Dropper Loop questions - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Cbad Mike · 08-13-2012, 02:49 PM

Hi guys,
I have a few dropper loop questions for you.
I've used dropper loop set ups for surf, bass, perch, and typical smaller fish. I've always just used a leader on the hook and tied it to the loop which worked well for the smaller fish but I've lately been fishing for YT and WSB.
I've read everything I could find on BWE and the net and am still alittle confused so here's my questions...

How large of a loop do you normally use?

Do you loop or tie the hook directly to the loop?

Do you cut the loop to make a single leader for the hook?

I'm planning on using the rig with squid and macs as bait.

Thanks for the help,

Mike

October · 08-13-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbad Mike

Hi guys,
I have a few dropper loop questions for you.
I've used dropper loop set ups for surf, bass, perch, and typical smaller fish. I've always just used a leader on the hook and tied it to the loop which worked well for the smaller fish but I've lately been fishing for YT and WSB.
I've read everything I could find on BWE and the net and am still alittle confused so here's my questions...

How large of a loop do you normally use?

Do you loop or tie the hook directly to the loop?

Do you cut the loop to make a single leader for the hook?

I'm planning on using the rig with squid and macs as bait.

Thanks for the help,

Mike

when I do it, I tie two loops on the mainline, each about 5 inches long, thread the loop through the eye of the hook, and then send the hook through the middle of the loop, pull, tighten. This, IMO, is the best presentation.

heres a visual:

http://surf-fishanybeach.com/wp-cont...perLoopRig.jpg

I dont even usually use a snap swivel at the top, I just tie directly to my mainline or top shot (whichever rod im on)

vincentek9 · 08-13-2012, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by October

when I do it, I tie two loops on the mainline, each about 5 inches long, thread the loop through the eye of the hook, and then send the hook through the middle of the loop, pull, tighten. This, IMO, is the best presentation.

that is what i use as well. the less knots and line connections you have, the better. no snap swivels, or cutting line, and the hooks arent tied on there (they are just looped through). i mainly use dropper loops for sculpin and rockfish though. never tried on bigger fish. to send a mac down.. i try to flyline and make the mac swim down.

Dave k · 08-13-2012, 04:08 PM

I use a spider hitch knot instead of the actual dropper loop. Same concept, stronger knot. I run a pretty big loop, maybe 6' of line so it's about 3' when doubled. I feel that this gives the bait more freedom and a more natural presentation. I run a palomar to the hook as well, this way if one side of the loop wears through (wsb have teeth) it will still hold. Length from loop to sinker depends on conditions, bait and target species.

This is for wsb and yellows. Smaller loops and different knots are fine for rockfish, etc.

I realize many use a different setup than me, but I've caught enough nice fish on it to be sold.

Cbad Mike · 08-13-2012, 06:46 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies, I really appreciate you guys answering my questions. I'm gonna try to get out tomorrow and put all of the info to use.

Once again... Thanks.
Mike

seriola_killer · 08-13-2012, 07:03 PM

Drake told me the spider hitch version, and it tests wayyyyy better than the standard dropper loop, and it is i.m.o. a better setup for these big yellowtail and wsb.

Form a loop that's roughly 5-6 feet long (10-12' of line). Tie the spider hitch. Trim off the tag end.

Cut the loop at the end so as to have 5-6' on both newly formed single lines.

Tie another loop in the one that will be attached to the sinker. Put loop through the torpedo sinker and around it (now you can change up sinkers without having to cut and re-tie).

Tie your hook to the other tag end that was formed. Pin on a squid, or a fin bait.

Put clicker on and fish in free spool.

Crack open a beer (or five).

FreezeYak · 08-14-2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbad Mike

Thanks everyone for your replies, I really appreciate you guys answering my questions. I'm gonna try to get out tomorrow and put all of the info to use.

Once again... Thanks.
Mike

Mike, please give a recap on your day out. We'll all be interested in your thoughts.

Thanks

bus kid · 08-13-2012, 02:56 PM

I was going to tell you but your avatar flipped me the bird.

Deamon · 08-13-2012, 08:35 PM

GregAndrew's latest butt video showing his squid darting around right before it gets chomped confirmed it for me. I think the extra length of leader allows a bit more natural movement...using live bait, I'm a 3 way swivel kinda guy.

PE.rider · 08-13-2012, 09:00 PM

In my experience, it depends on what you are going after. I tie my dropper loops like the ones described above, but I may decide to use only one, or perhaps as many as five depending on what I am targeting.

For schooling baitfish like macks, you are essentially tying a sabiki line with easily removable hooks. For larger fish in a situation with stronger currents, I may just tie one dropper loop and then have a longer leader below for a torpedo sinker to drift with a greenback or sardine for something bigger.

Finally, if you tie a dropper loop with longer tags, you can cut one end of the loop close the the main line and then use the other end for a snelled hook. I have a drift rig that I tie like this with fluorocarbon when Halibut are wary. You can then attach a stinger treble hook to ensure that short bites get the job done.

Good luck!

