20 replies to this topic

[GoWithTheFloat]

Just a quick tip for some of the newer guys getting into steelheading since we are getting into the season.
 
When at the river, you may see some of the float guys waiting until the end of their drifts and ripping up their rods like they have some kind of fisherman's strain of turrets syndrome. 
 
THIS IS NOT THE DEMONSTRATION OF SKILL AND GETS ON THE NERVES OF A LOT OF PEOPLE.  
 
It's an attempt to snag the fish which is illegal .  this method may result in injuring the fish, or worse it can result in someone losing an eye or getting a hook in their skin.  at best it is scaring away a timid fish or just destroying your rig.  not so clever. 
 
I find with float fishing you don't even need to tug very hard in order to set the hook .  Just don't leave too much slack and use sharp hooks and you should be good to go.  
 
 
ok, i'll put the bit@hing to rest for now. Have fun and good luck out there. [/size]
 
 


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[jackthefish]

kids and their pierced eyebrows... harumph.

 

Exception to the rule... to the tool next to me: hurry up and reel in, your drift is over.  I'm waiting for you dumb-nut.

[guest]

funny thing is every guy i see does it and will continue to do so...

[Rainbow]

It's the sign of a desperate angler.

[guest]

--i have never seen a CP dude not do it to be honest---goodentight is the only one that i rarely see do it unless he feels there is a reason ie. fish on. i tried it and all that happened is a blew through roe sacks--dumb

[DitchWizard]

I think sometimes its people getting a bit to excited about lifting their float and offering up and on top of the water.

All you really need to do that is a lift of the rod no ripping motions at all.

[guest]

no excitement required-- if you watch them its just a part of the process no matter what wallis-driiiiiiiiiiiiift...driiiiffft...drift some more..palm reel spin a bit then YAAAAANKAROO--replace roe sack repeat.

[DitchWizard]

To be honest I really don't notice this all that much on the river I fist 80% of the time(big deep north trib), on smaller rivers I see much more of it. It would infact be hilarious as some hooksets result in people almost falling backwards and to see that sort of thing on the end of a drift would be funny.  

When palming the reel It seems easier to give a yank, spin, yank, spin. I don;t palm all that much but if I am I fist lift my offering up so everything is on the surface then palm the reel. I think any yanking while everything is in the water would be considered snagging.

I am not trying to defend this action as I don't do it and try to be as much of a sportsman as possible (I am still learning some things)

I know personally I have never foul hooked a fish at the end of the drift like this,

[NADO]

For me at the end of my drift if the float goes down, rod goes up. This can happen often as the end of your drift is usually the shallowest spot so its more likely to get hooked on bottom. This may upset some guys but ive lost too many fish from thinking ive just got bottom again, 2 in the past 2 trips actually. If the float doesnt go down then just lift your rod and start pulling and reeling.

[ChaseChrome]

Know what NADO is saying for sure...he like some of the other guys from this forum I haven't really seen engage in the "hero drift." Frankly, if the argument for pinning is that you can better control your drift, then that logic goes into the trash bin when sending out 150 ft. of mono...no controlling that in the least...and loss of real contact with what water current, bottom, and potential strikes may have. Shorter drifts with REAL controllability will telegraph what is happening to your offering far better...no need to snap your float at the end of a drift in the off chance there may be a fish in the zone...no fish in the zone, no fish snagged in the @ss = new piercing

cc

[FrequentFlyer]

hate that, fishing down from a guy hearing the whoooosh splash on EVERY drift no point in that.  longest drifts i ever do is about 50-60ft, ands that only if im the only guy fishing a run.  if theres other people around, 20-30 ft drifts

[guest]

I am getting a crossbow with a reel on it---no need for the rip then...

[staffman]

Know what NADO is saying for sure...he like some of the other guys from this forum I haven't really seen engage in the "hero drift." Frankly, if the argument for pinning is that you can better control your drift, then that logic goes into the trash bin when sending out 150 ft. of mono...no controlling that in the least...and loss of real contact with what water current, bottom, and potential strikes may have. Shorter drifts with REAL controllability will telegraph what is happening to your offering far better...no need to snap your float at the end of a drift in the off chance there may be a fish in the zone...no fish in the zone, no fish snagged in the @ss = new piercing

cc

 

Right on! I couldn't have said it better.

[NADO]

I don't even know how people manage to snag steelhead, I have yet to snag one myself or even have someone im fishing with snag one. The only times i've actually seen steelhead snagged is on the geen when guys are fishing with 15+ft below their floats. Come to think of it I don't really think i've ran into anyone who rips their drift without their float going down.

[CJR]

I've done it accidentally when drifting a stacked pool a few times, foul hooking happens from time to time..   Also foul hooked one in the dorsal while reeling in my line at the Geen last fall.  

[fishernick]

Accidental snagging happens all the time if you are drifting close to bottom and they are stacked in a pool, quite common. Bags float underneath steel causing the float to go down. Hook set= snag.

[NADO]

I guess im just not fishing stacked enough pools lol. Maybe thats why I haven't broken into double digits yet.

[fishernick]

Hhahaha it's true, you know when you snag a couple that they are loaded!

[georgianbaydrifter]

everyone on here has sent a float to the back of the cnr pool from the top once or twice im sure

[staffman]

Not I !