AquaMan
04-19-2002, 12:26 PM
Opener is coming and a lot of you have purchased new boats. I submit this to those that might find it helpful. There are several reasons and applications for which a drift bag is beneficial. I can offer you my reasons and I’m sure there are many others that will be offered as well buy other users.
1) Walleye Chop: You have located the point, hump, weedbed or area that are holding fish. The problem is that the wind is blowing your boat over this spot too quickly for proper bait presentation. The bag can be deployed off the bow for a bow-to-the-wind drift or one off the bow AND one off the stern for a sideways drift (You can also get a side drift with one bag tied to the gunnel at the mid section of the boat). The direction of your drift (Bow or side) really depends on how many people are in the boat and/or the strength of the wind. Drifting over cover is the most popular use for the bag(s). With a slower drift, lighter tackle can be used and therefore better presentation and “feel” is the result.
2) Back trolling tight structure: You want to back troll over the structure, but are either being blown off course or the bow is swinging too much, making the task a frustrating affair. Throw the bag off the bow and this will keep things under control. The farther the bag is from the boat, the gentler your tuns will be. The converse is true of a shorter bag line. Now you can control your troll and focus on presentation and fishing rather then fighting with the wind and the boat.
3) Forward trolling with a large (80+HP) motor without a kicker/bow mount trolling motor: You want to slow the boat down for forward trolling and do have or want to use the kicker or the bow mount. Tie the bag to the front eye and, on a short line (SHORT IS THE OPERATIVE WORD), run over the bag so that is sits right under the front of the boat. You will be amazed at how well you can steer the boat in tight turns regardless of the wind. JUST DON’T forget it is there when you take off. Tie a red bandana or something to your steering wheel as a reminder.
4) Wind, river and a current: A tough combo for some to control a boat successfully. You are floating down the river, but the wind keeps spinning you around or even pushes you up current. Throw the bag off the bow or stern for a better controlled float.
Each bag is unique and will provide different benefits and results. No bag is created equal. Some are bigger for bigger boats, while others are shaped like a tube or a cone. I have tried several different types and even used 5 gal buckets. The wrong one will turn anyone off to using a bag again. Some twist the lines or deflate from the action of a wave over the top. Others are difficult to retrieve, while others are difficult to deploy while others explode at the seams from poor manufacturing. I use one that provides me with the best and easiest overall features for MY boat and style of fishing. I would be happy to get you the information if you E-mail me.
Happy fishing 2002
AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1) Walleye Chop: You have located the point, hump, weedbed or area that are holding fish. The problem is that the wind is blowing your boat over this spot too quickly for proper bait presentation. The bag can be deployed off the bow for a bow-to-the-wind drift or one off the bow AND one off the stern for a sideways drift (You can also get a side drift with one bag tied to the gunnel at the mid section of the boat). The direction of your drift (Bow or side) really depends on how many people are in the boat and/or the strength of the wind. Drifting over cover is the most popular use for the bag(s). With a slower drift, lighter tackle can be used and therefore better presentation and “feel” is the result.
2) Back trolling tight structure: You want to back troll over the structure, but are either being blown off course or the bow is swinging too much, making the task a frustrating affair. Throw the bag off the bow and this will keep things under control. The farther the bag is from the boat, the gentler your tuns will be. The converse is true of a shorter bag line. Now you can control your troll and focus on presentation and fishing rather then fighting with the wind and the boat.
3) Forward trolling with a large (80+HP) motor without a kicker/bow mount trolling motor: You want to slow the boat down for forward trolling and do have or want to use the kicker or the bow mount. Tie the bag to the front eye and, on a short line (SHORT IS THE OPERATIVE WORD), run over the bag so that is sits right under the front of the boat. You will be amazed at how well you can steer the boat in tight turns regardless of the wind. JUST DON’T forget it is there when you take off. Tie a red bandana or something to your steering wheel as a reminder.
4) Wind, river and a current: A tough combo for some to control a boat successfully. You are floating down the river, but the wind keeps spinning you around or even pushes you up current. Throw the bag off the bow or stern for a better controlled float.
Each bag is unique and will provide different benefits and results. No bag is created equal. Some are bigger for bigger boats, while others are shaped like a tube or a cone. I have tried several different types and even used 5 gal buckets. The wrong one will turn anyone off to using a bag again. Some twist the lines or deflate from the action of a wave over the top. Others are difficult to retrieve, while others are difficult to deploy while others explode at the seams from poor manufacturing. I use one that provides me with the best and easiest overall features for MY boat and style of fishing. I would be happy to get you the information if you E-mail me.
Happy fishing 2002
AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~