Drifting & Using a Fish Finder

[mayday1019]

Hey Guys,

As I have mentioned before, I am a new to fishing the saltwater surf. I have a question about drifting fresh and live bait. When drifting, is that just as it sounds, casting out and allowing it to drift with the tide or the current? Or is it using a fishfinder and a weight and allowing it to hit the bottom?

Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.

Bob

[RNC]

im thinking to drift is to let the current take your offering wherever the current is going but I dont see how using a weight to get your bait to the bottom and letting the current move it around cant be considered drifting. Drifting from a boat from what i've seen is bait and weight or even just bait dropped to the bottom and letting the current take the boat along having the bait dragged along.

[EarnedStripes44]

yea....Im thinking the same thing. Sometime ago, I fished the East River off Roosevelt Island. The current was serious. I had a 4 oz lead on there and it was definitely drifting, although probably through the lower water column. So I think it can be both, provided that when using a weight, it is light enough.

[RNC]

I agree, i've used 8 oz sinkers that has drifted with current though I know it hit bottom but the current was strong enough to pull the line and slowly drag the sinker along with it

[bassballer]

bait rig, sinker, drop straight to the bottom and let the boat make a drift with the current. when youve drifted "the spot", put in gear drive back and repeat.