Drift anchors

[Matt Fly]

Anyone ever use a drift anchor/sock?  Was curios to know how much wind is needed to use a drift anchor?

When using two, one up front and one off the stern cleat, Does the boat drift straight?  

Can you use the motor for a rudder to compensate  for steering?  or is the trolling motor easier?

Any problems that could arise?  

I am aware of lines coming from the boat if trying to land the big one.

Any expierence would be helpful.

[Ben]

I don't, because it's seldom I drift fish and I never troll.  When stripper fishing is really slow, we will sometimes go get some bluebacks and drift with those, but I just use the TM to control my speed.  If the wind gets real hard, I turn the boat into it, flip the TM on constant run at a slow speed and lock the direction so it controls how much the winds moves the boat.

The are a must on Pontoons if they are drift fishing, and especially if crappie fishing where lure speed is critical.

[Muddpuppy]

Boat and sock size will make alot of difference on how the wind will effect the speed and how many socks you will need.

What I did with mine was I ran a line down the along the side of the deck. Then I made a lead line that is about 15' or so and that gives me room to fish between the boat and the sock. Then I put a ski float on each end of the line with a snap. I can attach this to the sock and the other end of this line that I can slide up and down on the main line on the deck so that it will pull however I want it too. Letting me adjust my boat position to most conditions.  I think at first I had a loop with two clove hitches that I could hook the snap in once I had it in place it would slide on the rope. Later I used rings. I can adjust it any way I want very simply. If a situation should arise that I would need to unhook the the sock, it isn't a problem since I can unsnap the leadline and come back and find it since it has the floats attached. I also sewed some small floats to the top secton of the sock and the added a few weights to the bottom. It opens almost instantly now when thrown in the water.

[Matt Fly]

Muddpuppy,

There is some rip rap along a long bridge and the dam.  The wind usually is amplified along those areas.  I bought the drift anchors but havent used them yet.  I like your ideas,  One of my worries was fighting a fish with lines coming from the boat.  The floats are a great idea.  thanks.