I have long been intrigued with drop shot rigs. After using them for larger game fish I find they work wonderfully for panfish along the shore, in weeds or in lily pads. There area two ways to rig them:
You can use a standard Palomar knot that leaves the hook attached to the line with the hook end riding up, or you can tie a dropper line to the main line using back to back uni knots and using a floating worm or minnow.
Here is the way to rig it the way most of us use.
And here is how to tie back-to-back Uni knots. Just leave about 6 to 8 inches as a dropper. This will allow live bait to be more lively and for a floating worm to float more realistically.
Set the hook for your fish - for perch just 6-8 inches above the bottom and for bluegill, crappie and sunfish in weeds about 6-8 inches below the weed line. I use 10 to 12 pound test for this rig because you will hang up in weeds or lilypads and with 10 pound line you can rip you hook free most of the time.
The heavier line allows you to get the fish out of the weeds easier.
Good Luck and Good Fishing
You can use a standard Palomar knot that leaves the hook attached to the line with the hook end riding up, or you can tie a dropper line to the main line using back to back uni knots and using a floating worm or minnow.
Here is the way to rig it the way most of us use.
And here is how to tie back-to-back Uni knots. Just leave about 6 to 8 inches as a dropper. This will allow live bait to be more lively and for a floating worm to float more realistically.
Set the hook for your fish - for perch just 6-8 inches above the bottom and for bluegill, crappie and sunfish in weeds about 6-8 inches below the weed line. I use 10 to 12 pound test for this rig because you will hang up in weeds or lilypads and with 10 pound line you can rip you hook free most of the time.
The heavier line allows you to get the fish out of the weeds easier.
Good Luck and Good Fishing
