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Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | Okay, so I know there are a few of you boys that have some drift sock experience out here. I'm thinking about getting one for this season, as in the fall for some reason, it's ALWAYS windy on a particular lake down here.
I have a couple of questions about their use though.
1. Can you still control the boat via trolling motor with it out, and if so, how much does it take out of the control you normally have.
2. Are they a pain when you hook up with a fish? (would getting the bouy for unclipping it be advisable?)
3. Do you have to run them off the bow, stern, or off the sides of the boat, or does it even matter?
Thanks for any help fellas! |
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| My experience is dont use them in the LATE fall,,because you get your hands and deck wet and cold constantly bringing them in..however they have saved the day on warmer days especiially if your boat has high sides |
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Location: The Yahara Chain | I have been using a sock for several years now and I love it.
1. You can still contol the boat with your trolling motor...in fact I think you have better control of your boat. I use a bow mount trolling motor with the sock dragging behind the boat.
2.I would have a bouy attached, that way when you have a big fish on your partner can either unhook the sock and pitch it in the drink or he can get it in the boat before he gets the net. I suggest talking your strategy out with your boat partner BEFORE you have the fish on. I haven't had the sock cost me a fish, even when fishing solo. I use it in the fall while I drag suckers, also.
3.You can run the sock anywhere...depending on what you want the sock to do for you. I prefer running it how I described in #1, but if you are just drifting it will slow you down even more if you run it off the side of the boat.
Buy the biggest sock that is available, regardless of the size of your boat. |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | In the past i've generally ran mine off the back or the opposite i'm casting on. (depending on the where i'm casting) If your using a front mount trolling motor you're gonna drain your battery if you try to fight the wind and the drift sock. But one would have been nice on that one windy lake  |
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Posts: 1292
Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | Joel, using trolling motor is no problem, it just reacts a little differently, but easy to get used to. Definitely get a float to release. I fish alone a lot and it is easy to pop off a cleat and be clear of the boat for easier landing of the fish. This way you don't have to deal with the water issue previosly mentioned except when changing locations. In those situations it just goes into the livewell. Location of your anchor point is critical to the way you want to set up a drift. Takes some getting used to and is different with every boat. The more points of attachment you have available the more precise you can be. All in all a good investment that takes up very little room in the boat. |
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Posts: 194
Location: Southwest PA | Joel,
I cant comment on using it with a trolling motor because I dont have a trolling motor on my boat. Since I dont have a trolling motor, I rely heavily on a sock to help control my boat. I carry 2 socks and there are times that both are in the water.
I use the gas motor as a rudder to help adjust boat position. The lenght of line out, location where its attached to the boat, both will have an affect on how the boat will drift.
Make sure the line has a float just in case it becomes detached from the boat, its one thing if you let it loose on purpose, it sucks when you throw it out thinking that the line is tied off to the boat and you realize that its not.
Maybe I'm lucky, but so far I've not had any problem with fishing with a drift sock tied off to the boat.
Check out Cabela's Advanced Angler Series Sock.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?...
Rich W
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Posts: 3242
Location: Racine, Wi | Thanks for the input guys. That is what I am looking for. There is a pretty cool info video on the Cabelas sight. And magruter, that's what I'm talking about, but I think having the wind in your face, and a drift sock dragging behind would require a follow boat loaded with batteries. Talk about a drain.
So to go a step farther, lets say I am fishing a structure, and want to stay on the edge with the bow pointing down the structure. Would that make a case for rigging the sock off the outside back corner? I think that's what you were getting at Ghotti, as something that I will pick up pretty fast.
Thanks again. I can't wait to try this, and see how I can get the drifts down. |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Madison, WI | I think the back corner could work with a sock, heck a 5 gallon bucket does the same thing... It just feels weird moving the boat around at first, but it's easy to get use to. |
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Location: The Yahara Chain | ghoti - 1/11/2006 2:50 PM
Location of your anchor point is critical to the way you want to set up a drift. Takes some getting used to and is different with every boat. The more points of attachment you have available the more precise you can be.
Excellent point, Ghoti
I haven't had a problem with my batteries draining when I run into the wind. I have a 24 volt system with an Auto Pilot with 74lb thrust. I use this technique on very windy days...it gives me better boat control. |
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Posts: 469
Location: Downers Grove, IL | Do you guys who used drift socks while soaking suckers find that it spokes the fish????? You would think that your shallow sucker might be less productive with a big, bright, bag in the water......I guess it might make sense to run the deep sucker closer to the bag and a shallow on on the other side of the boat. Also, does the "guy in the back" have any problems with 8's or can you run the bag a ways of the stern???????
thedude |
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Posts: 1292
Location: Stevens Point, Wi. | My sock is black in color and by the time it accumulates a few floating weeds, it resembles another floating pile of junk. I usually run it about 10-15 ft. off the boat, so usually not in the way. |
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Posts: 1916
Location: Greenfield, WI | How can you tell which is a right sock and which is a left? |
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Posts: 336
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | Funny you should mention this Joel. I was thinking about the exact same thing last night after seeing a commercial for one on late night OLN. I think it would be a big advantage out there....there are def. fish using that structure, but its so hard to contact them when you are whipping by at 15mph. Ill try to get some useful info for next year.
Eric |
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