Interesting observation.

I would think that a quick mend and stop of the float would remedy the problem. I mend my line 3-4 times though each drift and each time stop the float for a millisecond. This activity should allow the bait to flow downstream of the float.

Did you have a corky on the bait? ....this may have affected your observation as well.

On your casts when the bait was behind the float, did you notice as you mended the line if the bait caught up?
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