Drop Shot Fishing on Mullett Lake
Mullett Lake · Michigan · Midwest
This expansive northern Michigan lake is a deep, clear-water fishery characterized by significant structural diversity, including abrupt drop-offs, extensive sand flats, and numerous rocky reefs. Mullett Lake is renowned for its strong populations of smallmouth bass and northern pike, with walleye and musky also present.
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 Mullett 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 Mullett Lake
Lake: In spring, smallmouth bass transition from deep wintering grounds to shallower rocky points and sand flats, often congregating in 8-15 feet as water temperatures approach 50 degrees, readily taking jerkbaits and tube baits.
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 summer, bass typically move to deeper main lake structure like ledges, humps, and isolated rock piles in 20-40 feet, keying on thermoclines and schools of cisco, making drop shots and football jigs effective.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: Fall patterns see smallmouth bass schooling up and aggressively feeding on baitfish in preparation for winter, often suspending over deep water or relating to channel swings and deep points in 15-30 feet, responding well to underspins and larger swimbaits.
Drop Shot: Follow baitfish to secondary points and pockets. Faster retrieve works as fish get more aggressive.
Lake: Winter fishing, predominantly through the ice, targets deep rock piles and structure where smallmouth, walleye, and pike can be found, with jigging spoons and live bait being primary presentations in depths ranging from 20 to 50 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 Mullett Lake
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