Crank Drifting?
walleye express
Posted 4/9/2006 10:18 AM (#42189)
Subject: Crank Drifting?



Member

Posts: 2680

Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay.
Just chimed in on a question on another board about drift fishing. The guys question was about drift socks/bags and their application. And just what techniques one uses in heavier winds when drift fishing. In my area of Saginaw Bay, I always liked to drift fish on windy days, when the wind was either blowing downshore (either way) or offshore. The boat would drift along nicely, yet not be burdened by the bigger waves or whitecaps making things uncomfortable.

But on one particular day, the boat was moving along almost to fast (even with the bag out) for proper bouncer and harness techniques, so I threw out a 1/4 ounce Hot-N-Tot. Made sure it was just ticking bottom every now and then and put it in the rod holder. With plenty of speed and just enough stop-and-go action imparted on the cranks from the waves, the fishing action was nonstop. Any of you guys ever try "Crank Drifting" in this manner?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Guest
Posted 4/9/2006 8:35 PM (#42199 - in reply to #42189)
Subject: RE: Crank Drifting?


did this once with harnesses off boards. actually had to take the windsheilds off the lund to stay slow enough but never started a motor to troll. took second in a tourney this way.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
walleye express
Posted 4/10/2006 9:38 AM (#42231 - in reply to #42199)
Subject: RE: Crank Drifting?



Member

Posts: 2680

Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay.
Guest - 4/9/2006 9:35 PM

did this once with harnesses off boards. actually had to take the windsheilds off the lund to stay slow enough but never started a motor to troll. took second in a tourney this way.



Wow.

I wasn't aware that you could easily remove the winshields on a Lund. I'd love that feature, if for nothing else to remove the green mold and fungus that builds up under there.

And even though I used this Crank Drifting techniques a few years ago now. The cleaner waters we have now, (because of the zebra mussels) may have made this technique obsolete in the shallower/near shore waters. Thick mats of weeds are now in place versus the hard sand/mud/rock bottoms close to shore on my favorite drifting shorelines. But maybe a floating crank with less dive or a weightless harness could be used to tick the tops of the weeds (versus the bottom) as you drifted.

I had a similar experience (kinda) last year in deeper water, while trolling with Winning Streaks. It was dead calm to begin with and we were in my 18 foot boat. We had tried in close with no success. We had worked our way out into 17 FOW and the wind and waves came up and started pushing us along (I thought) to fast. I decided to head back in closer in case it got worse. So with the boat staying straight, I put the motor in Neutral to take some of the stress off the Inlines while I pulled them. We instantly got a triple header as the lures slowly wobbled and worked their way to the surface. So I would engage the motor to put the Inlines/boards back out, then disengage it and drift with the wind. We ended up with 9 very nice walleyes and a bunch of white bass, with the Streaks working ever so slowly just below the surface. To this day, I haven't a clue as to why that boat drifted straight with the wind that day, because it hasn't done so again since.

Edited by walleye express 4/10/2006 9:47 AM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Shep
Posted 4/10/2006 9:54 AM (#42233 - in reply to #42231)
Subject: RE: Crank Drifting?



Member

Posts: 3899

In muskie Fishing, we call that the death rise, WE. We do that intentionally, with Cranks, and jerkbaits. Deadly technique.

I have seen this happen many times while pulling harnesses, only they sink, not rise. Especially on inside turns when the boards stall. Pick up the slack, and there's eyes hooked up!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Purple Skeeter
Posted 4/11/2006 5:51 PM (#42291 - in reply to #42189)
Subject: RE: Crank Drifting?


Member

Posts: 885

A couple of years ago up on Bay de Noch, the wind was blowing so hard the we had to put the big motor in reverse to keep us under 3mph. We ran our Husky Jerks behind the boards and had a great morning on the water including a number of doubles. The only bad part of the day was trying to get back to our starting point in 6 foot waves with the wind blowing a strong 30mph+. It took us for ever to go a mile upwind.

Purple Skeeter
Top of the page Bottom of the page