The drop shot rig is one of the most popular rigs for catching smallmouth bass, especially when the bass are in deep water. Whether you fish shallow or deep, the drop shot rig works well with a variety of live baits and many types soft plastics.
Drop Shot Finesse Rig for Smallmouth Bass
The drop shot rig is the favorite rig for so many finesse anglers when targeting smallmouth bass in clear water. Light action spinning rods and reels paired with 6 pound line and a fluorocarbon leader is the norm for this setup. Use your favorite live bait or soft plastics and you’re ready to catch smallmouth bass in clear water.
Heavy Drop Shot Rig for Smallmouth Bass
When the water is murkier, you don’t need to go light with your tackle. You can still fish a finesse bait on a drop shot rig with heavier line and a heavier rod and reel. For most anglers, the setup for this rig would be a medium-heavy spinning rod and reel with 12 to 20 pound test line. You can go heavier and pair it with a baitcaster as well. You will lose a little feel with the heavier tackle, but you will still be able to feel the bites.
Shallow Water Drop Shot Fishing for Smallies
When smallmouth bass go shallow, most anglers don’t use the drop shot rig, however, it can be just as effective in 3 to 6 feet of water as it can be in deeper water.
Deep Water Drop Shot Fishing for Smallies
Most anglers fish the drop shot rig in deeper water, so this is the norm for most anglers. Find some structure and drop your rig down to 15, 20, 25 or even 30 feet to find some active smallmouth bass.
Best Soft Plastic Baits on a Drop Shot Rig
Finesse Worms
Finesse Worms on a drop shot rig are some of the best baits that you can use to target smallmouth bass.
Leeches
A drop shot rig is one of the best way to fish soft plastic leeches. Give these baits some action and you’ll get some bites.
Soft Plastic Minnows
Minnow Baits look great on a drop shot rig. Fish with the 3 to 4 inch sized minnow baits and you’ll get plenty of action.
Drop Shot Rig & Live Baits
Leeches, nightcrawlers and minnows are great baits on a drop shot rig. Whether you are casting to shallow water cover or fishing deeper, this is one of the best live bait rigs for smallmouth bass. If you are open to using live baits, you might not even want to go back to soft plastics after trying leeches, nightcrawlers or minnows on a drop shot rig.
Nightcrawlers
The drop shot rig is an awesome way to fish a lively nightcrawler. Fish it shallow, deep, in open water or around cover and you can have a lot of success.
Leeches
The drop shot rig is an awesome way to fish a lively leech. Fish it shallow, deep, in open water or around cover and you can have a lot of success.
Minnows
The drop shot rig is an awesome way to fish a lively minnow. Fish it shallow, deep, in open water or around cover and you can have a lot of success.
