Drop Shot Fishing on Kinkaid Lake
Kinkaid Lake · Illinois · Midwest
Kinkaid Lake sits in Jackson County in the Shawnee Hills region of far southern Illinois, impounded on Kinkaid Creek and covering roughly 2,750 acres at full pool. The lake is defined by clear-to-lightly-stained water, a hard bottom of rock and clay, abundant standing timber in the creek arms, and a main-lake structure profile that rewards anglers who can read depth transitions. Largemouth bass are the primary target, with a healthy population of crappie and channel catfish rounding out the fishery.
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 Kinkaid 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 Kinkaid Lake
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth stage on rocky secondary points in 8–14 ft before moving into the creek arm timber and flat pockets when water temps push past 58°F; a 3/8 oz swim jig or finesse jig worked along the timber edge is a consistent early producer.
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: Bass scatter to deep timber along the original creek channel in 18–25 ft as surface temps climb into the upper 70s and low 80s; a drop shot or Carolina-rigged Zoom Trick Worm on the channel swing timber holds fish through the mid-day heat.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: Shad-driven schools of bass push onto main-lake rocky points and the upper ends of creek arms through September and October; a Strike King KVD 1.5 or a swimbait on a 3/8 oz head fished fast along the 6–10 ft timber edges produces big bites.
Drop Shot: Follow baitfish to secondary points and pockets. Faster retrieve works as fish get more aggressive.
Lake: Kinkaid's bass congregate in the deepest timber pockets of the main creek channel from December through February; a 1/2 oz football jig dragged at 25–30 ft over hard bottom, or a suspending jerkbait worked with 15-second-plus pauses in 10–15 ft of clear water, accounts for the most consistent cold-weather catches.
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 Kinkaid Lake
Ready to fish Kinkaid Lake?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →