Trolling with 5gal bucket

[Baitchaser]

I do not have a kicker motor and figured my best option for reducing my trolling speed with my big motor would be to drag a drift sock or 5gal bucket. My question is, does it matter how long of rope I use with the 5gal bucket? do I want the bucket to be close to the boat, or out a ways? Any length better for boat control or not getting hung up in the prop? Thanks!

[ozzie]

the best answer I have is to tie to a rope with alot of length to it and just adjust it while trolling to find the optimal length needed. start short and just release more rope and see what difference it makes.

[smackem33]

I tried pulling my sock in my babeliner it has a125. Hooked it on the back and broke the strap from the force of it. I think u gotta drag two of them tied from the front, one on each side.

[tacklejunkie]

How about a trolling bag? I used to use the buckets and they worked but they were getting in the way. With the bags, I tied them so the back of the bag is near the back but not past it and they dive then better than the buckets and will stay out of your way

[FshBloodRiverMud]

I've run drift socks while trolling. I keep the bag hooked towards the middle of the boat and rope short enough so it doesn't stick past the transom.

Makes steering difficult. But works

[Willy]

Tie a drift sock to the front eye hook on the boat. Let it back so it is roughly a third of the way back and let it run right underneath the boat.

I have done this for quite awhile and works well, still easy enough to steer. It will also keep the nose of your boat down in wind/waves.

[Baitchaser]

Thanks for the input everyone. Sounds like a drift sock is the way to go over the bucket.

[tacklejunkie]

Keep in mind that there is a difference between a drift sock and trolling bag.

[loadmaster]

Do not waste your time on the bucket idea. Tried it one trip then off to gen for a trolling bag. we did two buckets and at the end of the day. it took everything we had to get them back on board.

[magnum mike]

When you get the drift sock, you should also get the harness with float to keep it another 4-5 feet from the bow.

[TrollnDrift]

How about trolling backwards to reduce speed? Otherwise I personally use a driftsock, my bowmount, or both.

Erik

[expl]

I troll backwards to slow me down,sometimes with the driftsock attached to the bow.Works great for boat control and you stay where you want to as your reading graph instantly with transducer i tje back i stead of having whatever the length of your boat is to read what your heading at,just sucks if its really windy out.

[Northlander]

Check out the Amish Outfitters trolling bags. Awesome. Drift Control also makes some but they are lighter weight.

[delcecchi]

Do not waste your time on the bucket idea. Tried it one trip then off to gen for a trolling bag. we did two buckets and at the end of the day. it took everything we had to get them back on board.

Drilling a few holes in the bottom of the bucket might have helped. Then the water would drain out as you tried to lift it.

[B-man715]

With my first boat I used a bucket with a three inch hole drilled in the bottom. It actually work quite well

A five foot rope with a quick snap to the transom is all I did.

You can also drop a trolling motor down for drag. I hate socks, so that is what I do now.

[walleyemaniac]

Back troll with a drift sock on the bow for boat control. I can drop my 90hp to a snails pace.

[hnd]

Do not waste your time on the bucket idea. Tried it one trip then off to gen for a trolling bag. we did two buckets and at the end of the day. it took everything we had to get them back on board.

nearly split a gut here. you haven't lived until you've seen a boat trying to bring in their 5 gallon trolling bucket. huffing and puffing, red faces, swear words. we nearly died laughing.

[BobT]

Do not waste your time on the bucket idea. Tried it one trip then off to gen for a trolling bag. we did two buckets and at the end of the day. it took everything we had to get them back on board.

[B-man715]

You have to be smarter than the bucket

Cut a hole in the bottom, it makes it 40 pounds lighter in about 3 seconds

[hnd]

You have to be smarter than the bucket

Cut a hole in the bottom, it makes it 40 pounds lighter in about 3 seconds

that is what we told them when we pulled up to the ramp. they were having a good laugh about it when we pulled up. they said they saw us laughing and were livid for about 30 seconds until they started going and looked at each other and just lost it. i told them they almost made youtube had i been thinking quicker. i was surprised they didn't just cut the rope and leave.

[amateurfishing]

Are $40-50 drift socks really worth it?

[Northlander]

Every cent!

[tacklejunkie]

Are we talking drift socks or trolling bags? The drift socks are too light for trolling.

[18 inch Crappie]

Are we talking drift socks or trolling bags? The drift socks are too light for trolling.

Get the cabelas brand, the black ones, thats what I have been using for 10 years and no problems.

[amateurfishing]

Are we talking drift socks or trolling bags? The drift socks are too light for trolling.

Whats the difference?