The drop shot technique is used mostly when the fishing slows and a more finesse approach is required; however, many pros like to use drop shotting any time of the year. In drop shotting, the weight is placed beneath the hook at a distance anywhere from 4- to 10- inches depending on the bottom structure. A plain bell sinker in the 1/8 oz range is used with a 1/0 or 2/0 wide gap hook, depending on the size of the bait being used. Use a palomar knot to tie the hook and make sure the shank stays perpendicular (square 90 deg.) to the line with the hook point up. Now tie the bell sinker below the hook about 8 inches.

     The sinker is now on the bottom with the bait suspending above it. Start by leaving the bait in the same spot and gently shake the tip of your rod. Keep the line taught so as not to let the bait hit bottom. You can also cast to a bank and crawl the weight up or down the bank slowly. Keep alert as the strikes are usually subtle.