So lets say that you are in a light boat or a kayak, one that doesn't have spot lock. Your rod is going to be drifting around relative to the placement of a bait after you cast it. It strikes me that this gives an advantage to some baits.

 

Semi-stationary soft plastic presentations like a ned rig could be a big advantage with drift. Drift a little as it falls, pop it up a foot, repeat. If you are patient, that bait will simply meander naturally around in an enticing action without the angler applying much action.

 

What other baits are advantaged by being unable to stay perfectly still in a drifting boat?

I like drifting flats sometimes, but I prefer to cast into the drift, not behind it.

Ned Rig

The late Aaron Martens mom was his backseat partner for a few years fishing local ABA and Western Bass tournaments.

Carol would drag a C’rig or split shot worm behind the boat while Aaron fished the front seat, deadly dual and won several events.

Contestants complained she was trolling and the term strolling was born.

Tom

I deal with wind all the time. The main problem generally with drifting in the wind on the kayak is that it tends to turn you sideways. I got a windsock and that only slows the boat somewhat but attached to an end it puts that end up wind and that helps a lot. i do both ends but prefer the front so i am drifting backwards and casting up wind. 
 

My primary technique is a paddle tail on a jig head since that is moving bait but benefits by the varying wind and waves and drift. Weightless options like senkos don’t work as well if the drift is too fast. 
 

spinnerbaits are also very good particularly if the wind cranks up and the boat is moving fast. 

A curly tail worm on a shakeyhead jig is becoming my goto yak bottom contract presentation.  It works sitting, it works being dragged, it works being hopped.  

On 2/27/2022 at 1:53 PM, fishwizzard said:

A curly tail worm on a shakeyhead jig is becoming my goto yak bottom contract presentation.  It works sitting, it works being dragged, it works being hopped.  

I really dig that idea, I grew up on curly tail worms. 

On 2/25/2022 at 11:07 PM, michaelb said:

I deal with wind all the time. The main problem generally with drifting in the wind on the kayak is that it tends to turn you sideways. I got a windsock and that only slows the boat somewhat but attached to an end it puts that end up wind and that helps a lot. i do both ends but prefer the front so i am drifting backwards and casting up wind. 
 

My primary technique is a paddle tail on a jig head since that is moving bait but benefits by the varying wind and waves and drift. Weightless options like senkos don’t work as well if the drift is too fast. 
 

spinnerbaits are also very good particularly if the wind cranks up and the boat is moving fast. 

That’s cool, I really wasn’t thinking about the benefits of moving baits. What do you find the advantage is that the drift gives you?

I have that situation repeatedly in my inflatable. I’ve caught several nice bass on a weightless TR with a Zoom Trick while it drags slowly due to drifting. I think it’s actually better than my action with the rod. 

On 2/25/2022 at 10:48 PM, WRB said:

The late Aaron Martens mom was his backseat partner for a few years fishing local ABA and Western Bass tournaments.

Carol would drag a C’rig or split shot worm behind the boat while Aaron fished the front seat, deadly dual and won several events.

Contestants complained she was trolling and the term strolling was born.

Tom

I also like a C-rig or a split shot rig when drifting. Sometimes I will let the current carry me back to the ramp while dragging a C-rig. 

(lightly weighted tube)

 

oe

Shakey head, (depending on speed) Senko wacky rigged, Tubes, and a Carolina Rig.  

Jerkbait.  I have back-boated my boater several times in tournaments  while drifting down the bank.  With a good breeze, you don't need to reel in any slack....just drift and twitch with my bait parallel to the bank.  Gets your bait deeper.

53 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

Jerkbait.  I have back-boated my boater several times in tournaments  while drifting down the bank.  With a good breeze, you don't need to reel in any slack....just drift and twitch with my bait parallel to the bank.  Gets your bait deeper.

 

X2

Hands down it's a very effective presentation. Your bait is always in the strike zone because your not retrieving & casting it. It also forces some guys to slow down their retreive based on wind speed. 

1 hour ago, KP Duty said:

Jerkbait.  I have back-boated my boater several times in tournaments  while drifting down the bank.  With a good breeze, you don't need to reel in any slack....just drift and twitch with my bait parallel to the bank.  Gets your bait deeper.

Oh that’s clever. I really enjoy jerkbait fishing too, will have to keep one tied on as the water starts to clear up around me. 

1 hour ago, KP Duty said:

Jerkbait.  I have back-boated my boater several times in tournaments  while drifting down the bank.  With a good breeze, you don't need to reel in any slack....just drift and twitch with my bait parallel to the bank.  Gets your bait deeper.

Like this. There’s some casting against the wind tho.  I did well with this technique accidentally.  They smash the lure on long pauses.  Like exaggerated long pauses.  The anticipation was addicting 

I would do some of these, ned rig, a jig with a craw on it, just a craw, curly tail, jerk bait, and or a small bait maybe like a rooster tail. 

I used to float tube in the Delta using the tides to help me cover water. I would throw a Carolina rig on the outside of grass edges as I drifted with the tide.  A Texas rigged stickbait or fluke might be another option and possibly more versatile than a jerkbait depending if there’s grass or not

My favorite thing to do while drifting is pitching a jig to the bank.  My kayak always drifts sideways, and if the wind runs parallel to the shore, I'll just set up upwind and drift along it, facing the bank, and pitch jigs the whole way.  Sometimes I'll have to correct a bit by using my rod tip as a paddle.  And other times I'll have to sit down and grab the actual paddle.  A drift sock really helps to control speed, but can get hung up, so you have to keep your knees flexed so you don't fall in when you suddenly stop.  

 

I'll also drift out in the open water with a drop shot.  Or sometimes a spoon.  I'll have to give the jerkbait a try.  That's a good idea.  

dropshot  or  bladebait