Ocean "Drop Shot" Rig By Hippo

I was in Hi's Tackle today and Hippo drew this for me.  I was asking about swim baits jigs for Lings.  He suggested using this approach.  It keeps the lure off the bottom and when the weight hangs up, the lure isn't lost.

He suggested using open loop hooks ~7/0 attached directly to the treble swivel.  Then a drop line of less strength than the main line.

Thanks for the share.  I might give that a try tomorrow.

I was in Hi's Tackle today and Hippo drew this for me.  I was asking about swim baits jigs for Lings.  He suggested using this approach.  It keeps the lure off the bottom and when the weight hangs up, the lure isn't lost.

He suggested using open loop hooks ~7/0 attached directly to the treble swivel.  Then a drop line of less strength than the main line.

If you have trouble with those 3-way swivel (and I always seem to), you might want to try these instead:

http://store.thundermistlures.com/home.php?cat=41

I use the t-turn swivels all the time---far superior to standard 3-way swivels, IMHO.

They guys up at the outdoor pro shop in Ronert Park siad almost the same thing, except with a twist, use a beast hook instead.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Weighted_Beast_Hook_w__Twistlock/descpage-OWBWT.html

The advantage was, you could keep it running "weedless" and keep it from snagging in the kelp or rocks as much.  I look forward to trying them out here in a week or so.

They guys up at the outdoor pro shop in Ronert Park siad almost the same thing, except with a twist, use a beast hook instead.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Weighted_Beast_Hook_w__Twistlock/descpage-OWBWT.html

The advantage was, you could keep it running "weedless" and keep it from snagging in the kelp or rocks as much.  I look forward to trying them out here in a week or so.

Doesn't an Owner Beast hooks' eye run inline with the shank? When attached that would put the hook sideways on the line.

Ridiculous. I like the jig head right down on the rocks.

I make up some leaders that are smiliar, no 3 way swivel but the hook sticks out perpendicular to the line. I use a very large EWG  hook for this if targeting lings, much smaller if I want the rockies to stick. 

I don't use a sinker either, BH and appropriate size jig head or metal to double chances. Watch your FF, be careful fishing up hill, stay vertical as possible and you will reduce your gear loss.

I think one of the points he was making is in contrast to a jighead, one can use as much weight as needed.  He suggested that for a fast drift sometimes the jighead is insufficient weight.

If you are drifting with more than 8 oz its too fast. 30lb braid with a 3-40 lb mono topshot and a 4oz jighead you are good for a pretty fast drift. I know that lingcod and most rockfish are not the brightest fish on the planet but you cant really imitate a swimming baitfish with that set up IMO only. Now possibly if you put a 3ft leader to the 3way maybe. Whats to keep the swimbait running true with that set up anyway? When using a 3-4oz Andy1976 jig head the swimbait follows the weight perfectly. Plus when keeping the jig head is close to the rocks and bottom, the big ones come out of the hole to see what all the banging is about they slam the jighead. Fo sho.

If you are drifting with more than 8 oz its too fast. 30lb braid with a 3-40 lb mono topshot and a 4oz jighead you are good for a pretty fast drift. I know that lingcod and most rockfish are not the brightest fish on the planet but you cant really imitate a swimming baitfish with that set up IMO only. Now possibly if you put a 3ft leader to the 3way maybe. Whats to keep the swimbait running truoe with that set up anyway? When using a 3-4oz Andy1976 jig head the swimbait follows the weight perfectly. Plus when keeping the jig head is close to the rocks and bottom, the big ones come out of the hole to see what all the banging is about they slam the jighead. Fo sho.

Craigs right, if you gotta throw that much lead out for rockfish you should be doing something else that day!

With that said, a true dropshot without a three way swivel works great and has a flowy presentation.  But I find it a.little harder to know when you hook up because the weight throws me off a bit.  I also think they hit the weight from time to time and you miss hookups.  I know a dood that uses it well when he's matching the hatch! 

Why not use a dropper loop set up? That looks like a lot of extra gear.

Where can I get those "3-4oz Andy1976 jig heads"?

Where can I get those "3-4oz Andy1976 jig heads"?

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=50586.msg563624#msg563624

The biggest ling I have ever caught, 38 inches, was hitchhiker.   So, you don't always have to knock on the door to catch big lings.  I have caught some large ones trolling bh also.

Ridiculous. I like the jig head right down on the rocks.

I agree.  There's no way you can give the swimbait the best kind of action with all that hardware attached.  It appears awkward, prone to tangle and more prone to snag the bottom.  I say keep it clean, get your swimbait (direct tie) nearly dragging the bottom and consider...,losing a swimbait once in awhile is just the cost of doing business.  Nine times out of 10, I'm able to free a snag anyway.