Trout season is almost upon us, and I, for one, cannot wait. It’s been a long winter with little chance to get on the water, and my fishing addiction needs a fix.

Today, I want to take a moment to share how I prefer to target the local Salmonidae.

Although I have successfully filled my creel using a variety of methods, my favorite is drifting. It lets me do something other than wait for my bait to be picked up, doesn’t involve as much constant action as retrieving a lure, and provides a level of excitement unlike almost any other method.

When the float twitches and then disappears, it is akin to watching a big bass gulp a topwater.

Now I know what you are thinking, not another fishing habit. But rest assured, you will not need to spend a small fortune to get started. Don’t get me wrong, you can easily spend enough to justify a second mortgage, but it is not necessary. While I prefer a center-pin setup, you can do it with a spinning rod/reel and only a few accessories you probably already have in the tackle bag.

As I said before, my ideal drift fishing setup is a center pin reel paired with a 13-foot ultra-light rod. But while this works well on many of the larger rivers, I fish in West Virginia and it is not as well-suited for the many smaller streams where I target trout closer to home.

When fishing all but the largest Pennsylvania trout waters, I opt for a 6-9 foot noodle rod, an ultra-light reel, and four-pound test line. Terminal tackle includes size 10-14 treble or circle hooks, BB split shot and a float.

Rigging is simple. Attach the float and pin in place; the exact location will depend on the water depth and where the fish are hanging in the water column.

Ideally, the bait will drift right in front of them. Add a split shot a couple of inches below the float to help keep it upright, your hook of choice to the tag end of the line, and one or two split shots approximately halfway between the float and hook – this will help get your bait down quickly.

An alternate method is to use a small jig head and skip the additional split shot.

Now when it comes to the bait, live bait is always the best when trying to attract a hungry trout and can include minnows, red worms, mealworms or anything else you have available. One disadvantage of live bait is the need to continually rebait.

Even a missed fish can lead to lost bait and valuable time away from fishing. For this reason, one of my go-to baits for drifting is small plastics like the trout magnet.

Plastics last longer, will survive multiple strikes and allow you to fish more and bait less. When using plastics, I often substitute a small jig head for a standard hook, as it provides a better, more natural presentation.

Finally it is time to fish.

For maximum effectiveness you want the longest drift possible, so start by casting at a 45-degree angle upstream of your intended target. Keeping the line tight and out of the water will provide the most natural presentation and allow for better control. Ideally, the float will stay above or slightly behind the bait.

As the float approaches your desired area, you can adjust the direction by letting out or taking in a little bit of line. I usually do this by pulling or releasing the line with my hand rather than the reel, as it is more precise and quicker.

As soon as there is a strike, lift the rod sharply. This is another time when reducing slack is beneficial, as it results in fewer lost fish.

Because you are using light line, it is important to play the fish rather than fight it. You will find that most fish will be lip- or side-of-mouth hooked, allowing for quick and easy release.