Drop Shot Hook sizes?

[Mike Cork]

If I'm going to target bass between 2-5 pounds what size drop shot hook would you use. Apparently they don't make them in 5/0 and 6/0 so I'm lost My choice only include one "ot" size and that's only a one

So with your standard 4-6 inch drop shot worms and finesse baits, what size hook do you all use?

Please explain if you experimented. Better hook ups on bigger or smaller sizes, when to upsize hooks or down size hooks. I'd like some good data on Drop Shot Hook size

[jocko]

You'd be surprized what you can catch on a small hook.  The smaller hooks let the bait act more natural and you still get a good hook up.  I've used # 4.   I like the hook size to be no bigger then a dime in size for smaller baits - just for the action to be right.

[Mike Cork]

I totally understand the theory, just never played with it that much and wonder what sizes to try.

[bassbmx]

Most of the time I like a #2. It seems to have the best compromise of hook-up ratio and action. I like to use a 1/0 when I'm fishing thicker baits.

[Stump bumper]

I like 1 and 2 s myself and will even go up to a 1/0. I don't go for the "drop shot only hook" mustad puts out a very good "live Bait" hook that is the same ting and works better IMO.

4 and 5 s will hook 8lb bass but I don't looking in their throats for little hooks and I get those corner of the mouth hook sets more with the larger hooks.

I have never shared a boat with anyone of the same thought, but never shared a boat with anyone that has drop shotted as much as I have either.

The way I tell people about drop shotting is to just think how you would fish a live minnow for BIG crappie and rig the same way and hookset like it is a paper mouth crappie.

The problem I have is setting down a drop shot and picking up a jig, then forgetting to swing on the jig.

I never miss 3in bluegill with no. 1 hooks so don't think I miss many 15in bass. When you nose hook a 4in worm IMO the size of hook has zero impact on action, tested it a lot in the fish tank.

[Bass2Bucks]

I'm glad you asked this question. I recently ordered some drop shot hooks from TackleWarehouse and when I got my order the hooks were small enough to catch shad with lol

[SpartanBass]

I go with either a 1 or 2. I was very skeptical at first due to the very small size but I hook em in the corner of the mouth almost every time. I use the VMC spin shot or Mustad red.

[Bassinkorea]

I have recently started using those VMC spinshot hooks and am very impressed. They definately work with eliminating line twist and they are super sharp hooks.

I used them in size#1 with my 4 & 5" plastics. This size seems to match the worm size/girth. I don't think it really matters what size hook you choose when targetting certain sized bass, but more important to match the hook size with the plastic you are using (bigger worm, bigger hook).

I more recently found a Korean supplier/store that supplies a Japanese version of the VMC spinshot hook called Decoy and they work just as well as the VMC's. I use these hooks in both #1 and 1/0 sizes, again, depending on my choice of plastic.

They come in 2 types, normal drop shot octopus style hooks......


And an offset hook style.....

[SpartanBass]

I believe Gamakatsu just came out a hook with the same style line snap on the bottom of the hook.


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[Mike Cork]

Great stuff, thanks guys

[thebassmachine1]

Mike the #1 size is by far my go to hook, Wide gap for drop shot 4" finesse worms. Now I have been known to do things out of the box. Currently I am catching them in 20' of water with a 10" worm threaded on a straight shank 6/0 hook. Heavy tackle in brush piles just off a main lake channel. A drop shot isn't just a finesse technique.

[Mike Cork]

thatbassmachine1, are you rigging it texas style then, to be weedless in the brush piles?

[scbassfanatic]

I may be a little to far out of the box. But I use 1/0 and 2/0 EWG hooks and rig them texas style. Of course I rarely use a finesse worm. Mostly I use zoom trick worms. I will throw this into brush without any concerns. works good for me.

[calincalif50]

Mike, mostly out here I've been using the 1/0 or 2/0 Robo rebarb with a 4.8 or 5.8 flick shake worm rigged weedless.  I've caught some 4-6 pounders in the brush using this combo.  At the base I use the 1/0 mosquito hook or the 1/0 owner downshot offset hook so i can rig it weedless for throwing into the bull rushes and the grass.  In more open water I'll whacky rig the worms and senkos

[wolfs4evr]

I have recently started using those VMC spinshot hooks and am very impressed. They definately work with eliminating line twist and they are super sharp hooks.

I used them in size#1 with my 4 & 5" plastics. This size seems to match the worm size/girth. I don't think it really matters what size hook you choose when targetting certain sized bass, but more important to match the hook size with the plastic you are using (bigger worm, bigger hook).

+1 almost...

