Drop Shot Fishing on O.H. Ivie Reservoir
O.H. Ivie Reservoir · Texas · South Central
O.H. Ivie sits in the rolling mesquite country of Coleman and Concho counties, impounding the Colorado River to form a sprawling, wind-battered reservoir with highly variable water levels and exceptional trophy bass potential. Water clarity fluctuates from stained to surprisingly clear depending on inflow events, and the fishery holds a dominant Florida-strain largemouth population that uses deep creek channel swings, submerged timber, and rocky points as primary structure. Despite the drive required to reach it, Ivie consistently produces fish in the 8–12 lb class that most Texas reservoirs can no longer match.
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 O.H. Ivie 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 O.H. Ivie Reservoir
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth push from deep creek channel ledges into secondary points and flat timber pockets from late February through April, with the best big-fish window arriving when water temperatures cross 58–62°F. Rocky coves on the north end and submerged brush along the Concho River arm draw spawning fish and reward anglers throwing swimbaits and big soft plastics.
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: Heat drives bass to 18–28 ft creek channel breaks and suspended schools over timber, where a drop shot rigged with a 4-inch Roboworm Straight Tail or a 3/4 oz football jig dragged along hard bottom will out-produce anything run on the flats. Topwater action compresses into the first 30 minutes of light and the last 30 at dusk on calm mornings.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: Shad migrations pull bass onto flatter secondary points and the upper arms of both the Colorado and Concho river channels, with schooling activity on the surface accelerating through October. A 3/8 oz white War Eagle spinnerbait or a Heddon Super Spook Jr. matched to the local threadfin shad size will connect with chasing fish throughout the day on overcast afternoons.
Drop Shot: Follow baitfish to secondary points and pockets. Faster retrieve works as fish get more aggressive.
Lake: Water clarity improves markedly in winter and the big Florida-strain fish become their most catchable on slow, deliberate presentations — a Megabass Vision 110 jerkbait on 10 lb fluorocarbon with 15-second-plus pauses, or a shakey head finesse rig in 15–25 ft of water over hard-bottom transition zones near the main river channel.
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 O.H. Ivie Reservoir
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