Fish Pittsburgh » drop shot http://fishpittsburgh.com For Fishermen, By Fishermen Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:25:22 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= VMC Spin Shot Drop http://fishpittsburgh.com/2011/08/vmc-spin-shot-drop/ http://fishpittsburgh.com/2011/08/vmc-spin-shot-drop/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:46:54 +0000 Staff http://fishpittsburgh.com/?p=3056 VMC Spin Shot Drop is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

]]> Check out this new idea for drop shot fishing from VMC.  The hook is on a swivel so it’s going to do two things:  1) it’s going to reduce line twist and 2) it’s going to keep the hook in prefect positions at all time.

VMC Spin Shot Drop is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

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]]> http://fishpittsburgh.com/2011/08/vmc-spin-shot-drop/feed/ 0 Oil City Open Tournament http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/10/oil-city-open-tournament/ http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/10/oil-city-open-tournament/#comments Mon, 18 Oct 2010 22:56:15 +0000 Leo Cancilla http://fishpittsburgh.com/?p=2331 Oil City Open Tournament is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

]]> This past weekend my dad and I fished an open tournament on the Allegheny River in Oil City. Even though I consider myself a weak river angler I decided to fish this tournament for a couple of reasons. First, it is for a good cause. It benefits the police in our area. Second, the fishing in the northern Allegheny River is amazing during the fall and for the better part of the year. Third, it gave dad and I another day on the water together before winter set in.

There are a few things that you should know about the pool. First, it is very short as far as where a regular prop motor can run. Another thing is there is deep water, up to 20+ feet in the pool. Last is that the fish tend to winter in the pool since it is so deep. This being said we thought we were in for a big day of fishing.

The morning started fast and furious. On my first two cast I caught a 14″ dink and our first keeper. The action never really stopped. All day long we got bit and caught 14-14 7/8″ smallmouth bass. Dad even caught a walleye and a musky. There were over 30 boats in the tournament. Probably 15 jet boats that left the pool and another 15 that stayed in the pool. Most guys caught alot of short fish, but couldn’t get the right keepers. Everyone caught fish on a few lures. Tubes, beavers, and drop shot rigs. Through the day I had over 50 hits, most of which dropped the lure before I could stick them. Still between dad and I boated near 30 smallmouth and 2 keepers over 15″.

I can’t wait to head back for some great fishing and some of the most beautiful scenary that our state has to offer.

Oil City Open Tournament is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

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]]> http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/10/oil-city-open-tournament/feed/ 0 Drop Shot for Bass http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/08/drop-shot-for-bass/ http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/08/drop-shot-for-bass/#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:57:57 +0000 Staff http://fishpittsburgh.com/?p=2262 Drop Shot for Bass is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

]]> Here is a video that I really think can help some guys catch extra fish during though days on the water. I use the technique all of the time and it produces some good stringers. There are times when this technique works for every species of fish in our area. Al Linder will show us that Berkley products are some of the best lures to use.

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Drop Shot for Bass is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

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]]> http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/08/drop-shot-for-bass/feed/ 0 Springdale pool of the Allegheny River http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/07/springdale-pool-of-the-allegheny-river/ http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/07/springdale-pool-of-the-allegheny-river/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:36:49 +0000 Jon Parker http://fishpittsburgh.com/?p=2012 Springdale pool of the Allegheny River is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

]]> liz_smallmouth Liz and I went out on the Springdale pool of the Allegheny River on Saturday to try out some of the new hand poured beavers, worms, and flukes I have been working on.   We caught a good number of smallmouth and spotted bass, with a few rock bass and catfish mixed in.   Most of the bass came off water dumps, walls, and pillars.  They weren’t really active and seemed be holding pretty tight to the bottom so we caught most of our fish dragging beavers or working the drop shot.  Liz got all of her fish dragging a small texas rigged green pumpkin beaver with an 1/8oz weight that she named “Squishy”.  I got most of my fish on a little hand poured 4″ drop shot worm.  The two colors that got me the most hits were the green pumpkin purple flake and a watermelon red flake.

