DRIFT SOCK

[Seakindly]

Does anyone use a drift sock, when fishing in their v20?

If so:

1) What are you fishin for?

2) When do you use it (under what conditions - wind, wind with current, wind against current)?

3) What make and model do you have?

4) Where did you get it? (Cabelas would be a plus for me)

5) How much did/does it cost?

Thanks.

[chumbucket]

I got one from Cabelas a couple years ago. I mostly use it when Fluke fishing off of Martha's Vineyard. We get a pretty good tide running through Vineyard Sound. That coupled with the Southwesterly winds in the summer can cause a real fast drift over the Fluke grounds. I think it can make a difference some days. They're real easy to use too. I think I paid around $35-$36. I would recommend getting the one they have that's weighted on one side and has floatation on the other side. They open much easier so there's less fussing with it to get it to open up when you set it out.

[macojoe]

I had one but found it to be a pain in the a$$ !! Always got to be making sure that you bring it in before getting underway!!
I do some reel short drifts in the same area as CB is at and it just didn't work out the way I would have liked.
Now I do it the green horn way if I feel I have to do anything, I throw out a 5 gal bucket!!

[chumbucket]

MJ, did you use a "dump" line to haul it in with? It's a rope attached to the cone end of the sock so that when you pull on that rope, the whole thing collapses and hauls in very quickly. I never found it to be that much of a PIA to use.

[jay]

i have one .i use it while shark fishing.it helps the boat drift slower and keeps the lines running straight off the transom.

[Seakindly]

Good replies. :)
Keep em comin!

[macojoe]

It works good but I do some real short drifts sometimes and it can get to be a pain.
I bet when I go off shore cod fishing it would be great!! as out there i drift for miles some times.
Yes i used a dump line. I might try again some time?? But it would have to be for Cod Fluke or something like that. For a fish that runs I bet it would suck as they would be getting tangled toghter??

[Seakindly]

I hear size matters.

(not that I've ever had any complaints ;) )

[bluedog]

A friend on mine attaches a bouy to his and if a fight arises he just unties it and picks it up later.

[chumbucket]

Yeah, I wouldn't use one for Striper fishing, but for any sort of bottom fishing, they can be a plus.

Size matters? Maybe that's why when I told my wife she was going to get 9" tonight, she thought I meant 9" of snow. :o ;D ;D ;D

[macojoe]

I have a perfect 10 with a dimple on the end with a lovely bunch of Conuts!! ;D

http://home.comcast.net/~macojoe/wsb/media/137921/site1101.gif

[Seakindly]

uh-oh I think I opened pandoras' box :o

Seriously, what would be the right diameter for a v20's drift sock. I am thinkin in terms of fluke fishin.

[macojoe]

well I had a guy that had a 60" I belive?? for boats from 20 feet.
They also have a Sea Anchor type that bost that you can controll how fast you drift by being able to open and close the opening from the boat!!
thats about $75
Here is a site that sell both not that it is the cheapest site but that it show pic and tells details how to use. When you get there scroll down to see details

http://www.walleyesinc.com/walleyeinc3/onlinestoreh2.html#July%20%20winner

[chumbucket]

60"??????? That thing'll slow the QE2!!!!!!!
I have the Cabelas 22" and it works fine. A friend of mine has the weighted 29" model for a boat approximately the same size and weight.
The 29" will really slow the drift. But the weighted model opens just a bit easier than mine. I'm okay with the one I have, but if I were to do it over, I'd definately go with the weighted model. ;)

[Seakindly]

CB, WHY CA'NT YOU ADD YOUR OWN WEIGHTS?

MJ, I LIKE THE IDEA OF BEING ABLE TO ADJUST FOR THE DRIFT.

WHO ELSE????????

C'MON, DON'T HOLD BACK - GIVE IT UP!

[AirborneJarhead]

I actually used a 68" pilot parachute I liberated from my shop (legally of course!). I like drifting reeaaalllyyy slow and it does a great job. However, it is a pure SOB when it comes to stowing it wet. I am now entertaining a 29" weighted model at BassPro. Comes with it's own storage bag!
My drift conditions usually center on the current. When the wind is up, however, it works great in keeping the bow pointed towards the seas. :D

[chumbucket]

I suppose you could add your own weights on one side and some floatation on the other. Theirs is sewn in.

