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Floating a bait #14414788 07/08/22 12:32 PM
Joined: Sep 2014
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South Florida transplant Offline OP
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I have been floating a small shad (approx. 3 in. thread fin) on 1 Rod along with dragging 2 rods and been getting 1 on float for every 2 blues caught dragging. Is this normal for this summertime pattern? I thought I seen some big ole gar on top but found out these were Kitties. This has been in about 14' water. The float cats been up to 9.3 lbs.

Wet Rooster Jigs Fishing Super Store
Re: Floating a bait [Re: South Florida transplant] #14414796 07/08/22 12:45 PM
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skeetmaster Offline
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never even tried it. How deep are you setting the bait from the float ? Also, how fast have you been drifting? Is the float setup weighted or is it free drifting on the surface?

Re: Floating a bait [Re: South Florida transplant] #14414890 07/08/22 02:38 PM
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Catfish Tim Offline
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With the thermocline becoming more likely, the float rig is a good idea!


Catfish Tim
🐟🐟"If it doesn't have whiskers, it's just bait"🐟🐟
Romans 8:1

Re: Floating a bait [Re: South Florida transplant] #14414950 07/08/22 03:52 PM
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Outfitter Nomore Offline
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Used to use a rig with afloat with a Buzz Blade in front. Shad trolled behind boat , when they were above thermocline it was a blast watching them hit that on topwater.

Re: Floating a bait [Re: South Florida transplant] #14414978 07/08/22 04:29 PM
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KEGracing Offline
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I often put a "float rig" out when drifting in the summer. Same bait - normally shad, just 2' - 3' down on a big bobber rig. Learned that fishing with Jackie Kennedy...

good luck all

Ken


2014 Premier Alante 235 RF tritoon. Momma's boat. But I get to fish on her.

A country boy will survive... but those who cross him?

Cedar Creek personal best:
Blue Cat 31.55 lbs
Hybrid 6.2 lbs
Crappie 2.1 lbs
Re: Floating a bait [Re: South Florida transplant] #14415201 07/08/22 09:29 PM
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jackiekennedyfishingguide Offline
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I've been using the cork method for about 10 years. From my experience in the hot weather the corks out fish the bottom baits about five to one. Smaller shad works better on the shallow rigs. I did catch one 30# on the corks most are in the 2-10# range, just right for table fare.


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Re: Floating a bait [Re: South Florida transplant] #14415245 07/08/22 11:00 PM
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TxCatfishGuide Offline
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All bets are off with hot water like this, I caught fish 2' down in 45 feet of water this morning.

Re: Floating a bait [Re: TxCatfishGuide] #14415367 07/09/22 01:48 AM
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Bluecat Bob Offline
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Originally Posted by TxCatfishGuide
All bets are off with hot water like this, I caught fish 2' down in 45 feet of water this morning.


I was wondering about that.

I saw carp and gar (plus bass) on the top last trip out and was thinking maybe the cats might chase them. On of the great things about chasing cats is figuring out where they are and what they are feeding on.

It blows my mind seeing Jason, Catfish Kayak, catching big catfish on shiny lures, and he seems to be having some success with it, albeit on a river of course.


Retired from the grind and enjoying life and the great outdoors ### Formerly Texas Brit ###
Re: Floating a bait [Re: South Florida transplant] #14418242 07/12/22 04:22 PM
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South Florida transplant Offline OP
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I was about 6" under float with hook only. Tried it again last week and caught more on float than bottom dragging. No big ones all under 10 LB. But sure was fun watching the explosion when they grab that shad.

Re: Floating a bait [Re: South Florida transplant] #14418260 07/12/22 04:37 PM
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stoneman2 Offline
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yes , floats this time of year are awesome


Come check out my Youtube channel , Just an old country boy and his family either fishing , hunting , camping or just boating around in a allweld grizzly with a surface drive pushing it to explore the backwaters most people do not venture ...

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1RhsBeR3BcSwLx72hqkQkw/featured
Re: Floating a bait [Re: South Florida transplant] #14418880 07/13/22 04:54 AM
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z289sec Offline
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I generally drag a couple baits 3 or 4 foot under balloons, but same principle.

Re: Floating a bait [Re: South Florida transplant] #14419058 07/13/22 02:51 PM
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stoneman2 Offline
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I made some floats about 1/3 of the size as my pool noodle juglines , to float behind the boat . same principal as a cork or big bobber but works way better at hooking the fish and keeping huge baits up.


Come check out my Youtube channel , Just an old country boy and his family either fishing , hunting , camping or just boating around in a allweld grizzly with a surface drive pushing it to explore the backwaters most people do not venture ...

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1RhsBeR3BcSwLx72hqkQkw/featured
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