Springdale pool of the Allegheny River is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

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]]> http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/07/springdale-pool-of-the-allegheny-river/feed/ 0 Presque Isle and Pymatuning Lake http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/05/presque-isle-and-pymatuning-lake/ http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/05/presque-isle-and-pymatuning-lake/#comments Mon, 03 May 2010 23:56:13 +0000 Leo Cancilla http://fishpittsburgh.com/?p=1891 Presque Isle and Pymatuning Lake is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

]]> Saturday my dad, Dave, and myself went up to Presque Isle Bay because we heard that the smallmouth bass had started to move into the bay. For anyone who hasn’t been to the bay in the spring you have to make the trip. We started by fishing for largemouth straight across from the launch. It didn’t take long and Dave caught one on a tube and I hooked up with a swimbait. I was determined to use the swimbait because I knew the chatterbait would catch a bunch of fish. I managed to catch 3 largemouth on the swimbait through the day. that isn’t impressive, but it is a little confidence builder to keep trying them. throughout the day we caught smallmouth on jerkbaits, tubes, and drop shot worms. We spent most of the day fishing for them. I believe we caught over 20 between the 3 of us and we caught over 25 largemouth. We caught largemouth on brush hogs, swimbaits, chatterbaits, tubes, beavers, and jerkbaits. The water temperature was 58 – 60 degrees. The fish were not spawning, and the males were not making beds yet. I believe in 2 weeks there will be an explosion of fish getting on the beds.

Sunday even though there were bad weather predictions I decided to head to Pymatuning Lake to fish a club tournament. The club I belong to (West Penn Bass Hunters) was launching from Jamestown Marina. With strong winds predicted to come out of the South we were protected from the wind to some degree. I pulled up to my first tree and caught a nice 2.5lb fish. I started throwing rattletraps to my next tree and caught a nice 15 inch largemouth out of a small weed bed. I started work the tree and nothing. I decided to just keeper moving down the shore throwing the rattletrap because I have had some success for smallmouth bass there. It didn’t take long and I had caught 5 more keepers, and lost 2 on the rattletrap. Even though they were keepers I released them all because I feel that stressing 12-14″ bass is unnecessary at that lake. You aren’t going to win with one of them in the well anyways. Jumping spot to spot landed me catching another nice 2.86lb largemouth on a chatterbait. My gut told me to run north, but with building wind and aready high waves I decided to stay in the south. I caught some fish flipping, but decided to try a variety of different tatics with no success. During the last hour I decided to run around the lake and flip every tree I could find. It turned out to be the right move. I culled five bass in the last hour. I won the tournament with 3 fish that weighed 7.45lbs. I also won lunker with the 2.86lb fish. Not a very impressive day, but it was fun none the less.

Presque Isle and Pymatuning Lake is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

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]]> http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/05/presque-isle-and-pymatuning-lake/feed/ 0 Flip Shot Rig http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/04/flip-shot-rig/ http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/04/flip-shot-rig/#comments Sun, 04 Apr 2010 13:00:08 +0000 Staff http://fishpittsburgh.com/?p=1804 Flip Shot Rig is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

]]> Here Leo shows us a lesser used version of the drop shot rig.  The flip shot rig is much like the drop shot rig but is used with much heavy equipment and larger soft plastics. This rig works great is shallow water.

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Flip Shot Rig is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

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]]> http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/04/flip-shot-rig/feed/ 0 How to Rig a Drop Shot http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/03/how-to-rig-a-drop-shot/ http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/03/how-to-rig-a-drop-shot/#comments Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:00:45 +0000 Staff http://fishpittsburgh.com/?p=1793 How to Rig a Drop Shot is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

]]> Leo shows us some tips and tricks on how to rig a drop shot rig.  He also shows us the different types of drop shot weights available, the different hooks and line, and a few choice soft plastics.

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How to Rig a Drop Shot is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

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]]> http://fishpittsburgh.com/2010/03/how-to-rig-a-drop-shot/feed/ 1 Berkley Chigger Craw Product Review http://fishpittsburgh.com/2009/12/berkley-chigger-craw-product-review/ http://fishpittsburgh.com/2009/12/berkley-chigger-craw-product-review/#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:06:27 +0000 Leo Cancilla http://fishpittsburgh.com/?p=1261 Berkley Chigger Craw Product Review is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

]]> Product Type: Crawfish – Soft Plastic

Tested Size(s): 3” and 4”

Tested Colors/Patterns: Black/Blue, Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Party

MSRP: $3.49

First Impression: This craw has good profile with large claws.  The Chigger Craw has the scent Berkley is known for.

