Brandon Palaniuk ranks the drop shot rig among his all-time favorite systems for catching bass whenever and wherever they swim. In this conversational video, he shares his history with the setup, originating from his formative years in the Pacific Northwest to applying the finesse tactic on atypical drop shot waters (think Santee Cooper and Sam Rayburn) and winning tournaments.
So why does he love it? Simple. Its simplicity and versatility. A single, well-balanced rod delivers all his drop shot setups, which only vary by leader size and length, hook style, plastics, and weight shape and size. A drop shot can be fished shallow to deep, in open water or around cover, and in clear or dingy water by making slight changes to the abovementioned components.
Palaniuk then dives into tactical considerations, such as how to determine if you’re drop shot rod is balanced, when to nose hook, Texas rig, or thread your plastics, when to use a shorter 2- to 4-inch plastic, and when a longer 6- to 7-inch worm works best. What about choosing weights? Palaniuk uses teardrop-style weights exclusively due to snag resistance and bottom telegraphing and starts light and goes progressively heavier as drop speed and water depth demand.
TACKLE USED (retail links)
DROP SHOT SETUP #1 (nose-hooked plastic)
• WORM – X-Zone 4″ Original Slammer: https://wired2.fish/3zb6VhI
• HOOK – VMC Drop Shot Hook, Size 2: https://wired2.fish/3kMcskC
• WEIGHT – VMC Tungsten Teardrop Drop Shot Weight, 1/8-3/4-ounce: https://wired2.fish/3bbKLyh
• ROD – Alpha Angler DSR Spinning Rod, 6’10” Medium: https://wired2.fish/3zenObh
• REEL – Daiwa Exist 3000 Spinning Reel: https://wired2.fish/3uWx95b
• LINE (main) – Seaguar Smackdown Braided Line, color – Flash Green, 15-pound: https://wired2.fish/3OcELHj
• LINE (leader) – Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon, 6-12 pound: https://wired2.fish/3IPsJmo
DROP SHOT SETUP #2 (threaded plastic)
• WORM – X-Zone Lures 6″ MB Fat Finesse Worm: https://wired2.fish/3PCmIvu
• HOOK – VMC Finesse Neko Hook, size 2: https://wired2.fish/3crj1ul
• WEIGHT – VMC Tungsten Teardrop Drop Shot Weight, 1/8-3/4-ounce: https://wired2.fish/3bbKLyh
• ROD – Alpha Angler DSR Spinning Rod, 6’10” Medium: https://wired2.fish/3zenObh
• REEL – Daiwa Exist 300 Spinning Reel: https://wired2.fish/3uWx95b
• LINE (Main) – Seaguar Smackdown Braided Line, Flash Green, 15-pound: https://wired2.fish/3OcELHj
• LINE (Leader) – Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon, 6-12 pound: https://wired2.fish/3IPsJmo
BOAT & ELECTRONICS
• LIVE SONAR – Humminbird MEGA Live Transducer: https://wired2.fish/3J4rzlg
• 360 SONAR – Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging: https://bit.ly/3zMbDBF
• FISH FINDER – Humminbird SOLIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G3: https://wired2.fish/SOLIX12-G3-TW
• BOAT – Skeeter FXR20 Bass Boat: https://wired2.fish/SkeeterFXR20
• TROLLING MOTOR – Minn Kota Ultrex MSI+, 52”, 36v (112 lbs): https://wired2.fish/35duo2X
OTHER GEAR
• PLASTIC STORAGE – Bass Mafia The Brief Case: https://wired2.fish/3ObiKIR
• TACKLE BOX – Bass Mafia Bait Casket 3600 2.0: https://wired2.fish/3IKnrIw
• HAT – Rapala SnapbackHat: https://wired2.fish/RapalaSnapbackTruckerHat
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Not very technical with all the electtonics you use,…what a putz
Hi. What would be the ideal info written on a drop shot rod? Power, action, length, etc…
Just wondering what brand braid you use and what pound test braid for your drop shot?
Mislim da ti još nedostaje helikopter da bi bio još efikasniji.
Hello, any cons on you can think of with rigging a drop shot with all monofilament, no leader? If so, what lb test would you use in clear water? Thanks
Can i put on 2 weights next to eachother if the currents are strong?
