Drop Shot Fishing on Alum Creek Lake
Alum Creek Lake · Ohio · Midwest
Alum Creek Lake sits about 20 miles north of Columbus in central Ohio, impounded by the Army Corps on Alum Creek for flood control in 1974. The reservoir blends clear-to-moderately-stained water depending on season and rainfall, with a mosaic of flat, brush-lined coves in the upper arms and harder main-lake structure down toward the dam face. Largemouth bass dominate, with a secondary population of smallmouth and decent numbers of saugeye and crappie sharing the same water column.
The drop shot suspends a soft plastic bait above the bottom on a fixed line, keeping it in the strike zone longer than any other rig. Originally a West Coast technique, it now dominates clear-water and finesse situations nationwide. Works vertically over structure or on a long cast.
Drop Shot Setup for Alum Creek Lake
| Rod | 7' medium-light to medium spinning rod, fast action |
| Reel | 2500–3000 size spinning reel, 6.2:1 or higher |
| Line | 6–8 lb fluorocarbon main line or 10 lb braid + 8 lb fluoro leader |
| Weight | 1/8–3/8 oz tungsten drop shot weight (heavier in current or deep water) |
| Hook | #1 or #2 Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap, 6–18 inches above weight |
Seasonal Tactics on Alum Creek Lake
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth push into the upper creek arms as water temps climb through the low 50s, staging on the first hard points before fanning onto shallow flats in the 2–5 ft range to bed. The transition stretch between the Lewis Center boat ramp area and the upper forks concentrates fish early and gets overlooked by most weekend traffic.
Drop Shot: Target staging fish on points and drop-offs in 8–20 feet. Nose-hook a 6" Roboworm or Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm.
Lake: Post-spawn bass retreat toward main-lake points, submerged roadbed edges, and the channel swing near the dam where depths reach 35–50 ft. Schooling activity over mid-depth brush piles (12–18 ft) picks up after sundown during July and August, especially on weeknights when recreational boat pressure eases.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: Shad migrations pull both largemouth and smallmouth toward the upper flats through October, and topwater opportunities over brush in 6–12 ft of water rival anything the lake produces all year. Once water temps drop below 55°F, fish consolidate on main-lake points in 15–25 ft.
Drop Shot: Follow baitfish to secondary points and pockets. Faster retrieve works as fish get more aggressive.
Lake: Winter fish suspend just above submerged timber and brush near channel bends in 20–30 ft of water. A blade bait or a football jig worked at near-zero speed on the Corps-mapped timber lines will coax bites during the coldest weeks, though consistent action requires locating specific vertical wood.
Drop Shot: Slowest presentation of the year. Dead-stick a 4" finesse worm at the bottom. Let it sit 10–15 seconds between shakes.
Best Conditions
Clear to stained water, pressured fish, cold fronts, post-spawn suspended bass, deep structure in summer
Use a Palomar knot and leave the tag end pointing up to keep the hook riding correctly. Most anglers tie it wrong.
More Techniques for Alum Creek Lake
Ready to fish Alum Creek Lake?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →