Drifter fishing can cover you lots and lots of water in search of pike. You do need although a degree of wind in order to be successful at this method. Also if you are using mono line it tends to hinder the drift as it sinks, and the float in the wind will push the float down rather than along the planned drift. As such the Fox Drifter Braid can be the best line to use in these circumstances. It is a very good braided line that sits very well on top of the water’s surface. If you have to use mono – coat the line with a floatant or grease to help keep it on top. The drifter float can be used with either live or deadbaits equally as well.
The diagram below shows a straight in line pencil float. I use this float when the wind conditions are fairly strong. In strong winds if you were to put a vaned drifter float on. You would find that it would cover the water far too quickly. If you slightly under shot the pencil float in windy conditions it will be exposed enough to catch the wind and push through the water at a much slower speed. The reverse applies in light winds, you will need a vaned float in order to cover the water,
You decide what depth you want the bait at when it is drifting through the area of water you wish to cover. By adjusting the stop knot on your main line you can dictate this depth. If the float stops in a certain area each time, it is likely that you have hit a snag or a weed bed. As such reduce the depth that the float is set to. It is also advisable to experiment with the depth in very deep waters. You can cover a lot of water at a lot of depths with a drifter float. You can also use this method to map out shallow areas or weedbeds for future reference. Shallows are excellent areas prior to spawning.
Ideally you want the wind to come right over the top of your shoulder. You can control the speed of the drift by impairing the line as it comes off the reel. Takes are signalled with the float stopping and then generally changing course or disappearing from site. Take up the slack line, point the rod at the float area and whist winding down sweep the rod backwards to set the hooks.