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Hey guys, I will be making my way to Reelfoot next weekend (March 30th). I spider rig on ky lake and would like to have that option at Reelfoot. I use a drift sock that has a float on one side and weights on the other to keep it open and at the top, but I have heard before that you need to drag chains at reelfoot because of the stumps. Is this true? will i be able to get by for a couple days with the sock? If chains are the only option, how do you set it up? thanks alot!
You will be fine with the sock. Water is high enough stumps won't bother you to much.
Socks are fine. If a stump does hang it just got back and pull it off. With the water high it shouldn't be any problem
I use both chains and socks on Reelfoot. Just depends on the wind and how slow I want to go that day. You will be fine with socks.
So if you were to use chains, how do you rig it up? Just curious because I don’t know. Wouldn’t the chains snag on stumps?
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I use 2-10ft long pieces of 3/8 chain tied side by side to a piece of 3/8 anchor rope about 75 ft long. Our glass boat has one setul like that on each side out the back. Doesnt get hung, just slithers over everything like a snake. I've had problems with my drift sock there. Left a 56" minn kota sock out in front of gooch's. Slid it down a log, like a sock actually. I could see the yellow about 5' down.
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Great thread learned something new! Love crappie.com
Tk y'all for the info I learned something new. I didn't know how to set it up either and didn't know what size chain to get. Good post guys
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Those cheap five gallon buckets work just fine to
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More curiosity...
How much do these chains slow you down? If the wind is blowing you 1 mph does it slow you down to 0.5 mph? Any ideas? Thanks for the info!
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with my 2 10 ft chains in a good 15 mph wind I can keep my boat between .5 or so all the way down to sitting completely still. Usually if i have my chains out its because the wind is pushing me to fast with my socks. .2 is what I shoot for most of the time and I can achieve that very easy with 2 10 ft 3/8 log chains. Depends on boat size, weight, and design also. My boat is a 18/60 wareagle.
I always ran one chain on each side of the motor (outboard) just depends on how you want to set yours up.
All you guys that pull chain, where is the best place to buy chain?
I bought some kind of black coated 3/8" stainless chain from lowes. It still got nasty. Trucking places use alot of chain and buy in bulk. Thats where our 1/2" came from
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Hardware store or Lowe's.
I got mine at a recycling salvage yard
Man those chains made me a believer. I have never stayed on the water in 15+ winds until Saturday!! It’s amazing what just one 8’ of chain will do with enough rope let out.
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I’m curious on all this as well and you seem to know what’s up... I’m running a 1546 Xpress and get blown all over the lake. Would I still need 8ft chains? How do u decide how long and how many chains? Also, how can u adjust speed? Is longer the rope the slower u go or what?Quote:
Originally Posted by quadlee
Slabseeker, you have the right idea. I always keep my ropes tied up front so I can pull in or let out rope for speed adjustment. You actually need the longer chain, or a shorter piece of heavier chain. You want enough to completely stop your movement if needed. There's a little trial and error to it. Make sure you put you a good knot on the rope when you tie the chain on.
So you spider rig over a tree with fish. Maybe catch a couple. You keep going and then the rope and chain drag over that spot.
Does it spook the fish you think?
I want to go back to that spot now. Do you pull up the rope and chain? Or just turn normal? Wider turn?
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On Reelfoot, your chain is dragging the bottom, over a few logs, etc. Does it spook a few fish? Probably, but they return rather quickly. I make repeated runs quite often. If I'm in a lake where I'm fishing planted brush piles, I use socks so I don't destroy someone's hard work. I've had chains, mushroom anchors, and window weights behind my boat. It doesn't seem to bother the fish I'm catching.