How to rig a drop shot
Hang a bait above the weight so it drifts in open water — the rig for fish that will follow a bait but refuse one on the bottom.
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · Editorial policy
What this skill is for
Putting the weight below the hook means the bait never lies in the silt. It hangs in the water column where reluctant fish can inspect it, and the short tag lets you dial in exactly how far off the bottom you are presenting.
What you need
- Fine fluorocarbon or light monofilament for the tag end.
- A small fine-wire hook.
- A drop-shot weight with a clip, or a grip lead.
- A small soft bait or livebait.
Step by step
- 01
Tie the hook first
Tie the hook to the main line with a Palomar or improved clinch, then leave a long tag end rather than trimming it.
- 02
Set the hook upright
Thread a soft bait nose-to-tail so it hangs straight and swims with the point up.
- 03
Tie the weight to the tag
Pass the tag through the weight's clip or eye and tie it with another Palomar. The tag is now the distance between bait and weight.
- 04
Choose the gap
Start with a hand's span between hook and weight. Fish holding tight to the bottom want it shorter; fish suspended off it want longer.
- 05
Fish it still
Let it fall on a slack line, then hold it in one place and twitch only the tip of the rod. The rig is fished with the smallest movement you can manage.
Where it goes wrong
- Trimming the tag before tying the weight.
- A gap so short the bait sits in the weight's shadow.
- A weight far heavier than the bait needs.
- Working it hard — the drop shot is a subtle rig.
- Ignoring the fluorocarbon, which shows on a still, clear day.
Related guides
Common questions
What do I need for rig a drop shot?
Fine fluorocarbon or light monofilament for the tag end., A small fine-wire hook., A drop-shot weight with a clip, or a grip lead., A small soft bait or livebait.. Nothing specialist beyond that — if a step needs something extra it is listed in the guide itself.
What is the most common mistake with rig a drop shot?
Trimming the tag before tying the weight.
How do I know rig a drop shot is done correctly?
The bait hangs above a clipped weight, the line runs straight down to it, and the bait stays in one place while its tail drifts.