Pike Fishing how to: Catch pike with a drifter float

[@simonspencer397]

This is the most useful drifter video on KZbin. I'm going to give this a try this season on my heavily pressured water as straight up legered deads gets one fish per day at most, but 3 times out of 5 a blank.

[@PaulScowen]

Let us know if you get any 🐊 🐊

[@declanmcevoy75]

That underwater footage was top class

[@jasonrenshaw9010]

Cracking video, really enjoyed it. Never had the confidence in drifter fishing, but that shows it really is a productive method.

[@sandramoore1716]

After watching this footage a few weeks back i used a drifter float next few times i have been out with some great action. I really got some great tips from this video so thank you so much. Keep it up tight lines.

[@PaulScowen]

Sandra Moore that’s really good to hear. It’s certainly been windy enough this past few weeks!

[@SnaggedBro]

Very nice, I'm defiantly going to try this. thanks for sharing.

[@BlackCountryPiker]

Well fished Paul, you got some great footage and some lovely fish 👌

[@baldvale5418]

Love drifter fishing, funny thing was we mostly got take's within a few rod length's out but that's fishing for you. Brilliant undrwater footage, that big girl stayed around for age's, a real eye opener though. Top video.

[@PaulScowen]

It doesn't matter if those takes come a few rod lengths out or at 100 yards, so long as they come!

[@baldvale5418]

Paul Scowen very true

[@ryandigings7335]

Honestly one of the best video's I've seen on here, and so well explained! IF you were fishing a really deep lake (30ft+) what would be your starting depth in January?

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks so much. It really would depend on the conditions, and even then the pike may not be where expected so it’s worth experimenting until you find them. The key thing to remember is that they will usually be happier to rise to hit a suspended bait than they will be to drop so it’s best to be above than below them. If using two rods and with no other info or weed beds to worry about I’d start one at 2-4 ft off the bottom and one at half depth and raise each one by a foot or two throughout the day until I found the correct depth. Ultimately only the pike will have the correct answer but don’t be afraid to fish shallow even over 30+ feet as there are plenty of days that the pike will be suspended. Good luck!

[@ryandigings7335]

@@PaulScowen A response almost as good as the video! Thanks Paul, will let you know if I get anything of note... Fishing Rydal in the Lake District so could prove difficult!

[@martynshaw7895]

Nice video mate going to give this method a try again not used it for a long time, subbed to man

[@Rob-zq8sy]

Thanks Paul really enjoyed that. I've had a couple of drifter floats at the bottom of my box for years and never got around to using them this may prompt me to do so. Whether ledgering or float fishing I always slow wind or twitch retrieve it can always induce a take and certainly saves baits.

[@jst1261]

Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks Jimmy

[@waynedaly6553]

Started using this setup last weekend and had 3 pike in quick succession, just wanted to know if you used the waterwolf with weight inserted in the waterwolf or did you just let the weight of the deadbait to get the camera to sit straight down, cheers Paul, video was a great tutorial 👍

[@PaulScowen]

Hi Wayne, There is no need for the Waterwolf weight when fished under a float. Today, being so mild and windy, would be a perfect day to use the drifter.

[@waynedaly6553]

@@PaulScowen thanks for the reply, just wasn't sure whether to use it with the weight or not, so thanks for that, Im out Saturday on an irish Lough, so I'll be using the set up if there's a nice wind, 👍

[@gee3883]

Top banana, just what I was after. The huge lake I have just started fishing is really deep and there are pockets of tall weed between 1-2.5 meters high and I have spotted the pike sitting in the weed with my Deeper sonar. This method will be perfect for getting the bait just where I need it . Thanks again Mr.

[@PaulScowen]

Graham Wright let us know how you get on 🐊

[@gee3883]

Will do @@PaulScowen

[@PaulScowen]

Graham Wright I use PowerPro. Drennan piker braid is also popular. The main thing is that it floats and has a high enough breaking strain. If things go to plan look out for a similar style specimen eel video in the next few months.

