Trolling and boat control

I have a 16 foot flat bottom boat and every puff of wind blows my boat around. Even when I catch a fish the light boat is pulled off course and can tangle lines badly. To fix this problem I pull a drift sock behind my boat and it works wonders. I took a length of rope and tied carabiners to each end to be hooked onto the handles on the back of my boat. This makes it easier to take off and on. I wanted the sock close to the boat to decrease fish or hooks getting caught in the sock. Give this a try and see how it works for you.

Here is a picture of mine in use.

Looks like that does the job nicely.

I like that alot. Might try it

I have the same set up on my jon. Good picture! I also have two 5' lengths of 3/4" chain to drag the boat to slow crawl if needed.

Also pulling a length of rope with 5' of chain hitting the bottom. slows me down better than the sock for heavy winds. use carabiner and clip it to the d rings on the back of the boat. use two for very windy conditions.

Have you ever gotten hung up with the chain dragging on something? This has always been my biggest worry.

Also, doesn't the chain rattle and make noise spooking the fish? Always wondered about that.

Is the basic rule drift sock in deeper open water and chain for shallow stump/brushy water?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by apersohn17

Have you ever gotten hung up with the chain dragging on something? This has always been my biggest worry.

Also, doesn't the chain rattle and make noise spooking the fish? Always wondered about that.

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Exactly what I was thinking!

I have never hung up yet as the chain is just an extension of the rope and goes over top of everything like dragging a long heavy rope.

I have snagged a tree top or two with the sock but its no big deal. I use my sock in water 3-4 FOW and it doesn't seem to spook the fish.

I made up a pair of `12" Socks for this and they work.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...chorsock01.jpg
But not near as good as these plates off the side of the boat. With a pair of these winds does not move you side ways. And we also use a chain out the back on Reelfoot and Pickwick. Heres a shot of the front one up while moving . These can swing forward and backward. But hold the boat sideways great. Made out of a State road sign there big.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../camper014.jpg
But with my Lund these Trilling plates holds the boat better then you would think they could work.
ProTroller Series Trolling Plates

How many feet of chain do you guys tie to your rope?

I use 10 foot, 5 foot of 5/16 with a 5 foot extension of 1/4. This is relative to the boat you are in, in my Astro I used the set up described when it was really bad, most of the time 2 ropes out with 5 foot of 5/16 chain was plenty. In my BassCat I need at least what I described most of the time, wider bigger boat drifts more. Tin boat will need more because it sits higher and catches more wind, trial and error and figure out what fits your ride.

I use 5' of 3/4" chain. The heavier the better. You can make the chain shorter as you go up in chain size.

have pulled chain for 15 yrs, works great no matter where you are fishing.
just keep 2- 3 (5 ft) sections with carbiners to hook together if needed and about
30' rope - tie off to center pedstal post can use for long-line or spider rigging - speed
and direction (sometimes turn trolling motor 180 and slow boat to desird speed)