[Seakindly]

Thanks for the input. :)

I think I am going to order the Cabelas brand-- Advanced Angler Pro Series Drift Sock. 38" diameter for $62.99. No sales tax and free shipping for me. They say it is enuff for a 24-27 foot boat, but I don't believe them.
I like to fish when it is rough, and I don't think you can have one too big. Also, while these things are not true sea anchors for safety, this will have to do if need be.
It is only 13 dollars more than the 29" diameter which is supposed to be for a 20 - 22 foot boat. It has weights and floats and a dump strap. I hear you should add a good snap swivel to eliminate twisting, even with the weights and floats.

[jaysea]

BEFORE you buy it stop buy an sea how big my sea sock is .that 62'' is very big.for a v20

[Seakindly]

Jaysea, the sock I am gonna get is 38", not 62".
It costs $62.99 .

[jaysea]

yes that was a typo

[Jester]

Ebay!!!
Hey guys, these Drift Socks are just a form of Sea Anchor (something anyone who goes offshore should know about anyway). I find tons of these on Ebay (search for "sea anchor" or "drift anchor". A lot of people buy military suplus drogue parachutes (5'-6' diameter) and make their own. But I just got a couple Navy surplus sea anchors of various sizes (so I can experiment) for between $8-$12 each.

The company Para-anchor makes real bluewater Sea Anchors, but they also make a really cool product called Boat Brakes that are fully adustable while deployed. But they are pricey.

Good luck. Tight lines.

[Blue_Runner]

Where the heck are you gonna find a shoe to fit a 60" sock? Come on guys!?

Just this past weekend trying to surprise an early flounder, I threw out the anchor upside down in a little creek that had a whole bunch of current on the outgoing tide. It slowed us very nicely.

On a previous boat, I went with a trolling plate called a Hussle Trolling Plate. I have nothing but great things to say about it. I'm planning on taking it off my other boat and putting it on my V20 (as soon as I get my probs fixed).

The only bad thing to say about it is the eye bolts and springs are not made of stainless so they rust when used in the salt. The eye bolts are easily replaced with stainless, but I'm not sure about the springs. I've been meaning to email the guy about some stainless springs.

This plate is awesome. You leave it down at all times. Its held down by springs and comes up automatically when you give er a lil gas...no joke I HIGHLY recommend it!!

Last Easter we caught a dozen flounder using it in the creek in just a couple hours. It was my first time using it and I was SOLD!

Here's the link...all you slow trollers need to rush out and buy one! I love it for docking too!
http://www.johnsonmarinesupply.com/hussle_trolling_pl
ates.htm

[macojoe]

The link does not work??? Hurry and put the right one!! I want it! ;D

[macojoe]

I like this one as I have a hydrfoil and this looks great!!

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jhtml?id=0029930017515a&type=product&cmCat=pe rf&rid=0180101070502&xpid=k2776&cm_ven=Performics& cm_cat=Shopping%2Ecom&cm_ite=DDI%20Link&afsrc=1

[Blue_Runner]

Sorry guys, lets try this one instead. You'll see the link for the trolling plate:
http://www.johnsonmarinesupply.com

[Blue_Runner]

MJ, by the way, the boat I currently have the plate on has a hydrofoil on it as well. You just mount the plate on top of it. Its so sexy ;) Oh, wait, I forgot I was talking about the boat there for a minute :P

[mirage2521]

Now I do it the green horn way if I feel I have to do anything, I throw out a 5 gal bucket!!
Thats not the green horn way, thats a redneck drift sock...lol *If it's real bad you can use 2 buckets

[Vic]

There you go Mirage, tell'm how us Panama City boys do it. Gotta get the plastic handle buckets from the pool guys though. They work for carrying cast nets, extra seating, redneck porta potties, live wells on the swim platform with some crafty plumbing and boat clean up. Its an all around must for us rednecks.