I do have some of these in size 6 and 8. Simple bobber and hook rig. Through that experience, he has discovered tweaks that have helped him catch even more. “This is where the weight will be attached,” Lonchar says. The only time this is not. 99 $ 5. Sheepshead, Flounder Freshwater and Saltwater Bobbers Handmade in Alabama. Gallo looks for shrubs. Capt. T. . The rig you will make is a basic Carolina rig using an egg sinker and the crux of this rig, a small, size 4 “J” hook. PierRat4Life said: This, but I like a 4000 with 30 lb braid, to fluorocarbon leader 25-50 lbs depending on structure, with one of these jigs and a fiddler crab. Read on and refine your summer drop-shotting game! During the summer months, former Bassmaster Elite Series pro Frank Scalish always has at least one rod on his boat’s deck rigged with a. Stop paying full price for your tackle and get on the water fishing tips every week. Rigging this up isn’t as difficult as it seems. Sheepshead must not be taken with double or treble (any multi-hook) rig with live or dead bait. Carry a range of weights, from 1/8 ounce to 1/2 ounce or more, depending on the depth range you typically fish. The drop shot rig is very simple to tie and this video explains how to tie it in the quickest and easiest way. Drop shot rig. In this Fishing Tip video I go over my Best Sheepshead Rig that I use while Inshore Fishing in Mobile Bay along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Zack’s shrimp-tipped jighead plinked against the rig’s piling, hit the water and sank no more than 10 feet. A jighead is simple and will work great for catching sheepshead. Carolina rig. He subsequently partnered. The drop shot rig for largemouth bass fishing works best with a spinning setup. Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to make this dropper loop rig and some tips on how to use it. Big male fiddler crab is the ideal sheepshead bait. I have tried lots of other baits and shrimp work the best almost always. in a drop shot rig your hook is tied up the line and you attach the weight at the end of the leader. I'd probably use a 1/4oz casting sinker on the bottom and place the Stand-out hook about 18-24" up the line. My go-to big Tarpon reel is a Penn Sargus 4000 loaded with 20#. This is where the sheepshead are taking cover out of the current waiting to ambush an unsuspecting shrimp or crab floating by. Step 3: Tie 3 or 4 overhand knots at the pinch. Number 1 baited jig/jighead, 2 knocker rig, 3 fishfinder rig, 4 dropper loop rig, 5 float rig, or #6 a drop shot rig. OP. The Muskie Master. Normally, you’d want them about 5-6 inches apart. Let’s go over the gear for targeting sheepshead. October 4, 2021 If you want to catch more sheepshead, you got to use the right rig! There are actually a few different rigs that work well, it just depends on your. [12] Once you bring the fish to you, net it and remove the hook. Get your hook and run the line through the eye and pull through at least a foot in length for the leader on the tag end. Sheepshead love to feed on crustaceans, such as Fiddler Crabs, Mud Crabs, Sand Fleas, Live Shrimp, Oysters, Clam, Mussels and Barnacles. From what I can see, the only difference is that in the dropper loop rig, the hook is on an extension from the line about 4-6 inches as opposed to being right snug against the main vertical line. They can't crush your bait without you realizing it! For sheepshead fishing, the drop shot rig is a real plus. You want to drop your hook close to the structure - and using a dropper loop gives you the best chance to feel the action on your hook. Of course, you can always use artificial baits like Berkley Gulp shrimp, or swap out the. So a six-pound line works really well for drop shot. Another great inshore fishing rig for sheepshead is the split shot rig. This is in our own experience and from friends we’ve spoken with. This trout rig puts your lure right in the strike zone where most trout, particularly big lake trout, like to hang out. For drum, whiting, sheepshead and. And, if VanDam wants to fine-tune the sinker's weight, he can trim it with side cutters. for Nov 22 delivery. How to tie a drop shot rig for catching bluegill and redear. After feeling tons of