Drifting for snapper - Port phillip bay

[williwonder]

Thanks Fitzy I will give it a go.
Should I have the sounder on going to way points or just sound when I get there?
I generally have it on navigation so I can steer in a direct line to the waypoint, but the sounder seems to be work at speed in our boat as it is not that fast.

[williwonder]

Thanks Fitzy, do you sound while moving to waypoints or stay on navigation to ensure a direct path to the spot?

[fitzy90]

Thanks Fitzy, do you sound while moving to waypoints or stay on navigation to ensure a direct path to the spot?

Bit of both, instead of hammering to each spot go at half / quarter speed and have a sound around, have come across fish in the middle of nowhere, otherwise we get roughly to a spot and putt around ( 2knots) until we sound something.
Another tip is to drift on the back side of a large pack of boats, work out where the tide is pushing the berley and sound around. Did this on wednesday and plucked a few away from the pack.

[purple5ive]

Thanks Fitzy I will give it a go.
Should I have the sounder on going to way points or just sound when I get there?
I generally have it on navigation so I can steer in a direct line to the waypoint, but the sounder seems to be work at speed in our boat as it is not that fast.

if you sounder screen is big enough, then you can spli the screen to view the GPS and the Sonar.
Thats what i do, and then switch in between when you see fish or want a better view

[Mattblack]

Thanks Fitzy, do you sound while moving to waypoints or stay on navigation to ensure a direct path to the spot?

Bit of both, instead of hammering to each spot go at half / quarter speed and have a sound around, have come across fish in the middle of nowhere, otherwise we get roughly to a spot and putt around ( 2knots) until we sound something.
Another tip is to drift on the back side of a large pack of boats, work out where the tide is pushing the berley and sound around. Did this on wednesday and plucked a few away from the pack.

So are you driving into the wind so that when you get a mark, the boat will drift back over it?

[fitzy90]

Thanks Fitzy, do you sound while moving to waypoints or stay on navigation to ensure a direct path to the spot?

Bit of both, instead of hammering to each spot go at half / quarter speed and have a sound around, have come across fish in the middle of nowhere, otherwise we get roughly to a spot and putt around ( 2knots) until we sound something.
Another tip is to drift on the back side of a large pack of boats, work out where the tide is pushing the berley and sound around. Did this on wednesday and plucked a few away from the pack.

So are you driving into the wind so that when you get a mark, the boat will drift back over it?

Not really, find the fish first then mark a man over board mark on your sounder, then drive off them, work out your drift line taking the tide and wind into account and drift back over them.

[ducky]

Fitzy. If you press WPT WPT "waypoint waypoint" twice it marks your current position as a mark not a man overboard. Haven't tried on the newer sounders but I believe the functionality should still be there

[re-tyred]

I drift a lot. Both in my tinny and on the charter boat. usually go to a spot if it looks good do a drift. If we get a hit then mark the spot. Move back and drift again, if we get hit a second time on the same spot then I will go 20 meters "up drift" from the spot and anchor.
Drift speed needs to be less than 0.7knts.

[fitzy90]

Fitzy. If you press WPT WPT "waypoint waypoint" twice it marks your current position as a mark not a man overboard. Haven't tried on the newer sounders but I believe the functionality should still be there

Cheers mate, ill give it a crack on sunday

[4liters]

You wouldnt want to try drifting for snapper in Western Port, or would you?

I've been able to drift around coronet bay without any problems. Didn't catch any snapper though