inline foam float?

[rcbbracing]

I have seen a bunch of guys run a small foam float on their leader just above the hook to keep their cut bait off the bottom...I have tried it and never noticed much of a difference...any of you guys do this? And what benefits have you found with this method?

[Smoothkip]

Alot of guys use it while drifting. They call it a santee Cooper rig. BassMassey uses this and has a lot of luck.

[rcbbracing]

Oh I had never heard of that but makes sense I guess...I have very little experience drifting thus far hopefully I get to play with that this year with the new boat...I've seen guys use this rig while shore fishing though?

[Seanstone]

The main advantage of the rig is that you always know your within whatever distance you want from the bottom. With a regular float set up the bait can swim into deeper water and be suspended 10 feet or more off of bottom.

[Skyline1506]

i use them a lot if you get into a lot of leaves on the bottom to keep the bait and hook above them. and 99 percent of the time while drifting

[catace]

I use this rig mainly for drifting with a pencil weight or 3 way rig. Reason I use it for drifting/trolling= less chance of hook getting snagged, keeps the bait off the bottom, (no bottom trash on the hook) adds size and color to your baits. Can be used from shore also with cut bait and slip sinker just make sure your swivel is heavy enough to keep it at the right distance (with out floating up) might need to add a split shot or 2 or make sure you tight line it.

[bassmassey]

yeah i like to use a peg float on my leader alot when bank fishing.....on a carolina rig. especially if throwing to a sharp drop off, it will help you get your rig back when reeling up a steep edge or drop. Also, I beleive it can give a better bait presentation and easier for the fish to take the bait.

kip, that rig i use when bank fishin' isn't quite a santee rig.......i've been showed to tie a santee rig with about a 4-6 foot leader, peg float, and most important a snake weight made from parachute cord and buck shot.....which with the long leader is kinda hard to throw, but driftin from a boat is no problem....last couple times to santee the new trend is adding a big spinner blade just above the hook and inbetween the peg float......

[Catfishrollo]

Great info guys! I have also heard of tournament fishermen using similar rigs to walk baits back under barges on big rivers for blues and flatheads. Very good topic! rollo