Drop Shot Fishing on Roosevelt Lake
Roosevelt Lake · Arizona · West
Roosevelt Lake sits at the confluence of the Salt and Tonto rivers in the Tonto National Forest, impounded by Theodore Roosevelt Dam and covering up to 17,000 acres at full pool. The lake is defined by dramatic canyon walls, submerged brush and timber in the back-coves, long rocky points, and a major flat-to-channel transition that produces multi-species action year-round. Water clarity swings from stained in the upper arms after monsoon rains to gin-clear in the main lake during winter and early spring.
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 Roosevelt 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 Roosevelt Lake
Lake: Pre-spawn largemouth push into the brushy upper arms of the Salt and Tonto arms from late February through April as water temps climb through the 58–68°F range; shallow rocky flats in 3–8 ft hold the biggest fish, and a swim jig or Zoom Speed Craw on a 3/8 oz Texas rig both produce. Smallmouth stage on the steeper rocky points in 10–18 ft before migrating shallower.
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: Intense desert heat pushes bass deep by late June; main-lake points and channel ledges in 20–35 ft hold suspended fish near the thermocline, and a drop shot or deep-diving crankbait like the Strike King 6XD accounts for most catches during midday. Early-morning topwater around shaded canyon walls remains productive through late July before surface temps exceed 90°F.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: Cooling water in October and November triggers a strong shad-driven feed, with largemouth and stripers blowing up on threadfin shad schools along the main lake points and creek channel swings; a Heddon Super Spook Jr. or a 3/4 oz white umbrella rig at 12–20 ft covers both species. The Tonto arm backs down first and often produces the best fall largemouth action.
Drop Shot: Follow baitfish to secondary points and pockets. Faster retrieve works as fish get more aggressive.
Lake: Winter is Roosevelt's most underrated season — cold clear water (55–62°F in December and January) concentrates smallmouth on main-lake rocky points and the dam face in 15–25 ft, where a Megabass Vision 110+1 on a 15-second pause or a 1/4 oz football jig with a Keitech Swing Impact Fat 3.3" trailer outfishes nearly everything else. Largemouth school up on submerged brush in the cove transitions and respond well to a slow-rolled swimbait.
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 Roosevelt Lake
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