Drift Fishing
By Fishing Only in Fishing Tips
One of the best methods for targeting various types of game fish is by silently drifting by on a boat. Like any other kind angling, however, there are strategies that veteran fishermen use when drift-fishing in order to increase the chances of success. Unlike some other fishing techniques, drift-fishing isn’t very difficult or hard. In fact, this technique only involves thoughtfully selecting a spot, letting out some lines, and having a little patience.
Because this type of fishing can be so easy probably keeps many from analyzing and improving the method.When drifting, the boat becomes part of your rod / reel / tackle combination. The craft becomes an important piece of the technique’s success, no matter if you are working underwater obstacles for bass or drifting near sandy flats for halibut. It is critical to know how your vessel moves. Boats will behave uniquely because of their different sizes and structures, as well as factors such as wind direction/speed, number of passengers, weight distribution, etc. Ideally, you want your boat to drift sideways in relation to the wind, because then you will move past a potential strike zone more lazily. Drifting more slowly also offers a wider area for sinking multiple lines while reducing the chance of getting tangled. Actually, most boats drift stern first or bow first.It is important to ascertain how slowly your boat drifts under differing conditions, too. The most precise way to determine your speed is with a GPS device; the GPS unit provides an accurate measurement of your speed relative to the ground. Your fishfinder and even speedometer can’t be trusted because they can easily be affected by the water moving under the craft.How can your “drift” be improved? To slow your boat as it drifts, get rid of windage by removing things that can act like a sail; lower any Bimini top or canvas enclosures. You may also be able to optimize the angle of your drift by altering the position of the outboard motor or I/O lower unit. With an inboard motor, you can try to attain the same result by changing the direction of the rudder. Moving to the left or right will bring about the stern opposite to the direction that the wheel is pointed.If the wind is calm and the current relatively weak, this may be all that is required. Yet the most reliable method to adjust drift angle is to let out a nylon sea anchor. Useful for keeping a boat’s bow into the wind during windy conditions, a sea anchor should be standard equipment for those who drift-fish often. Such a sea anchor is not very expensive, and they can be folded for storage. The sea anchor unfolds like a parachute opening underwater, and then creates drag on that side of the boat. Specifically how it affects a watercraft depends on where and how it’s placed. For example, if the desired drift is with the bow to the wind, a sea anchor lowered off the windward stern quarter will pull the boat to drift in a more “sideways” manner. For drifting stern to the wind, it should be lowered off of the bow quarter.Even if the vessel drifts ideally, a lowered sea anchor is also helpful to slow down the speed of your drift. This can be crucial when the wind is strong, or if the current is pushing the boat past too rapidly. (You are definitely drifting too quickly if you constantly have to feed out line without being able to reach the bottom, and you will need to slow your boat’s drift to keep the bait in the desired area as you move.)Once you know how the boat behaves in different, varying conditions, you should be in a much better position for getting a good, productive drift. Basically, there are two things that make your boat move – the current and/or the wind. To forecast which direction the boat will go and how fast it will move along, you must be aware of both factors. A simple “wind sock,” such as a piece of light fabric tied to an antenna, will help you quickly learn wind speed and direction. A good way to measure the current is to flip a dime - or other shiny, similar-sized item - over the side and watch in which direction and how fast it flutters away.
When it comes to dropping bait over a spot that looks like it could hold a good catch (e.g. a reef or sunken log), many anglers overshoot. That is, dropping the bait right on the spot will cause it to be out of position by the time it gets to the desired depth. This is especially annoying when there is a strong current or a brisk wind is moving the boat along. Remember, you’re trying to hit a moving target, only this time you are the one moving, not the target. You want to “lead” the bait so it arrives at your spot at depth, not when it first hits the water.
There will be calm days and spots with no current. This is a good opportunity to try power drifting. This effective method consists of creating an artificial drift by moving the motor in and out of gear. Making your own drfit will give your bait movement, attracting the game fish even when Mother Nature is resting.
1 Trackback(s)