LIP GRIPPER [ SKI L LS ]
HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER K
nowing how to properly work a drift will put more fish on the end of your wiggle
stick. Wherever you are fishing—a marsh shoreline, a seaweed bed or a drop-off ledge in deep water—slowing your wind-blown roll with a drift chute means more time in the target zone.
THE HARDWARE A drift chute, known in some corners as a sock, looks a lot like a parachute. Pick one up at any boating supply store. For kayaks, smaller sizes are adequate. They put on the brakes, but aren’t too hard to handle. Expect to pay between $15 and $30. If your chute comes with an attachment line, shorten it. Two to three feet are more
PUTTING ON THE BRAKES. PHOTO: JEFF HERMAN
CONTROLLING BOAT ORIENTATION WHILE ON THE DRIFT
FLOAT CONTROL FOR PIRATES ON PLASTIC BY JEFF HERMAN
than enough, making for quick deployment and recovery. You can also add a float or bobber to the drift sock to keep it closer to the surface.
THE STRATEGY
If you can cast more you can catch more. Remind yourself of this notion when you are setting up your drift. Note the strength of the wind and current. Consider which start- ing position on a marsh shoreline or drop-off ledge will put you in the zone the longest. Paddle well past the hot spot, giving your chute plenty of time to open. Point the nose at or slightly to the side of
your casting target. You don’t want to throw over your shoulder.
Change the mounting position of the drift sock fore and aft to alter the drift angle. I usually start with the drift sock centered amidships and then adjust it based on the wind and desired angle. For the maximum flexibility in drift chute positioning, install an anchor trolley. They work just as well with drift chutes as they do with anchors and stakeout poles. Be careful when deploying and recover- ing the drift sock, too much drag on one side of the kayak could result in a swim and a wet lesson.
Don’t worry; the more you do this, the easi- er it is to gauge where to deploy the drift sock.
TRICKS FOR PINPOINT CONTROL If you have a rudder, use it to steer and posi- tion the kayak as you drift. If you turn the rud- der towards the drift chute, the nose of the kayak will point closer to the wind. Steer the opposite direction to face farther downwind. No rudder? No problem. Place your pad- dle across your lap. If you dip the paddle to the left, the nose will swing that direction. And vice versa. Cast more. Catch more. It really is that simple. High plains drifter Jeff Herman waves his
wiggle stick in Texas. The Ocean Kayak pro staffer is an ACA certified paddling instructor.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56