Drop Shot Fishing on John Martin Reservoir
John Martin Reservoir · Colorado · West
John Martin Reservoir sits on the Arkansas River near Hasty, Colorado, impounded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers primarily for flood control and irrigation — which means water levels fluctuate dramatically season to season. The reservoir trends turbid to stained throughout most of the year, with a flat, prairie-basin morphology broken by submerged creek channels, riprap shorelines, and sparse woody cover. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, and wipers (hybrid striped bass) share the fishery, making it one of southeastern Colorado's most diverse angling options.
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 John Martin 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 John Martin Reservoir
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth push into the shallower riprap and any available brushy cover as water temps climb through the low 60s, typically late April into May. Lipless crankbaits like the Strike King Red Eye Shad in 1/2 oz worked along rocky points produce aggressive strikes before bass move to whatever limited spawning flats are available at the current pool level.
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: Summer concentrates bass and walleye on the deeper submerged creek channel edges in 12–22 ft of water as surface temps push into the mid-70s. Anglers fishing bottom-contact presentations — a 1/2 oz football jig on 15 lb fluorocarbon or a drop shot with a 4-inch Roboworm — find fish that have vacated the wind-blasted shallow flats.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: Fall triggers some of the most reliable feeding windows of the year as shad and other forage stack in creek channel bends and the main basin narrows toward the dam. Swimbaits and medium-diving crankbaits like the Strike King Series 5 in shad patterns cover water efficiently during October's transition period.
Drop Shot: Follow baitfish to secondary points and pockets. Faster retrieve works as fish get more aggressive.
Lake: Winter drawdowns for irrigation delivery can pull water levels substantially, concentrating fish in the remaining deeper basin. Slow-rolled jigging spoons and drop shot rigs on 10 lb fluorocarbon in 15–25 ft are the consistent winter producers; the fishery receives almost no pressure during this window.
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 John Martin Reservoir
Ready to fish John Martin Reservoir?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →