Drop Shot rigs?

[wounded minnow]

I have seen quite a few articles about drop shot rigs. Has anyone around here used them? If so, I would like to make my own. What materials (line/hooks/weight) work best. Thanks

[SWMuskeye]

To my knowledge drop shotting redally isn't that effective in Minnesota due to the state law that says that you can only use one hook at a time. One of the main advantages of drop shotting in other states is that you can tie several hooks onto your line with a palomar knot to find fish at different depth levels.

Basically since only one hook can be tied with a palomar knot to your line, you might as well jig with a small jig for deeper crappies (later in the year, not now, although some of the pigs may still be on the deeper areas) and sunfish, but drop shotting in my opinion, in Minnesota, is just not a feasible option.

Hope that helps,

MB

[Big Roy]

This website will show you how to tie a drop shot rig, it is illegal when you use two baits but I only use one, just put your bait on the knot and a bell sinker 18 inches below, this works good with live bait also.

http://www.insideline.net/2001/battisti-0102-01.html

[Deitz Dittrich]

I actually drop shot for bas quite a bit here in MN... its a great technique. Expecially if the conditions are tough and you know that the fish are there. I have used my Aqua Vu and seen schools of fish in an area and throw the whole tackle box at them and the only way I can get them to bite is with a dropshot. Give it a try, it cant hurt! Here is an article I wrote on Dropshotting...

http://www.magoomus.com/exudedude/dropshot.htm

[deadeye]

I used the drop shot rig quite a bit this past summer. It works pretty good and I have even used it with livebait with success. For the weights, I just use some split shot, I don't feel like losing anything else that costs more. For the line, it is your preference but I think that low vis. fluorocarbon works the best since the hook in the middle of the line and not at the end. As for hooks, I use the standard plastic worm hooks unless I am doing livebait then I switch to a baitholder or salmon egg hook. They are really simple rigs to use, and do produce a lot of fish. Good luck!!! ><>
deadeye

[Bobb-o]

technically you can use up to three hooks on one line if you tie a piece of string to the hooks, cuz they then count as flies, but this method can only be used for trout, crappie, sunfish, and rock bass. I am not sure, however, of the legality regarding putting live bait onto one of these "flies"

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"There are many stages to a man's life. In the first stage, he is young and eager, like a beaver. In the second stage, he wants to build things, like dams, and maybe chew down some trees. In the third stage, he feels trapped, and then "skinned." I'm not sure what the fourth stage is."

[wounded minnow]

Thanks for the info. How long should I make each rig. Could I use a snap swivel to make changing faster, or would that screw up the action or something?