Float and Fly in a Tournament?

[webertime]

Have any of you ever used this technique?  In a tournament?  It intrigues me as an alternative to a dropshot for suspended fish and was wondering if it was worth looking into adding one to my arsenal?  I know I would have to keep the rod at 8' for tournament rules.

 

Thanks!

[Fishes in trees]

I'd check it out further because I don't think that all tournaments have the 8' rod length limit.  Years ago, when I was fishing BFL tournaments I took it with me for a couple of tournaments.   The lakes that the Ozarks BFL fishes are similar in places to lakes where the Float & Fly was conceived.  I tried it some on practice day but never did bring it along on tournament day.

It didn't work for me, primarily because as a co-angler I had no control over boat positioning.  I think I got bit a couple of times on practice day - but they were short fish.  At the time I felt my time was better spent throwing a wiggle wart or dragging a heavy football jig.

If you're the boater though, and got some fish marked on a point, I think that is an extremely viable alternative to a jerk bait early in the year.

As a condition, I'd want clear water - at least 6 to 7 feet and I think that clearer would be better.