Old Man in the Sea · 08-14-2012, 11:09 AM

Wrap the line loosely around your right middle finger 4 times slip off. Take a loop of line and push it through the 4 circles using your left middle finger. Put the new loop around your 2 front teeth and pull loops tight using your right middle finger and left middle finger at the same time. Forget about the 3 way swivel on a dropper loop as it is too hard to try with 2 middle fingers....

bigbarrels · 08-14-2012, 12:06 PM

does anybody use the surgeon end loop?

dmrides · 08-14-2012, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbarrels

does anybody use the surgeon end loop?

It's never failed me. Palomar to the hook on the loop.

lowprofile · 08-14-2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deamon

GregAndrew's latest butt video showing his squid darting around right before it gets chomped confirmed it for me. I think the extra length of leader allows a bit more natural movement...using live bait, I'm a 3 way swivel kinda guy.

when was the last time you seen squid darting side to side?

they're more of a forward and reverse machine.

Deamon · 08-14-2012, 08:05 PM

Ha, yeah you're right. I watch Discovery channel too. But on my short leader attached to a 5oz weight, there's probably not much forward and reverse going on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowprofile

when was the last time you seen squid darting side to side?

they're more of a forward and reverse machine.

08-13-2012, 02:49 PM	#1
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	Dropper Loop questions Hi guys, I have a few dropper loop questions for you. I've used dropper loop set ups for surf, bass, perch, and typical smaller fish. I've always just used a leader on the hook and tied it to the loop which worked well for the smaller fish but I've lately been fishing for YT and WSB. I've read everything I could find on BWE and the net and am still alittle confused so here's my questions... How large of a loop do you normally use? Do you loop or tie the hook directly to the loop? Do you cut the loop to make a single leader for the hook? I'm planning on using the rig with squid and macs as bait. Thanks for the help, Mike

08-13-2012, 07:03 PM	#6
seriola_killer Sled Peddler Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bonita, Ca. Posts: 236	Drake told me the spider hitch version, and it tests wayyyyy better than the standard dropper loop, and it is i.m.o. a better setup for these big yellowtail and wsb. Form a loop that's roughly 5-6 feet long (10-12' of line). Tie the spider hitch. Trim off the tag end. Cut the loop at the end so as to have 5-6' on both newly formed single lines. Tie another loop in the one that will be attached to the sinker. Put loop through the torpedo sinker and around it (now you can change up sinkers without having to cut and re-tie). Tie your hook to the other tag end that was formed. Pin on a squid, or a fin bait. Put clicker on and fish in free spool. Crack open a beer (or five). __________________ Jerry Moore Need a car or truck to yaul your yak? Ring me up. (619)988-3325

08-13-2012, 02:56 PM	#8
bus kid Team Keine Zugehörigkeit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Way out there Posts: 2,854	I was going to tell you but your avatar flipped me the bird. __________________ Não alimente os trolls------------Don't feed the trolls---------------インタネット荒らしを無視しろ

08-14-2012, 11:09 AM	#11
Old Man in the Sea Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bay Park Posts: 569	how to a dropper with 2 middle fingers Wrap the line loosely around your right middle finger 4 times slip off. Take a loop of line and push it through the 4 circles using your left middle finger. Put the new loop around your 2 front teeth and pull loops tight using your right middle finger and left middle finger at the same time. Forget about the 3 way swivel on a dropper loop as it is too hard to try with 2 middle fingers....

08-14-2012, 12:06 PM	#12
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	does anybody use the surgeon end loop? __________________ The shorter you are, the bigger your fish appear

08-13-2012, 04:08 PM	#4
Dave k Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 110	I use a spider hitch knot instead of the actual dropper loop. Same concept, stronger knot. I run a pretty big loop, maybe 6' of line so it's about 3' when doubled. I feel that this gives the bait more freedom and a more natural presentation. I run a palomar to the hook as well, this way if one side of the loop wears through (wsb have teeth) it will still hold. Length from loop to sinker depends on conditions, bait and target species. This is for wsb and yellows. Smaller loops and different knots are fine for rockfish, etc. I realize many use a different setup than me, but I've caught enough nice fish on it to be sold.

08-13-2012, 06:46 PM	#5
Cbad Mike Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Carlsbad Ca. Posts: 1,206	Thanks everyone for your replies, I really appreciate you guys answering my questions. I'm gonna try to get out tomorrow and put all of the info to use. Once again... Thanks. Mike

08-13-2012, 08:35 PM	#9
Deamon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,972	GregAndrew's latest butt video showing his squid darting around right before it gets chomped confirmed it for me. I think the extra length of leader allows a bit more natural movement...using live bait, I'm a 3 way swivel kinda guy.

08-13-2012, 09:00 PM	#10
PE.rider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: OC, CA Posts: 234	In my experience, it depends on what you are going after. I tie my dropper loops like the ones described above, but I may decide to use only one, or perhaps as many as five depending on what I am targeting. For schooling baitfish like macks, you are essentially tying a sabiki line with easily removable hooks. For larger fish in a situation with stronger currents, I may just tie one dropper loop and then have a longer leader below for a torpedo sinker to drift with a greenback or sardine for something bigger. Finally, if you tie a dropper loop with longer tags, you can cut one end of the loop close the the main line and then use the other end for a snelled hook. I have a drift rig that I tie like this with fluorocarbon when Halibut are wary. You can then attach a stinger treble hook to ensure that short bites get the job done. Good luck!