Chris Zaldain is known for his prowess with finesse swimbaits and bigger paddle tails such as the proven Megabass Magdraft 6-inch. Yet, drop shotting finesse swimbaits (aka drop swimming) can be more effective at times. Zaldain details when and how to drop swim finesse paddle tail swimbaits for smallmouth bass. Still, the tactic is equally effective for largemouth and spotted bass.
TACKLE SETUP
• PLASTIC – Megabass Hazedong Shad, 3-inch, Green Pumpkin Shad
• HOOK – Lazer TroKar Drop Shot Hook, size 1: http://wired2.fish/TroKarDropShot
• WEIGHT – ARK Fishing No Chip Tungsten Tear Drop Shot Weights, 3/16-ounce: https://wired2.fish/ArkTungstenTearDropShotWeight
• LINE (braid) – Seaguar Smackdown Braided Line Green, 15lb: https://wired2.fish/SeaguarSmackdownBraid
• LINE (leader) – Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon Line, 8lb: https://wired2.fish/SeaguarTatsuFluoro
Unlike drop shotting worms, your goal when drop swimming is to keep the bait and weight moving across the bottom (cover water). The drop shot weight holds the finesse swimbait to the bottom for precision depth control — a benefit when bass are feeding on small baitfish and unwilling to feed up in the water column.
Rigging is finesse-oriented — a light drop shot weight coupled with a light line and a small hook fool pressured fish in clear water. Zaldain details the setup in the video so you can get up and running with this effective technique.
ROD SETUP
• Megabass Destroyer USA Spinning Rod (discontinued), check out the updated Destroyer P5 (JDM) Spinning Rods: http://wired2.fish/MegabassDestroyerP5-Spin
• Shimano Stradic Ci4+ Spinning Reel (discontinued), check out the updated Stradic FL Spinning Reel: https://wired2.fish/ShimanoStradicFL
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RIP destroyer addermine
Just caught my first one on it. I'm calling it the Zaldropshot. 😅 Thanks man. 👊
Where is the 70’s porn Stash?
I’m gonna try this on West Point in a few weeks
WHERE'S THE STACHE!!!!!???????
You lose like 1 hazedong per bite like this. If you put a CPS screw lock into the nose and put the hook through the spring and plastic, the spring holds the bait together 10000 times better
Nice Chris 👍👍👏👏
Thank you Wired2Fish!!! I've heard of people drop shotting swimbaits before, but wasn't too sure of the actual retrieve. Watched this video, then went out to the pond in the community. It's been extremely tough lately here in Florida with water temps approaching 90° the bass have been 100% turned OFF! Using Chris Zaldain's tips on retrieve, first cast bite! After about 15 or 20 minutes, caught my biggest drop shot fish yet, 2lbs even! Ended up with about 8 or 9 bites, mostly short strikes, but I think I finally figured something out for a summer pattern finally! Using a Shimano NASCI 2500 on a Dobyns Fury FR703SF. 10# Power Pro Super Slick V2 to an 8# Seaguar InvisX leader with a 3/16oz tungsten drop shot weight, size 1 Owner Mosquito hook with a 3.75" Gambler Little EZ in Copperfield color!
I recently added the hazedong to my dropshot arsenal and it works well.
It's hard to beat a dropshot rig. My small mouth in my profile pic was caught on dropshot rig. Love the information. Thanks for the video.
Recycling old content already?
Zaldain not throwing a HUGE swim bait!? Who is this imposter???
This is my go-to swimbait presentation now, either the 3" Hazedong or a 2.8" Keitech Fat. Picked it up last fall from one of his older videos on this, and it's caught me a lot of big smallies since.
These were tame aquarium fish. Drop-swimming does not work.
Throw at giant soon or 10xd or something.
Nose hooking the hazedong gives it way more wobble . I learned by trial and error they tend to break apart pretty easy but it’s a great mimic lure .
I hear ppl say this about drop shotting all the time- "You never want to move the weight." but- eventually you have to move the weight or the cast would never end. So- I assume they mean drag the weight a few feet- then don't move it while you work the bait in place- if you don't get bit, drag it a little more- work it in place, repeat- right? I really want to get into dropshot fishing but- it's not a technique that's widely used in the southeast and I really have no where to learn- accept watching videos, and no one ever really shows them just working the bait- they're too busy talking or showing fish catches. I was told to just drag my weight on bottom, like fishing a worm- but that can't be right if I'm not supposed to move the weight. I see with a swim bait I just drag it and slow retrieve but- what about with other, more traditional drop shot baits?
Gonna hurt that jaw, Chris! Love the technique