You are here:
Is it really as effective as it looks on TV? Can it be done from a kayak? Those are
probably the most frequently asked questions about dropshotting from a ski. The answer
to both questions is undoubtedly: Yes!! Like all fishing techniques, it will require a bit of research and some practice.
I've met many skeptics, but they've all seen the light within a couple hours. Confidence in your method of angling cannot be underestimated. If you feel good and confident about your technique, the chances are that you will catch a fish, but the converse applies too and if you feel you're not going to get a bite; then you probably won't. So when you attempt it, try and do it with an open mind and you'll be pleasantly surprised how well it works. Here are a few pointers to make sure you're moving in the right direction. You can't catch fish where there are no fish. Most people I've chatted to who feel dropshotting is a waste of time have only tried it when they can't catch a fish on anything else. In those cases I'm not really surprised nothing would eat their little plastic offerings as there was probably nothing there to begin with. Watch your fish finder as well as the other anglers around you and try and concentrate your efforts on areas that hold fish consistently. Learn more about your quarry. Certain fish species are very partial to dropshot, but rather difficult to entice with other methods. So try and learn a little more about the habits of the fish you're trying to catch and go out there with a plan. If you're targeting kingfish, then try the pinnacles and watch your finder for large concentrations of fish milling around on top of the pinnacle. While GT's are a firm favourite, there are other kingfish "flavours" that are a lot more common. Yellowtail kingies, yellowspotted kingies and big-eye kingies are definitely easier to find and tend to hang around in large shoals. Eastern Little Tuna are also very fond of small plastics and while they're not really the most sought after fish in the ocean, they are definitely one of the better fighters around and a tough tussle is always guaranteed. They're also a very welcome catch if you're fishing a species competition.
Get your tackle right first time. Use a good quality spinning reel with the right braid and a rod that has lots of backbone, yet a soft tip capable of imparting plenty of action on your lure. The reels to look at include the Shimano Symetre, Spheros, Stradic and Sustain in size 4000 - 8000. These reels all come with spare washers which can be placed below the spool to adjust the shape in which the line packs on the spool. A slight "upside-down cone" shape is ideal when using braid and prevents the line pulling extra coils off the spool when you cast. Daiwa's Excellor Oceanos 4500 is also a good choice, but you'll have to source extra washers if you want the line to pack properly. The line is a key ingredient and not all braids are created equal. You have to look no further than Jigman, made by YGK in Japan. This line has a soft feel and throws incredibly well, it is durable and has a different colour every ten meters which is really handy in determining the depth in which you're working your lure. Depending on your target species, use 16 lb, 20lb or 30lb. The rod of choice is the Shimano Trevala in a 6'6 medium heavy and a 7'0 medium light. These rods are essentially designed for vertical jigging, but are perfect for dropshotting along our coastline; they also have plenty of power and will subdue any predator that you may encounter. Jigheads come in a huge variety of shapes, colours and sizes. My first advice is making sure you buy quality hooks, the big fish you hook will expose the weak spots in you tackle set-up, starting with our hook. Although they have quite a price tag, be sure to buy Berkley or Owner, swallow hard and move on. When that 20kg Iggy comes along, you'll be exceptionally grateful. Round heads, "Nitro" heads and Knife heads all have their advantages and applications. If you thought you were spoilt for choice in selecting the above-mentioned tackle, then you ain't seen nothing yet. The range of plastics available is mind blowing and can be very confusing especially when the sales guy in the tackle store works on commission
and tries to sell you everything available in his shop. So I'll break it down for you a bit. Most of your fishing will be done with minnow imitations. You're going to need 3", 4" and 5" minnows, but you'll use more 5" than anything else. These lures have a straight tail and when paired with a Nitro jighead have a very tempting action. Paddle tails in 4" and 5" are worked slower and can be fished successfully on round and knife jigheads. They often get eaten on the way down so be sure to be ready at all times. Scented lures are an advantage, but not essential. Most of the fish we target are sight predators and probably decide to eat your offering when they're still 10 meters away! Shrimp and squid imitations also have their place and shouldn't be overlooked. When fishing with braid, it's advisable to fish with a flouro carbon leader of between 20lb and 40lb and about a meter long. Make sure your knot doesn't go through your guides as it hampers your cast and the knot can wear causing a weakness that will be exposed when you hook a fish. Choosing to use a wire leader is the next debatable topic. Going wireless will give you more bites, unquestionably. The presence of the members of the razor gang may throw a spanner in the works though. Fish like king mackerel, barracuda, queen mackerel and wahoo are also very partial to the helpless plastics and you can donate plenty of jigheads and packets of plastics to them unless you use wire. I normally start fishing with straight flouro, but have a few jigheads rigged with wire in my bag. If I get bitten off twice in quick succession, then I'll put on the wire trace. I use titanium wire which doesn't kink or rust and can withstand an incredible beating and is always ready for action. Now that you have all the equipment, you find yourself on the water wondering how to use it. Bass anglers take to drop shot very quickly as it is very similar. Rapid twitches of the rod tip impart life to the plastic and variable speeds will tempt different fish species. Remember to let your dropshot sink all the way to the bottom and work the entire water column until you find where the fish are holding. Experiment with different colours and sizes until you find the best pattern for the day. Have fun trying different things is what dropshotting is all about, catching plenty of fish is just the added bonus.