[@gee3883]

Hi @@PaulScowen thanks for the heads up on the braid. Good luck with the eels.

[@Carl270263]

Going to try this method had the float for around 2 years never used it. Could you tell me what the appropriate size weight is

[@PaulScowen]

Your float should have a weight rating. It will depend on the size of the bait you are using to how much additional weight you will need but aim to have a little of the body above water level. Good luck

[@julianwilliams4750]

Hi Paul. Just learning to use this method. Looks awesome and a good educational vid. Do you ever night fish. If so do you use this method or do you change to another method. Cheers Julian

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks Julian. I’ve not done much night fishing for pike and never with a drifter. Aside from the problem of seeing the float at night I’m assuming the main sense night feeding pike will use would be smell so personally I’d be likely to stick to static dead’s at night.

[@julianwilliams4750]

@@PaulScowen thanks for the reply. You mention floating braid must be used. Can't find this. Can you advise on make and supplier. Cheers

[@PaulScowen]

Power pro and drennan piker braid are both widely used and available. Go for something around 50-60lb

[@colinw8899]

Awesome 🐋🎣🎣

[@PaulScowen]

Colin W thanks 👍

[@rberto3804]

Theres a fox rage video showing the consultant setting this up and fishing it without an uptrace. Thoughts? If fishing an 18" trace with bait and trebles as the end, how would the braid ever get near the pikes mouth?.

[@PaulScowen]

@@rberto3804 I’d definitely use an uptrace. Here I used fluoro but these days I’d use single strand titanium. Live baits can swim up and increase the risk of bite offs but even with deadbaits there’s a chance a pike can pick your bait up and swim into the line 👍

[@graemeking4178]

Great video Paul thanks mate 💯🎣🐊

[@TheSwampy1974]

Brilliant video really interesting I wanted to try this method but wasn't confident to have a go Can you fish it deeper say 18ft lake deep and set it 16 ft my lake is fairly constant no weed at the mo ?

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks Swampy. Yes that would work fine as long as the wind was right. Check out my video 'Big pike on drifter float'. That pike was caught at about 30ft in 35ft+ of water. Don't be too set on fishing close to the bottom though. There will be days that you'll catch more in the top 3rd. Mix it up until you find the going depth. This time of year you want to start targeting the bays and snaggy areas where they will be congregating pre spawn ;)

[@TheSwampy1974]

Thanks a lot

[@nonickname3919]

Hi Paul, how did you attach your WaterWolf to your rig as I never seem to get it right, can you show us how you did it? Thanks,

[@PaulScowen]

Hi Scot, I used the fixed inline system that comes with the camera (there is a trolling attachment with vanes that should reduce the spinning of the camera available seperately). The bottom end of the camera was clipped on to the uptrace and the top of the camera attached to the mainline braid

[@karlmclean2023]

Hello What lb fluorocarbon uptrace did you use for this style ?

[@PaulScowen]

Go heavy, 80lb +

[@karlmclean2023]

Thanks for the reply, they are some cracking pike on a unique style. I usually fish ledger as I’ve seen pike just stare at the braid in clear water. I’ve got some 112lb fluorocarbon I’ll give it a go didnt know if it’s going g to be a bit heavy. What lb trace do you use ? I’m guessing u can get away with a lot less ass your drifting over any snags not into them.

[@PaulScowen]

@@karlmclean2023 I generally use 40lb 7 strand as I like to twist my traces. I don’t use rig sleeves as I want to keep the trace as covert as possible. The only situation I’d use a bait flag is to stop the top hook ripping out when mounting a suspended bait through the dorsal muscle as I believe the more bits you add the more chance of the pike deciding not to take the bait. Using the camera it’s enlightening how pike will often inspect a bait and how they will frequently not take it. Even the camera suspended above the bait significantly reduces takes when fished alongside a bait without the camera.

