4 Killer Drop-Shot Baits You Haven’t Tried

Born in the west, the drop shot has quickly revolutionized finesse fishing. Its subtle wiggle and free-floating action are irresistible to even the most tight-lipped bass. It’s not just a finesse presentation, either, as major tournaments are won all across the country each year by anglers drop-shotting.Despite becoming commonplace, most anglers still only consider a narrow selection of baits when they rig up their drop-shots – chief among them little finesse worms and stick baits.Why is that? We don’t know, but we’re here to tell you that there are a lot more baits that work on a drop shot, and we thought it’d be a good idea to get a list together of some unique and relatively unused bait styles that work wonders on a drop shot.So, the next time you reach for your drop shot rod, try thinking outside the box and mixing it up with one of these “alternate” drop-shot baits.

1. Creature baits

With their wiggling appendages and unique body profiles, creature baits seem uniquely perfect for drop-shotting… But for some reason nobody uses them. Baits like the Rage Tail Space Monkey and Big Bite Fighting Frog are killer on a drop shot and present a profile that many bass have never seen before. Rig them up on an upsized “bubba shot” on casting tackle and work them around shallow cover – then hold on.

2. Tubes

There aren’t many drop-shot baits better at imitating a bottom fish than a tube. Tubes have a baitfish profile, come in countless shades, and flat out get bit. Unfortunately, the extent of most anglers tube arsenal is an internal jig head. That’s a problem, because tubes are also killer on a drop shot. Try nose hooking a tube like the Big Bite Baits Ring Tube or Northland Tackle Impulse Tube on a drop shot and working it around deep points or brush.

3. Swimbaits

Many anglers think of swimbaits as a cast and wind bait, but they are also dynamite on a drop shot. They do an excellent job of imitating bottom feeding baitfish, and their paddle tail creates a super-enticing action when twitched along the bottom. Instead of a shaking motion, try a slow and steady drag with a drop shotted swimbait like the Castaic Super Jerky J, which keeps it close to the bottom at all times.

4. Grubs

The venerable grub may have been relegated to the back of many anglers tackle boxes, but not because they quit catching fish. Grubs like the Fishing Physics Grub can be made to emulate any kind of natural forage present, and on a drop shot they present a snack-sized profile that drives bass crazy. Try a green or brown grub to imitate a crawfish, or a white or silver one to imitate shad.