Drift fishing is a popular angling technique used by fishermen in India\“s coastal regions. This method involves allowing the boat to drift naturally with wind or current while fishing lines are deployed at various depths.
In India, local fishermen often use traditional wooden boats for drift fishing along the western coast, particularly in Kerala and Goa. These boats are specially designed to handle the strong currents of the Arabian Sea while providing stability for fishing operations.
Indian fishermen employ various local baits for drift fishing, including fresh shrimp, small fish, and specially prepared dough balls made from rice flour and coconut. The traditional fishing rods used are often handmade from bamboo, providing the perfect flexibility needed for this technique.
Many fishing communities in coastal Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have perfected drift fishing methods over generations. They combine modern GPS technology with traditional knowledge of ocean currents to locate the best fishing spots where species like mackerel, tuna, and pomfret are abundant. |