Drop Shotting Walleyes | A Modern Approach with Plastics

Drop shotting has been successfully adapted from the bass fishing world to other popular gamefish species such as walleyes and panfish. Wired2fish contributor and pro angler Mark Courts explains when and how to use the drop shot finesse technique for walleyes and his preferred tackle and rod setup to fish it with maximum effectiveness.

TACKLE USED

Live bait has taken a back seat to artificial presentations over the last several years due to advancements in scent impregnated plastics, sonar, and boat control equipment. The drop shot pairs well with a wide range of plastics and is easy to pitch to productive areas with sonar and mapping. Perhaps most importantly, the drop shot maintains the bait in the strike zone of finicky walleye unwilling to chase baits.

Courts shares his primary methods of working the setup. As with any finesse technique, the right gear has a significant impact on success. He shares his go-to plastic, hook, and entire rod, reel, and line setup for coaxing bites from both active and tentative walleyes.

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[ChrisG]

The drop shot is definitely the most underrated rig out there. I've had several experienced walleye anglers tell me over the years that drop shots don't work well for walleye (during the Spring jigging season in the Great Lakes). Lo and behold I've caught dozens of walleye on drop shots, many over 7-8 lbs in size. My sons (12 &14) also do a lot of drop shot fishing for walleye and have had consistent success during our outings, especially when night fishing for walleye. So, for the experienced anglers that swear drop shots don't work for walleye...let 'em keep thinking that while we haul in our limits!

[FishingThePNW]

The drop shot will essentially catch anything that swims with minor tweaks to the set up. So incredibly versatile!

[kejaymy]

Good stuff and I already have a good drop shot rod that I use for bass fishing...😁

[DRazz]

What knot do you use to tie the hook to the line?

[keiththompson]

Why does nobody drop shot above a jig? Doubling the rig

[travisbruno]

Are you threading the hook through the bait

[chrishillard]

size 1 or 1/0? link doesn't have a size 1.

[kyongb]

Most of people they do not have fishing boat and want to watch for bank fishing vedio but most of youtuber they have boat and are talking about boat fishing....

[chadjackson]

lol guy can only catch fish on his $3000 livescope

[Boon-ierq]

It's great until the pike shows up 😆.