Drift sock for trolling?

[muskielaw]

Do people use a smaller drift sock to slow the boat down for trolling compared to the drift sock you use for drifting? I have an 18 ft pro v w/ a 150 yamaha and have use my x-large drift sock for slowing down my trolling speed but the engine runs at higher RPM's. Wondering if it would be better on the engine to use a small drift sock and would I still be able to get the speed down to less then 2 mph? I see they are on sale at cabelas for $20.

muskie

[meathunter]

A few years back a couple of pwt pros jonnie candle and jim carrol came up with this trolling system that is probably the best for your situation google jonnie candle and jim carrol drift sock trolling should be on lindys HSOforum im not sure how to paste the HSOforum but you should be able to find it. Im happy with my 100hp 2 stroke tiller it sure trolls down slow if im going to fast i drop my bow mount sideways or deploy my vantage sideways.if you try and troll with one sock out you can only turn one way you have half the control!

[KidMoe]

I do this a lot with my small boat 16' and my uncles big boat 23'. On mine i use the 2 drift socks for everything from rigging to trolling with my 25 hp. I've got the smallest one i could find and a 60". Now on my uncle's boat we troll with the biggest windsock and we can get down around 1.5 mph. His boat has a 225 honda so it takes a lot to slow it down.

Also it gives you more control on windy days if you tie it off to the wind blown side of the boat.

[meathunter]

The other option is a gas kicker that would be a no fail solution with less hassel and the most control!

[Northlander]

If you cant get a good kicker than check out the Amish Trolling bags. 2 smaller bags that mount up front and run under the boat. Very slick. Just remember to bring them in before you haul azz.

[hanson]

The double bag system works very well and is what I use. This is what the previous posts are talking about as well.

Cabelas may have a deal on some socks but I'd suggest looking at Amish Outfitters trolling bags that Northlander mentioned. You can get some small trolling bags from them as well... mine are 18 inchers I think.

[goose89]

What Northlander and hanson said. I'm not sure how some of the lighter drift socks would hold up to trolling......no question with the Amish Bags. Very durable. You won't believe the boat control you have until you try it. I can't even explain some of the "moves" I've been able to pull off, forward or backtrolling, once you figure em out, esp. if you have a wind to work with. I've been able to "slip" sideways, almost like in a river situation wiht them. Awesome tool(s).

[paceman]

If it is really windy and I am fishing alone I have found trolling with my driftsock to be a very effective tool. It really helps eliminate the bow from swaying all over, especially when trying to go sideways across the wind, and of course with drifting or trolling with the wind, it just really helps with speed and boat control in general.

[muskielaw]

Thanks for the help guys! So I checked out the Amish trolling bags which size do you think will work best with my 18 ft boat? 15' or 18'?

Muskie

[muskielaw]

Well I just read how to run two socks on Lindy's HSOforum and they actually recommend 30-40' socks.

[walleye 4 me]

I use a 5 gallon bucket tied to the cliet in front of the windshield. One on each side. works pretty well.

[Boxcar Wllie]

KidMoe, How long of a line to you set out to the sock when you are pulling cranks? I just picked up two Large socks and was curious when you tie them off either side of the bow.

[KidMoe]

I usually run just one sock on my boat and I run it from the front cleat under the front of the boat. I let out just enough rope to get the sock under the boat but no so much that it could get caught in the motor. Like 6 or 7 feet probably.

When we hook a fish while long lining I put the boat in reverse for a few seconds then the bag is out in front and out of the way while we land the fish. Works great for me while fishing alone too.

[IceIceBaby]

I have a 18 ft. ProV with a 70 Yamaha tiller. I use a small Cabelas drift sock and it works like a charm for me. My motor will idle at about 2.7 mph withouth the sock and down to 1.7 with it. I have it hanging from a cleat towards the front of the boat on the left side and it doesn't pull the boat sideways at all.

Al

[gregg52]

I'm kinda lazy so I rig my boat right to start with

eletric trolling motors or kickers

or the right hp motor for the boat (in order to back troll)

socks are a pain in the butt and take up fishing time

I have 2 in the boat I think i used them like twice in 3 summers

they get wet you hafta dry them out or have a molded sock in your compartment

just my opinion

[IceIceBaby]

It takes me 30 seconds to deploy a $30 dollar windsock and 30 seconds to put it away.

[dan z]

Use my wave tamer all the time in some nasty blown shire line and i can keep the boat parallel to the shoreline so i can cast my jerks with out out dealing with a swaying boat, in real windy weather I counter with a trolling motor front or back depends on wind direction. I believe mine is a 50"

[KidMoe]

I agree with you gregg, it would be preferred to rig up the boat with a more powerful trolling motor and a 4 stroke. But, I'm not quite there yet. I think the drift sock method is an inexpensive way to learn boat control skills and improve your fishing. Just my opinion.