Drift Boat Etiquette Input, Please.

Chromaflage · 04-04-2005, 09:53 AM

Last Friday, I took my dad and Jokester down the Sandy for an early bird SPRINGER! chase. This was the second time I had my new-to-me drifter on a river. While on the river, I was continually contemplating various situations, wondering what was right and proper. Traffic was light with only a few other drifters and a couple sleds. We got buzzed a couple times from a couple boats who gave us wide berth and stayed on plane. Thanks, btw, to the guys in the whit T-Jet!. Normally, I would have been annoyed, but having read several posts here, I appreciate them not tragging tail past us....especially while anchored.

Now, on to my questions:

1. With light traffic, anchoring at the top of a whole for a little while shouldn't be a problem. But if there are more boats on the river, is it improper to anchor? Let's say you want to fish a slot for about half an hour or so, before working down through it, is that a problem?

2. How far does one have to be below an anchored boat for it to not be considered low-holing? I'm sure I'll find out by trial and error, but I'd rather know as much ahead of time to try to avoid conflict.

3. If a boat is anchored in or working a hole below you, is it improper to work the run above, down toward the downstream boat? I've seen guys get close enough, bow to stearn, to pass a cup of coffee between them.

Just wanting to learn to do it right. Thanks for any input.

CrF

River Ranger · 04-04-2005, 10:01 AM

#1.no problem here. Anchoring at the top of holes and backbouncing is a common practice.Allthough it can make for some tight fishing on rivers like the Wilson.

#2.If the boat is backtrolling you should not get below them as they are pushing fish toward the tailout to get a strike.You would be stealing the fruits of their labor so to speak.If said boat is anchored,it is probably ok to get down a ways below them then anchor or backtroll.

#3.You can work the water above them as you are next in line.On many rivers boats will wait on the bank for their turn at a pass.

Common courtesy rules,don't do to others what you would not want done to you.

RR.

FastAction · 04-04-2005, 10:08 AM

I'll anchor off to the side of the hole to drift fish or bobber or whatever.. but whatever im doing its casting.. I don't anchor and Plunk or let the divers out... If no ones'around go for it.. If a boat is nearing, ask if they want a pass, then pull up your gear and backtroll through and go... Just ask other boats how they are going to fish the hole!

How low below an anchored boat? Usually I will let lines out a 100' below the boat, double the distance they have the lures out. But Im usually side drifting.. But if I want to plug the hole.. I get behind them and anchor up river a ways and let my lines out a few pulls, like 20' so they get the hint to pick up and go.. Some People just dont care, or mind if you pass through.. I have back trolled on the inside of boats that were anchored in the "Slot" and picked up fish! But Just ASK the other boat!

You have the right to fish above a backtrolling boat, don't get too close though!

Remember, there are no rules, just do un to others...

Oh yeah.. Don't be discouraged if 10 other DB's launch in front of you... You will be surprised that out of 10 DB's 8 of them are goons!

Wild Willy · 04-04-2005, 11:05 AM

I don't do much drift boat fishing now but did a lot in the past. Usually I cast the holes and would anchor on the side of the hole, giving enough room between me and the bank for other boats to get around without going through the hole. I never anchored at the top.

When other boats wanted to fish the same hole I either left or they pulled in just below me, depending on the size of the hole, maybe close, maybe far.

Plugging through a hole that someone is casting in just never felt right, so I never did it. The couple of times it happened to me, I didn't like it.

I can say the best advice is the "Do unto others....."

Willy

driftin buy · 04-04-2005, 11:11 AM

great post. I am a new drifter also and it is great to get others points of view. we don't want any

Chromaflage · 04-04-2005, 11:16 AM

Thanks all for the input thus far!!

as I figured, it's mainly common sense and courtesy.

I think we should get a bunch of us that are new to the driftboat scene and have a greenhorn floatilla - that'd scare the rest of 'em off the river.

CrF

Uglygreen · 04-04-2005, 11:23 AM

Whatever you do, dont try and race Wildhawg to the hole or call him a Monkey Boy. :grin:

:grin:

Brad

RichH · 04-04-2005, 12:35 PM

Quote:

1. With light traffic, anchoring at the top of a whole for a little while shouldn't be a problem. But if there are more boats on the river, is it improper to anchor? Let's say you want to fish a slot for about half an hour or so, before working down through it, is that a problem?

Personally I wish they'd quit selling anchors so this wouldn't be a problem.

However, it is common practice on some rivers and I believe the first person to a hole theory works ok. I like the way they do it down south and you hardly ever see someone do this and they tend to get hollered at if they do.

2. How far does one have to be below an anchored boat for it to not be considered low-holing? I'm sure I'll find out by trial and error, but I'd rather know as much ahead of time to try to avoid conflict.

Depends on how you're fishing and how their fishing. If you're plugging then you need to wait above them until they're done to fish. When drift fishing I'll anchor above and move down as they do. They got there first and with that in mind I'll let them have first water. If I'm side drifting I'll drop 30' below and let her fly.

3. If a boat is anchored in or working a hole below you, is it improper to work the run above, down toward the downstream boat? I've seen guys get close enough, bow to stearn, to pass a cup of coffee between them.

I think this is exactly how it should work. And I've yanked fish out behind them so I know it can work.