by Terry Robertson
I left my rented cabin on a cold January morning in 2019 headed to fish a tournament on Toledo Bend Reservoir, like I had good sense. The thermometer on my pickup read 31 degrees and the fog was as dense as pea soup. The only saving grace was the wind was light and out of the west.
Toledo Bend is situated on the Sabine river on the Texas / Louisiana border and runs north and south. It was one of those mornings where I should have stayed in the bed. I mean, there’s always another tournament on a better day. The weatherman predicted the cold and fog so I made the six hour drive from home a day early and stayed the night in a VRBO cabin so that I’d have a short drive to the lake the next morning. My plan was working perfectly until … SCREEEEECH! WHAM! BAM! When I gathered my senses, I found myself jack-knifed in a pine thicket. The truck weathered the crash fairly well, I can’t say the same about my Ranger boat. A box truck had approached me from behind and failed to see my tail lights in the heavy fog and crashed into my outboard motor causing the wreck. The boat was a total loss. After the State Police finished their investigation, I went on to the boat ramp with no boat, a torn up truck, several cuts and bruises, and some rattled nerves.
I planned to check in with my friends and just head back home, but one of the guys who was fishing alone, David, offered his back deck to me. I decided that it could’t get much worse so I borrowed everything I needed to fish except for a fishing license. That was the only thing I had left! We loaded up and began easing across the lake navigating solely by GPS because the fog was even worse on the water.
Winter bass fishing presents some unique challenges, but this day was especially challenging. Once I made my first cast, I put the mornings problems aside and decided that if I was going to fish it, I might as well try to win it. While many anglers might prefer the warmer months, those who understand how to adjust their techniques can find success even in the coldest days of winter. One of my favorite and most effective rigs for winter bass fishing is the drop shot rig, a highly versatile setup that can trigger strikes from lethargic fish when other presentations won’t. Knowing how to rig and fish the drop shot effectively during the winter can make a significant difference in your catch rate. The only problem is that it takes patience to properly fish this rig and I was running a little short on that!
The drop shot rig is widely recognized for its finesse qualities, which make it ideal for cold-water conditions. As water temperatures drop and bass become less active, their feeding patterns shift. They’re less likely to chase fast-moving baits or engage in aggressive strikes, preferring instead to conserve energy. The slow, precise presentation of a drop shot allows the angler to tempt fish into biting without requiring them to expend much energy. Let me teach you how to rig a drop shot, why it excels in winter fishing, and the strategies you can use to make the most of this rig during the colder months in the South.
The drop shot rig may seem simple at first glance, but its effectiveness is in the details. The rig consists of a small, lightweight hook tied directly to the mainline with a Palomar knot, leaving a tag end anywhere from 6 to 24 inches below the hook. A small weight is attached to the end of this tag line, keeping the bait suspended off the bottom. Unlike other rigs where the bait rests directly on bottom, the drop shot’s unique design elevates the bait into the water column, giving it a more natural appearance.
In winter, this elevated presentation becomes even more important. As the metabolism of bass slows in colder water, they tend to hold tight to the bottom or suspend just above it, often remaining stationary for long periods. By keeping the bait off the bottom, you’re placing it right in front of their face, making it easier for a lethargic fish to strike. The finesse nature of the drop shot allows you to work the bait slowly, mimicking the subtle movements of prey in cold water.
Selecting the right components for your drop shot setup is very important for winter fishing. A key factor to consider is the type of line you use. Fluorocarbon is often preferred because it sinks, has low visibility underwater, and provides sensitivity, which is crucial for detecting the often subtle bites of winter bass. The diameter of your line should be on the lighter side, typically between 6 and 10-pound test, as bass in cold water tend to be more finicky, and lighter line allows for a more natural presentation.
When it comes to the hook, a size 1 or 2 drop shot hook works well for most applications. The size of the weight can vary depending on the depth and current, but generally, a weight between 1/8 and 1/4 ounce is ideal for fishing in typical southern waters. In deeper lakes, especially those with a steeper drop-off or rock structure, a heavier weight might be necessary to keep the bait in the strike zone.
Bait Selection
The bait you choose for winter drop shot fishing is critical to your success. Subtlety and realism are key. Soft plastic baits, especially those that mimic smaller bait fish like shad, minnows, and even worms, work best on a drop shot rig. Thin-profile worms, small flukes, and finesse minnows in natural colors are often the go-to choices.
In many southern lakes and rivers, bass rely heavily on shad as a primary food source, especially during the colder months. Choosing soft plastic baits that resemble shad in both color and size can be very effective. Natural colors such as pearl, silver, and translucent shades tend to work well in clear water, while darker colors like green pumpkin or black can be more effective in murkier waters.
