How long should a drop shot leader be for bass?

12–18 in between hook and weight for fish near bottom. Lengthen to 24–36 in for suspended fish.

What size hook for a drop shot?

A #1 or #2 drop-shot hook for 4–6 in finesse worms.

Drop Shot Bass Fishing: Rig, Leader Length and Baits

Written by Atlas Editorial · Last updated 2026-11-05

A drop shot is a finesse rig for bass you can see or know are deep: a #1 or #2 hook tied above a 1/4–3/8 oz weight on a 12–18 in tag, 6–8 lb fluorocarbon, and a 4–6 in finesse worm shaken in place.

Drop shot rig

Tie a Palomar knot to a #1 or #2 drop-shot hook, leaving a long tag end. Thread the tag back through the hook eye from the top so the point faces up.
Clip a 1/4 oz weight on the tag for 10–25 ft; 3/8 oz for 25–40 ft or wind.
Leader (hook to weight): 12–18 in for bass near bottom; 24–36 in when fish suspend higher.
Line: 10–15 lb braid main line to an 8–10 ft leader of 6–8 lb fluorocarbon, on a 6 ft 10 in to 7 ft 2 in medium-light spinning rod.

Drop shot baits

4–6 in straight-tail finesse worm — the standard.
3–4 in minnow-profile soft plastic when bass are feeding on shad or herring.
Colours: morning dawn, green pumpkin, shad, and purple-based colours in clear water.

Drop shot pro tips

Pro tip · Shake, do not move

Keep the weight on the bottom and shake slack line, not the rod. The bait should quiver in place.

Pro tip · Where

Clear lakes with deep spotted bass — Smith Lake and Lake Martin — in summer and winter, on points and brush piles 20–40 ft.

Pro tip · Hookset

Reel into the fish and sweep. With a light-wire hook and light line, a hard snap breaks off or pulls the hook.

Pro tip · Electronics

Drop shots shine when you can see fish on sonar. Drop straight down to them and hold the bait at their level.

Questions from the ramp

Sources

Data last reviewed: 2026-11-05