Dropshotting has become a very productive tactic for walleye in the last 10 years, and it’s a surprise more anglers aren’t using it. One reason may be that it appears intimidating to rig, but as Jason Mitchell demonstrates in this video, there’s not much to it.
Spool up with an 8-10 pound braided line on a spinning rod and then attach a long 4-14 foot chunk of fluorocarbon via a line-to-line knot such as the Alberto knot. Next, you’ll need to know a Palomar knot to tie the hook to the leader line. There are hooks specifically designed for drop shotting, but a live bait rigging octopus hook works well. To tie it, start with the hook facing upside down, then run the line through the eye of the hook, and run the same tag end back through the eye of the hook in the opposite direction to create a loop. Leave a 2-3 foot long tag, as it will act as your dropper and dictate how far off the bottom your bait will be. To finish the Palomar knot, make an overhand knot using the loop, tag, and mainlines combined. Run the tag end through the loop and lubricate the knot with saliva before simultaneously pulling on the tag and main lines. The last unique step in tying a drop shot knot is to run the tag end back through the eye of the hook while the hook is facing upward. This ensures your hook sits horizontally on the line with the hook point facing up. This step is crucial as it allows the bait to hang horizontally and improves hook-ups.
When choosing a weight, Mitchell uses tungsten over lead for sensitivity when feeling your way along the bottom. It’s also denser than lead, which means it’s harder and, therefore, louder underwater, which attracts fish from a distance. To tie the weight, any array of simple and secure knots will do, as it doesn’t receive the same tension as the hook does during the fight.
You can use live bait, such as leeches, with a drop shot rig. Still, traditionally, plastics are used, and Mitchell likes the Northland EyeCandy Riggin Leech above all. The EyeCandy leech is elastic and durable, but it also floats and provides a tantalizing action underwater.