small nibbles from baitfish and seeing lots of pinfish follow the Gulp shrimp up to the boat while fishing with them, I began cutting up old ones into small pieces for catching pinfish for bait… small Gulp chunks work amazingly well for pinfish. Place the egg sinker on the line and attach a swivel to it. I use this rig when the current is moving fast and it requires more weight t. Back in the day, at least anyone I knew and fished with, if we were fishing live bait a popular way to rig was to attach a sinker to rest on the bottom, typically a teardrop, and use one, two or three of those store bought fish hooks with the 6" or. This rig is effective for numerous species including but not limited to Smallmouth Bass, Sheepshead an. So powerful. Quote. Brandon Palaniuk ranks the drop shot rig among his all-time favorite systems for catching bass whenever and wherever they swim. To attach fishing line to the leader, use this tutorial: Or you can use a barrel swivel to attach the main line to your leader. You need a lightweight Rod, 6 to 8 feet in length with a casting weight of around 7-28 grams. Just an idea. 4. When choosing the right size, you generally want to use a fishing swivel with a maximum strength that is a little bit heavier than your leader line. With rod in one hand and net in the other, Misak reached down and nabbed a 12-pound sheepshead. The location of where you drop this rig is very important to catch the targeted species. Lester fishes the drop shot bass rig with a 6’10” Mustad Instinct Brandon Lester signature spinning rod, which is a medium-action rod. AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest. The Punch Shot Rig iseffective for catching largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, as well as other fish. With a drop shot rig, the distance between the hook and the sinker is determined by the depth of the structure. Here,. My go to rod for sheepshead the TFO Professional Series – particularly a 7’0 ( PRO S 704-1) or 6’ 6” M Mod-Fast ( PRO S 664-1) spinning rod paired with a Florida Fishing Products Osprey CE 3000. HAWL. The men all found success fishing with a drop-shot rig. 2 out of 5. Fish Rigs: fish skin, fishing glow beads, fishing swivel snaps, 1/0 fishing hooks ; 10 packs, each pack cover 5 fishing hooks ; High carbon fishing hooks ; Swivel and snap at the two ends of the rig ; Multi hook jig rigs are used for catching mackerel, small jacks, herring, smelt and other small baitfish…How to Rig a Dropshot Rig for Bass, Step by Step. This prevents many hangs and, lost leaders on the rocks, but more importantly, the direct, inline hook provides an instant bite. You need a minimal amount of gear. Simply drag it up the grass lines keeping the weight on the bottom and your bait floating above it. Meanwhile, a drop-shot rig is better when you’re fishing directly from a dock or bridge. Both the head and tail halves will work as fresh dead bait. Moisten the line to prevent friction and cinch it tight. It works well in any saltwater environment, so you can use it wherever you go. In fact, the world record Sheepshead was caught in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1982 and. 6 Kahle hook and live shrimp. 65K subscribers Subscribe 18K views 2 years ago In this Fishing. The best lure for. From the tag end, go up 12-24 inches to attach your hook. Since white bass tend to. Fiddlers on a jig or Carolina rig work just fine around rocks in the river and the big stones. Sheepshead are powerful and love to fight on their side and use currents to their advantage with their wide bodies grabbing a lot of water, making a six-pound fish feel like they are 12 pounds. I've fished quite a bit for kelp bass (nearshore ocean), and we often used a rig called a 'dropper loop' rig. Reel: 2500–3000 series spinning. The rod is a 12-20# rated. Size 1/0 to 3/0 short-shank, 2X-strong hooks are preferred. Sheepshead fish are in the family Archosargus probatocephalus. You need a minimal amount of gear. What is biting?15. You need clear water with good visibility to be able to use one effectively. What I believe you are trying to do is create a dropper loop rig, commonly used for deep rock cod fishing. 