Drift Socks

Redbeard · **Joined:** Mon May 21, 2012 8:05 am **Posts:** 14

I just got a new drift sock to slow the boat down while trolling for eyes. Any suggestions on how much line to use and where to tie it to the boat would be helpful.
Thanks
Redbeard

TheLandshark · **Posted:** Sat May 26, 2012 3:31 pm

You are gping to hate not having two. You will find steering tough if its on just one side. Out the back can be in the way

BigMac · **Joined:** Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:18 pm **Posts:** 1383

if you had two you could put one on each side of the boat and then it will run straighter while not being in the way for boating the fish at the back... Id say probably the back is only option as its very hard to steer properly if its on either side

FISH HUNTER · **Posted:** Sat May 26, 2012 6:22 pm

I've got to agree with Shark and Big Mac that its gonna be a pain with only one. I've ran 2 tied to my middle cleats and it works very well and doesnt negatively effect steering.
The problem I see with running it off the back is its more then likely going to be in the way while trying to land fish.

FISH HUNTER

fireball · **Posted:** Sat May 26, 2012 7:35 pm

How big of a sock ?
How much are you looking to slow down the boat ?
How big of a boat/motor ?
Where do you plan on putting the sock ?? (bow,middle, rear cleat, stern, etc)

These are questions you probably went threw when picking what the right sock was, i think it could help to make sure you get the right set up.
once you use it, you probably cant return it.
I am no pro when it comes to drift socks, but these guys on this board are.

fireball · **Posted:** Sat May 26, 2012 7:38 pm

Should of added, when i got into using drift socks, this is where i asked, and i ended up with the proper set up.
couldn't return the ones i had already bought, so i gave them to my mom who has a smaller boat.

rtkman · **Joined:** Sun Jul 10, 2011 6:28 am **Posts:** 528

You definitely are going to want 2. I have mine attached to the middle cleats as well and they work great there. I tried 1 and it didn't work. Too hard to steer.

shepherd · **Posted:** Sat May 26, 2012 9:08 pm

I use a 46" drift sock and clip it on to the bow eye and it drags under the boat. It does effect the steering but not as bad as having it on one side. It got my 115hp Optimax down to 1.5mph.

JimW · **Posted:** Sat May 26, 2012 9:13 pm

I tried using 1 drift sock last year on Quinte tied to the rear cleat on 1 side, made it very, very difficult to steer. As we were using it and had to make a hard turn to avoid a pack of boats, I had to give some more throttle to try and amke the turn .... the rope was rubbing and lots of pressure on the rope .......... and snap!!!! rope broke ..... the sock had the float on it, so we had to quickly reel in all our fishing lines and turn around to retrieve the drift sock.

We then tried running the sock directly out the back by trying the rope to both rear cleats, worked much better for steering, but was in the way a bit for landing fish.

Next time out I used 2 socks tied to my middle cleats, worked much better. Two socks definitely the way to go.

For this year I have made one final adjustment to slow my boat for trolling which should work out very well. I will store my 2 drift socks in my boat storage compartment and use the 6hp kicker motor I bought.

Best of luck with your set up.

JimW

Redbeard · **Joined:** Mon May 21, 2012 8:05 am **Posts:** 14

Thanks for all of your replies. That is what I like about these forums. I don't know very much about something and ask a question and I get a ton of helpful replies. Since I screwed up and only got the one sock for today I think I will try what shepherd does and see if it will work a bit. But I think i will need to buy another sock for the future.
Thanks
Redbeard

TheLandshark · **Posted:** Sun May 27, 2012 9:20 am

just for what its worth or if someone else is purchasing any soon. these bags are the best out there. most of the charter captains i know use them. http://www.walleyetacklestore.com/seaanchors.html

KHynes · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2012 7:24 am

Hi

When running one sock off each side, what diameter are you guys using?

TheLandshark · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2012 3:55 pm

It depends on the size boat but when running two you can usually get away with the smallest for most walleye boats.

KHynes · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2012 7:18 am

Brilliant, thank you.

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Drift Socks

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