Contrary to what you might believe, there’s a technique for fishing. You can’t just go out to the water, cast your fishing line, and expect to reel in some big catches. There’s a method to the madness, more so when it comes to bass fishing.
If you’re looking to catch smallmouth or largemouth bass, one of the single most effective techniques to use is the drop shot. It works to catch fish anywhere and at any time.
The most important piece to the entire puzzle is figuring out which bait to use. While there are certainly several different types of lures on the market right now, some outperform the others bar-none.
This guide explores the 10 best drop shot baits you need to have in your fishing arsenal, as well as some useful tips to help you reel in more catches. Without further ado, let’s dive right in.
The 10 Best Drop Shot Baits for Bass Reviewed
Here’s a list of the top drop shot baits for bass.
Bass Fishing With a Drop Shot
Using the drop shot technique is one of the most effective fishing methods for catching smallmouth and largemouth bass and a variety of other fish species. Nonetheless, depending on the specific fish you’re targeting, the baits and methods you use for each will be different.
Here are some useful tips to keep in mind before you hit the water.
Colors
Anglers who choose to go the drop shot route typically fish in clear open waters, grass lines, rocks, and deep structures. If these are the conditions you’re fishing in, you’ll have more success when using natural-looking bait in natural-looking colors.
If, on the other hand, you’re fishing in muddy or stained water, you’ll want to use flashy-colored baits to help them stand out to fish.
Bait Profile
Ideally, you’ll want to adapt the profile of your baits to target the species of fish you want to catch. For instance, smallmouth bass generally lean toward smaller, stubbier bait like crawfish, baitfish, and gobies.
Largemouth bass, on the other hand, prefers larger bait, which is why bigger-sized worms tend to outperform the others.
Drop Shot Leader
If you want to catch fish on a drop shot, you need to ensure you use the right leader length. Depending on the fishing conditions, the species you’re targeting, and the season, here’s a guide you can use to determine the right leader length to increase your chances of reeling in some impressive catches:
Season Length in inches Spring 1 – 4 Summer 4 – 15 Fall 3 – 30
That being said, you should use this as a general guideline rather than a rule. Mix things up as required to find what works for you.
Rigging a Drop Shot for Bass
This is by far one of the most underrated setups for fishing. The rig consists of a line tied to a hook, which is then attached to a trailing leader. The leader has a weight attached at the bottom with the bait and hooks above it. There are a ton of great online resources you can use to learn how to properly rig a drop shot.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an effective technique to catch smallmouth and largemouth bass, in addition to several other kinds of fish species, you can’t go wrong with using the best drop shot baits. Any of the products we’ve reviewed in this guide would be an excellent starting point.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for something to organize all your tackles, check out our Flambeau Classic 3-Tray Tackle Box Review. Talk about a new spin on an old classic!
