Drop Shot Fishing on Summersville Lake
Summersville Lake · West Virginia · Southeast
This West Virginia reservoir features exceptionally clear water, extensive rock formations, steep bluff walls, and limited shallow cover, primarily focusing on smallmouth bass. Its deep structure and a strong alewife forage base define the fishery's character.
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 Summersville 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 Summersville Lake
Lake: Smallmouth move onto rocky points and secondary humps in 10-25 feet as water temperatures climb into the 50s, making jerkbaits and jigs productive near potential spawning grounds.
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 descend to offshore ledges, humps, and bluff walls in 25-50 feet, often suspending over deeper water while chasing alewives, demanding deep finesse and reaction techniques.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: As water cools, smallmouth actively chase schooling baitfish around main lake points and in large coves, providing excellent 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 hold tight to vertical structure or suspend over deep channels in 40-50+ feet of water, requiring slow presentations with blade baits, spybaits, or drop shots.
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 Summersville Lake
Ready to fish Summersville Lake?
Ask Hank about current conditions, water temp, and exactly what to throw today.
Ask Hank →