GEAR
Top Brass Tackle Peg-It
light tungsten worm weight 18 inches up the line
Roboworm
Rebarb sized
to fit
Bait option: Strike King KVD
Perfect Plastic Finesse Worm
6. Modified Split-Shot Rig
Rigging tip: Cody Meyer’s modified split-shot rig eliminates possible
line damage from crimping the weight to the line, and the pegged tung-
sten adds more sensitivity. He pegs the weight approximately 18 inches
above the soft plastic.
Where to use it: Meyer will use it in places where he would drag a
Carolina rig, but this rig excels on shallow flats and around scattered
grass and rocks.
How to fish it: Slowly drag the bait through cover.
Strike King 3-inch Rodent
6th Sense Lures Peg-X Stopper
1/4- to 3/8-ounce tungsten worm weight
7. Finesse Pitchin’ Rig
3/0 straight-shank flipping hook
Rigging tip: Mark Daniels Jr. prefers to use the
bobber stop only when fishing heavier cover.
When the weight is loose, the bait has a slower
fall, which is key to the technique. His weight size
varies based on wind, and preferably he will use
the 1/4-ounce size to achieve a more natural fall.
Where to use it: The slight action of Daniels’ two
preferred baits works well for pressured or inac-
tive fish. His primary targets are bushes, lay-
downs, docks or overhanging limbs.
How to fish it: The key is letting the bait fall on a
slack line. Many of the bites will come as the bait
is descending.
Bait option:
Missile Baits Baby D Bomb
Missile Baits
Missile Craw
8. Wacky Drop-Shot
Strike King KVD
Perfect Plastics Fat
Baby Finesse Worm
No. 2 or 4 Owner Mosquito Hook
Rigging tip: Meyer downsizes to a smaller hook – much smaller than most
anglers use for a drop-shot – for better action. He’ll also use the lightest
weight he can get away with for a slower fall.
Where to use it: Meyer feels that the wacky-rigged version gets bites
from wary bass used to seeing ordinary nose-hooked or weedless drop-
shot rigs. He says it’s best for pressured fish and for the second and
third days of tournaments.
How to fish it: Shake the rig much more than a standard
drop-shot, says Meyer. He also fishes it with more of a
horizontal presentation instead of fishing it strictly
vertically.
1/8- or 1/4-ounce Strike
King Tour Grade Tungsten
Drop Shot Weight
44
FLWFISHING.COM I AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016