Drop Shot Fishing on Elephant Butte Reservoir
Elephant Butte Reservoir · New Mexico · West
Elephant Butte Reservoir sits in the high desert of south-central New Mexico along the Rio Grande, impounded by a Bureau of Reclamation dam completed in 1916. The lake swings wildly in elevation — sometimes 40 or 50 feet below full pool — creating a constantly shifting shoreline of exposed rock, submerged flats, and ledge structure that rewards anglers who read the contour rather than the bank. Largemouth bass are the primary target, with striped bass and white bass sharing the water column and influencing forage availability for the whole system.
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 Elephant Butte Reservoir
| 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 Elephant Butte Reservoir
Lake: As water temps climb through the 58–66°F range in March and April, largemouth push onto rocky points and secondary flat shelves in 4–10 ft to stage and eventually spawn. Shallow riprap near the dam and exposed rocky coves on the south end of the lake are reliable staging areas.
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: Surface temps routinely crack 80°F by July, pushing bass off the banks and onto deeper creek channel ledges in 18–30 ft. Striped bass schooling activity on the main lake draws largemouth into the mix — anglers working topwater and deep crankbaits during early morning schooling windows can pick up multiple species back to back.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: Cooling water in September and October triggers one of the best feed windows of the year as bass chase shad onto secondary points and shallow rock structure. A Texas-rigged 4-inch finesse worm or a suspending jerkbait through 6–12 ft of water covers the two most productive zones.
Drop Shot: Follow baitfish to secondary points and pockets. Faster retrieve works as fish get more aggressive.
Lake: Winter bass at Elephant Butte drop to main-lake rocky structure in 20–35 ft and become notably sluggish. Drop shot rigs and football jigs dragged painfully slowly along rocky bottom transitions are the most consistent producers when water temps dip below 50°F.
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 Elephant Butte Reservoir
Ready to fish Elephant Butte Reservoir?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →