Depends on water clarity. In colored water and keeping the boat quiet, you can drift it right along side the boat or out to the side. In clear water, drift the bobber slightly ahead of the boat, or farther out to the side, keeping it in the seams or holding water. In clear water you want the fish to see your presentation before it sees the boat. Try not to run over the fish in clear water. Colored water is more forgiving.

Most important is to keep your main line out of the water, on the surface. (Some people use wax, I prefer braided main line, with mono leader.) This is because when your bobber goes down, you want a good hook set, and not waste most of the hook set yanking your submerged line out of the water.

Jigman(on this board)is much more of a float expert. Perhaps he can answer specific questions you may have.

good luck---mike