Drift-fishing is similar to trolling but you let the wind or current move your lure or bait. It can be done from a boat or from the bank of a river or stream with current, and you can use the tides in salt water to drift your bait. This method allows your bait to move naturally with the current or the wind and is more quiet than trolling since no motors or paddles are involved. Check local regulations since drift-fishing from a boat is sometimes illegal.

From a boat, get into position so the wind or current will take you across the area you want to fish. Drop your lure or bait down and let it drag as you move. You can drift very slowly and keep your bait right under the boat or let out line and drag it behind the boat. A cork or bobber on the line will keep the bait near the surface or you can let it down to fish any depth between the surface and bottom.

From the shore of a river or stream, cast out and then let the current move your bait. A float works well for this kind of drift-fishing. You cast upstream and let the current move your bait, suspended under the float, downstream. You can either sit still or move down the bank with your bait if there's room.

When fishing the beach, if you can find a current running down the beach, or during an outgoing tide, you can let those currents move your bait. Since these currents are usually slow you'll probably need to use some kind of float.