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Ice Fish Ohio Forum

Ice Fishing => General Discussion => Topic started by: ratherbefishing on November 02, 2010, 08:51:11 PM

Title: Dropper Rigs (Please give your two cents)
Post by: ratherbefishing on November 02, 2010, 08:51:11 PM
Alright, I guess I'll have to break down and try them this year.

Have any of you had any luck with them in the past?

For those who are not sure of what a Dropper Rig is, I'll give a brief explanation:

Say you have a spoon (Swedish Pimple for example), and you tie it on your mainline. Then you'd tie on another length of line in place of the hook on the lower split-ring. This length can be as short as 1" or as long as 1' depending on conditions. Then you tie on a small jig and bait it with one or more waxworm(s) or spike(s).

Hali-Jigs are based on this principle which utilizes the spoon for the attractant and then the jig below is the true business end.

I have an article in which Jason Mitchell is talking about their application for Perch fishing and I want some of your feedback on the concept. The tactic is easy enough for everyone to be able to replicate it, but I don't feel that it's really caught on around here.
Title: Re: Dropper Rigs (Please give your two cents)
Post by: davek on November 02, 2010, 09:10:28 PM
Is it the same theory as the stinger? I have used those at about 3 inches below a jigging rap and had some luck, but never below a spoon I dont see why it wouldnt work im always game for something new, a minnow head would also be good to tip it with Dave
Title: Re: Dropper Rigs (Please give your two cents)
Post by: JustNutts on November 03, 2010, 09:15:32 AM
The dropper theory is taking the trebble hook off of your sweedish pimple... and then continue another line down to another bait. Some guys live by the dropper idea, I personally have never tried it. It would obviously give the whole rig more flash and action though and is a good idea to bring in fish from a far to check it out.
Also to add ratherbe- I think in deeper water it would be much more helpful than in the shallows at indian.. I could be wrong but it seems there just isnt much of the water column to be working with here, ya know.
Title: Re: Dropper Rigs (Please give your two cents)
Post by: davidhoheisel on November 03, 2010, 03:53:04 PM
I have heard of guys taking larger jigging rapallas and removing the middle treble, adding a 3 inch dropper line and re-attaching the treble for deep water perching on erie during the soft water season.

I think that it could have applications here but i know that if i am catching them on Vibe's than I am to lazy to try something new.

I also think that a drop shot rig could work through the ice.
Title: Re: Dropper Rigs (Please give your two cents)
Post by: pig puncher on November 03, 2010, 05:08:31 PM
i've had good luck with hali-jigs. tried a sweedish pimple with a dropper last year and caught a few. some guys tie a fly with a spike or waxie under the pimple and do well. i've never tried that---- yet.
Title: Re: Dropper Rigs (Please give your two cents)
Post by: crv423 on November 03, 2010, 06:39:47 PM
I've used them quite a few times, tried them last year at indian with not much luck, did have some success at alum using them, but nothing over 9''. ???
Title: Re: Dropper Rigs (Please give your two cents)
Post by: HardWater Junkie on November 14, 2010, 09:10:59 AM
I've never tried this but it sounds like a great idea. I've tied a 3-4 inch line to the bottom of my jig with a small hook and wax worm when the bite was tough and had good success. I like the idea of using the spoon as an attracter. I will deffenatly try that this season.
Title: Re: Dropper Rigs (Please give your two cents)
Post by: JustNutts on November 14, 2010, 10:08:30 AM
Ive been doing soe research on this... reading some books, and watched a couple videos.. They say that NO MORE than a 2 in leader off of your spoon to your jig.. And also most of what I have learned is the technique used is to pound it on the bottom and then let your rig sit with just enough tension to have the end of the spoon a hair off the bottom to feel every single peck on your jig... If that makes sense.. Perch would probably be the biggest target for that.. I dont know if people realize that durring the winter perch root in the bottom like a pig searching for small things to eat.. and this technique would make perfect sense..
Title: Re: Dropper Rigs (Please give your two cents)
Post by: ratherbefishing on November 14, 2010, 09:50:56 PM
So the general approach seems to be a spoon with about 2"-6" lead down to a microjig. I'm thinking tip it with a Minnow Head?
Title: Re: Dropper Rigs (Please give your two cents)
Post by: g on November 15, 2010, 06:14:42 PM
I've used the droppers on Erie with success on walleyes & perch. Usually a 4" dropper is about the right length, much longer than that risks the dropper tangling with the main line. I use 6-10 lb test,I want something kind of stiff so it hangs straight. Larval baits,minnows or minnow heads work. Use a larger size spoon,since it is just the attractor. I pound the bottom 3 or 4 times then raise the spoon high enough so the dropper is just off the bottom. Haven't tried it at Indian yet since most fishing is done so shallow. Might work ok in the deeper water around Dream Bridge(if it ever freezes thick enough to fish). Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Dropper Rigs (Please give your two cents)
Post by: ratherbefishing on November 15, 2010, 10:00:04 PM
Thanks G