| Float Fishing | |
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Dan Catchings How would you like to catch some good fish, see few
if any anglers, avoid jet skis, bask in solitude and enjoy beautiful scenery?
If you’re the least bit interested, I suggest you give float fishing a
try. Float fishing consists of
launching your boat at one access point on a stream or river and fishing while
floating downstream to your designated take -out point.
The
vessel of choice is generally the canoe or flat-bottom boat.
In larger streams or rivers where low water is not a problem, the
flat-bottom boat is probably the better choice. Flat-bottom aluminum johnboats in 12 or 14-ft. lengths may be
equipped with a small outboard motor or a trolling motor to provide power when
moving through long stretches of slack water.
There is more casting room and stability in this craft.
Although not needed on smaller streams, a hand controlled trolling motor
is useful on larger streams and should be mounted on the transom. This
is better than bow-mounting the motor, as it keeps the boat from swaying back
and forth in the current. A fully
charged battery should easily last for one-day floats.
Don’t forget a small ice chest with cool drinks and lunch.
Of course, you will want to have a paddle and a Coast Guard approved life
preserver for each occupant. Another
useful item for a flat bottom boat is an anchor, such as a cylindrical window
weight tied to the stern of the boat. By
dropping this overboard below a shoal, it allows you more time to fish the pool
without having to fight the current. County
Highway maps and U.S.G.S. topographical maps can be most beneficial in planning
a float-fishing excursion. County
maps can be ordered from the AL Dept. of Transportation, P.O. Box 303050,
Montgomery, AL 36130-3050, Attn:
Map Sales. The web site for further
information is http://www.dot.state.al.us/Bureau/Equipment/maps.HTM.
District II Fisheries Supervisor
Alabama DNR
Eastaboga, Alabama
The most useful size will be the half inch = one mile. Topographical maps can be ordered from the Publications Sales Office, Geological Survey of Alabama, P.O. Box O, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486-9780. If you are unsure as to the map quadrant needed, request a free state index. Figure on covering about a mile per hour when float fishing. Of course, this will vary some depending on the gradient, current speed, and rest stops and breaks that you may take.
Check
with canoe clubs in your area for recommendations on streams or rivers to float.
Immediately prior to the float, check water levels to make sure you will
be able to navigate the stretch selected and that it is at a safe flow.
Attempting to float streams at high flows can be dangerous, so please use
caution and let the stream flow subside before floating.
Also, make sure that you have landowner permission to use the access
points if they are not on state right-of-ways.
A
good reference that gives details on plenty of possible float trips within the
state is John H. Foshee’s book on Alabama
Canoe Rides and Float Trips, 1986. Depending
on your location, here are some suggested streams to consider for a float
fishing trip: Terrapin Creek in Cleburne, Calhoun, and Cherokee counties; Little
River above the Highway 35 bridge in DeKalb County; Locust Fork River in Blount
County; Hatchett Creek in Coosa County; Tallapoosa River above Harris Reservoir
in Randolph and Cleburne Counties; Sipsey River in Lawrence County; Choccolocco
Creek in Calhoun and Talladega Counties; Cahaba River in Shelby, Bibb, and St.
Clair Counties; and the Coosa River below Jordan Dam in Elmore County.
Fishing tackle will vary according to the angler’s preference and the
type of fish sought. For the
commonly targeted spotted or largemouth bass, spinning or bait-casting reels
rigged on light to medium rods with 6 to 10 lb. test line will suffice.
Crank baits, spinnerbaits, spinners, and plastic worms can all be
effective lures.
For
a float fishing trip, team up with a buddy since two vehicles are needed. If both vehicles can transport the boat, leave one of your
vehicles at the take-out site before launching your vessel at the put-in site.
If the boat is trailered, you will need to unload the boat at the put-in
site, leave the transport vehicle at the take-out site and return to the put-in
site. Load your gear and then it’s “anchors away.”
Now you’re all set to enjoy the day’s fishing.
Why not be adventurous and give float fishing a try?
I don’t think you will be disappointed!