1. VMC Spinshot Drop-Shot Hooks. The barb of the hook will bury itself into the fish’s mouth. The bite is typically characterized by a subtle tap. The weight of the split shot depends on how deep you’re fishing — the deeper the water, the heavier the split shot. There are a few ways to rig your bait on your hook. One of my favorite rigs for catching sheepshead is a dropper rig. 100+ bought in past month. This is such a simple rig so putting it together is easy. Look in your local tackle shop for Basstrix and Gulp products. I like to use a bronze or black 1/0 Kahle hook, with a 1/2" diameter "fuzz ball" (from the craft section) soaked in shrimp juice. If the bite is tough, use a. One of the most versatile rigs around to catch multi-species is called the drop shot rig. Rig different soft plastic baits onto each hook, providing variation in color or profile. Greg Hackney: Probably the number one tip on drop shotting is be versatile with your leader length. Total Weight:1/6oz 1/4oz 3/8oz 1/2oz 3/4oz. To start, remove the larger claws off of the fiddler crabs. . We will tie a knot in the end of the line, even with the quick clips on most drop shot weights. Drop Shot Rig Knot Tying Instructions. Drop shot rigs give you more control of your rig during retrieval if paid with the right tension on your bait. (0) Write a review. It doesn’t take much movement to get the. Description. . A. To rig fiddler crabs for sheepshead fishing you can use a size 1 or 1/0 J-hook with a long shank that cannot be chewed through by the sheepshead's strong teeth. Here’s what you need for this rig: Leader (I use 15-30 lb mono, depending on water clarity and if the fish are picky) A split shot; Hook (I’ve been using a #1 live bait hook for sheepshead) There are three steps to tying. Knocker rig. Drop Shot Rigs for Smallmouth Bass and Walleye. Now every pro has multiple drop-shot rigs ready to go. Notify of. To add even more sound to the rig, Gallo will add three glass beads between the hook and sinker. PUBLISHED 16 AUGUST 2023 by Robert Ceran Are you planning to throw a drop shot rig, but aren’t sure how to set it up, or how to fish it for optimal results? While. Thread the fishing line through the eyelet of the hook. As light as 1/8oz is good for water under 8', and 1/4oz or larger can be used down to deeper depths of 20-50'. When targeting migrating sheepshead, Sagerholm uses a baitcasting rod with 30-pound braid on a drop-shot rig. With an easily interchangeable weight attached below the lure, you can be sure that you are always fishing close to the bottom, and can instantly adjust the depth of the lure simply. Knocker rig. Drop shot rigs are extremely versatile, which is one of the reasons they work so well for bluegill. . Their mouths are structured in such a way that they require small hooks and short rigs. ADVERTISEMENT / ADVERTISE WITH US. THIS is the Drop Shot fishing video for YOU no matter your skill level or experience with this finesse technique! If you want to catch your first bass on the. 3 way swivel rig. fluorocarbon leader and a split-shot squeezed on the line about 8. This will allow the swimbait to move more freely in the water. I wanted a dedicated drop shot rod that was lighter over all and went. Also those football head/hook sheepshead jig heads work really good too. Carolina rig, drop shot rig, and slip bobber rig. Use just enough weight to get your bait to the bottom and hold it there. Use 1/0 or 2/0 Stand-out drop shot hooks (I use 2 about 12”. Tie on a weight suitable for the depth of water you are covering. Here’s what you need for this rig: Leader (I use 15-30 lb mono, depending on water clarity and if the fish are picky) A split shot; Hook (I’ve been using a #1 live bait hook for sheepshead) There are three. braided line. Here are the steps you’ll need to take to rig your first drop shot. A drop shot rig would be best to keep your bait close to structure, in a specific spot, or dropping straight down. This is an excellent way to attract the attention of bass from afar. Click here to join us in the Insider Club: to. For drum, whiting, sheepshead and. And if you have a real short leader, well, you're basically just hugging the bottom and you're not getting the benefit off of a drop shot. How To Tie. This