Drop Shot Baits

[ike8120]

I am looking for some recommendations for drop shot baits. I have narrowed it down to Strike King Dream Shot and Roboworm Str Tail.(open to other suggestions) I know there are many other companies that make these. My fishing is done from the bank in both clear and slightly stained waters. I was looking for the size and colors that are preferred. Putting together my holiday wish list.

[Oldfart9999]

Actually most any bait will work quite well, Zoom makes 4 and 5 inch straight tail worms as do other companies. Fluke and fluke style baits can be deadly, this time of year something like a Lil Critter Craw on a 4 inch dropper can be very good. My favorite DS bait(finesse) is a BPS 3 inch Sticko, nose or wacky hooked, preferably with the head dipped in red Spike-It or the tail in chartreuse Spike-It, if wacky rigged both the tail and head dipped in chartreuse. There really is no wrong bait to use.
Rodney

[Smallie_Stalker]

I'm with Rodney here. There really is no wrong bait for a drop shot. Just like anything else in fishing you have to find what the fish will hit that day and how they want it presented.

X Zone Lures has a bait called the Deception Worm. The tail on the bait stands straight up. It's 6 inches but you can pinch some off the front if need be. Fished near bottom it gives the impression of a baitfish feeding or rummaging for food. Fish it along a weed edge at any depth for the same effect.

And don't overlook things like tubes or even hard baits. A small to mid-sized floating Rapala minnow on a split ring tied to your drop line can be very effective since the fish don't see something like that often.



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[coldfront]

some others to consider:
conquistator makes a high-floater.  nice worm

I typically dropshot conquistadors, roboworms (6 inch and the shad shape) and have started using the TRDs

[fishballer06]

The Dream Shot and Cross Tail Shad are my go-to baits.

[zippyduck]

The Dream Shot and Cross Tail Shad are my go-to baits.

Both of these are my go to baits with a couple Xzone lures ( slammer, leech and shiver shad )

Dream shot colors are green pumpkin and purple.

Crosstail shad in smoke purple best also a copper black color.

[ike8120]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.  Has anyone tried the Berkeley Max Scent Flat Worm?

[chrisD46]

Actually most any bait will work quite well, Zoom makes 4 and 5 inch straight tail worms as do other companies. Fluke and fluke style baits can be deadly, this time of year something like a Lil Critter Craw on a 4 inch dropper can be very good. My favorite DS bait(finesse) is a BPS 3 inch Sticko, nose or wacky hooked, preferably with the head dipped in red Spike-It or the tail in chartreuse Spike-It, if wacky rigged both the tail and head dipped in chartreuse. There really is no wrong bait to use.
Rodney

**I just bought the 3 inch Stik-O in Watermelon and Hologram Shad (half pearl white / half hologram  flake color) . I estimate a #2 drop shot hook through the nose of the Stik-O and a 1/8th oz. drop weight would be a good start ?

[Smallie_Stalker]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback.  Has anyone tried the Berkeley Max Scent Flat Worm?

Yes. They helped me salvage a day this past year on a deop shot.

I mentioned them in a report I did in the MA state board but I didn't go in depth with them.

They caught me some fish but the water was stained and I was on the bank a fair distance out so I couldn't really see how they acted when shaken or lift and drop but IIRC both presentations worked.

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[ike8120]

Yes. They helped me salvage a day this past year on a deop shot.

I mentioned them in a report I did in the MA state board but I didn't go in depth with them.

They caught me some fish but the water was stained and I was on the bank a fair distance out so I couldn't really see how they acted when shaken or lift and drop but IIRC both presentations worked.

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I just ordered some for clear and stained water. Had 15% off DSG with free shipping

[OkobojiEagle]

As an alternative to plastic, I tie a 5 1/2" leech pattern streamer on a 1/0 long shank down-turn eye hook.  Black  rabbit zonker.  I've learned lightly weighting the hook shank with a small amount of lead tape is necessary to counter the natural buoyancy of the zonker.

oe

[Dink Dawg]

Also take a look at Robo Worm's FX Sculpin, the Missile Baits Bomb Shot and Strike King Half Shell.  These, in addition to your go to's are very effective.

[Oldfart9999]

**I just bought the 3 inch Stik-O in Watermelon and Hologram Shad (half pearl white / half hologram  flake color) . I estimate a #2 drop shot hook through the nose of the Stik-O and a 1/8th oz. drop weight would be a good start ?

99% of my finesse dropshotting is done with the #1 Gamt dropshot/splitshot hook, the # 2 is what I use for perch and crappie.
Rodney

[GANGGREEN]

As others have said, nearly anything will work and it's my belief that when you ask, "what's the best xxxxx" on an online forum, 99% of the answers you get will be what the respondent happens to use, which may or may not work well for your situation.  Just to throw another bait out there though (there's never any harm in having too many baits), I like the Yamamoto shad shaped worms.