Drift fishing: characteristics

Drift fishing means fishing for giant tuna using a rod and reel from a boat, which is either drifting or anchored. Drift fishing is a technique, now particularly widespread in the Adriatic Sea, which was introduced in our country in the 70s by a Bolognese doctor. So what are the main features of this technique? 

Basics on how to drift fishing

Among the peculiar and essential features of drift fishing we should mention the exclusive use of sardines as bait, and the need for continuously baiting using a particular method called "swiping".

To practice drift fishing, it is essential to have a top of the range fishing gear and a boat that can stand high seas, as you have to reach spots up to 15 miles off the port.

Drift fishing gear

Drift fishing equipment is crucial: in fact, catching a giant tuna does not end with the “ferrata”, which is actually just the start. It can take 2 or 3 hours to lure a fish of this size, which can weigh up to 200 kg. Furthermore, on the boat there must be a fighting chair and sufficient room in the stern, as well as an echo sounder and a GPS. Let us now move to the proper drift fishing gear: we will need different rods according to the preferred catching style, whether it is "sit down" or chair and "stand up". This type of harness allows you to shift the pressure put forth by the tuna on the torso and the chair too, thereby saving pressure on the harms. The stand-up style, on the other hand, is a more tiring and dangerous method: you have to be well trained to literally avoid "flying" in the water.

Two different fishing rods for two different methods

As you may easily guess, the two methods (sit-down and stand-up) require two different fishing rods. For the "sit down" method, the rod length must be at least 2.3 meters with very resistant, double or single, pulleys. Best to choose carbon rods that offer greater strength and lightness, and a more parabolic curve. The handle must be straight and shaped to fit the recess in the fighting chair. The fishing rods for the "stand up" method, on the other hand, must be 1.8 to 2 meters long to increase the lift and, in addition, have resistant and light loops. The handle has a curvature to better maneuvering the barrel attached to the belt and to release part of the pressure on the legs.