Dropshotting, and making do...

[Tee-Cee]

I read all the Threads on this subject including those by S-Kippy and others who have, in one form or another, questioned the necessity of buying 'all new' gear to try the method or indeed make it a regular part of trying to catch decent perch etc.

I've just read Bob Horngold's Threads on line and reels with some advocating the use of really small reels some of which seem to fall outside what most anglers might have in the cupboard at home, sitting, and not doing a lot) and this to 'match' a special drop shotting rod....Then we have the myriad of 'lures'..........................
Then we have lines; I can totally appreciate some (softer) lines are better suited to this method (although others seem 'to make do' with mono) but are they absolutely necessary ? I seem to recall S-Kippy for one, raising this very issue, but I cannot say I (although I've never tried the method) am convinced. I have thought about my own limited waters and thought " why is it necessary to use very heavy lines as some advocate when the fis I might catch don't go much bigger than 2,5lbs.

So, my question; If an angler, with LIMITED FUNDS (as is the case with a friend of mine !)wanted to try this method, what items of tackle are an absolute must? Is a special rod / reel really necessary and if not then what might fit the bill - if only as a starting point?

Lines /lures / weights; same question applies .....

Personally, I could go out and buy 'all new' tomorrow (although goodness knows where I would start !!) BUT I'm talking 'minimum' outlay here for those who don't have the readies to do so, and I imagine we have a few of those.................

Lastly, best videos / advice, on where to start - lets talk still waters to begin with .......

Any advice / comment appreciated !!

 

[Peter Jacobs]

I really cannot see why one couldn't use a quiver tip rod, especially say a little bomb rod, and a 2500 size reel.

They are plenty light enough to hold for a session as we all hold a float rods and reel for trotting, don't we? Plus I doubt any of us hold the rod constantly ni a sessino either, we all need to change rigs, alter shotting and take a cup of coffee, don't we?

Otherwise I think that a braided line, or pre-stretched mono line is a good idea as you want to feel the plucks and bites, and a few of those rubber lures and worms and maybe some drop shot "sinkers" although I cannot see why an arlesey bomb could not suffice either.

So, for a very modest outlay I reckon that you can probably enjoy a good day out trying a new method a good few times before you invest in anything "specialised"

Well, that is my take on it, others will differ, no doubt.

 

[binka]

I was going to use an ultra light bomb rod for my drop shotting but as i've already owned a Greys ultra light spinning rod for two or three years it seemed natural to use that instead.

It's not a drop shotting rod so I guess I'm still making do by using it, at 6' I would definitely find an extra foot or so an advantage especially with the fairly long fluorocarbon leaders which extend well above the hook and which would be easier to cast with a bit extra on the length especially if you want a long drop in deeper water between your lure/bait and your dropshot weight.

Same with the reel... I used to make do with a TDX which is one of the best reels in it's class but hopelessly unbalanced on such a short, light rod and the reel I bought purposely for it is extremely light (under 6ozs) and balances perfectly which helps when you're working the rig over a period of a few hours, it just feels right too when you're using it.

I like the braid for this type of thing as you do feel everything including all the slight tremors and the fluorocarbon seems a good idea at the business end due to it's low visibility for a rig which is being worked very slowly or even static, in as on the same spot.

In short yes I reckon making do is fine as concerns the rod and reel and I've made do with both however I've enjoyed it more now that I've at least changed to a small 500 reel which balances and in the case of yesterday I can use it from dawn to dusk without any fatigue.

In the case of the line I can't see a problem with mono although you just won't feel as much of what's going on (some of the takes can be extremely subtle) and the fluorocarbon is a good idea for the reason already mentioned.

 

[Peter Jacobs]

Wowsers!

I just checked the prices of some of those rubber lures . . . . not cheap at all are they?

Seems like £6.50 for a pack of 6 is typical, so by the time you have rung some changes with different sizes and colours, it ain't a cheapie exercise methinks.

Berkley Drop Shot Minnow

These were a little cheaper:

Dropshot Lures

I forgot to add in the cost of drop shotting hooks which seem to be pretty close to the price of Carp hooks as well . . . . . .

http://www.agmdiscountfishing.co.uk/daiichi-standout-dropshot-hook-size-10pcs-p-1537.html

http://www.tacklebargains.co.uk/acatalog/Savage_Gear_Dropshot_Inline_Hooks___Pack_of_5__.html


Forgetting the craze, or current vogue method that is drop shotting, and given existing equipment and a pint of red maggot and some worms (for the cost of one set of rubber lures?), I wonder if I couldn't catch just as many Perch in a day as someone else would on the drop shotting method?

Hhhhhmmmmn!

 

[S-Kippy]

I really cannot see why one couldn't use a quiver tip rod, especially say a little bomb rod, and a 2500 size reel.

They are plenty light enough to hold for a session as we all hold a float rods and reel for trotting, don't we? Plus I doubt any of us hold the rod constantly ni a sessino either, we all need to change rigs, alter shotting and take a cup of coffee, don't we?

Otherwise I think that a braided line, or pre-stretched mono line is a good idea as you want to feel the plucks and bites, and a few of those rubber lures and worms and maybe some drop shot "sinkers" although I cannot see why an arlesey bomb could not suffice either.

So, for a very modest outlay I reckon that you can probably enjoy a good day out trying a new method a good few times before you invest in anything "specialised"

Well, that is my take on it, others will differ, no doubt.

Not me PJ.....I think you've summed it up very nicely. The only thing I think is a must is braided mainline. I too thought mono would be OK...and it is to a degree... But braid is so much better.

 

[binka]

Peter... I totally agree, it can be expensive when you start buying the soft lures.