allows you to drop your weight to the bottom and move your lure/bait above the bottom. One from the weight to the weight leader. Tie two drop shot hooks to a fluorocarbon leader, positioning one hook a few inches above the other. Time needed: 1 minute. If the white bass are holding in deeper waters it can be somewhat of a challenge to catch them. Tackle Crafters Sheepshead Rig. The bait is suspended above the weight, allowing it to move freely and mimic the movement of prey. Slip bobber rig. Pass the loop end of your doubled line through the eye of the hook. Related episodes:Any heavier line, and it starts to impede the action of the bait. See moreA dropper rig and a simple jig head are the only two rigs for sheepshead you really need. First, carefully tear off the tail of the shrimp because it adds scent to attract the sheepshead to the bait. Gets your bait near, but not on the bottom 2. - In this video by Coastal Angler Magazine Charleston, Jiggin' Jerry gives us a great fishing tip. Consider you’ll have twice the snagging risk and a less controllable rig, so keep. Setup guide: The first step to constructing this whiting rig is to cut out about 2 feet of 15-20 pound fluorocarbon leader line and tie your hook to it. Attach an egg sinker to the tag end of that knot before you pass it through the eye of a hook. Jig head weight varies based on depth and current, but a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce generally fits the sheepshead zone, while you may need to go as big as 1/2 for a stronger current. I thought about a drop shot rig with a 2 octopus hook. SHEEPSHEAD FISHING TIPS (BEST LURES, RIGS, & MISTAKES TO AVOID) SPLIT SHOT RIG: SIMPLE, EASY & QUICK RIG FOR SHEEPSHEAD; Related categories: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Sheepshead, Weekly Newsletter: 1-10-21; Subscribe. So 18 inches here. Sheepshead and black drum. Trout, reds, flounder, drum and sheepshead can all be caught at the Wall. The third way to rig a dropshot is texas rigged, or weedless. In contrast, for sheepshead, use light enough weight to let your bait sink and drift down slowly against the pilings, as they might be holding anywhere in. This spec of rod offers you a super sensitive tip and allows you to really feel the bites from predators of any size. Where to find them- around bridge pilings. Misak shot me a glance as he released the “jail breaker. In most drop shot scenarios, a sinker weight is on the end of the line and an unweighted hook is tied up from a weight, maybe 6" - foot or so above. Whenever you need to hold a bait in place, but keep it off the bottom, the drop shot gets the job done. In this video I will show you how to make a Carolina Rig for Sheepshead fishing. VMC Spinshot Drop-Shot Hooks. EFFECTIVE CAROLINA RIG: Carolina-rigged baits catch bass in shallow water and tight to cover, but are most effective in deep water away form dense cover, such as points, sunken islands and along weedlines. This rig is basically a Carolina rig used for medium depth of water from 15-30 feet. And when he makes his loop knot, he makes sure the three beads are in the loop all on the same side. The key to this rig is having light tackle and. Here are the tackle components that you’ll need for a drop shot rig: 1/4 to 1/8 oz drop shot weight; Size 2 to 6 drop shot hook; Spinning rod and reel setup; 6 to 10 lb test fluorocarbon main line; A selection of soft plastic baits; In my experience, a light line is essential for the drop shot rig, since this is a finesse setup for targeting. $29. Where to find them- around bridge pilings. The terminal tackle for targeting sheepshead should have a small J-hook either in a Carolina rig or put some split shot on your leader about 16″ up from the hook. A drop-shot rig can be built to match cover, depth, and other conditions. Best Rigs For Sheepshead. As you slowly work the drop-shot through the pool, impart action to the plastic by gently—but rapidly—shaking the tip of the rod. . . A tag length. You’ll notice the weight has hit the bottom when the line stops moving. solid7. Pete Sucheski Illustrations. Real Fish Big Shot Punch Delta Drop Shot Rig Kit Bass Fishing Like Tokyo Punching Tungsten Weights with Weedless 4/0 Heavy