Chain work best for me also. I have a 6 foot heavy chain hooked to a 100 foot rope and drop it off the back of the boat and adjust the trolling motor speed to keep me moving at just the right speed. The more rope you let out the slower you will go. I have used this in high wind conditions and was able to move along at 0.5 mph tight lining. A plus: if I pass over a big school I can shut the trolling motor off and stop on top of them.