How to Make a Drop Line for Fishing

fishing reel image by Brett Mulcahy from Fotolia.com

Are there times when you need a good search rig for fishing? Are there times when the fish are hitting just about everything in the water and wish you could rig for catching more than one fish at a time? Well, here is your solution. A drop line allows you to wet more than one hook at a time and even has the flexibility of adding a bottom weight to adjust the depth of the rig. Easy to tie and use, the drop line rig should be part of every angler's arsenal.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Monofilament fishing line
Hooks
3-way swivel
Snaps
Snips

Step 1

Cut two lengths of line from the end of your main fishing line. The lengths should both be between 18 and 20 inches. This provides enough length for the leader as well as tying knots. The overall length can be adjusted as needed. Use a pair of snips to cut the line.

Step 2

Tie a three-way swivel to the end of your main fishing line with an improved clinch knot. Position the swivel so that eyes are at the top and bottom and a third eye is offset to the side. Moisten the knot slightly, pull tight and trim excess line from the knot with snips.

Step 3

Tie one of the 18- to 20-inch lengths to the bottom eye of the swivel with an improved clinch knot. Once again, moisten the knot and pull it down tightly to secure. Attach a snap to the end of the line with an improved clinch knot. This will be used for attaching a hook or lead weight.

Step 4

Attach the second length of 18- to 20-inch line to the offset eye of the swivel. Tie the line to the swivel eye with an improved clinch knot. Attach a snap to the end of this line with an improved clinch knot. Open the snap and attach a hook to be used for holding live, cut or plastic bait.

Tips & Warnings

Add more drop lines to the rig with additional swivels and lengths of fishing line.

Attach a lead weight, such as a pyramid weight, to the bottom snap of the rig to make a bottom search rig. Attach a hook, if desired, to the bottom snap to increase your fish-catching potential.

Resources

Animated Knots by Grog: The Improved Clinch Knot

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

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