Duty Hook Thick Mats Braided Line 4. Trosset uses a 1/0 to 4/0 short-shank hook (such as a 9175 Mustad) in the Atlantic and a 1/0 to 4/0 circle hook in. Recommended Weight: 1/8 oz - 1/2 oz. Using a Drop Shot rig gives you the ability to slide your bait into the strike zone and continually move it, all without pulling it from the bed. Pass the tag end through the eye of the hook and pull it out. Using a 7’ -7’6” medium-fast action rod, 15 – 20 LB test line, #1 ultra-sharp hooks and split shot will allow you to detect the light bite of the sheepshead, permit the fiddler crab to swim naturally and still give you the power needed to pull the fish to the boat. Plus,. What was originally a rig designed for bass fishing, the drop shot rig is now a solid choice when it comes to catching perch. We’ll also cover the saltwater rigging basics that you need in order to use these setups. This is where the sheepshead are taking cover out of the current waiting to ambush an unsuspecting shrimp or crab floating by. Very ideal for sheepshead fishing. Pull on both standing line and tag end to tighten down the knot onto eye of hook. So maybe, instead of 18 inches, it's going to be more about 8 inches off the bottom. Most anglers start with a 12-30” piece of line. Pompano rig. All the care these rigs get is a good wash down and an occasional oiling. The fish-finder rig is ideal for large pieces of bait because an angler can “drop back” to a biting fish, and. The integrated heavy-duty split ring allows you to use the included hooks or virtually any other hook to match your soft plastic bait and. S. Fish finder rig. Techniques For Targeting Specific Fish SizesWhen the going gets tough, use this tried-and-true open-water tactic for wary panfish. Perform similar rigging for fresh dead shrimp. No matter which one I use, 10-pound braid to 8-pound fluorocarbon leader, fused with an FG knot, is my go-to line setup. This weight will sink to the bottom and the hook and bait will float above it, in line with where the. 06 to 0. A smaller swivel is more stealthy, but when you’re fishing for big game, having a strong swivel is even more important. How to fish the drop-shot for common sunfishes. Tie a Palomar knot (or any knot you’re comfortable with) to attach the hook with the hook pointing upwards. Sid quickly moved in to help with the task of muscling up her sheepshead. No media assets available for preview. The Most Effective Finesse Tactic for Catching Bass. 3287 posts · Joined 2010. The bass tend to be deep, and they’re often schooled up tight. Tie the leader 2 to 5 feet long to the bottom of the bobber. FREE. When the jig hits the bottom, the velocity of the jig lets up a puff of sand and crab parts. Create a Loop: Form a small loop with the tag end (the part of the line that came out of the hook’s eye). To create a proper drop shot rig, begin by tying a Palomar knot to the end of the main line. Bill Krejca. Q&A. Begin by tying a Palomar Knot with a long tag end. Welcome to our comprehensive Guide To Fishing For Sheepshead, where we will dive deep into the world of catching these fascinating fish. The inshore fishing for reds, trout, sheepshead, flounder, black drum , jack crevalle, and a few more other species will be good. Bedding panfish can’t resist a small worm or plastic presented on a drop shot rig. “The egg sinker is attached with an improved clinch knot. Sheepshead can reach 20 pounds in size, though these fish are very rare. You know, there are certain times when, you know, you don't want your leader over 4 inches and there are other times when you want your bait 4 feet. Favorite Bass: Largemouth. (Photo courtesy of Z-Man Fishing) RIGGING. Mudshark OP. Jigged vertically. IF YOU ENJOYED THIS VIDEO PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL. 99. Drop shot rigs are extremely versatile, which is one of the reasons they work so well for bluegill. Shop all Featured Product – Warehouse Learning Center - rigging a Drop Shot is a must-have skill. Tie the hook with a perfection loop to give the bait better wiggle action. Big bass want a big easy to catch meal during the winter. . 