Bought a Drift Sock...Now What?

[bus33]

Hey guys, I am the proud owner of a new drift sock. I just about bought two of them but thought I would master one first. I am fishing out of a 18ft Lund Tiller boat.

I am looking for some tips/tricks when it comes to using the sock and controlling the boat. What are you using for a main line to the sock? Should I swing for a buoy harness...they were pricy and I am thinking I can make one a lot cheaper. How much line will I need to have? I have heard the speed of the drift correlates with how far the sock is from your boat.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated as I am gonna be headed to a windy lake in NW Iowa next week.

Thanks

[Sandmannd]

I use a nylon anchor rope for mine. Then buy a $2 noodle (for swimming pools) cut 18" or so off and put it on the rope. It will now flot.

To use it, let the waves start taking your boat. Deploy the sock on the side of the boat the waves are coming from. Get it open and dragging nice and that's it.

[Jim Uran]

Good tip sand! I never thought of the noodle thing, I will have to try that out, I have some old dense foam trap net floats on my line now that have seen their better days. I used a few lead weights from my duck decoys on the bottom line also.

[Morneau132]

Thanks for this tip... You just saved me about $25.... I also just bought nylon rope but would like it to float...the noodle idea is the ticket!

[Sandmannd]

My wife calls me a "cheap @" I call myself thrifty!!

Glad I could help, does save some money for sure.