Overcoming Wind....Drift Socks/Chains?

So I'm sitting in my office this morning (only in body, spirit is at the Turkey table already!) and I check the forecast for the long holiday weekend. Lowest winds 15mph in my areas...not fun. Thought about taking the kayak for a sail, but don't have outriggers yet and it gets tippy at 10mph.

I'll pretty much fish in anything short of lightning. In my experience when the weather turns sour, sometimes the fishing turns hot! That said, I have no experience with socks/chains. How effective are they? Any recommendations on brands and sizes? I'm assuming even with them it is still going to limit me to direct upwind/downwind trolling. Is it bad for the trolling motor adding the resistance? Thanks.

We fish with chains here a lot, its about 50/50 between chains and socks as far as what people here as for what they use. If fishing deep or water with a lot of brush on the bottom then socks are a good bet, if fishing shallow water (less that 30 foot) with little brush then chains are the ticket.

I fish either - chains first ( they are easier for one person to work with) i keep a
bucket and large towel at rear of boat - keep chain from rubbing when bring in
or deploying. put chain in bucket - helps keep boat clean of mud.
Wash off end of day and dry in sun before storing.

i have avail 3 sections of chain. 2 - 6 ft & 1 9 ft. all have snap hooks so as they
can be attached or kept separate ( size 3/4 " lengths - plated or chromed to keep
from rusting) also 50' 3/4 in rope.
Put 9 ft section with rope attached out out back direct behind big motor.
let enough out until boat almost comes to complete stop. tie off rope directly
to pedestal post at rear of boat.
This should keep boat straight. Use trolling motor to pull and control boat to
desired speed.

Wind socks - use a sock that is recommeded for size of your boat - should be
listed on tag of sock.
I use snap hook & rope attached from tie down eyes each side of boat to sock
and let out with main control rope - again to desired stopage.

Does not strain or hurt trolling motor using either methods

If you are long-ling - chain is number 1 for sure. (again boat control is with
trollng motor)





Wind

Great info, thanks gentlemen! Might go check out Lowe's this evening

Sometimes Harbor Freight has some good sales on chains.

Great specifics, I too maybe headed to pick up some chain, going out tomorrow morning for a abit, Supposed to be windy.

The third mode that can be used in heavy winds is the trolling motor itself.

If you have an I-Pilot and / or a remote type mtr -or can turn motor 180 degree,

Turn trolling mtr around 180 and apply power to slow boat to point almost of backing
it up. Takes a little time but can learn to point trolling mtr in correct direction to
keep boat in correct line you want.

with the 15-20 MPh new we been having over here I would need logging chains.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crappiegirl1

with the 15-20 MPh new we been having over here I would need logging chains.

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This is the type of chains I would be looking for.
Super Dupper gripper fer sure.

I already paid my dues with those chains growing up in NY lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tundah

I already paid my dues with those chains growing up in NY lol

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You shudda brung them with you. They may stall your forward momentum, instead of giving you forward momentum

I think you would need a heavier link chain with a good amount of weight to it, that would try to hold the boat from moving too fast.

I have always been kinda torn about this. I have a large drift sock and a 3/4 inch chain on the boat (but have never used the chain yet, but hate messing with the sock)

The whole ripping up the lake bottom thoughts just didn't sit right with me for some reason I guess. But to be honest after reading Harolds post on the proper way to deploy the chain, I'm feeling a little better about the chain.

I pictured dragging a 6 foot length of chain behind 20-30 feet of rope................with a mud trail rising from below, behind my boat :)

Just letting out enough for a few links to hit and go from there..............sounds like something I can live with in my lite boat and not interfere with my configuration of lines out the back. Solves any concerns spidering up front for sure.

By having 3 different sections of chain -6' 6' & 9', can make the slowing of boat
suit what ever style of fishing you want to do that day. The chain does very, very
little damage to muck in lake - or pulling through a grass bed as chain will slide
over grass and not dig in
Using the rope allows you to control speed of boat -