Peg floats for drifting

[Smoothkip]

Had a question for you guys. What length floats do you guys use for your leader when running a santee style drift rig? I'm going to be using mostly for channelcats. Also might use anchored up. Thanks!

[Seanstone]

We ran 24-30" leaders with the floats set around 10" from the bait. That way the bait was riding 14-20 inches off of the bottom. We didn't experiment much with the length, just read it off a post somewhere and stuck with it. We use 4" floats with baits smaller than a half dollar, and 2" floats when we use quarter size pieces in early march. They make much bigger floats that we might try for drifting for blues on the Ohio with. I'd be interested in knowing what everyone else does as well.

[bassmassey]

I like a 3" float most of the time

[banksidebandit]

Good question Kip I was wondering the same thing. I plan on trying drifting this year and I've bought a bunch of peg floats ranging from 2-4" depending on what size bait I'm going to use. I plan on using the beads and small blade above the hook as well and see how it works.

[Skyline1506]

3 or 4in 90 percent of the time. especially with smaller baits for channels. size of bait basically determines float size for me

[katfish]

Kip
When I drifted Santee we used 3 inch bobbers cut in half about a foot over the baits. The main idea was to float baits enough to have lines go over submerged timber as we drifted through.

We adjusted length of line out depending on the speed of drift to keep them close to bottom.

[banksidebandit]

Are different sizes needed for if you're drifting, trolling, or anchored? Also, do you guys ever use floats above your live baits to keep them from trying to hide under logs and rocks?

[mexicanthreat]

i use my floats to keep the bait just above the weed line. or when in small ponds. i dont use floats when drifting i prefer to let the weight drag along the bottom and use a leader to set the height.