FishPittsburgh Scorecard – Berkley Chigger Craw
Durabilitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Multiple fish can be caught on the same chigger craw, but watch those warm summer days because the claws seem to tear easier then.
Fish Appealwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The advantage to this craw bait is that it can be used on multiple methods: jig trailer, texas rig, Carolina rig, shaky head, and drop shot. The fish love this lure.
Special Traitswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Unlike some craws the Berkley Chigger Craw has a ton of scent. Not just any scent, it is the Berkley Powerbait Scent that seems to drive fish crazy.
Pricewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The count size to the price is very reasonable. Add in the fact that you will more than likely catch multiple fish on each lure and it is a definite buy.
Diversitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
I have caught fish on these lures on just about every body of water, every structure type, and every technique that I have tried with them. This lure is a winner.
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Great overall Bait. See My Recommendations below

Mike Iaconelli shows you how he uses the Berkley Chigger Craw as jig trailer…Watch

Pros Cons
Berkley Scent Claws Tear Easily
Size Availability
Color Selection
Used in Multiple Techniques
Good Action

RECOMMENDATIONS: The first this I recommend is buying some of these great lures.  Go with the colors that you are most confident in.  You will find that these lures really work well in multiple situations.  Personally, I have two methods that I really like.  First, I love texas rigging these lures and flipping them into tight cover.  No matter what stage of the spawn the bass are in and the time of year, I always managed to catch a couple pegging a ¼oz. bullet weight with a 3/0 hook and a size 4 chigger craw.  I will recommend varying the size of your hook for different cover.  My other favorite technique to use with the chigger craw is using it as a jig trailer.  I have caught more bass on bass jigs with chigger craws as trailers that I have with regular jig trailers.  They add bulk to the jig and don’t forget about the powerbait scent that is in them.  Other techniques to try with the chigger craws include:  using them on a shaky head jig, drop shot, and Carolina rig.  The 3” version is especially good for the shaky head jig and drop shot method.  Although the 4” bait is a little small and sinks it can still be effective on a Carolina rig.  Don’t be afraid to try some of the different colors that Berkley makes.  Go to www.berkley-fishing.com to find more tips and see which professional fishermen endorse this product.

ABOUT THE CRITIC : You must know that I am very critical of my lures.  I only have about 3 lures that I use that would receive a perfect 50 and I personally modify those lures once I have them.  I consider any lure over 40 great and any lure over 30 good.  Anything less than 30 and you probably won’t see it in my tackle box.

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Berkley Chigger Craw Product Review is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

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]]> http://fishpittsburgh.com/2009/12/berkley-chigger-craw-product-review/feed/ 0 2nd District Event Lake Erie http://fishpittsburgh.com/2009/07/2nd-district-event-lake-erie/ http://fishpittsburgh.com/2009/07/2nd-district-event-lake-erie/#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:45:12 +0000 Leo Cancilla http://fishpittsburgh.com/blog/?p=548 2nd District Event Lake Erie is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

]]> Well, I am sad to say that my second district event in the TBF didn’t go quite as well as the first one.  Yesterday, district 6 held an event at Lake Erie and since the weather was going to be calm the main lake was on limits.  That was good news for most guys, but for me it spelled disaster.  With very little experience on the main lake and no time to practice for the tournament I was hoping that the weather would force us to stay in the bay.  I have a lot of experience fishing in the bay because I have always just fished out of my 16′ carolina skiff.

My father (Ron Cancilla) fished Mr. Bass West for the TBF Friday and Saturday and won as a rider.  He convinced me to run west to the spot that he was able to catch 19+ lbs of smallmouth.  He described it the best that he could to me.  However, there is no true way to know if I ever found that exact spot.  My rider caught the first keeper of the day at 7:30 on a drop shot rig.  It was a nice 3lber.  About 30 minutes later I was able to land my first smallmouth of the day.  It was a 4.66lb smallmouth.  At this point we were thinking that we were on the right spot and we just had to keep working for more strikes.  That is when things started going south.  We each caught a dink smallmouth and a bunch of sheephead.  I unfortunately lost 2 more smallmouth that probably would have shot me up the standings.  One that I actually got to see that was around 3lbs.  The other just gave a couple quick head shakes and was off.  I caught my keeper dragging a tube on the bottom.  The keeper that I say and lost was on a drop shot. 

By running to the spot that I didn’t know exactly where it was I knew I was taking a gamble.  However, without a chance to practice for the tournament I decided that was my best chance to win.  Perhaps if I had gone to the two spots that I know in the east and worked them I would have gotten a limit, but I feel that the results may have been the same.  I know that I want to spend more time on Lake Erie because the smallies are giants.  Congratulations to the winners and I look forward to event 3 at Conneaut.

2nd District Event Lake Erie is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

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]]> http://fishpittsburgh.com/2009/07/2nd-district-event-lake-erie/feed/ 0 Drop Shot Rig http://fishpittsburgh.com/2009/06/drop-shot-rig/ http://fishpittsburgh.com/2009/06/drop-shot-rig/#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:50:44 +0000 Jon Parker http://fishpittsburgh.com/blog/?p=517 Drop Shot Rig is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

]]> Here is another great video from Al Linder. The video explains when, where, and how to fish a drop shot rig.

Drop Shot Rig is a post from: Fish Pittsburgh

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