The only gripe I have with this reel is the weight, but that goes with the size of the reel https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxM68VkfsQhHaabDce1IwOCXuvumcpbZ_k . I brought this salmon fishing up in Oswego, NY. I coupled it with a Cabela's Whuppin Stick. I had no problem pulling in a 14lb salmon. I will probably use this for surf fishing this summer and downgrade to a 3500 series Battle II next salmon season to save my wrists. All of the operations are butter smooth and the bail is nice and thick and has a solid flip to it. Everything about this reel is sturdy and strong. The drag system held up to the salmon and was also super smooth. I did use a scale to set the drag properly before going out to the river and this worked out tremendously. A bunch of other guys on the river would hook up and snap almost immediately. Just because you have a good drag system doesn't do anything if you don't set it correctly.
Great drop shot demo. One technique I was to start using more.
Guys just some quick advice – dropshot is the least effective of all methods period!
Does the speed of the reel matter much?
Hi. Great reviews and guidance. I was wondering many ounce is that AA DSR 6'10" rod? Can't find and specs of the rod weight besides the lure and line weights. Hopefully it's around 3.5oz to 3.8oz. I was thinking getting one since they use the blanks from the original G. Loomis rod. I read a lot of your reviews online and they're very informative. Thank you.
Wired2Fish, where was this filmed at? Thanks in advance
That was a thorough explanation, covering different aspects other videos don’t such as the balance and lightness of tip. Also the simplicity of the tackle.
Where is best starting point for leader I live in Harrison arkansas have bull shoals lake with alot of different covers.
Great video. What size braid do you use?
Seen him in person at the "Lets Go Fishing Show" a few weeks ago in Collinsville, IL. Enjoyed listening and learning about the Tokyo Rig. Thanks Brandon, I will be following you this coming year and follow your pages as well. Good luck this year!!
What shades are those
Thanks Brandon. How long a leader are you tying on for smallies?
Very well explained, simple but a lot of useful info
You guys are awesome and I love your use of B roll in your videos! Really brings it together and makes the videos enjoyable to watch!
what you mean fish not known here in SC they not known to drop shoting i did this as kid i not know why you guys think this new tech just like chatterbait i used this as a kid also
Man wouldn't it be nice if Alpha Angler made a more BUDGET friendly rod🧐🤔, unless you've got a minimum of about 250 you're not touching one of those rods an I've had the opportunity of using the exact rod he uses for his drop shotting(THE WRENCH SERIES) because my cousin owns alpha angler rods and they are phenomenal, light weight, extremely sensitive.. so I went home that day and got online and I had my debit card in my hand ready to order a rod or two "so i thought"… the minute I saw $295.. I put the debit card right back in my wallet, turn my phone off and started binge eating ice cream like a cry baby 🤣😂🤣.. no all jokes aside their expensive for a reason! Premium comes with a price and I know that, I was just kidding! But at the same time I'm not kidding, it would be super cool if they did make a more budget friendly rod for the guy that only has maybe 100 to 150 to DROP on a single rod.. (that's before a reel and line an whatever terminal tackle and baits).. PUN INTENDED! 😂.. so I guess I'm stuck with my Daiwa.. WHICH I'M NOT MAD ABOUT! ✌🏼😎
I enjoyed this video. Thanks for the lesson.
A spinning rod is such a power house for minimalist fishing. When I'm going on someone else boat I prefer carrying a single rod and a drop shot is just sooooooo good (plus you can always swap to a ned, a wacky, a neko, a small crankbait, hell even a lightweight Texas rig)
When you say teardrop….do u mean Bell sinker??
Solid video!
Great information thank you for sharing 👍
Superb vid. Fishing here up north, I'm also a huge fan of the teardrop. Cylinders are ok for a weedless rig through weeds, but they're a nightmare if the weeds are growing through rocks. The teardrop is just a great compromise and like Brandon mentioned, gives you more feel. I've experimented with a 30 lb braid or fused superline for more power applications on spinning tackle, but found the castability to be a little lacking. No need to go higher than 15 lbs, and 10 if you can get away with it. Save the 30 lbs+ for baitcasters.
Thanks for the video, When he says third option is a round weight, does he mean split shot? cuz I use a split shot for a drop shot cuz it comes off easy if it gets hung up. I fish all three weights though
Last 4 minutes were killer
Let's go Brandon! 👊
Can ı use drop shot at sea at deeper locations with bigger baits and weight?
Last 4 minutes 🤣