Here is my analysis on the current...this is just my initial thought. It may not be correct...
I did jigging most time but I saw something weird going on with current when I did bottom fishing...
I observed there were about three different under-water currents and wind.
1. When bait rig or jig is dropped from the boat, it dropped strait down for a while.
Surface current was about 2.5 knot, which means the boat drift 80 yard per min.
This is because water resistance is not build up yet and boat didn't drift much.
2. in about 100ft, bait and jig starts to move forward/away for the boat.
Water resistance on the line and rig/jig is built up and boat drifted far enough.
3. When the rig/jig is about to hit the bottom, strong under-current moving faster than the speed of boat drift to same direction.
Soft bottom and this strong underwater current makes it hard to detect if sinker/jig hit the bottom as the line may not be even straight...
(One time before queen snapper spot, we had under-current moving opposite direction from the boat drift. I realized my 28oz weight was even off the bottom)
4. Biggest mistake after sinker hit bottom would be to let continuously the line out... Sinker already hit bottom. But if the line is continuously let out, the main line will go out the other side of sinker swivel (if fish finder rig is used)... And it will build up more water resistance and will eventually make sinker not able to hold bottom... meaning sinker will be off the bottom 30ft ~ 50ft(who knows)... And strong under-water current will pull the rig ahead of the boat position, which will cause the line go under the boat... when the line is retrieved, it will have a good chance to bottom snag.
Those whose line went under the boat may not have a good chance of catching fish because their rig may be way off the bottom.
5.In my humble opinion, ideal weight size should 16oz or more in order to detect bottom. Once it hit the bottom, no more line shouldn't go out not to build any more water resistance. Fishes are not at bottom but about 5ft or more up from the bottom. And once a while, check if weight hit the bottom or not. Those with 8 oz may not be able to do this.
6. At drift boat fishing, groupers and big snappers swallowed the bait and hook is set by boat drift. The only explanation why there was not much catch is the bait was away off the target.
current.jpg
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