Drift Baiting

[clemsy]

Hi,

I've been trying to understand what drift baiting is and looking it up on the internet, but it doesn't really help. I was wandering if if is the same as just casting a line with sinker-swivel-line-hook in the water and just keeping it tight, is that drift baiting?

Thanks!

[rockfisherman]

Drift baiting would be in one instance having little or no weight with pilchard on ganged hooks and letting it go with the current or just move around freely.

[clemsy]

So would that mean letting the line go slack or keeping it tight?

[Basil D]

it doesn't matter, naturally you would like to keep the bait in the burley trail, so Burley and let line out until you think your bait is near it.

[clemsy]

Oh, I think your referring to if I'm on a boat? SOrry I forgot to metion I'm landbased! So I won't be able to get my burley out very far.

[clemsy]

Oh and also, I get confused whether drifting your bait requires a float?

[rockfisherman]

It dosnt require a float, although you can in some scenarios, like shallow waters...

If I was going to put a pilchard out on the drift, I would rig it up as mentioned in my previous post, cast to the desired location, wind up the slack and let it drift, hence drifting a bait.

[Trapper Tom]

Hey Clemzii.

What your looking at is what is termed "Floater" fishing.

That being your baits are unweighted, no lead what so ever or only a tiny pea shot if currents warrent it. And this is strictly for bait fishing methods only.

Just a hook with bait (swival optional depending on conditions).

Caste out from any whitewater and let it float around. It will very slowly sink giving the fish plenty of time to investigate and eat and as it slowly sinks you cover all the water column. It is a particularly devistating method on fish once you have refined the method.

For what its worth, when ever I fish from the rocks it is only with floaters.

When in a boat and motoring up to a a wash and anchouring, only floaters again.

Even in offshore conditions up to 50 metres with burley depending on what you are chasing of course.

Benifit is.

1. Significant decrease on lost takle.

2. There is a lot of free play in the line once the fish takes the bait and the line becomes taught hence a very high hook up rate. (mind you if you are into catch and release this is not recommended as the fish has to much time to eat it and are generally deeply hooked.

Please note that if you are using sinkers that send your bait sraight to the bottom you will generally only,

1. Catch the rock fish.

2. Catch an old boot.

3. Catch a red rock cod.

Only trial and experience will assist you with this, no magical words of wisdom from FR's so get out there and start experimenting.

You will be surprised at the results.

Other FR's please add info as my reply is short for this type of fishing and I am sure you have a wealth of info to add.

Cheers

Trapper Tom

[clemsy]

I sort of have a clearer picture on what to do, I went to BCF and grabbed me some floats and some stoppers. Tomorrow the weather looks good so I'll give it a go and let you know how it goes!

Thanks so much for the info guys, you're all legends!