What's the best line for drop-shotting?

What’s the Best Line for Drop-shotting?

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Well, the ice fishing season is finally coming to a close and while I enjoy my time out on the ice every winter, I have to admit, I can hardly wait to get the Kingfisher back out on the water again.  And with the way spring is progressing this year−it’s 17ºC as I write this in early April−we won’t be waiting too much longer.

I’m also getting my last seminar package of the season ready for this upcoming Thursday (April 16th) where I’ll be spending the evening with the Walleye Anglers Association of Manitoba (WAAM) over in Winnipeg.  In fact, if you’re anywhere near the Glenlawn Reception Centre, at 455 Lagimodiere Blvd, be sure to drop by around 7:00 PM.

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Immediately afterwards, I’m off to Yorkton, Saskatchewan for the Parkland Outdoor Show on the weekend (April 18th and 19th) where I’m really looking forward to meeting up with all my prairie fishing friends.

And here’s a question I guarantee I am going to be asked repeatedly during those events.  What’s the best line to use when you drop-shot for walleye, smallmouth bass and yellow perch: braid or fluorocarbon?

To be honest, I’ve become a great fan of gel-spun lines like Fireline, Nanofil and Sufix Fuse over the past half-dozen or more years. Indeed, the vast majority of my spinning reels are now loaded with the stuff.

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Gel-spuns are super strong, ultra-thin and totally non-stretch. So, you can cast your lure at least 35 t0 40 per cent farther and get great hooksets when a fish bites at the end of a cast.

But, believe it or not, all of these positive qualities of a gel-spun line can be too much of a good thing when you’re drop-shotting. That’s why more and more of the top drop-shot pros, such as my good friend and Bassmaster Elite super star, Aaron Martens, who is regarded by many as the best drop-shotter on the planet and Derek Strub, who is equally regarded in Canada, stick with fluorocarbon line exclusively.

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Why is fluorocarbon so much better than gel spun for drop-shotting? Well, I thought you’d never ask.

For the answer, click on this week’s Fish Talk With The Doc video clip that I recorded for the Fish ‘N Canada television show and I’ll explain why.