And mentioning worms i've just been out in the garden with the fork and in the space of ten minutes I've collected all the bait i'll need for a few hours this afternoon in the form of some nice juicy worms which will be fished in exactly the same way as the rubbers.

I'm off to a different place but if it's anything like yesterday the worms will completely out fish the rubbers and the real, 2" dead roach.

 

[Bob Hornegold]

Having gone into drop shotting quite a bit over the last few week, I reckon you can get the lot for under £75.00

And if you already have the gear you need, just use what you have !!

There are some tight wads on this site, who like nothing more than having a go at spending a few quid on their hobby.

How much does it cost for a New Barbel Rod and Reel, or a decent Pole and seat box or anything else ?

Drop Shotting gear don't sound expensive to me, compared with types of fishing.

Bob

 

[Mr Cholmondeley-Corker (PaSC)]

Well just the other day I aw using a whip (£6 from Lidl) with a length of line, a few shot and a hooked rubber maggot.

Caught a perch every chuck twitching the maggot!

Could have caught all day, but I was only catching them for live bait.

I also found that a size 8 hook with some silver paper wrapped round it was just as effective.

So, if you want to drop shot down the edge if a canal, which it seems many are doing, then try a cheap whip.

And PJ, re your comment about using a small bomb. Well that's what I thought, but it appears that the special drop shot weights have a special clip on top that allows then to be slid up and down the line to present the rubber at different depths AND the clip also allows the weight to slide off the line if it snags.

 

[nicepix]

Matt,
can't you achieve the same effect with a bomb slid on the line and stopped with a ledger stop?

---------- Post added at 17:36 ---------- Previous post was at 17:31 ----------

Peter,
What about these instead of rubber lures? £2.99for six (and I got loads of these and similar in my fly box as probably you have )

 

[Peter Jacobs]

Peter, What about these instead of rubber lures? £2.99for six (and I got loads of these and similar in my fly box as probably you have) http://www.aquatyer.com/galleryimages/6epoxyminnows.png

I was thinking along the same lines myself, also maybe a good idea for all those old salmon flies that rarely saw the light of day . . . . . . . .

 

[binka]

Matt,
can't you achieve the same effect with a bomb slid on the line and stopped with a ledger stop?

I was thinking exactly the same, that or a string of two or three SSG/2SG shots, easy to move up and down and would still slide off on a snag.

 

[nicepix]

I was thinking exactly the same, that or a string of two or three SSG/2SG shots, easy to move up and down and would still slide off on a snag.

Look how much I've saved you lot already. You'll get a big box of flies at a car boot for a fiver and no need to buy those expensive gimmicky weights. A 1/4oz bullet weight and a ledger stop does the same job.

 

[neil1970]

When I first wanted to give it a go I used a quivertip rod and reel that I was using for barbel/chub, a berkley dropshot kit, a pack of fox rage mini fry (salt n pepper), some spare no.4 offset hooks, 8lb fluro & some slightly longer forceps.

It worked perfectly well and, thinking about it now, the quivertip was better at transmitting the vibrations from the lead on the bottom that the shimano dropshot rod I bought to upgrade itmg:

Scaling everything down, ie tiny reel and short rod really helps as it is quite a mobile method and you obviously have to hold the rod all the time.
It does make it a much more pleasurable/fun experience.

Also braid really helped in bite detection and feeling the bottom

 

[robtherake]

I was thinking exactly the same, that or a string of two or three SSG/2SG shots, easy to move up and down and would still slide off on a snag.

Similar idea - I've been using plasticine, moulded over a swivel, bait screw, or whatever's to hand. The swivel's tied on with a couple of overhand knots so that it comes off if snagged up.

 

[greenie62]

I was thinking exactly the same, that or a string of two or three SSG/2SG shots, easy to move up and down and would still slide off on a snag.

Gee Binka,
D'ya think that's how it got called 'drop-shotting'? mg:

Sorry Steve - it was a tap-in!

 

[binka]

Gee Binka,
D'ya think that's how it got called 'drop-shotting'? mg:

I thought it was because of that thing that happens every time I reel in and tuck the rod under my arm before I take the lid off one of those small tubs to add another and the damn stuff goes everywhere...

 

[binka]

If it's any use to anyone I found these as what seem to be a fairly cheap source of drop shot weights in a sensible assortment of sizes if anyone's thinking of going that route...

30 x GRIFFIN DROP SHOT FISHING WEIGHTS LEADS. 7g 10g & 14g. JOB LOT. NEW !! | eBay

 

[flightliner]

If it's any use to anyone I found these as what seem to be a fairly cheap source of drop shot weights in a sensible assortment of sizes if anyone's thinking of going that route...

30 x GRIFFIN DROP SHOT FISHING WEIGHTS LEADS. 7g 10g & 14g. JOB LOT. NEW !! | eBay

Steve, nice but nearly a tenner!.
Skip rat some old four inch brass hinges and knock the pins out, you'll get three weights per pin.
All to do then is drill a hole at one end and araldite a swivel in the end.
Simpler still is to cut some 3lb lead into strips then fold them over the line and use a split shot nipped lightly on the end to slide off if snagged.
If I lived three miles nearer to you I wouldnt be a Yorkshireman and wouldnt need to say things like this.mg:

 

[binka]

If I lived three miles nearer to you I wouldnt be a Yorkshireman and wouldnt need to say things like this.mg:

Lol... Nice one Flight.

I've ordered meself a pack anyway, you'll be invoicing me next for the electricity used in the time it took you to type that

 

[sumtime]

Good man, binka ordered a pack myself, the best thing about these weights you can slide them up and down in a jiffy, I've been using the arlesey bomb type.