Specialist rigs · LRF drop-shot

Drop-shot rig

A small lure fished above a weight on the end of the line. The weight holds bottom while the lure hovers where tiny fish feed.

DROP 30–45CM4–6lb fluorocarbonor 0.4PE + fluoro leaderPalomar knottag left longHook size 10–6point facing up1–2in isomenose-hooked onceTag endbecomes the drop3–7g drop-shot weightpulls off if it snags
Targets
Gobies, blennies, scorpionfish, small wrasse and pollack
Where
Harbours, pontoons and pier walls; light rock fishing (LRF)

What you need

Line
4–6lb fluoro, or 0.3–0.6PE braid with a fluoro leader
Hook
Size 10–6, drop-shot or fine wire
Weight
3–7g drop-shot weight
Lure
1–2in isome or soft worm

Build it

  1. Tie the hook with a Palomar knot, leaving a 35–45cm tag.
  2. Pass the tag back down through the hook eye from the point side, so the point faces up.
  3. Clip the drop-shot weight onto the tag at your chosen height.
  4. Nose-hook the lure once through its tip.
On the beach

Let the weight settle, keep the line just tight and twitch the rod tip. Most bites come while the lure sits still. If the weight snags, a steady pull slides it off the tag.

Knots for this rig are in Knots. Line strengths, hook sizes and weights are starting points: scale them to your tackle, the ground and the tide. Diagrams are schematic and not to scale.