Drop Shot Fishing on Okhissa Lake
Okhissa Lake · Mississippi · Southeast
Okhissa Lake is a 1,070-acre U.S. Forest Service impoundment in southwest Mississippi known for its deep, clear water and extensive standing timber. Its unique management, which restricts private docks, maintains a pristine feel, creating an environment favorable for trophy largemouth bass.
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 Okhissa 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 Okhissa Lake
Lake: Bass migrate to shallower depths, often in 5-15 feet, utilizing the timber and submerged hydrilla beds for spawning. Flipping jigs and Texas-rigged plastics into cover are productive.
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: As water temperatures rise, bass pull to deeper structure, suspending over standing timber or congregating on points and ledges in 20-40 feet. Drop shots, deep crankbaits, and slow-rolled spoons become effective.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: Cooling temperatures trigger baitfish migrations, causing bass to school and chase shad on main lake points and creek channels. Topwater baits, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits can be highly productive during these feeding windows.
Drop Shot: Follow baitfish to secondary points and pockets. Faster retrieve works as fish get more aggressive.
Lake: Bass move into the deepest sections of the lake, often holding tight to vertical timber in 30-50 feet. Slow presentations with football jigs, jigging spoons, or tight-wobbling crankbaits are necessary.
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 Okhissa Lake
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