A different way to float fish:

[Dragfreedrift]

Hey all-

I just wanted to take a minute to share a method of float fishing I've been doing for a several years that has really worked well at times.   I am sure some of you have fished this way already, but if you have not yet tried it, you owe yourself a chance to try it.

Basically it uses the float as a strike indicator on a normal drift-rig.  So, what I do is rig up a leader w/ corkie & eggs or shrimp and a little yarn.  Above this, you have your pencil lead at the swilvel.  This is just a normal drift rig so far.

Up the mainline place a float (either fixed or sliding).  Set the float deep enough so that the lead taps bottom....you will see the float jiggling up and down as the rig taps bottom on its way downriver.  When the float goes under its either a fish or a snag....its that simple.

Best part of all this is:

1) you lose WAY less tackle than regular drifting (the bobber prevents the lead from settling into nasty snags)

2) you can freespool your drifts for a l-o-n-g ways downriver.

3) you can see exactly what water you have covered  instead of just guessing w/ a normal drifting rig.

4) Everybody will look at you funny and giggle at first....but when you slam a couple fish in short order they shut up pretty fast and will start begging you to show them your setup!!!

 


DFD

[SciGuy]

DFD: We are of the same mind.  This is a dy-no-mite technique.  I've been using it for years and swear by it.  Thanks for sharing.

[Dragfreedrift]

Right on Sci Guy....its truly an excellent way to fish.  It's amazing how few snags I get vs. regular drifting!!!

More of the members here need to try it!

DFD

[Brian]

As much as I prefer float fishing with a suspended lure such as a jig, I know that this method has been productive for many members.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[Timber]

Bobber doggin... 

[steelheader]

This is how I caught my first steelhead. It is a great technique, I think the steelhead like the slow presentation sometimes.

[Redhook]

Have drift fished many years, and float fished more the last couple of years.  Sounds like a great way to bring them together to possibly get into a couple of extra fish.  Have read about this before, bout time to try it.  Thanks for the reminder. 

 

[Bob Barthlow]

Bobber doggin... 

no Kev, it's "flydoggin"

[Dragfreedrift]

Call it what you want.....all I know is that it accounts for a lot of punches in my tag every year.

I'll call it "chromer-doggin" now!!!!


DFD

[SciGuy]

Being boat challenged, I still call it the Poor Man's Drift Boat because it is about as effective as side drifting.

The other point I wanted to make is that a huge advantage this techniques has over plain old drifting is that you have precise control over the exact path you want your lure to take down river.  You  can easily keep your drift in the soft stuff a mere foot from the fast water or where ever you want.  Sometimes I'll have slack line bt/wn float and rod , just as when dead drifting, and other times I keep a little tension on the float and be able to feel what is going on, as well as see it.  I use the latter method if I'm quartering across a tailout or if I just want to slow the presentation down a bit in water that is a bit off color.

Corkies, worms, rags, eggs, sandshrimp, Jensen eggs, glo bugs, and gooey bobs have all produced doing this.

[bugnuts]

I'd wager that you guys who add a float to drift gear would be intrigued by a new type of float that looks like a dink and acts like a dink, but is removable/adjustable without clipping a knot or threading any little tubes.  Am I right? 

I have to confess that I am not a drift fisherman...never have been.  But it seems that the ability to quickly add or remove a float based on the type of water you are presenting your lure/bait in would be huge.  I just might have something for ya. 

[Dragfreedrift]

Absolutely Bugs!!!

I had a solution for this about five years ago.  I had a cork float about 5 inches long w/ a dowel going down the center.  I cut a slot down the length of the float to the center.  This allowed me to add a quick top-quality float to any drift rig by simply pulling out the dowel, slipping the float on the line, the re-insterting the dowel.

It took all of 5 seconds!!

And it worked like a charm!

I just need a supply of good cork floats (help!)


DFD

[SciGuy]

Lets see it Bugs!

[bugnuts]

Expect a PM you two...a couple of potential field testers. 

[Dragfreedrift]

Right on Bugs...I'm ready  to test anything to help me get my game up a notch or two!

DFD