Drop Shot Rig

The ultimate finesse presentation for suspended fish and those hugging the bottom in high-pressure scenarios.

Knot

Palomar Knot

Target Depth

5-40 ft

Target Species

Largemouth BassSmallmouth BassSpotted BassWalleyeYellow Perch

Where To Use It

LakePondRiverReservoir

How To Tie / Assemble

1Tie a Palomar knot to your hook, leaving an extra long tag end of 12-24 inches.
2Pass the long tag end back through the eye of the hook from the point side.
3Tighten the knot so the hook stands perpendicular to the main line.
4Tie your preferred drop shot weight to the very end of the remaining tag line.
5Adjust the weight position to keep your lure the desired distance off the bottom.

Recommended Baits

4-inch Finesse Worm

The gold standard for drop shotting; the straight tail provides subtle action that triggers bites from pressured bass.

Small Paddle Tail Swimbait

Effective for mimicking small baitfish like shad or shiners, particularly when active Walleye or Smallmouth are suspended.

Tube Jig

A bottom-hugging profile that excels for Smallmouth Bass when they are feeding on crayfish in rocky environments.

Straight-tail Minnow/Slug

The go-to choice for 'hover strolling' or vertical jigging when targeting suspended perch or bass in deep, clear water.

Creature Bait

Use a smaller, compact version when flipping the rig into heavy cover or targeting sluggish Largemouth during cold fronts.

How To Use It

Cast the rig out and allow it to hit the bottom. Keep your line taut and impart subtle shakes with your rod tip, moving the bait in place without moving the weight. When you feel a tick or weight, reel down and sweep the rod to set the hook.

Why the Palomar Knot

By pulling the tag end back through the eye of the hook after the knot is tied, you ensure the hook point faces upward at a 90-degree angle to the line for perfect hook sets.

Gear & Setup

6-8lb fluorocarbon line, 1/0 or 2 hook (nose-hook or weedless), 1/8 to 1/2 oz cylindrical drop shot weight, 3-4 inch soft plastic minnow or worm.

Best Conditions

Best in clear to moderately stained water during post-frontal conditions or when fish are lethargic in deeper water during summer and winter.

Species You'll Catch On This Rig

Largemouth Bass

The ultimate American freshwater predator, the Largemouth Bass is the king of shallow-water structure and aggressive strikes.

Walleye

The ultimate ghost of the freshwater depths, walleye are prized for their keen low-light vision and world-class table fare.

Smallmouth Bass

The pound-for-pound king of North American freshwater, renowned for explosive aerial leaps and dogged, drag-screaming fights.

Yellow Perch

The schooling golden prize of the frozen tundra and open water alike, loved for its feisty fight and unmatched culinary excellence.

Free Membership

Catch more these fish — free

Create a free account and unlock the full angling toolkit:

Interactive fishing maps with spots, structure & depth waypoints

Save rigs & lures to your Tacklebox and Rig Box

Log every catch in your Livewell and post to the Trophy Wall

Create Free Account Explore the Map

Put this rig to work.

Mark your spots on the fishing map and plan around the bite.