Dropper Loop fishing?

[Stuart Dimock]

I'm hoping that one of the fishermen in this group can give me a fair
description of this technique. I've seen it mentioned several times in
connection with long-range tuna and yellowtail fishing and would really
like to know how it works.

-Stuart

--
Stuart Dimock Language of invasion, cloth of grief.
Isis Pharmaceuticals "How can I turn this wheel
sdi...@isisph.com that turns my life?"
[Standard Disclaimer Here]
-Robert Pinsky

[mshirer]

In article <sdimock-2006...@192.65.129.113>, sdi...@isisph.com
says...

Stu-
Mark Wheeler gave you textbook dropper loop scenario,however; instesd
of the "twist" loop try tying a spider hitch.it accomplishes the same
thing with less effort is a stronger knot.

Good Luck!
Mike Shirer

[Mark A. Wheeler]

In <sdimock-2006...@192.65.129.113> sdi...@isisph.com (Stuart

Dimock) writes:
>
>I'm hoping that one of the fishermen in this group can give me a fair
>description of this technique. I've seen it mentioned several times
in
>connection with long-range tuna and yellowtail fishing and would
really
>like to know how it works.
>
>-

The dropper loop is a knot tied into a stretch of line. Live
instruction is best. A diagram is second best. Here is my verbal
description:

I just cut a stretch of line to demonstrate. You will tie terminal
tackle (a weight or heavy jig) to the end of your line. Above the end
you want a loop on which you can add a teaser or additional hooks.
Grab the line with both hands where you want a loop, one hand on each
side with 8" between. Push your hands together and form the line into
a _o_ type loop. Using your middle fingers hold the top of the 'o'
steady and begin twisting the part where the line crosses (bottom of
the 'o' with both hands, preserving an opening in the middle of the
twist:
__
/ \
______xxx O xxx_____

Then, you take the top of the 'o' loop, the highest part of the diagram
above, and push it through the O between the twists. After pushing it
through hold it with your teeth (careful) while you pull the two ends
out. The knot firms up into a nice fixed loop.

The more twists, the stronger the knot. Heavier line will tie better
with fewer twists than light line.

You can thread hooks, etc., onto the line to be tied into the loop; or
you can put them on later by putting the loop through the hook eye,
passing the hook through the loop, and pulling tight.

All knots reduce line strength. When I have fish break-off it is at
the knots. Tie your knots well.

Mark

[Michael Baltzly]

sdi...@isisph.com (Stuart Dimock) wrote:

>I'm hoping that one of the fishermen in this group can give me a fair
>description of this technique. I've seen it mentioned several times in
>connection with long-range tuna and yellowtail fishing and would really
>like to know how it works.

In dropper loop fishing the hook swings freely in large loop of line
that is tied well above a heavy sinker.

1) Put the end of the line through the eye of your hook and slide the
hook up about 3 feet.

2) Double the line where the hook is, and knot the doubled line so it
creates a loop with the hook sliding on the line inside the loop. The
best and easiest way to tie the loop is to use a double overhand
knot--an overhand knot where the free end of the loop is passed twice
through the knot. This seems crude but is actually a fairly high
percentage knot in the heavy line that is normally used. The size of
the loop is a matter of debate. I like the loop about 18 inches long.
Other people use loops as small as 6 inches. Use a heavy, short shank
hook with a ball eye (a flat eye, not bent up or down).

3) Tie a torpedo sinker to the end of the line. Make sure that, at a
minimum, the sinker hangs below the hook so they don't tangle. The
sinker can be 2 or 3 feet below the loop if you want to keep the bait
off the bottom. I like to use granny knots to tie the sinker so I can
break it off if it snags. You want quite a heavy sinker so you are
fishing straight up and down.

This rig is quick to make, gives the bait great action because of the
free swinging hook, and doesn't have a lot of hardware to spook the
fish. Size the line, hook and sinker to match your bait and
conditions. I have used it with everything from 10lb line and 3oz
sinker for sand bass to 150lb line, 12/0 hook, 28oz sinker and live
skipjack bait for giant grouper.

Mike

[JIMCA...@delphi.com]

Quoting mshirer from a message in rec.outdoors.fishing.saltwater

<Mark Wheeler gave you textbook dropper loop scenario,however; instesd
<of the "twist" loop try tying a spider hitch.it accomplishes the same
<thing with less effort is a stronger knot.

Good advice! With the classic dropper loop the strength is down the line to
the sinker, not to the loop. Using a spider hitch or a quadruple surgions
loop put the strength to the hook.

Jim Carlisle
jimca...@delphi.com