How To Drop slide rig (JD dropper)

Jim Day · Mar-01-2009, 09:59 PM

I do a lot of my own rigging, and here's a rig I came up with that works like a dropper loop with a few advantages.

Since I have been having some success with it and it's simple rig I thought I'd pass it on.

I came up with this about a year ago for fishing macks and smelt up north around Esco County and BKR. I call it the drop slide rig, my buddy who's now using it as well calls it the JD dropper....

but we both have had very good luck with it.

Here's the logic behind it. I like the dropper loop for fishing macks because if you keep the line tight on the drop they can't twist up the line and I like the fact it keeps them under control and off the bottom when the rig is down. The drawbacks of a traditional dropper are the poor knot strength, the fact that if the fish takes the bait he has to take two lines in his mouth instead of one, and if you try to let them run with the bait they end up feeling the weight if they run much at all.

To get around all this I came up with this:

So here's the setup I take a small 1/4 inch long piece of clear 3/16 tubing and slide it on my mainline. I then tie the hook on with a palomar knot. That's pretty much a 100% connection from the fish to the reel when hooked up. I then tie 2 1/2 feet of ten pound test fluoro to the center of the tube with a uni or improved clinch (my preference)

Here's the detail:

I then I tie the other end of the ten pound to my weight.

When hanging with the line tight it hangs and fishes just like a dropper and the mack or bait can raise hell but he just can't tangle it, but if you get a hit or a bump you can slack your line and let the fish or bait run, because the line will slide right through the tube.

Here's the detail:

That's exactly how it worked the other day on some La Jolla yellows.

When they picked up the squid, I threw the reel in freespool in order to get the rod out of the holder. Since the line freely slid through the tube they felt nothing until I tightened the line, when I felt them and hit them. I don't know how far they went with the squid before I set the hook but I do know they didn't have to drag the weight around. Once I hooked up I had a clean solid connection to the fish. when the big yellow above actually hung up the sinker in the rocks he just popped it off, no skin off my back. In fact that rig in the pictures is the exact same rig I caught the fish on. All I've done is tie a new weight on it for the picture. Check out the chaffing he definitely worked it.

All and all the rig is not really any more visible the a dropper loop does everything it can do, but with some real advantages.

Hopefully some of you guys will have use for this. It definitely has worked for me...

Jim

Oingo · Mar-01-2009, 10:04 PM

NIICE!!

tailsurfer · Mar-01-2009, 10:09 PM

SWEET! I'll have to try this set up soon. I can see where this can really improve my halibut tactics when fishing dead bait. Thanks a lot!

the hook · Mar-01-2009, 10:38 PM

How very generous of you to share this excellent tip. Cool rig.

1bigfisch · Mar-02-2009, 11:39 AM

Thanks for sharing that rig. Simple, easy and looks like it will work. At least it works for you, NICE yellow. I wonder about your using the swivel and clip at the weight though. Seems that just a loop at the end of the 10# for easy quick weight changes would be simpler and cheaper when your weight gets hung up and breaks off. Is there any particular advantages to the swivel/clip set up?

of_the_sea · Mar-02-2009, 11:47 AM

You'll find me using the "JD Dropper"

Thanks JD

of_the_sea · Mar-02-2009, 11:51 AM

What size isthe main line??

the hook · Mar-02-2009, 11:58 AM

Easy to change weights.

I'M OFF · Mar-02-2009, 12:05 PM

Nice rig and nicer fish........................

here is mine. I just use a sliding sinker rig.

I use a loop of 10# on a wieght, pre-made at home, and just hook it on the swivel when I lose wieghts. I find that I dont loose many of the plastic sliders.