Drift Sock..Trolling Speed...

[Scotteye]

I am wondering if anyone uses a drift sock while trolling for cranks, and if so, any feedback?

I don't have a 4-stroke or a kicker, but I want to get into trolling cranks this year.

Any comments greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Scott

[Paul Waldowski]

Scott,

Check you thread in the MilleLacs forum.

[18 inch Crappie]

A large cabela's sock slows me down about 1.0-1.5mph on a 17' w/115 4 stroke. That way or use a trolling plate. I back troll to get those speeds with the sock off the front it helps steer better to.

[fivebucks]

I use a sock off the front like 18" when I backtroll spinners. It keeps the speed a little slower plus its easier to control the boat in the wind cause it will keep the front end from swinging around all the time.

[BDR]

I use them with cranks. I have a 150 on back and no kicker. The sock changes my speed from 3 to 1.5mph. I hang it from the front cleat of an 1850 sportfish. Just shorten the leash so it doesn't reach the back.

[Kab Dreamin]

Same thing. I hang the sock on the front cleat to get my speed down to 1-1.5 mph. Without it, I am consistently over 2 mph. Some nights that's fine but usually I need to be a little slower to catch fish.

[dfv87]

Same here, off the front on a short rope. Actually I bought a canoe size one (25") that I use for that so my big one isn't scraping rocks weeds etc if I go real shallow.

Side note make sure you watch the sock when landing fish! It will always be in the way especially at night!

[Scotteye]

Not to sound dumb, but is are most people still trolling forward? Also, I appreciate all of the replys. One more day and I will be fishing!

[MLaker2]

I have an 1800 Pro-V w/ 150 Yam 4 str. Anyway I bought an 18" inch trolling sock, built to use for trolling not just drifting. Heavy duty, built to last. I rigged a 3/8 in rope from bow cleat to bow cleat and pull the sock under the center of the boat. Much better steering since the bow isn't being pulled around.

Good luck.

[jig n' jerk]

A drift sock is ideal but if you are low on cash or cheap like me you can pull a 5 gal. bucket. By the way, Gander Mountain in Bloomington still has some drift socks for 40% off. I finally bought one I think it came to $18.99.

Kurt Joly

[tomfromblaine]

When you hook up to your bow cleat then you back troll?

[CrawlerKing]

Another option that I use is to drop my bowmount electric trolling motor down...without it I troll at 2.9...by just dropping it without even turning it on I will slow down to 2.5...I have a long enough cord on my foot peddle that I will move this back by the console and run the electric to even slow my speed more....you just have to remember to turn it off when you put your big motor in neutral to fight a fish...On calm nights (like last Saturday) I will even use my electric to pull the cranks when I'm fishing shallow...I can troll at 2.2 mph with just the electric and sometimes it helps to be in "stealth mode" when you are fishing shallow.