99. Using a 7’ -7’6” medium-fast action rod, 15 – 20 LB test line, #1 ultra-sharp hooks and split shot will allow you to detect the light bite of the sheepshead, permit the. Zoom’s Finesse Worm, Z-Man’s ElaZtec Finesse Wormz, Larew’s Tattletail Worm and Luck-E-Strike’s Con Man worm are also proven drop shot killers. A quick and easy way to tie your drop shot rig to increase your hookups on bass! This knot will lock your hook in place, upright so that your hook set is exa. . Where You Want To Use This Rig. Use the lightest split shot possible, given the local current and depth. Hook the shrimp through the head when casting or trolling. The slip bobber fishing setup consists of a bobber stop and a slip bobber threaded onto the main fishing line, as well as a weight plus split shot attached to the line below the bobber. Drop shot rigs allow the bait to free-float above the weight, giving it a natural presentation. “My basic bottom leader rig in up to 60 feet of water is 10 to 15 feet of fluoro, with a double overhand loop 3 feet up from the sinker,” says Trosset. Finally, snap the barrel swivel onto the snap swivel and this grouper rig setup is finished. Most drop shot weights have a crimped swivel at the top that makes it easy to clip onto your line, although weights that you can tie to the bottom of the line will work just as well. He notes that when the fish are aggressive, he often catches doubles. How to use this rig: This rig is really simple. When a sheepshead is holding over a deeper structure, you may not feel comfortable dropping right into their fortress. . In my view, drop shot nymphing on a tight line rig is one of those chances. Leave a tag end of about 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) and attach a drop shot weight. Step #3: Put a split shot about 1′ up from the hook. A Carolina rig with a #1 hook seems to work well as it generally places the bait down near the bottom where most of the sheepshead hang out. Technique: With swimbaits, a quick, erratic presentation seems to work. Carolina rig is a slip lead rig; for sheepshead, a 12-18 inches rig is required with a J hook. Keys to the drop-shot rig are a small hook, a weight, a Palomar (or similar) knot that positions the bait horizontally and a lively soft plastic. After casting, watch the line as the bait begins to sink. The drop shot rig is especially effective for Morrow when he fishes the cedar trees on his home waters of Missouri’s Truman Lake. My PB: Between 8-9 lbs. Quantity: Add to WishList. New Etsy store! Support the channel here:diving under the surface on the E Park Fishing Channel to see. I was wondering if anyone has used the. Both Van Horn and Watts also employ drop-shots in deeper inlets, passes, channels and cuts, sometimes probing water down to 25 feet. Cut enough line so that after tying the hook and the barrel swivel on to each end, the resulting length is roughly 3 feet. This rig is great for dropping bait into structure, like flooded timber and docks. They grab the bait, and hold onto the fuzz ball. How To Tie A Dropper Rig For Sheepshead With A "T-Knot" (Step By Step) Watch on Click here to join the Salt Strong Insider Club Here’s how to tie the dropper rig step by step: Step 1: Form a loop about. Minnow-and-Brush-Jig Rig. Have any questions about these rigs? What’s your favorite sheepshead rig? Let me know down in the comments. The length of the line depends on how far you want your bait off the bottom. It factors in the tides, wind, and weather to help you quickly see which areas to target throughout the day. ” For power-shotting, a ½-ounce tungsten dropper weight is fairly standard and the weight he used with his 7-6 drop-shot rod in water ranging from 10 to 40 feet for smallmouth along. . Add a weight to the bottom of the line. Shaw March 2, 2023. 95. In this video I go over different si. Slowly crawl the weight over the point or down the ledge, allowing your. TFF Guru. Those two rigs put the weight after the hook, making it more likely to feel a light bite. The drop shot rig can be fished from the bank or from a boat, and works well for both smallmouth and largemouth bass, as well as a range of other species that feed near the bottom. Keep in mind that inshore fishing covers any type of fishing within 9 miles from shore, and up to a depth of around 90 feet. After attaching the weight, tie a small piece of the leader line to the end of the line, about 6-12 inches above the weight. 