Author: Bullbuster Admin
What Is Deep Dropping?
Deep dropping is exactly what it sounds like. Dropping that bait DEEP. Deep dropping can be distinguished from bottom fishing when you are dropping baits deeper than 300 feet. Most anglers who deep drop and have a good depth sounder or good numbers can find an abundance of tasty bottom fish. Deep dropping is often employed as a way to fill the cooler quickly.
One of the best videos on the web covering the topic of Deep Dropping was put together by "Florida Sport Fishing"
Why Deep Dropping?
Fish caught on the bottom in deeper waters often congregate in large numbers and are usually pretty good eating fish and are not hard to get to bite.
What Species Are Caught While Deep Dropping?
In the Atlantic and Caribbean deep dropping can yield deepwater snappers and grouper as well as other deep water species such as tilefish and barrel fish. Anglers may also hook other species while deep dropping such as Thresher Sharks and Manta Rays as well as other rare deepwater fish.
Common Snappers Caught While Deep Dropping In The Caribbean:
Yellow Eye Snapper
Queen Snapper
Blackfin Snapper
Vermillion Snapper (Beeliners)
Common Groupers Caught While Deep Dropping In The Carribean:
Warsaw Grouper
Snowy Grouper
Kitty Mitchel Grouper
Yellow Edge Grouper
In Southern California deep dropping can yield deepwater rockfish.
What Tackle Is Used For Deep Dropping?
Electric Reels For Deep Dropping
Because of the depth and the depth of the water and the size of the lead required anglers often use electric reels to target the deep. These reels are usually spooled with 130Lb - 200LB braided fishing line and usually hold over 2000 yds of braid. Popular electric reels for deep dropping include: 1) LP Reels 2) Krystal Electric Reels 3) Hooker Electric Reels, 4) Electramate Reels.
Manual Reels For Deep Dropping
Some anglers use manual reels for deep dropping. There is a lot of cranking involved here so you may want to employ a reel that has a decent gear ratio an 80 wide size reel spooled with 80-100lb braid is best used for this type of fishing, however some anglers use 50 wides and 30 wides spooled with lighter braid (50-65Lb braid).
Rigging For Deep Dropping
Most anglers who deep drop use a heavy leader (300LB Test Plus) for multiple uses and fish multiple circle hooks. The rig which can be up to 8 feet long often has 3-6 hooks circle hooks and ends with a snap swivel to connect a large lead. Leads can be anywhere from 2 Lbs up to 15 lbs depending on the depth and current speed where fish are being targeted.
What Baits Do Anglers Use For Deep Dropping?
The two most important factors for deep dropping baits is scent and staying power. You are dropping a bait several hundred to over 1000 feet down there is very little light down there. You want the fish to be able to smell it and then to be able to bite at it for a while until each hook has a fish on it.
Common Baits For Deep Dropping Include:
Squid
Barracuda Chunks (Skin on)
Bonita Chunks (Skin on)
Notice above we noted “skin on”, this is because skin is the toughest part of the bait and you will want to put your hook through the skin of the bait to keep it on for longer.
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