Well I had my first go at dropshotting today. After hearing of the pollution incident on the small river the canal was to be the target. I got myself one of the berkely dropshotting kits and a load of other rubber shads and worms. Got my rod tackled up the night before and my other tackle and was shocked at how little I actually needed to take. Even less than when I go lure fishing usually. All I needed was a rod, net and my terminal tackle in my pocket.

I made my way to the canal and conditions looked less than favourable. Bright sunshine and pretty windy. I was already commited however so decided to go for it regardless.

Lure of choice to begin with was the one shown below. I got some berkely shads too which were soaked in a fishy oil so I put all my other lures in that to allow them to soak up the flavour.

I decided the first location was to be a bridge that had brought me good results in the past. In went the tackle and off I went. I was little bit uncertain about how to use the tackle but decided to give it my best shot and try different retrieves and movements. I left the rig in one position and worked it a little and then pulled back and did the same. As I pulled back the 3rd or fourth time I found that my line felt heavier. I assumed I had picked something up off the bottom or got the lead in silt. Little did I know it was my first living thing to be caught on drop shotting gear. Although it wasnt quite what I expected

I tried to figure out a way to remove the thing and opted to drop it back into the water and let it remove itself. I dropped it into the middle of the channel and left it stationary for a minute. I then lifted the line a little and suddenty the tip of my rod snapped round. I had a fish on. It fought very well on such a light rod. I picked up my net and slid it under the fish. I had done it on my first time out. My very first perch caught on dropshot gear. I was over the moon.

I continued to fish for about an hour and a half however I could tell I was beginning to overthink what I was doing and wondered if it was maybe effecting performance. I had two more follows and a couple of nips at the tail but couldnt induce another bite despite changing lures and movements.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself though and I like the freedom that you get with dropshotting that allows you to keep a lure in some reeds or tight to the far bank for a long time rather than it plopping in there and ten being out of there in a second or two when spinning or plug fishing. I think this is the biggest selling point for me.