The drop shot rig is one of the most effective finesse bass presentations — a small plastic bait suspended a set distance above a bottom weight, positioned naturally in the strike zone. It excels in clear water, after cold fronts, and on pressured fish that have seen every other technique. The knot is a critical component of how the rig works.
Why Drop Shot Knot Tying Is Different
Most rigs — Texas rig, Carolina rig, jig — end with the knot at the terminal end of the line. The drop shot rig is different: the hook is tied somewhere in the middle of the line, with a tag end extending down to the sinker.
The knot must:
- Hold the hook securely to the main line
- Allow the tag end to extend downward for the sinker
- Position the hook perpendicular (at 90°) to the main line so the bait stands out naturally
The Palomar Knot, modified for drop shot, achieves all three.
How to Tie the Drop Shot Palomar Knot
What You Need
- 7–10lb fluorocarbon main line or leader
- Size 1–2 drop shot hook (finesse wire hook)
- Drop shot sinker (1/8–3/8 oz, cylinder or teardrop style)
Step 1: Double the line
Double up about 6–8 inches of line to create a loop 3–4 inches long.
Step 2: Thread through the hook eye
Pass the doubled loop through the hook eye and pull through until you have 8–24 inches of tag end below the hook (the length of your desired hook-to-weight distance). Leave this extra length — do not trim.
Step 3: Tie an overhand knot
With the doubled line above the hook eye, tie a loose overhand knot. Leave it open.
Step 4: Pass the hook through the loop
Open the loop (the long end of the doubled section) and pass the entire hook through it.
Step 5: Moisten and cinch
Wet the knot. Hold the standing line above the knot and the tag end below, and pull simultaneously to cinch the knot against the hook eye.
Step 6: Thread tag end back through hook eye (critical step)
Take the tag end (now pointing downward toward where the weight will go) and pass it back through the hook eye from the front (from the point side, not the back side).
This repositions the hook so it sits perpendicular to the main line — pointing straight out at 90 degrees. Without this step, the hook hangs at a downward angle.
Step 7: Attach the sinker
Tie or clip the drop shot sinker to the tag end. Most drop shot sinkers use a swivel clip — press the loop of the tag end into the clip and release. The sinker can be adjusted up or down without retying by opening the clip.
Alternative: Tie a simple overhand loop knot in the tag end and clip the sinker through the loop. This allows easy sinker swaps.
Drop Shot Hook Positioning
The most common drop shot setup problem is incorrect hook angle. Here’s how to diagnose:
| Hook Angle | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Hook perpendicular (90°) | Correct — tag end threaded back through front of eye | Done correctly |
| Hook pointing downward | Tag end not re-threaded through eye | Re-thread tag end through front of hook eye |
| Hook pointing upward | Tag end threaded through back of eye | Re-thread from the front (point side) |
The goal: the hook extends straight out from the line like a horizontal arm. The bait hangs naturally off the hook bend with its nose connected to the hook, body hanging freely.
Drop Shot Soft Plastic Rigging
Drop shot plastics are nose-hooked — not threaded through the body:
Nose hook method:
- Push the hook point into the very tip of the plastic bait’s nose
- Push through about 1/4 inch
- Exit the hook through the side of the plastic
- The bait hangs by its nose; the rest of the body moves freely below the hook
This creates a natural, swaying action. The bait undulates in the current or with slight rod movement without any angler input.
Best drop shot plastics:
- Roboworm Straight Tail Worm (4 or 6 inch) — considered the best all-around
- Zoom Finesse Worm
- Berkley PowerBait Maxscent Flat Nose Minnow
- Strike King Dream Shot (drop shot specific)
Drop Shot Setup: Complete System
| Component | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Main line | 10–15lb braid |
| Leader | 8–10lb fluorocarbon, 18–36 inches |
| Line-to-leader | FG Knot or Double Uni Knot |
| Hook | Size 1 finesse drop shot hook |
| Plastic | 4–6 inch finesse worm |
| Sinker | 3/16–1/4 oz drop shot weight |
| Hook-to-weight distance | 8–18 inches |
Clear Water / Finesse Setup
| Component | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Main line | 8lb fluorocarbon direct (no braid) |
| Hook | Size 2 light wire finesse hook |
| Plastic | Roboworm 4-inch in natural colors |
| Sinker | 3/16 oz cylinder weight |
Drop Shot Techniques
Vertical Drop Shot
Most effective from a boat over deep structure. Lower the rig until the sinker touches bottom, reel up 1–2 inches of slack, and shake the rod tip. The lure vibrates in place with no horizontal movement. Extremely effective for suspended fish and pressured fish that won’t chase.
Dragging Drop Shot
Cast out, let the rig hit bottom, and slowly drag across the bottom while keeping contact. The sinker drags; the bait floats 6–18 inches above. Covers more water than vertical presentation.
Casting Drop Shot
For shore fishing and boat fishing in shallow water. Cast to a target, let the rig settle, and work it back with a combination of shakes and slow drags.
Alternative Drop Shot Knots
| Knot | Notes |
|---|---|
| Palomar Knot (standard, with tag re-thread) | Best for most anglers |
| Improved Clinch Knot | Works but hook hangs at angle; acceptable on size 1/0+ hooks where angle matters less |
| Snell knot | Used by some pro anglers — very direct connection with specific hook offset |