Side drifters and Boon-doggers questions

[Alligator]

Is Boon-doggers a correct name for side drifting???

I'm learning how to side drift and have come up with a few questions for those of you who know their stuff when it comes to this technique. 1. Do you use colored main line so you can see where the lines are? I have tough time knowing where my line is at all times. I'm using 10lbs Ultra Green. 2. I missed fish twice on monday (my first experimental trip). Today I hooked one but the steelie chased me and I didn't get a good hook set and lost her at the boat. Question: when side drifting what does the bite feel like? Is it different than regular drift fishing? I have been given some good advise on this subject but wanted some additional input. Any other suggestions and helpful hints would be great.

Les

[blacktail]

What rod are you using?

[Alligator]

Today I was using a Rogue XD 864-2 8'6" 6-12# with a Shimano curado reel.

I also use a G-Loomis STR 1024 8'6" Med, Fast Action 8-12#, also with a Shimano curado reel.

I don't own a good spinning outfit.

[blacktail]

I would suggest a rod with a lighter tip.

A lot of "boondoggers" like to use a higher vis main line with a long leader of Ultra Green, Ande, etc.

When side-drifting, the take is usually pretty soft. One of the reasons for a rod with the softer tip.

There are most likely some others here that know more about this than me that will have some additional advice.

Mike

[Bob Barthlow]

Alligator,line,. we use 8# or10# Izor line hi-vis yellow. The bite,it's like drift fishing, but easier,with the boat doing a controlled drift in the current ,even if you don't fill the tap-tap on a bite ,your line comes tight on the fish as the boat drifts down stream,you lift the rod tip,fill the fish ,set the hook ,fish on. So many times when you throw in,your line comes tight and you have a fish on.Boondogging or sidedrifting it's a controlled way to drift using your kicker motor. Bow of boat pointing up stream, with everyone doing a quarter cast up stream towards the bank,aprox. a 45% angle.....Blacktail we are using mostly G.loomis STR1141s spinning rods and STR1082S spinning rods. :cool:

[Alligator]

Blacktail & Rapid Robert thanks for the info. I'll pick up some new Izor yellow line and give it a go.

I bought two new Rogue rods last summer, one drift rod and one plug to match my G-loomis rods. I'll add two spinning rods to my wish list for this year :wink: .

Les

[Jim]

Rogue is coming out with a new rod specifically for free drifting...its a dandy!!

Still in the test stages though...

Jim

[TH]

We do a lot of side drifting on the SC.
I see a lot of boats dragging bait behind their boat, and we do that at times as well. But side drifting is a bit different.
I use the TH 1081s rods with Stradic 2000 14# flame green fireline. 3-4" leaders. I think of side drifting as drifting from the driftboat. When I have two people in the front of my boat I usually don't fish myself, instead I spend more time postioning the boat so they can make many drifts.. I like the flame green colored line because it allows me to watching their line and adjust the boat accordingly. I like to keep the boat out of the fishable water, making my "dudes" cast to the drift. In any one fishable drift you can get multiply dirfts out of it.. Working the oars and placing the boat is as important as holding the rod. I like one to cast short and one to cast long (my son usually short and dad long :grin: )
I like the softer action rods, the TH 1081 is a 9' 4-8# moderate action rod, (my 8 year old son fishes a 7' rod that is a bit easier to cast) that allows me to cast very small slinkies or a very small piece of lead. Many times the fish just picks up your offering .. your line my just stop in the drift.. high-vis line is very good for detecting these type bites. Other times, a fish may rip the rod out of your hand.
I like a #2 hook with a puff ball and a small piece of bait, either colored prawns, or eggs.. for my baits of choice..

I hope this helps.

[Iceman]

Alligator,

Seen you on the Clack a couple of times in the last few months. I'm generally 'dogging with my DB and electric. Rapid Robert is right-on with his suggestion of 1141's and 1082's, although I occassionally use 1024's and do well.

As far as line goes, check out Cabelas Pro-Line in 10#, clear/blue florescent. The price is right and it has just the right amount of visibility. Save your UG for your leaders (4'+).

One of the biggest mistakes new boondoggers make is not getting there boat speed right. If you're going the right speed, your lines should stay at 45° upstream. The rest should take care of itself.

See you on the river.

[Bob Barthlow]

TH, 14# line on a rod rated 4#-8#,must have a good warranty on that rod,....LOL.. :shocked:

[TH]

:smile: yeah, well ???? I have a good relationship with my rod builder :grin:

ssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bob Barthlow]

TH,......you lucky dog........... :cool:

[Bait O' Eggs]

Alligator
Listen to what Iceman has to say, he is a master at this. :grin: The 4 foot leader is needed to get the bait to move correctly with the drift. The amount of weight is not as much as you would use for drift fishing. You dont need to feel the bottom as often as you do when drifting from a stationary position. Get the boat up to speed and then put the bait in the water.