drift fishing tips

Adam.H1 said:

I tried out drift fishing, my setup was 12 pound mono main line to a three way swivel, a clip that I attached pencil weight to and a 3 foot fluorocarbon leader.

Does anyone else the problem where your leader line gets wrapped around your mainline? When I would reel in my leader was shorter because it was wrapping around my main line

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A few things can cause that but the root cause of all is line twist. Are you using a spinning reel? Are you using a bait that is spinning in the current. Is your weight system spinning in the current?

Yeah sometimes it seems I have days it happens a lot and sometimes I go weeks without it ever happening. The yarn in my bait loop acts like a propeller, twist in the air and the swivel just doesn't do a good enough job and the lines twist together...pretty annoying. I dont know how to actually prevent it. Its happened with every drift set up ive ever used. Whether its hollow core pinched on tag line, surgical tubing setup, sliding rigs, slinkies...different swivels...it just randomly happens here and there...

Spinning reel?

With a baitcaster, things lay nice and flat.

I don’t think three way swivels work all that good. I haven’t used them since I was a kid a couple centuries ago. Same with a spinning reel. You might want to revise how you attach your lead. FOS mentions hollow core on a tag line. I prefer solid core attached with the use of lead pliers. If you need more detail, ask.

Yes, get rid of the three-way swivel. Instead, you can start with a regular snap swivel, tying your mainline onto the end of the barrel with the snap and your leader onto the free end of the barrel. Clip your tubing, lead, or other style weight onto the snap. This works well for a fixed weight system. Easy to cast and it shouldn't twist and tangle like a 3-way swivel. Good luck!

Yep get rid of the 3 way. I use a 2 way and attach the lead line to the upper eye just 4 inches. When you attach your lead push it all the way up to the main ling then clamp it. Never have had any twisting. It's been working for 50 some years.

Check out Dave's Tangle Free weights as well - they are non lead. I've been using those and really like them for both drift and bobber fishing.

I use a cheap eagle claw snap swivel, free sliding on the main line with a slinkie weight, a small bead to protect your knot, a barrel swivel, 24” of leader 2 pounds lighter than the mainline. I don’t seem to have line twist issues with my set up. (I show the rigging on the last video I posted on here, “Twilight Steelhead”.)

All good replies, but the quote from the previous one nails it.

3-ways cause more issues than they solve.
Static snap swivels are old skill good, but the slider is the beast.
Note: if you use braid, MAKE SURE TO USE A BUMPER. Broken off braid in the river is BAD.

Rage said:

I use a cheap eagle claw snap swivel, free sliding on the main line with a slinkie weight, a small bead to protect your knot, a barrel swivel, 24” of leader 2 pounds lighter than the mainline. I don’t seem to have line twist issues with my set up. (I show the rigging on the last video I posted on here, “Twilight Steelhead”.)

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Pretty much the same setup I've used for years as well with similar results................

I use braided line to a barrel swivel with a plastic clevis and protective bead above the swivel. I attach a slinkie to the plastic clevis with a snap-swivel. Mono leader, corkie, another bead, and octopus style hook, often with yarn tied in the egg loop. I like and recommend Bill Herzog's drift fishing book.