Like any topic, there is a long and a short version. Because new people continue to want information, I asked three-time U.S. Open winner Mike Folkestad to talk in the most basic terms about drop-shotting, a staple in the finesse fishing game.
It wasn’t easy, but I got him to condense the method into three key points. Interestingly, he says, those are: “Knowing what’s down there, positioning for control and developing your feel.”
KNOWING WHAT’S THERE is the broadest aspect. “Knowing your structure,” as he puts it, includes understanding its features, variations and then the “depths of [bass] activity or bait.” The latter, he explains, gives you an idea of where the bass may be positioned. “If you see a few arches (on sonar) then position and fish it,” he says. “Even if there are only a few marks, there may be more fish there than you realize.”
Once a level of activity is observed, however, then you are free to examine other “breaks or humps,” recognizing that the timing of your visit to a spot may be off and you may have to check back. However, today’s electronics are critical, says the long-time Lowrance pro. “Let them do the walking for you.”
POSITIONING FOR CONTROL means putting your platform–your boat–where you can repeat presentations to the exact places where sonar detected fish. Remember, the fish are not randomly located. Says Folkestad, “I see lots of guys make a cast and catch a fish, but then their next cast is nowhere near the same spot.”
While Mike didn’t mention it specifically, if you need to put a marker buoy down to maintain your exact point of reference, go ahead and do it. In time, if you are observant, you will be able to hold your position with a combination of shoreline sightings and quick glances at your sonar depth. This way you fix your location in order to make repeated casts to the key zone.
DEVELOPING YOUR FEEL is also essential in drop-shotting. This is primarily associated with the weight of your sinker, usually something in the 1/8th to 1/4th of an ounce range with 6-pound mono or fluoro. “An inexperienced angler should probably use a heavier weight like a quarter,” he advises.
“You’ll get pretty much the same number of bites,” Mike says, and more importantly, the extra weight lets you “detect the scratchy feel of anything rough on the bottom.
“You want to focus on that feeling,” he says. “Learn that feeling from day to day, week to week and year to year, because 75 percent of the time, that’s where you’ll get bit.”
Of course, you can go lighter on the sinker, if you have the right patience. You will have to fish more slowly with say, a one-eighth ounce. But don’t press your luck, says Mike. “With eighth ounce you’re wasting your time. You’ve got to learn the feeling.”
You can learn more of Mike Folkestad’s activities by checking out his website (here).
8 Responses to “Mike Folkestad talks drop-shot ‘essentials’”
Very valuable information! As always…great article George. Thanks for sharing. Mike remains consistent year after year in the sport, and learning from him is valuable.
Great info Mike and George! I drop worked for me today!
Typo: The Drop worked for me today!! =)
Dave: I’m worried. I actually understood your first message. Glad you got some…at DVL.
and I was afraid that the ‘I Drop’ was some new variation on dropshotting, lol.
Who’s this ‘Folkestad’ guy – has he done something???
Just kidding TGO!!! Thanks for giving up some of the subtleties!
Thanks GK for putting it together!
Roger
Great information…. I think Mike has left out the key ingredient. In order to be successful at drop-shotting you may want to have a couple packs of those purple worms made by Roboworm… I think they are called Folkestad Special. lol.
Great article George!
Thanks for sharing this Mike and George.