Have you ever thought about using a drift sock to slow your boat down???
Blake
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Hey BC you know I actually looked into those on the cabellas web site, but what discouraged me from getting one was the size of that thing, (huge) and how much it would be in the way, also the lines required to get it steady and centered. then I thought about it getting snagged, and maybe needing two to balance out the boat....I didn't get a warm fuzzy about them...
I hadn't talked to anyone that had used one before, so I went for the extra battery.
I use one while drifting for catfish... I use the trolling motor only to keep the boat straight. The size is determined by the size of your boat... the one that I use isn't that big. As far as the line to get it set up... it is very simple... just tye the rope to your boat and throw the sock in the water it will open up on its own. they don't have to run that deep just as long as they are in the water so as long as you are in 2-3 foot of water you shouldn't have to worry about getting it hung up. You should deffinatel try one... they are more of a benefit than they are a headache!
Blake
I like to "back troll", which is using a transom mounted motor to pull the boat backwards.
The last boat (Fisher 14') did it well. This one, Alumacraft 16', when I slow down, the front of the boat wants to spin around. I think it's because of the size of the transom.
At any rate, I looked into drift socks, and like Papermouth, thought they were really big, not to mention kinda pricey.
I took an old mesh laundry bag that I'd tried to make a net out of, and made a 1/2" pvc frame for it. Fastened it with cable ties. Put some cord to each corner. Appx. 18"x9". Not real pretty, but I gotta tell ya, it really helps. Works really well in mild current.
Oh yeah, since I have a transom mount motor, the "sock" goes out the front.
i got two fifteen lb. weights off a barbell system plastic with concrete filling and put both out and fish the other side and pull on them occasionally to let boat move in or out of cove and keeps the trolling motor swirls down wich i think mess's with the fish...but I stand in my boat and can walk back and forth to manipulate the weights
When I first started drift fishing I used two 5 gallon buckets that I drilled holes in the bottoms. They worked really well they just take up more room in the boat... the drift sock folds up really small and can be tucked out of the way. I got mine at BPS and I think I only paid about $30 for mine.
Blake
Nice job Mike, thats a good report. Bet the grease got a fishy odor to it at yur hizzle!
Heck if all you guys use some sort of Sock, bucket, weights etc... must be something to it, thats the most positive info I have heard about them, Gonna keep it in mind next time I get upgrade fever :D
BTW went back to Cohoon this past Saturday, only two dinks (tossed em), 15 bluegill 8-9 1/2 inches each, it was pretty slow after the rain, crappie had lock jaw (shrug)