Love the VMC hooks.  SUPER sharp and stay that way.  Nearly a 100% hook-up ratio with them for me.  The only time I have missed is when I get ance and pull before they had the bait 100% in.  (Visually fishing drop-shots most of the time in 10-20 FOW).

I use the 1/0s though no matter the size of the bait.  I have been doing extremely well using the Berkley Havock Bottom Hopper 4.75" worm in the shady watermellon candy color.  Both on SMB and LMB on Lake Mead, NV.

[Steve Reed MFT]

There are a few considerations I make when selecting a dropshot hook.

Size of bait, species and then finally cover fished.

Size of bait is fairly self explanatory. If I'm using a small bait such as a Jackall Crosstail Shad, Roboworm Alive Shad or Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm then I'll use a circle style hook. For this I prefer the Owner Mosquite Hooks size 2.

However, if I'm targeting small mouth I'll use the same baits with a size 1/0 because the smallies are tough to hook with the smaller hooks and they are really mean.

Larger worms such as the 6" straight tail Roboworms when fishing open water I'll use the same setup with the Mosquito size 2 hooks for all species.

If I'm flipping a drop shot or fishing for predominantly bigger largemouth I'll switch to the Roboworm Rebarb Hooks and rig the bait weedless. I like the light wire for spotted bass (With the exception of Coosa River Spots) and the medium wire for largemouth. It's really rare to bend a hook out, but it's happened a few times at the Delta with the light wire version. I choose the size 1 light wire for spots and the size 2/0 medium wire for largemouth.

If I'm flipping a beaver or lizard on the dropshot at the Delta I may switch to a light wire flipping hook with 15lb fluoro. Oherwise, I stick with the Rebarb Hooks. They are awesome.

[Mike Cork]

Great information here folks. Thank You!

Steve Reed MFT, tell Patrick I'm still looking for those Picasso Shakey Heads I need to get those and order some different dropshot hooks to experiment with

[thebassmachine1]

thatbassmachine1, are you rigging it texas style then, to be weedless in the brush piles?

Most of the time yes, either way your going to go thru a lot of weights and hooks. But let me tell you it is flat catching them, and good ones too. My set up is a 7' H rod with 60 lb braid. Just find the fish with your electronics. I have an aqua view cam which helps me see how the fish are suspended and located around the brush. Drop it down and I don't even shake it. Let it sit 5 or 6 minutes they hammer it. Better than any C-Rig, deep crank, spinnerbait or jigging spoon I have ever used in these places. I wish I had a tournament coming up! I could boat a 20+ sack in less than 2 hours. This in Indiana fishing deep. It has been an unreal experience!

[Gangly]

I hired a VERY reputable guide on Lake Fork on more than one occasion and we have used the drop shot almost exclusively in some cases.  He used a a finesse worm on a 3/0 or 4/0 straight shank round bend worm hook and we SLAUGHTERED the bass.  Never missed a single fish and the hooks penetrated beautifully every time bringing "Unicorn Bass" to the boat time and time again.  I have since used the larger straight shank round bend hook on my local waters and it has worked GREAT.

[Wiscobassin]

I only use Owner Drop Shot hooks or the mosquito hooks in size 1 or 2. I hardly ever t-rig my drop shot worms and I hardly ever get hung up in heavy cover... I also use floating worms so that helps alot to. You can also do something called "Power Shot" which is using a drop shot on a BC set up. Then you can use 4/0-5/0 EWG hooks and heavier weight... And try a t-rigged brush hog on the power shot... I aint sandbaggin ya either! It works!   

[bkohlman]

I am using StandOut 1/0 when I attempt drop shotting for the 1st time at Beaver Lake.

[Mike Cork]

Thanks for all the great input 

[SpartanBass]

Hey Wiscobassin,

I watched a guy use that set up by basically flipping right next to down trees ( almost into the tree). He was pulling in some real chunks.  Made a believer out of me. Question I have , what # test do you use?


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[Kickin Bass]

Mike the #1 size is by far my go to hook, Wide gap for drop shot 4" finesse worms. Now I have been known to do things out of the box. Currently I am catching them in 20' of water with a 10" worm threaded on a straight shank 6/0 hook. Heavy tackle in brush piles just off a main lake channel. A drop shot isn't just a finesse technique.

No!  It's a finesse bait only to be used close to shore with small baits.......    

I actually have 3 rods tied up DS only 2 have finesse baits on them the third has some slightly larger bait applications 

[DanD]

New to the drop shot Bass fishing technique.  I've used the VMC Spin Shot style hooks and now changed to the 1/0 Octopus/Drop Shot hooks.  Not sure which would be the best.  I use a Jak's skinny Jak's Custom floating worm that floats better than any I've found so far.