Drop Shot Fishing on Stillhouse Hollow Lake
Stillhouse Hollow Lake · Texas · South Central
This US Army Corps of Engineers impoundment near Killeen is known for its deep, clear water and diverse cover, including standing timber, rock bluffs, and dense hydrilla beds. Anglers encounter both robust largemouth and a respectable population of smallmouth bass throughout the year.
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 Stillhouse Hollow 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 Stillhouse Hollow Lake
Lake: Largemouth move to shallower hydrilla beds and creek arm pockets for spawning, with consistent bites on soft plastics like a Zoom Trick Worm and shallow crankbaits.
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: Bass migrate to deep hydrilla edges, main lake points, and standing timber, often requiring deep jigging spoons, dropshots, and Carolina rigs in 20-35 feet.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: As water temperatures cool, bass school up on threadfin and gizzard shad, moving into creek channels and flats, creating opportunities for topwater and reaction baits.
Drop Shot: Follow baitfish to secondary points and pockets. Faster retrieve works as fish get more aggressive.
Lake: Fish concentrate on deep main lake humps, bluff walls, and the lower ends of creek channels, responding to slow-rolled umbrella rigs, suspending jerkbaits, and football jigs in 30-50 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 Stillhouse Hollow Lake
Ready to fish Stillhouse Hollow Lake?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →