Getting the Drop on Table Rock
Megabass pro Aaron Martens of Alabama loves fishing the drop shot rig whenever possible in deep or shallow water. (PAA: Chris Dutton)
PAA Communications
Aaron Martens isn’t shy about proclaiming his love of the drop shot technique or putting it to use whenever possible.
Tough tournament? Bites coming few and far between? Hot summer event? Clear water and finicky fish?
Chances are good Martens will have a drop shot rigged up, a few select worms – maybe more than a few – ready to try and will be watching his electronics like an 11-year old glued to a video game.
It doesn’t matter what tournament he’s fishing in, either. The drop shot can be deadly in calm or slightly windy conditions, for suspended or bedding fish, spots or largemouth … in short, it’s a versatile technique Martens has refined and continues to do so as newer technologies evolve with line and electronics.
“It’s just a fun way to fish and it catches fish,” says the Megabass pro from Alabama, who grew up in California. “I always have one ready.”
The drop shot may come into play at Table Rock Lake next week in Branson, Mo., during the second stop of the Bass Pro Shops PAA Tournament Series presented by Carrot Stix. Official practice begins a week from today, June 20, with the tournament set June 23-25 going out of Chateau on the Lake marina.
Daily launches and free 3 p.m. weigh-ins the first two days will take place at Chateau on the Lake. The final day weigh-in will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Bass Pro Shops fountains at Branson Landing in Branson. At stake for the winner is cash and a new Nitro Z-8 with a Mercury 225 Optimax and T-H Marine Atlas jackplate, with a Humminbird 898c Si Combo to the overall tournament big bass winner.
High water this spring has flooded Table Rock’s banks and may present more shallow cover opportunities than normal. But offshore cover, even with the extra water, should also play a role with anglers working jigs, crankbaits and drop shot rigs to spotted bass in those brushpiles and points.
Earlier this season at the opening PAA event on Lake Lanier, Martens included a drop shot in his offshore repertoire. Lanier and Table Rock have some similarities, including deep, clear water and long points, along with a healthy population of spotted bass. In that tournament Martens said bright sun was a key element for his drop shot success.
“The sun helps position them better,” he said. “They may be located near points or specific banks, but could be 20-25 feet deep. When that happens and it’s sunny, it draws them closer to cover and positions them where you can find them better.”
That scenario may well come into play at Table Rock. Some brush or cover may be too deep for crankbaits, so the drop shot or football head jig – another Martens favorite – will be on the agenda.
Martens can’t pinpoint one favorite Roboworm color he prefers, opting instead for a handful: Aarons Magic, Bold Bluegill, Margarita Mutilator, Prism Shad and Cinnamon Blue Crawler. He’s never without a wide selection for any water color or situation, and may go through several colors to find the right one.
“Morning Dawn is another good color, especially for clear water,” he said. “It’s transparent and that may not make much sense in a clear water situation, but it’s a good one.”
Martens rigs the Roboworms on not only the drop shot but also shaky heads and BB-shot rigs, a micro-version of the Carolina rig for ultra-finesse situations.
“It basically makes the worm weightless so there’s a more natural fall,” he said. “I’ll put a small lead shot about the size of a BB about six inches or so above the worm with 6- or 7-pound test line. It’s just enough weight to make it sink, but not enough to make it fall fast.”
Along with his affinity for finesse rigs, Martens is a light-line specialist. It may seem crazy to think about using 5- to 7-pound test line, but he’s adept at landing 3- to 5-pound bass – or larger – on light line. His reels are spooled with Sunline Shooter fluorocarbon, and he uses a double uni knot.
“With a light hook and rod, you can snap ‘em real hard,” he said. “The rod’s not an ultralight but it’s a 6-10 light rod. Megabass has a good one, the Orochi 610DGS medium-light, with about two feet of soft tip. I can make long casts and hit them as hard as I can. The rod and line are strong.”
Observer opportunities
Current PAA members can ride with the pros up to two days during the tournament for just $50. Thursday and Friday positions still are available for those interested. Observers do not fish during the tournament but will have a front-row seat to all the action each day from takeoff to weigh-in.
If you’re not already a PAA member, the Observer fee and $50 annual General Membership fee are required. Membership includes a membership card, PAA cap, decals, the PAA PayDay tournament cash bonus program of more than 75 tournament trails and access to the PAA Affinity Program that offers discounted tackle, boating and vehicle accessories and hotel rates from more than 50 partners.
Anyone interested in being a PAA Member Observer must be at least 16 years old and a PAA member. To register, visit http://fishpaa.com/wp-content/files/2011_PAA_Official_Packet.pdf or contact the PAA headquarters at (270) 527-2030.
