Tried out a new drift sock this past week on my friends boat. He has a 17' Tracker walk-thru. I had a "large" size Cabelas drift sock (the more expensive, black model), which is rated for a 16' - 18' boat.

It was a bit breezy on the day we fished a local lake; maybe 10 - 15 mph winds at most. Sometimes less. We anchored the sock from the port & starboard bow cleats.

Could not see a difference with our drift speed with, or without the sock! Is there a trick to using these things? And yes, it was fully deployed with about a 12' length of line. We just kept blowing along with the wind, with no appreciable slowing down. Very disappointing performance from a rather expensive accessory.

If you're going to use a drift sock to drift, try using a second sock on the stern or one on the stern in conjunction with the TM like in this vid

I think you may need more sock than that for your boat. I fish out of a 16' aluminum tiller that is smaller/lighter than yours and I use that same drift sock ALONG WITH up to two other similar sized socks. The wind velocity will determine how many bags I run... and I do occasionally use all three together.

oe

Thanks for information guys. It just bothers me that these companies put out information and specification on devices which may not be true (i.e.: this size sock is intended to be used on a 16 - 18 foot boat).

If I'd have known that I'd need to buy two or more of these, I wouldn't have bothered with any of them! The video was very informative. Apparently, the sock is used to control direction, not drift speed. Not a good solution to my problem.

Wind socks do reduce speed... you just need a larger one or another one. Sorry it didn't work as you expected.

oe

I have a 20ft skeeter I use it all the time on lake st. clair. I can get my drift down to about 1.5 mph in heavy winds. I normally put two on in windy days but many times I use 1. when I use one I put it in the middle of the boat. If I use two I put one on the front cleat and the other on the back. Using a drift sock is the only way to fish Lk. St. Clair.

Jenga

I have a 20ft skeeter I use it all the time on lake st. clair. I can get my drift down to about 1.5 mph in heavy winds. I normally put two on in windy days but many times I use 1. when I use one I put it in the middle of the boat. If I use two I put one on the front cleat and the other on the back. Using a drift sock is the only way to fish Lk. St. Clair.

Jenga

Any idea why it's not working for me?

Not really, all I can tell you is that you should have atleast an 8ft extension and a big enough one for your boat. I have never used the cabelas one (I hate Cabelas). I have two both are made by Lindy. I have one med. size and the biggest one they make. Hope this helps.

Jenga

Were you in any significant surface current? That'll kill a drift sock. Otherwise, I tend to think you were using an undersized sock. I use a 24" and/or a 42" for my kayak and 12-14' rowboats.

can you close the flow-thru hole in the end of the sock? this will cause a bit more hold for you. might make a bit of difference.

I'm with Jenga...1 or 2 (usually 2) bags on StClair for my 1675 Lund. slows down the drag and/or allows you to "fish" a bait even in rougher conditions.

TJ

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The sock I have is the "Large" size pro model (black) - 38" I believe. Much larger than a 5 gal. bucket. I'm going to try to temporarily close the end and give it another whirl a time or two before I give up. But it seems to me, for the amount of money they cost, there's just too little R.O.I. for my liking.

I'll probably end up selling it on ebay or a local forum. I just can't imagine have two or more of these cumbersome devices in the way while casting and trying to maintain boat control. They might work for some experienced folks who are use to using them, but do not appear to be a value added accessory for my kind of fishing. Thanks again folks!

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The sock I have is the "Large" size pro model (black) - 38" I believe. Much larger than a 5 gal. bucket. I'm going to try to temporarily close the end and give it another whirl a time or two before I give up. But it seems to me, for the amount of money they cost, there's just too little R.O.I. for my liking.

I'll probably end up selling it on ebay or a local forum. I just can't imagine have two or more of these cumbersome devices in the way while casting and trying to maintain boat control. They might work for some experienced folks who are use to using them, but do not appear to be a value added accessory for my kind of fishing. Thanks again folks!

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