What is drop-shotting?

While most of the experts will tell you that fishing crappie is so easy that almost anyone can do it, they’ll also tell you that it’s not how you do it but rather where you do it that’s important. Consequently, most Crappie techniques are designed to help you find a spot that will yield your limit.  In most cases, if you can get your bait or lure in front of a Crappie, they’ll bite.  Drop-shotting is a technique designed to help you do just that and in fact, the concept is that if you can hang your lure in the fish‘s face long enough, he‘ll simply get irritated enough to bite.  Originally used by bass fishermen, drop-shotting has become a favorite among Crappie enthusiasts as well.  If you find yourself in a situation where the Crappie seem to have all but disappeared from your river, you may want to spend a little time using this technique, anglers on the Red River swear by it.  To create a drop-shot rig, you simply tie your hook right to your line leaving approximately 18 inches on an extended tag end on which you attach the weight. This setup lets you skip the weight both through and over cover as well as along the bottom.  A drop-shot rig gives you the depth control you need to keep your lure or bait right in front of the fish for an extended period of time and works best when the fish don’t seem to be in the mood to chase your bait.  The weight actually works as a stabilizer and any movement of the rod tip is quickly transferred to the bait or lure. When choosing a weight, a 1/8 to 3/8 ounce is preferable.  Minnows still seem to be the best bait.