. So I’m going to try tossing a worm underneath. I’m going to slip a few worms onto the hook.
When drop shotting, you can of course use soft plastic lures, and that’s a nice thing because it never goes off.
There is no need for you to purchase extra at the tackle store. You can keep them in your car at all times, but I prefer using worms since I like to start the day by getting a bite, and worms are great for that.
Allow the weight to descend all the way to the bottom; once it is there, I will tighten the rope until I can barely feel the weight.
The secret with the drop shot is to really jiggle the bait very, very gently, which is where having a sensitive rod tip comes into play.
As a result, do not simply throw it out and reel it in again. Tossing it in and letting it settle to the bottom is actually my preferred method. Allow it to remain motionless for a while, then give it a few little wiggles before bringing it back toward me very slowly.
Oh, what a nibble! Hey, I have the desired species, a perch, so that’s good. It’s a greedy one, and while it’s unclear how the little perch intended to ingest those two large, juicy worms, it made a commendable effort.
Despite how small it is, it’s a good beginning. When you fish with spinners or conventional lures like paddle tails and soft plastics, you usually cast in and reel back, which allows you to cover a lot of water very quickly.
It’s not exactly like that while drop shot fishing. Drop shot, in my opinion, is lure fishing done slowly. Instead of covering a lot of water and fishing a lot of swims, it’s delicately working an area slowly and trying to find those fish. Drop shot fishing enables you to thoroughly explore every square inch of space.
Striking
So, when you feel a bite and the braid is tight and the rod tip just taps a little bit, you want to place the hook very firmly, since perch have quite bony lips. To actually hook the fish, you must give it a big solid lift of the rod.
I would advise hitting quickly because perch can easily devour your bait. Whatever lure or bait you choose, perch may be vicious feeders, and when they want it, they’ll take it right down.
So, as soon as you see that rod tip, give it a small whip of the rod, set the hook, and you should be onto a fish.
Despite the difficulty, I was able to catch some elderly fish. I think that this was probably caused by the high temperatures and the low water level. When the river has a bit more flow and a little more color to it, I’ve definitely found that the fishing is at its best.
Since there weren’t many bites on this stretch, it was time to move on.
The last spot
The fishing has been extremely difficult here because it has been so hot. Normally, drop shotting works really well for me on slow-moving rivers and canals, and I’ve also caught a lot of perch from lakes using this technique.
Perch, though, are a species that like swallowing your hook. Even though this one isn’t too deep, I would still recommend bringing a pair of forceps if you’re going pipe or perch fishing.
Smaller fish were quickly nibbling on the worms, so it was best to switch to something plastic that would stay on the hook a little longer. I cast right on the edge of the swift current, and all I can think is that the fish are here because this is the only location in the river at the moment with an abundance of oxygen.
The fish are clearly enjoying the oxygen that is being pumped into the water by the churning.
When you really put a lot of action into the lure by giving it lots of twitches and movements, the perch will actually feed boldly and enthusiastically, which is quite good. Some days, in order to attempt and entice a bite, you must fish very slowly and very gently with your bait.
The day has been challenging, but the key has been to locate a location where the fish are genuinely feeding because of the sites we had previously seemed to be unappealing. Some fish might be found in the cooler, shadier areas of the shade, but the majority of hungry fish prefer to feed in the water that is moving quickly.
There we go, what a great little perch. Now, some perch fisherman with greater expertise will counter that it’s still a baby. Perch may weigh up to five pounds, so this is only a few ounces, but you can’t really complain. I’ve had a great day at fishing, and the drop shot has performed well despite the extremely hot and challenging conditions.
You could keep this rod and reel in your car at all times, come across some water, or even be like carp fishing and say, why not, I’ve got the gear, and sure the drop shot is so easy, so simple, you can catch perch from nearly anyplace.
FAQs on drop shot fishing for perch
How far should the weight be from the hook on a drop shot?
The ideal hook placement for shallower water is three to six inches above the weight. The hook can be adjusted to nine inches from the weight to no more than a foot and a half due to the leverage for deeper water.
What fishing line is best for drop shot?
Since the drop shot rig requires skill, you should normally choose a light line with little visibility. For the majority of scenarios, fluorocarbon in the 6-8 lb range or a lighter braided line with a 2 ft fluorocarbon leader is both excellent options.
Can you fish a drop shot from the bank?
The drop shot rig can also be fished from the beach. Casting away from the bank and letting the rig descend until it reaches the bottom or the line snaps. Once the lure is on the bottom, pull the line taut and shake the rig into position.
Can you use a braided line for the drop shot?
Many people would advise you to drop-shot with a braid since it is ultra-thin and difficult for fish to see.
What makes a good drop shot rod?
Fast action is the ideal rod action for drop shots. Your tip should be delicate enough to allow you to give your hook and bait small motions. You shouldn’t use extra-fast action for the majority of drop shotting scenarios since it has a tip that is too stiff. This demands a delicate tip.
What bait works best for perch?
Worms are typically the finest bait for perch fishing, but other excellent choices include maggots, prawns, and lobworms. Worm fishing typically yields the best results.