[@karlmclean2023]

@@PaulScowen yes I think you definitely have to scale down as much as possible. Seems to be doing the business for you. The use of bait boats are allowed on my water. I think I shall reverse the method by dropping a bait out and twitching it back. What camera did you use the water wolf ?

[@PaulScowen]

@@karlmclean2023 yes, it was a waterwolf

[@andrewreed2879]

nice video what rods do you use for your drifter fishing?

[@PaulScowen]

andrew reed thanks mate. There are specialist drifter rods out there that tend to be a bit longer with a faster action for picking the line up but with the advent of quality floating braids the advantages they offer aren’t as noticeable. I just use my general pike rods. More important is a good floating braid (I use power pro), a reel that can hold at least 200 yards with good line lay to minimise any bedding in of the braid. Beyond braid (which most pikers will already be using) and £5 on a drifter float you really don’t need any specialist tackle to start drifter fishing

[@andrewreed2879]

thanks for info mate and keep the videos coming first time ive seen one of yours and im hooked :)

[@williammcgrattan9583]

I use my 11.5ft abu enticer bass rod for drifter fishing. It's perfect, picks the line up really quick and it's fast taper is excellent for striking at distance. I've had it for years. These type of bass rods are good for this method.

[@JNeedham301]

Awesome video mate, what rods and reels were you using?

[@PaulScowen]

JNeedham301 thanks mate. They are Wychwood rods and Shimano reels

[@JNeedham301]

Paul Scowen cheers mate, them Shimano DL 4000FB reels that your using do you use the 4000 size for all your dead/livebait fishing? Just wondering as they seem small so deciding between the 400 & 6000

[@PaulScowen]

JNeedham301 tbh most my pike fishing is from a boat on the reservoirs so the rod/reel combo is purchased more with that in mind. However the reels hold more than enough braid to deal with drifter fishing. There is no real casting involved so the main thing is to ensure you can get 250+ yards of braid on the spool. When hooked at range the pike tend not to really fight until you get them closer in so the quicker line recovery of the bigger spools isn’t especially a big advantage. If I were purchasing a bespoke drifter outfit I’d go for longer and faster tapered rods and slightly bigger reels but I’ve got a mountain of kit already and the braid narrows the advantage of specialised drifter rods now! 4000’s or the 6000’s will be up to the job.👍

[@JNeedham301]

Paul Scowen cheers mate, thanks for the info

[@sme70]

Great vid thanks .

[@mattbarker3873]

what camera did you use paul?

[@PaulScowen]

Matt Barker waterwolf HD for the underwater stuff. I have noticed they are less than 1/2 price with a load of accessories thrown in now so I’m guessing they are no longer in production. They are a bargain right now

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

What rods are you using ?? 🤔 I use 2 Fox Driftmasters with shimano 10000's but they are quite a heavy rod...13' & 3lbs tc I think...🙄

[@PaulScowen]

Probably Agitators or possibly Infinities. I’ve since got a set of Scopes. It really doesn’t matter too much with drifter fishing now we have quality floating braid. You’re not having to pick up lots of line to strike anymore, you can pretty much wind straight into them. 13’ 3lbs are ideal. I’d much rather be over gunned

[@gregb5251]

exactly the same set up i use. Cant really go wrong with the old BR reels and those fox DM floats are great for the money

[@MultiMagik123]

What weight do I use?

[@PaulScowen]

Do you mean what size weight? If using deadbaits then the weight is really just to cock the float correctly. If using lives you want a weight that is heavy enough to stop the bait from swimming up too high in the water. In this case your up trace should be wire and longer than the hook trace.

[@Thepikester]

Excellent video Paul, I really enjoyed that. Very educational. Some great underwater shots, especially the take following your twitch. And what about that bird! (Cormorant or Grebe?) You earned a sub from me. Check out my channel, I some underwater footage of pike taking baits, among other things. Keep up the good work.

[@PaulScowen]

Thanks Jon. I am well aware of your videos. You have caught some good fish on camera. (Grebe)