Drop-shotting is widely known as an effective deep-water fishing technique, but it can also produce impressive results in shallow cover, especially in heavily pressured fishing areas. Harold Stark, a Missouri angler and seasoned tournament competitor, discovered this alternative approach while facing a tough day on the water.
After struggling to catch bass in deeper waters, Stark decided to move into the shallows. Without a rod rigged for shallow presentations like a Texas-rigged worm, he opted to use his drop shot rig, already on the front deck of his boat. When he cast it toward a small log jam, the result was surprising and immediate.
Bass quickly responded to the drop shot rig, biting consistently while ignoring other lures. Stark’s repeated attempts to catch larger bass by pitching a jig into the logs were unsuccessful, so he stuck with the drop shot. His strategy paid off, and Stark estimates that his five best keepers for the day weighed in the “upper teens.”
Why the Drop Shot Works in Shallow Water
Stark believes that the drop shot rig is effective in shallow water because it keeps the bait elevated in the strike zone throughout the retrieve. According to Stark, “The drop shot keeps the bait off the bottom where the bass can see it.” He explains that most of the time, bass are looking upward, so keeping the bait off the bottom increases its visibility and appeal.
This shallow drop shot technique works particularly well on flats or in small pockets that are filled with blown-in logs, laydowns, or boat docks. Stark has caught bass in water as shallow as 15 inches using this method. While targeting shallow cover, he notes that even in spots that appear only a foot deep, there are often small deeper areas—up to two feet—that can hold bass.
A Finesse Approach for Shallow Bass
Stark describes this shallow drop shot method as the “perfect finesse situation.” It’s a slower, more subtle presentation, ideal for clear water. Stark has found success with it throughout the seasons, from spring through fall. Whether the weather is cloudy, rainy, or sunny, this tactic consistently produces bites when other methods fail to draw attention.
The pressure from fishing activity or boat traffic often drives bass into shallow cover, making them more likely to bite. Stark recalls a particularly effective day when three jet skis circled the area he was fishing, pushing bass into the logs where his drop shot rig was waiting.
The Setup: Ideal Gear for Shallow Drop Shotting
Stark’s go-to gear for shallow drop shotting includes two types of spinning outfits: St. Croix and Bass Pro Shops 7-foot medium and medium-heavy spinning rods paired with Pflueger #3 spinning reels. He spools these reels with a 15-pound braided main line, using a 6- to 12-foot leader of 12- or 15-pound fluorocarbon for stealth and sensitivity.
For lures, Stark favors 4.5- or 6-inch Roboworm Straight Tail Worms and XCite Baits 6 1/4-inch Slim-X floating worms, particularly in the “morning dawn” color. On some days, a floating worm with a tail that sticks up is more effective, keeping the bait in the strike zone longer. In the fall, when larger bass are in the shallow cover, Stark switches to a “Bubba shot” rig, using a small creature or beaver bait to target bigger fish. For this, he pitches with a 7 1/2-foot flipping stick and baitcasting reel spooled with 15-pound fluorocarbon. His preferred colors for these baits include green pumpkin, black blue, and June bug, although he opts for white when shad are present.
Rigging and Presentation
Stark rigs his drop shot lures Texas-style, using a 1/0 Gamakatsu Stinger Hook and a 3/16- or 1/4-ounce round sinker. Unlike traditional drop shotting, which is often more vertical, Stark uses a horizontal presentation in shallow water. He leaves a 15- to 20-inch drop line between the hook and the sinker to keep the bait suspended in the strike zone.
The retrieve for shallow drop shotting is minimal. Stark recommends doing as little as possible to the lure, letting natural movements in the water create the action. “The biggest deal is not to work it too much,” Stark explains. “Put it in the cover, hold it up where the bass can see it, and let the waves and water do the work.” He slowly drags the rig along the length of the log, keeping the sinker on the bottom while allowing the lure to float just above it.
Maximizing the Catch
One of the advantages of this technique is the potential to catch multiple bass from a single piece of cover. Stark has often caught four or five fish from the same spot by presenting his drop shot rig repeatedly to the same log. If bites stop, he changes the angle of his presentation, casting to different parts of the log until the action resumes.
The drop shot rig is not just for deep, open water. As Harold Stark has demonstrated, this finesse technique can be just as effective in shallow cover, especially in heavily pressured or crowded fishing areas. By keeping the bait in the strike zone and presenting it in a subtle, natural way, anglers can entice more bass to bite—even in tough conditions.
Image/Source: BassResource
