If you are fishing in bigger waves or a big blow, you may want to throw the bag off the bow. Personal preference, but it keeps the bow in the waves. Lessens the chance of someone catching your drift line - or the bag or line getting in the way when you are trying to net a fish. I actually prefer putting the bag off the bow when jigging in the spring, so I can cast out further behind the boat, and work the bottom longer as we drift over the jig. (as opposed to casting toward the bow). Personal preference.