Drop Shot Fishing on Burt Lake
Burt Lake · Michigan · Midwest
This expansive, clearwater lake is a key component of Michigan's Inland Waterway, spanning approximately 17,000 acres. Burt Lake features significant depth variations, extensive rock reefs, sand flats, and distinct weed lines, providing varied habitat that supports a robust smallmouth bass population.
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 Burt 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 Burt Lake
Lake: Smallmouth stage on prominent rock formations and sand flats in 10-20 feet before moving shallower for spawning, often accessible with suspending jerkbaits or tubes.
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: During the warmer months, bass relocate to main-lake humps, deep rock reefs, and thermocline breaks in 20-40 feet, responding well to drop shots and deep-diving crankbaits.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: As water temperatures drop, smallmouth move to ambush points on deeper flats and channel edges, following baitfish schools, making swimbaits and blade baits effective in 15-30 feet.
Drop Shot: Follow baitfish to secondary points and pockets. Faster retrieve works as fish get more aggressive.
Lake: In the cold water period, bass hold tight to the deepest available structure, such as submerged timber or major channel breaks, requiring extremely slow jigging spoons or blade baits in 30-60 feet.
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 Burt Lake
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