Deep Water Dropshot

Looking to freshwater bass fishing is a fantastic way to find powerful and effective techniques for the saltwater experience. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, texas rigging – these are standard freshwater tools that have migrated to Inshore fishing with proven results. Add to those the dropshot, and more than just the dropshot but a deadstick dropshot technique that works so well on the kayak that it might just outfish your primary or ‘active’ fishing style.

First, look at traditional dropshot methods. Typically the rigging comprises of light line (4-10# test), a #1 or #2 size hook and a ¼ oz to 3/8 oz lead weight and a bait ranging from 2” grubs to Senkos. This, attached to a medium action spinning outfit will get you onto the lake and into a bass’s mouth (hopefully). For saltwater we’re doing the same thing but upsizing considerably. My preferred setup is an Okuma Expixor 30 paired with a Daiwa Coastal spinning rod, 7'6" MH 8-20. With this setup I'm dropshotting depths from 15' to 240'.

Why a spinning rod?
The Spinning reel isn't as important here as the rod. There are three things that I considered when choosing equipment for this style of fishing and I tried several of my baitcasters and conventional rods in an attempt to find the perfect match.

1. When "at rest" in the rod holder a spinning rig is setup correctly, that is to say, the guides are and rod are balanced in the appropriate direction (down) which means the spline is working with you. On a baitcaster the weight distribution is opposing, the weight of the reel is on top of the spline of the rod - letting gravity do it's thing puts the rod upside down.
2. The lighter and softer nature of a spinning rod allows for better action in the bait during your drift. This works great as a dead-stick bait! Letting the rod do the work means you can focus on other things while this works.
3. Spectra works really well on a spinning reel and won't give you the backlash issues of a baitcaster.

Spectra?
Dyneema or Spectra is a synthetic fiber based on Ultra Hhigh Molecular Weight PolyEthylene, 15 times stronger than steel and three times stronger than Kevlar. It is usually used in bulletproof vests, bow strings and sails on high-performance yachts but is extremely effective as fishing line. Personally, I use the spectra produced by Stren (Stealth 30#). As fishing line it has the properties of high abrasion resistance and almost 0% stretch, two more things that make this technique work so well. I've had the same Spectra spooled on my reel for 9 months now and don't plan on changing it for at least another 9 months, probably longer. Contrast this with the way we plow through mono at about a spool every 6 - 8 weeks and you see one of the perks already.

It's Terminal
We've got a rod, a reel and bullett-proof line, now it's time to lay out the temptation. For my own ease of use I tie a small barrel swivel on the end of my spectra, small enough that I can wind it through the tip guide if need be, and then use a uni-knot to attach a leader of monofilament. I generally use a 3' leader of 10# flourocarbon but have used regular mono in weights from 8# up to 15# successfully. The dropshot hook it tied onto this leader leaving enough line for between 8" and 18" of clearance below to the weight. For still water fishing (little or no current) I use a 2 oz torpedo sinker, when fishing heavy tidal flows, strong current or water deeper than 100' I switch up to anywhere between 3 oz and 6 oz torpedoes. Torpedo sinkers won't spin as much as other big lead and that'll reduce line twist.