Drop Shot Fishing on Neely Henry Lake
Neely Henry Lake · Alabama · Southeast
Neely Henry Lake is a scenic 5,800-acre reservoir located in St. Clair County, Alabama, formed by a dam on the Coosa River. The lake features a mix of rocky shoals, deep channels, and abundant vegetation that create excellent habitat for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Known for its clear water and consistent fishing, Neely Henry attracts anglers year-round and is particularly productive during spring and fall transitions.
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 Neely Henry 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 Neely Henry Lake
Lake: Spring spawning season brings aggressive largemouth bass to shallow flats and creek areas as water temperatures warm into the 60s and 70s. Topwater and crankbait presentations around spawning grounds produce excellent results for trophy-sized fish.
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 bass move to deeper structure including channel ledges, drop-offs, and submerged timber in 15-25 feet of water. Early morning and late evening topwater bite can be productive, with midday fishing requiring deeper presentations like drop shots and Carolina rigs.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: Fall cooling water temperatures trigger aggressive feeding as bass move from summer depths toward shallower feeding zones. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, and vibrating jigs around baitfish concentrations produce consistent catches throughout the season.
Drop Shot: Follow baitfish to secondary points and pockets. Faster retrieve works as fish get more aggressive.
Lake: Winter fishing slows but remains viable as bass congregate in the deepest channel areas and around submerged structure. Slow-moving presentations like drop shots, dead sticking, and light jigging near steep drop-offs can yield quality fish during cold months.
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 Neely Henry Lake
Ready to fish Neely Henry Lake?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →