To make a drop shot bait, pour or inject a medium to medium/soft durometer plastic into a drop shot minnow or worm mold to create a slender, natural profile. Then nose-hook or wacky-rig it above a drop shot weight so it hovers off the bottom, which is exactly what makes the technique so deadly on pressured fish.
Drop shot baits are smaller, simple to pour, and one of the most effective finesse presentations in fishing. Here is how to make and rig them.
What you need
- A drop shot mold like the 4" Drop Shot Minna or 3.6" Action Worm (see all drop shot molds).
- Medium durometer or Medium/Soft plastisol.
- Colorant and glitter (natural shad and minnow colors shine here).
- Heat source, thermometer, measuring cups, safety gear, injector if injecting.
Step-by-step
- Warm the mold so the slender body and tail fill completely.
- Heat plastic to about 350°F and stir gently to avoid bubbles.
- Add color and a fine flake for baitfish flash.
- Pour or inject steadily.
- Cool, pull, and cure.
How to rig a drop shot
Tie the hook onto the line with a Palomar knot so it stands out from the line, leaving a long tag end. Attach a drop shot weight to the tag end below the hook. Then either nose-hook the bait for maximum action or wacky-rig it through the middle. The weight sits on the bottom while the bait hovers above it, quivering with the smallest rod movement.
Frequently asked questions
What plastic should I use for drop shot baits?
A medium to medium/soft durometer for a natural look with enough action, and enough durability to catch multiple fish.
How do you rig a drop shot bait?
Palomar-knot the hook with the point up, add a weight on the tag end below the hook, then nose-hook or wacky-rig the bait so it hovers off the bottom.
Nose-hook or wacky?
Nose-hooking gives the most action and lets the bait glide; wacky-rigging adds a subtle quiver. Try both.
Start pouring drop shot baits
Browse drop shot molds like the 4" Drop Shot Minna. New to pouring? See our beginner's guide.
By the Angling A.i. team