Drift Socks

[ZootAlures]

Anybody have any tips using drift socks on windy days. I picked one up and will try it out when the weather permits. Got a bigger sized one with the float option for my boat to use in moderate wind. Depending on how much it slows down the boat I'll use a jig or a bottom walking sinker with some live bait.

Dave

[Team Otter]

They are definitely the ticket for using in windy conditions when you're wanting to fish slow. When back-trolling, I have a large sock clipped off the front eye and then when I drift I leave the large sock clipped up front and have a smaller one clipped on the back.

[cableguy031]

Is it really needed to use 2 drift socks? Can I get by with just one large or should I just get a medium size one?

[ZootAlures]

I'm thinking on connecting mine to the front and back of the boat on one side. This way it will be easier to fish on the side of the boat(I think) with more than one person. If the boat catches to much wind I'll tie it up to the front and give that a try.

Dave

[Team Otter]

When drifting, 2 is nice. In most cases, the slower the better.

[cableguy031]

So should I get 2 large drift socks or 1 large and 1 medium? I have a 12 foot MirrorCraft....nothing fancy.

[Kyle Sandberg]

I like to have all the time in my boat. It depends what sized waters you're gonna be fishing and in what kind of weather. You probably won't be out on Mille Lacs with your 12' in whitecaps. I think you should try the one drift sock first in the roughest condintions you might face while fishing, find out how slow you go, and decide if you need two.

Sorry if the post doesn't make sense. I'm kinda tired.

[DonBo]

I use just one on my 16'. When drifting I attach it not at the bow, but near the front. It works great for back trolling in the wind, then attach directly to bow. As windy as it has been this year, mine has seen a lot of use.

[Team Otter]

1 large would probably suit you just fine.

[PerchJerker]

I have two socks, one large and one small. Large and small are relative terms depending on the size and weight of the boat you have. My large one is one size bigger than recommended for my boat and my small one is the smallest size recommended. It works great to use them together or mix and match to meet the conditions and fine-tune your drift. But for years I used just one drift sock, and the larger size is the one I bought first.

Placement on the boat does a lot to dictate speed and control. Basic options are to attach it to the front, the stern, or the middle -- each will cause your boat to drift a little differently, depending on how much profile you're showing to the wind, and if it's catching your windshields, etc.

Other wrinkles are to clip it off the front and use your big motor or kicker motor, or to clip it off the stern and use it in conjunction with your bow mount trolling motor.

More line out will slow you down more, less line out will slow you down less.

In one of your posts you mentioned the ease of fishing around them with multiple people in the boat. I don't find it an issue to fish over and around them. You can either bring the fish in between the bags, or you can have one of the other guys in the boat quickly pull the sock out of the water and hang it over the side of the boat.

A while back I read an article about drift socks, I don't recall which walleye pro was featured in the article but he said he runs up to 5 different socks in the water at the same time depending on conditions. I think it said he carried 7 socks with him in the boat. That might be a little extreme ......

[Jim Hudson]

If your budget can allow, I would get two different socks.. One bigger sock that is rated for or just above your length of boat, and the other that is just a bit smaller then the larger bag. Drift control socks and or Wave Tamers are the way to go. Wave Tamers being the best IMHO...

For myself, the benefit to having to two socks is for drifting over flats, either casting, rigging, etc. Use the larger of the two off the bow, as the bow is usually lighter and it will keep the bow in check more so then a smaller sock. Use the smaller sock for the stern. This way, usually, your drift will be maintained the same from the bow to the stern.

[ripstick]

I hear some out fit came out with tamdem sock that goes on the front eye of the boat which put 1 on each side. Any one hear of it.