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I'm thinking that this year I an gonna get a drift sock to try to slow the boat down while drifting and jigging when it is windy.

What size do I require? My boat is a 14 foot legend with a 30hp. How much rope do people generally let out when using them?

I have heard of people making their own from 5 gallon pails, milk crates or whatever. I would love to do this but I just don't have the room in the boat for an extra 5 gallon pail.

Like the idea of buying one that I can fold up into a ball and stick away somewhere when I am done.

thanks
guys

Joe

jale6666 wrote:I'm thinking that this year I an gonna get a drift sock to try to slow the boat down while drifting and jigging when it is windy.

What size do I require? My boat is a 14 foot legend with a 30hp. How much rope do people generally let out when using them?

I have heard of people making their own from 5 gallon pails, milk crates or whatever. I would love to do this but I just don't have the room in the boat for an extra 5 gallon pail.

Like the idea of buying one that I can fold up into a ball and stick away somewhere when I am done.

thanks
guys

Joe

Big blue reusable shopping bag from ikea...

-et

Go bigger than what the recommended sizes are. I have a 15ft legend with a 30hp too and i picked up a minn kota one.. it works ok but there are still times a second one wouldn't go a miss.

I have a Minn Kota one too. I used it alot with a 16ft Princecraft rental and there were days I wish I had two more.....

Ordered mine from the States a few years ago! Somewhere in Texas Seem to be quite strong compared to many others I've seen. Worth every cent!!

Don't leave home without 'em

They are readily available here now, just have to find them!

So do you find that the sock works better attached to the front, back of the boat or in the middle. Or is there any noticable difference between all three?


Joe

Good thread I was after the same info...........plus can you troll with one? My boat trolls a little too fast.

jale6666 wrote:So do you find that the sock works better attached to the front, back of the boat or in the middle. Or is there any noticable difference between all three?


Joe

Depends on which direction you want the boat facing while drifting. I usually put the big motor down and tie the sock to the port side bow cleat...this gives me a good side drift for live bait rigs and jigging. I also like to use about 25ft of rope and a float on the line.

cheers'

-et

Thanks for the info ET...why the float on the rope??? in case it comes undone and ya don't lose it?

thanks

Joe

jale6666 wrote:Thanks for the info ET...why the float on the rope??? in case it comes undone and ya don't lose it?

thanks

Joe

Yup...the sock sinks!!!! I have a few at the bottom of lakes
Also if you use a long rope on the drift sock it prevents the sock from sinking to far and spooking the fish or catching on bottom.

cheers'

-et

Ganman,
I was using a minn kota drift sock last year in the summer for trolling because our 16ft Lund with a 40 yamaha trolls a bit too fast for lakers. I find it works well except it is a little difficult trying to steer the boat when it is windy. I may try to find a smaller drift sock or try to make one.

BigFish[/quote]

Thanks BF. I was going to buy the same sock at CT. $35 bucks for a cloth sack does seem a little over the top though.

I use the Minkota one and it works great. I actually use 2 of them, one on the bow and the other on the stern on my 18ft boat. It lets me drift sideways and not on an angle so I can better fish humps and weed edges. Have found that an 8ft rope works well in most situations.
Cheers
JP

We use these all the time, they are all hand made.
http://www.amishoutfitters.com/buggybag.htm

I got mine from Ed at Paddletales. I bought the biggest one he had and I tie it to the middle of my 18.5" Bass boat. I have about 6' of rope and will be adding a float to it this year. Thanks ET! I have one at the bottom of Mississippi Lake!! They are pricey but definately worth it and will last a lifetime (unless you drop it to the bottom of the lake). I have tried buckets and Ikea bags, they help but they don't work nearly as well as the real thing!