drift sock

[Denny_K]

I was wondering about drift socks because I have a Tracker alum. fishing boat and as you know alum is not that heavy as the fiber glass boat and whenever I fish on windy days on the lake the drift of the boat can be fast cause of the wind in turn missing alot of good stops and fishing in a hurry-up offense.It blows....So do any of you guys or ladies us a drift sock
Denny

[zooker]

not for bass fishing they #1 take up a ton of room in the boat. and #2 are cumbersome to use.. the best thing to do is find the setting on your troller that holds you to a slow gain into the wind.always face into the wind if you just have to drag your feet.. now me i like working with the wind if it anit gusting to bad..

in the situation you face- tin can, high wind- find the pattern and gun that area. say you are getting bites 10 feet off the bank. then why waste time fishing the first 10 feet cast in about 5 feet out work the bait till it is about 15 feet out then reel in and recast...


zooker

[Rebbasser]

I do. Got one a year or so back. The way the wind blows in Texas it is almost a neccessity. I'll run upwind, throw it in and drift back downwind. I got the biggest one Cabelas had and have been real happy with it.

[Wishing2BFishing]

Denny K, I was also wondering about drift socks. I too have a BPS aluminum V-Hull. I keep at the private lake at my Mom's house. This lake is loaded w/ fish but does not allow any motors whatsoever (including electric). I have been thinking about the drift sock and am wondering if I should purchase one.

If you happen to purchase a drift sock, I am interested to hear your thoughts as to how well it worked.

[lizardsrule]

It is primarily for drifting LOL. I don't own one, but have been on a boat on lake Erie that used it. They do slow you down, but if you are fishing along the shoreline, you will get hung up a lot IMO. I do what zooker does, and go into the wind. If you are just drifting with the wind, I imagine it would work fine, as long as there aren't a bunch of obstacles that would catch it.

Lizards

[Wishing2BFishing]

Any suggestions regarding what size drift sock would be best? I am inclined to go to a smaller size so I don't get caught up in weeds. Really, I just need to slow the rate of my drift down so I can effectively fish without constantly dropping and lifting the anchor. I have a 16 foot aluminum and the manufactuer recommendations seem to vary.

[pig n jig]

Denny, I got one, its a great item to have .I use it just as Rebbasser mentioned.Get the biggest one you can afford, don't go by the boat size. I like to have it 10 or so feet from the boat tied off in the middle or near middle cleat on your boat.Its light, rolls up small to fit in my tackle pack.it slows the boat down for you to be able to fish on windy days when you can't choose your days to fish because you have to work. P N J

[Denny_K]

Thanks a million guys,I will check them out.Wishing I will let you know if I get one and if I'm satisfied with.Thanks guys great info
Denny

[Rebbasser]

Denny, I'll echo PnJ-get the biggest one you can.

[Bender]

I was thinking of one also. I'm in a 16' improved V and last fall the wind was so strong one day that my trolling motor couldn't keep the boat in place. I might just get a much bigger trolling motor too.

[Wishing2BFishing]

Is it necessary that drift socks be tied on the back of the boat. Can they be tied on the front? How bout' the side?

[Rebbasser]

Nope, you can tie them on wherever you want.

[bass kicker]

never used themfor bass fishing only use them down here for walleye

[florida mike]

Last year the Japanese guy won the classic in kissimmee lake,north cove,with a crankbait using adrift sock.

[JB]

We've tied on a few 5 gallon buckets to slow the drift, but the big sock is the way to go!

[Denny_K]

Think we should price them at BPS? Denny

[Wishing2BFishing]

I purchased a drift sock this weekend. The weather was terrible so I thought that perhaps the drift sock would make things easier especially since the lake I was fishing doesn't allow any motors (including electric).

Anyway, the drift sock worked really well. It slowed the drift so I could effectively fish the attractive areas. I still had to make some adjustments every now and then but all things considered, I think that it is a great product. I would recommend a drift sock to anyone fishing on water where no motors or only electric motors are permitted.

[FlyRod]

Originally Posted by Rebbasser

I do. Got one a year or so back. The way the wind blows in Texas it is almost a neccessity. I'll run upwind, throw it in and drift back downwind. I got the biggest one Cabelas had and have been real happy with it.

HE'S RIGHT (for once, heehee!) I am privileged to fish with Reb and I can vouch for the usefulness of the drift anchor/sock. I also have another partner who uses one and these things have saved the day more than once.
Light boats (See: most aluminums.) are much benefitted by the use of such a device.
Rigging from the side might allow both fishermen to parallel-cast the bank and that is worth much.
If the boat hull doesn't have cleats mounted in the right spots have some heavy duty ones installed. If need be, and the area is accessible, use a back-up plate or huge washer under the aluminum, especially if the aluminum is not 100 gauge or better.

F. Rod
Just remember that you have the thing deployed before you start the engine!

[fishin_dude]

Originally Posted by Wishing2BFishing

I purchased a drift sock this weekend. The weather was terrible so I thought that perhaps the drift sock would make things easier especially since the lake I was fishing doesn't allow any motors (including electric).

Anyway, the drift sock worked really well. It slowed the drift so I could effectively fish the attractive areas. I still had to make some adjustments every now and then but all things considered, I think that it is a great product. I would recommend a drift sock to anyone fishing on water where no motors or only electric motors are permitted.

Why do they not allow electric motors? The main reason most lakes have a gas motor restriction is due to the polluting factors, but they usually always allow trolling motors because they are non-polluting. It must be a pain in the butt paddling around your 16 ft. V, I would either buy a small jon boat or a canoe for a lake with those kind restrictions. You might want to talk to the owner about lifting the electric restriction and give him/her a good explanation of why electric motors are environmentally safe and how they would do no harm to the lake.

[Wishing2BFishing]

Fishin' Dude, I agree that electric motors should be allowed. However, at this point, I am just glad to be allowed to fish this private lake. I don't want to push my luck.

[JB]

We have lots of small lakes with motor restrictions, its mainly to prevent soil erosion on the banks....most are restricted to big gas motors, however some areas you can't even use a trolling motor.