Another important factor in winter bait selection is the action of the lure. While you want a bait that moves realistically, it’s important to remember that bass are less likely to react to aggressive movements when the water is cold. Select baits that have a subtle action-ones that move with the slightest twitch of the rod tip. You don’t need an exaggerated motion to entice a strike; often, letting the bait sit still with just an occasional small twitch is enough to trigger a bite from a sluggish winter bass.
Finding Them
Locating bass during winter months requires a different approach than during the warmer seasons. Bass tend to move into deeper water as the temperature drops, often congregating around structure or drop-offs where they can conserve energy and ambush prey. My new tournament partner, David, was the first person to introduce me to the Garmin LiveScope. He had me come to the front deck with him and showed me a log pile in over 50 feet of water on his graph. He then pointed out several fish staged just above the log pile, and we watched his bait on the graph as he dropped his drop-shot rig down to just above the visible fish. It took several minutes for one of the fish to slowly make her move and inhale the fluke. The bite was very subtle and slow; one of those bites you’d probably not feel, and might miss if you weren’t watching your line, and the line was difficult to see due to the fog. We did however see the bite on the graph and David set the hook on a 6-pound black bass. Then it was my turn. I lowered my bait, barely jigged it and along came another good bass. I saw but never felt the bite until I set the hook. While they are not as aggressive as they are in spring or fall, they still need to eat, and understanding where they are likely to be holding is crucial for successful winter fishing with a drop shot rig. LiveScope doesn’t hurt your chances either. I was already a drop-shot believer, but when coupled with this technology, it seemed unbeatable. Not only did we hook several good bass, I was hooked, too … on LiveScope.
In many southern lakes, bass will often hold near deep water structure, such as submerged timber, rock piles, or ledges. Creek channels and points are prime locations, as these provide both the depth bass seek and the cover they need. Drop-offs near main lake points or steep banks can be especially productive because they offer quick access to deeper water. The drop shot rig excels in these areas because it allows you to fish vertically, keeping the bait in the strike zone for a longer period.
If the lake or river you’re fishing has any vegetation, this can also be a productive area to target, even in winter. While much of the vegetation may die back in the colder months, remaining patches can hold fish. Bass will often position themselves on the edges of grass beds or near submerged brush, where they can ambush unsuspecting prey. By working a drop shot rig slowly along these edges, you can effectively target fish that are holding tight to cover.
Suspended bass are another challenge commonly faced in the winter months. When bass suspend, they often do so in deeper water, holding just above the thermocline or around baitfish schools. In these situations, the drop shot rig shines because of its ability to present the bait at a specific depth. Instead of dragging the bottom, you can adjust the length of the leader to place the bait right where the fish are suspended. And, again, LiveScope shines in the same conditions.
Fishing a drop shot rig in winter requires patience. While other times of the year might call for fast retrieves and power fishing techniques, winter bass fishing demands a slower, more methodical approach. The key to success with the drop shot is controlling your movements and letting the rig do the work for you.
Once you’ve cast or dropped your rig to a likely spot, let it sink to the bottom. Once the weight hits, keep a slight tension in your line and begin to gently shake the rod tip. The goal is not to move the rig a lot but to impart small, subtle movements to the bait. This shaking action causes the soft plastic to quiver in place, imitating a small, vulnerable baitfish or worm hovering just above the bottom. Keep the rig in the same location for an extended period before moving it, as winter bass are less likely to chase down a fast-moving target. This stationary or near-stationary presentation can often be more than enough to entice a bite.
While fishing, it’s important to keep the weight in contact with the lake bottom. If you feel the rig hit structure, such as rocks or submerged timber, pause for a moment and shake the bait slightly. Bass often hide near this kind of cover and will strike as the bait hovers just above it. Be prepared for light bites; in winter, bass often strike with less aggression than during warmer months, so it’s crucial to remain focused and ready to set the hook at the slightest indication of a nibble.
Fishing the drop shot vertically is a technique that can be highly effective during winter, especially when you’ve located fish on your sonar. By dropping the rig directly below the boat and keeping it in the strike zone, you can entice bites from fish that are holding tight to structure or suspended in deeper water. This vertical presentation allows you to maintain precise control over the bait’s depth, which can be critical when targeting bass in colder, deeper waters.
The drop shot rig can be a game-changer for anglers willing to adapt to the conditions. Its finesse presentation, combined with the ability to keep the bait in the strike zone for an extended period, makes it the perfect tool for tempting cold-water bass. By carefully selecting the right components, understanding the best locations, and mastering the slow, methodical techniques required in winter, you can increase your chances of success on the water. Of course, guys have been drop shotting long before electronics were available, but LiveScope and similar sonar sure improves your odds of finding and fishing productive water. Whether you’re fishing deep structure, working suspended fish, or targeting edges of submerged vegetation, the drop shot rig is an effective option for winter fishing. I was glad I stayed and fished the tournament eventhough we didn’t finish in the money. I learned a lot about new technology, made a new friend, and had a really enjoyable trip. The next week, I ordered a new boat with a few upgraded electronics, if you know what I mean.
