Drop Shotting at Lake George: A Winning Technique
Since that memorable trip to Lake Champlain, the drop shot rig has become my go-to technique for targeting smallmouth bass. A few weeks later, I discovered that the smallmouths in Lake George were just as eager to bite on drop shot rigs, especially when paired with soft plastic Goby lures. While practicing for a Capital District Bassmaster club event at Lake George, I found success near the Point of Tongue Mountain, catching several impressive smallmouths.
The Tournament Day
On the day of the tournament, I launched from Mossy Point at the north end of the lake and made the long run through the Narrows down to Tongue Mountain. I had confidence in this area after my practice session, so I decided to spend the first five hours fishing that spot exclusively. It turned out to be the right decision, as I ended up winning the tournament with a total weight of over 17 pounds from five smallmouth bass—all caught using the drop shot rig.
A Strategy That Pays Off
My non-boater partner for the day initially tried other techniques but switched to drop shotting after seeing me land my third fish. By the end of the day, he finished fifth overall, catching nearly 15 pounds of fish using the same setup. As we waited in line at the weigh-in, I leaned over and asked him to keep my winning strategy under wraps—for now.
Why Drop Shotting Works at Lake George
The success of the drop shot rig at Lake George boils down to its versatility and ability to present the bait naturally at different depths. Smallmouth bass at Lake George often hang around rocky ledges, steep drop-offs, and underwater structures, similar to those I fished near Tongue Mountain. With the drop shot rig, I was able to keep my bait hovering just above the rocks, mimicking the natural movement of prey, and enticing even the wariest smallmouths into biting.
Lake George’s crystal-clear waters also make it a perfect place for finesse fishing techniques like drop shotting. Using lighter line and small, subtle lures, you can present a more realistic and less intimidating offering to bass, increasing your chances of success. The combination of clear water and the abundance of rocky structures makes Lake George an ideal setting for this technique.
Keeping the Secret
After that tournament, I realized the true potential of drop-shotting in both competition and recreational fishing. It’s a method that works just as well in Lake George as it does in the more well-known bass fishing waters of Lake Champlain. And while I’ve since shared my drop shot tips with a few close friends, I still smile when I think back to that day and the secret I asked my non-boater to keep as we stood in line at the weigh-in.
Ultimately, the key to success on Lake George—or any other body of water—comes down to patience, persistence, and having confidence in your technique. And for me, drop shotting has proven to be a winning strategy time and time again.
Drop Shot Rigs for Bass in Dense Cover
As a dedicated wacky (sinking) worm bass angler since the early ’90s, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the nuances of bass fishing. My go-to bait has typically been the six-inch Bass Pro Shops Stix-O Worms, which I rig through the center with a 2/0 or 3/0 wide-gap hook. This reliable method has served me well, consistently yielding results and enabling me to catch numerous bass across various seasons.
However, over the years, I’ve learned that while wacky rigging is effective, it can sometimes fall short in certain challenging conditions. In deep water or heavy topwater vegetation, snagging becomes a common frustration, leading to missed opportunities and lost lures. To address these challenges, I turned to a more versatile technique: drop shot rigging. This innovative approach allows me to fish effectively in dense cover, providing a significant advantage where traditional methods may struggle. By presenting my bait at the desired depth while minimizing snag risks, drop shot rigging has become an invaluable tool in my bass fishing arsenal.
How to Drop Shot Fish
My introduction to effective drop shot fishing came from a good friend and successful bass tournament angler, the late Frank Jeske. He demonstrated how to fish with an exposed, sharp-pointed Kahle 3/0 or 4/0 hook, using a heavier weight below the hook.
My First Lesson
My first lesson took place on Lake Champlain, in an area thick with lily pads and milfoil across from the Ticonderoga boat launch. Frank handed me a 7½-foot heavy-action rod paired with a high-speed casting reel spooled with 50-pound test FireLine. At the end of my line, I had a one-ounce XPS tungsten Flippin Worm Weight, with a 3/0 wide gap hook and a 5⅜-inch Stik-O Worm rigged wacky style—pierced through the middle with the barb exposed—about 12 inches above the weight.
Keeping the boat close to the weed edges, Frank pitched the drop shot five feet into the air, allowing it to “punch” through the thick vegetation before letting it drop freely to the bottom. After taking up the slack, he let it sit for about five seconds, then gave it a few jiggles with the rod tip before casting to another spot. This method is effective in Lake Champlain and other waters with heavy topwater vegetation.
Schroon Lake
Schroon Lake is another favorite of mine in the North Country, where the lighter-weight drop shot method can yield fantastic results. In the clear waters of Schroon, I prefer using 8-10 pound test monofilament. The smallmouths here are particularly attracted to the four-inch BPS Drop Shot Worm in watermelon seed and candy colors.
I recommend launching from the village at the north end of the lake and heading directly to Word of Life Island. Start fishing in 10 feet of water around the island, where smallmouth bass can be found at depths ranging from 10 to 25 feet.
After working the island, head south along the eastern shoreline, targeting rocky structures and danger buoys. I often fish this structure all the way to the southern end of the lake. When you reach the area known as the Narrows, be sure to thoroughly fish both the east and west sides using a drop shot rig.
Just south of the Narrows, you’ll find a ring of buoys marking a sizable area of shallow rocks. While you can certainly try spinner or topwater baits over the rocks, don’t overlook the deeper water around the edges. I once won a tournament in this area with five smallmouths totaling just over 15 pounds, all caught using drop shot rigs and bouncing the Stik-O Worm down ledges between 5 and 25 feet deep.
This past July, I found that the smallmouths favored the 4¼-inch red shad and white chartreuse Stik-O Worm, using either a 1/8 or 1/4 ounce weight.
Drop Shot Rigs – Worth A Try
Adapt your drop shot rigs based on the specific Adirondack waters you’ll be targeting, and give the drop shot technique a try. You might be pleasantly surprised by the results! With its effectiveness in dense cover and versatility across various fishing conditions, drop shot rigging could just become your new favorite method for catching bass.
Original Article By Ed Noonan
About The Author
Ed Noonan was a full time NYS licensed guide and full time outdoor writer with twice weekly columns in the Schenectady Gazette as well as writing freelance for a variety of outdoor magazines. He was a member of NYS Outdoor Writers’ Association and the NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame and recipient of the NYSOWA and Bass Pro Shops’ Pass It On Award. Ed passed away in 2023.
This article has been revised by Daniel O’Neill, an experienced angler and writer, to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. As a result, it may no longer reflect the original author’s views or intentions.