3) A Little Jiggle. The drop shot rig is one of the best rigs to use for sheepshead. Jetty Fishing: Things To Know When Sheepshead Fishing The Jetties. 2:11 – Weedless shrimp rig. Weights from 1/8 oz to 1/4 oz are good to start with, but there are times for both heavier and lighter weights. Either tie on a typical bell weight or use a specific drop shot weight with a clip. Of course, you can always use artificial baits like Berkley Gulp shrimp, or swap out the khale hook for an offset wide gap hook and rig a fluke, or rig a 1/16oz jighead with Matrix Shad instead. Bomber Lures Paradise Popper X-Treme Popping Cork Float for Carolina Rig. 18:39 – Best crab lures to catch sheepshead on. This is when Lamarque puts aside the drop-shot rig and grabs a popping cork. Dropshot: VMC Spinshot Drop-Shot Hooks. TIP #7 Use chain-style drop-shot rigs. Insert the hook from under the shrimp’s head, and push the barb out on top, avoiding the vital organs. Popular rigs include Sea Striker’s Drop Bottom Rig and Shakespeare’s two-hook rig. The terminal tackle for targeting sheepshead should have a small J-hook either in a Carolina rig or put some split shot on your leader about 16″ up from the hook. 10″ Sanddab Lingcod Jigs Rig Fishing Lure. Popular rigs include Sea Striker’s Drop Bottom Rig and Shakespeare’s two-hook rig. Drop shot rig. This includes a wide variety of fishing tactics, ranging from boat fishing to surf fishing and everything in between, and. The bullet weight of the Texas rig is also less prone to snags than the ball weight of the drop shot. By Kyle Peterson · Jan 03, 2022. The 12-inch minimum is still in effect. Live bait- Live shrimp. Slip bobber rig; Fixed bobber rig; Drop shot rig; Your hook size should be between size 8 and 14, and if you use a larger hook, you can thread several salmon eggs onto your trout hook. > If sonar reveals fish off bottom, start with a tag end around 28″. Compared to wire wrapped/tied to standard swivels, the Low-Profile. I’ve narrowed my cleanup selection down to four deadly finesse techniques: a drop-shot, Neko rig, shaky head and Ned rig. I prefer the Tru-Tungsten weights for this rig. This technique gives you the ability to move the bait up and down or shake it a few inches. While most anglers use this rig for presenting soft plastic lures to fish, it’s a superb setup for a wide variety of natural baits and a host of big freshwater fish. You tie on the hook first with a Palomar Knot, leaving a tag end, then run the line back through the eye of the hook so that it will stand out straight and present a bait naturally. With the drop-shot, the weight may get covered up, but the lure stays clean. You can also use a carolina rig, with a swivel connecting your leader to your main line, with the weight above the swivel. You want to hit the bottom, then lift up the Sheepshead rig and let it back down. You can also use a carolina rig, with a swivel connecting your leader to your main line, with the weight above the swivel. The author enjoys catching and also releasing summer smallmouth bass. Finally, a drop shot rig is one that consists of a line tied to a hook with a trailing leader that has a weight on the end of it. The Perch Persuader. A more common catch will be around two or three pounds, with a five-pound fish considered a good catch. Although the drop shot is often associated with deep-water, vertical, video game-style fishing, you may be surprised to know it’s also one of the most versatile options in your arsenal. Best Rigs For Sheepshead. Sheepshead. If you use 4x tippet leading to the upper fly, use 5x tippet for the lower fly. The hook leg is shorter. It’s basically a bobber, split shot, and worm rig. Tips for catching Sheepshead using live and dead shrimp as bait. The Drop Shot Rig For Sheepshead: The Perfect Bait For Docks, Bridges And Pilings. How To Set Up The Mojo Rig. When panfish are wary or targeting small forage, tiny flies or "fly jigs" are often just the ticket. The first thing you need to do is get your drop shot hook between your fingers and put the line through the top of the hook eyelet.