Drift socks

Need advice on drift sock. I fish out of a 16ft Alumacraft. What size sock would be best.

Can't go too big.

Yep

Depends on how fast you want to go, and the time of year. The bigger the better if you want to crawl along on a really windy day. I use 1 or 2 socks depending on wind speed. I use 30" socks when I want to move along at a decent speed when it's warmer. I use 66 or 78" in colder water to go slow.

Thanks guys for yalls input. I fished Saturday afternoon for the first time this year , the wind was not really high but moving my tin boat around .65 which is too fast. Just wanting to stay around .3 to .4.

Try dragging chains instead of wind socks.


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Thanks Feeshrman think I may have some chain. I'll try that first

You can use 5 gallon buckets also. On my 1652 G3 I can drag one bucket it will decrease my speed from 1mph to .7 mph, I can drag two to get me down to .4 -.5 mph. Just drill holes in each side under where the handle was and either drill one large hole (2" or so) in the center of the bottom or 8 to 12 small 1/2" holes for water to travel thru. Total cost if you own a drill under $20 bucks for the rope and buckets.

academy sporting goods has some cheap drift socks if you just want to try them....i think i paid $14 each for mine

Drag chains first

Thanks I'll check on them next time I'm close to there.

What size chain and how long do you guys use?

7 ft of 3/8, and have an extra 6 ft piece to add to each if needed..use 50 ft of rope marked every 10 ft

Do you drag one on each side to keep the boat straight?

You can drag two or one straight out the rear of the boat.

Cabelas has their good drift socks on sale right now. Best deal of the year on them.

What size sock for a 175 Tracker? 1 or 2?

Deltarat I'm going to try the chains first. Went and got chain and rope today. Rope is marked every foot and in the boat. I borrowed a dock from a friend and it was fortyeight I think or close to it and it just about stoped my boat. I figure in a tin boat if I need anything bigger it's time to hit the ramp.

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Originally Posted by deltarat

What size sock for a 175 Tracker? 1 or 2?

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Get at least 1 66 in.

I drag chains but have noticed that the ride is not as smooth as the sock. Seems like I get a kind of intermittent tugging with the chain. Anybody else?

i run the same boat as you 16' alumacraft. it's very lite and will pick up speed in a hurry. i have 2 socks i keep in the boat anytime i fish because the weather man has a hard time getting wind speed and direction correct most days. i have a 48" sock that works perfect on days where u are going just a hair to fast, but i also have a 56" or something close to that size that i have tied to 30' of rope. about every 3' of rope i made a loop so if i need to slow down more i just let out a little more rope. chains work better in the stumps and shallow water but i like the socks if im drifting across deeper flats

5 gallon bucket the best have used socks

Cabelas.