I have been thinking about leader length lately for drift gear setups versus side drifting versus boondoggling.

When drift fishing it is usually common to use a 1.5 – 4 foot leader, 18-48 inches. In gin clear conditions with a 4-foot leader if you are drift fishing your lead must travel four feet to become even with the hook if a fish has picked it up. The lead will continue to drift and thus will probably travel another four feet for a grand total of eight feet before you detect the strike. This is one of the main reasons for not using a leader longer then four feet; the fish can drop the lure/ hook before the strike is detected. Also there is the flossing issue to consider with longer leaders.

When boondoggling the boat floats down river with the lines bouncing off the bottom pretty much stretched straight out just as if trolling in a lake except you are bouncing bottom instead of dragging the lure straight through the water. I have just started to do this technique as of last winter. If I understand it I would think that in this case the lead comes down river first with your hook and corky or eggs or whatever following. I think that is how it works is that correct? If this is the case leader length should not be an issue so why not make them as long as possible but still practical to cast from your favorite boondoggling pole. Also flossing should not be an issue since the leader is being dragged straight down river and not across the river, which happens towards the tail out when drift fishing.

If you have a 9.6-foot boondoggling pole seems you should be able to cast a seven-foot leader ok. I have heard of some guides using long leaders like this in these situations, is this the norm?

Side drifting has me baffled, which floats down river first the lead or the hook/corky?