Dual drift sock size recommendation for 16.5 ft v-hull to slow trolling speed…

Took my new (used) 16.5 v-hull with 60HP Mercury out the other day and my trolling speed is a little too fast at 2.5 mph. I fish for lake trout, walleye and kokanee. I’d like to get that speed down to about 1-2 mph. Can’t use a trolling plate because of a mounted doel fin. I have a Minn Kota that I can sometimes use but if I drain the battery I’m back to my 60. My plan is to run 2 drift socks off a rope that runs under the bow and connects to the 2 forward cleats. I plan to eventually buy Amish outfitters socks but because I can’t get them in time because of an upcoming trip. I plan to just buy a couple of Lindy Fisherman Series Drift socks for now. Question is what size would work best….I’m considering either 18″ or 24″. Anyone got any idea which size would be my best option? Thanks folks…

Call 1-800-473-1748 and speak to Frank Kittrick.
if you want the Amish outfitters socks. he will do what he can to get them to ya.

do not know how soon you need them but worth a try.

here is other option: Cabala’s Advanced Anglers™ Drift Sock
they are on sale right now — I have these and they are nice for the money —- have weights and a float built in them —- I also have had the Amish outfitters sock. they are built heavier, but mine did not have the weights and a float built in them, had the Beefy Bags (Sea Anchors) 48″ and they are a hundred bucks each. But they are built. You could tow a boat with them!
I would try two of the 46″er from here for $43 each. If you are putting them on the front cleats you want bigger not smaller in my opinion.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Advanced-Anglers-trade-Drift-Sock/700074.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Ddrift%2Bsocks

If you are buying a couple just get one of each. Would assume to drop just a mile and half one biggie may do, but good to have each for different conditions.

nhamm wrote:

If you are buying a couple just get one of each. Would assume to drop just a mile and half one biggie may do, but good to have each for different conditions.

I think he is wanting to forward troll with bags on front cleats.
So if different size, boat will pull to one side.

Yes, I was going to use them for forward trolling, didn’t want the sock or socks off the stern so using 2 off the bow to keep the drag even. I plan on going with Amish Outfitters buggy bags but cutting it too close to when I leave so just going to pick up a couple locally to get by this week and can always use one or two of them for side drifting later on. I welcome any others experience or comments as well. Thanks folks…

I was thinking just one bag would do the trick on his rig for what speed was desirable.

2 seems like it would drop it to a snail pace.

If you are putting them on the front cleats you want bigger not smaller in my opinion.

reason I said this is when I do it, the bags go up against the boat. It reduces the size of the bags to about half. You can use buckets, but they rub on the boat.
Hope this gives you a idea of what happens.

That’s one of the things I was wondering about not having done it before. I first thought 38″ was pretty big as I have one of those (Cabelas) new in a package in the boat. Opened it up and thought that was pretty big and that 2 might be too much but what you say about it being against the boat and closing up helps me understand why you suggested the 38’s. There is a Cabelas about 45 minutes from here so I could pick up another one and try those…This is kind of what I was thinking about. The picture shown is using 30″ers. Your reason for not using buckets is exactly why I didn’t want to use them in this particular setup.

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I’ve used just one drift sock on my 24′ boat to slow me down for Salmon Trolling. It runs right down the starboard side of my boat, about mid boat. Sure it pulls a little to that side, but really not all that noticeable. You might just give it a try with 1. One less item to get hung up.? Just a thought.

What size sock do you use on your 24′?

It’s over 40″. Might be 48″? Not sure, exactly, and the boat is not here or I’d go measure it. I was thinking of adding a second sock to balance things out, but haven’t done it yet, and things actually work pretty well with just the one.

Thanks John…just was wondering roughly what size you used.

I did the exact thing you’re going to do for several years and two 30″ socks worked perfectly.

What size boat and motor did you use that on? Do you remember what type of sock you used?

17 foot Crestliner and Cabela’s drift socks, but brand is unimportant. Any 30 inch socks would work.

Thought I had a good pair of 30″ Cabelas lined up, so after an hours ride they didn’t have the Advanced Angler but the slightly more expensive Advanced Angler pro. Only problem with them is they had these metal zipper pouches attached and didn’t want them rubbing back and forth on the boat. Ended up ordering a pair of Lindy Fisherman series 30″ers with delivery Wednesday. If they don’t work I can use one or both of them for their intended side drifting. I do have one Cabelas 38″ and if the 30’s aren’t enough I can buy another 38 when they get back in stock and try that or just have two sets depending on what I need. I’ll give them a try in a week and report back with numbers. Anyway, thanks for all the advice folks, I really appreciate it….

just use 2 3 1/2 gallon buckets, remove handles, make your rope connection, tie of on a cleat they work great, cheap, serve double purpose as a pee bucket or storage when not used, just remember to bring in before you take off. If you want pictures let me know, I’ll post tomorrow.

Sometimes simpler is better. For the cost it may just be worth a try. Sure wouldn’t have to worry about the length, deployment would be easy enough and I guess I could add a length of rope to the back of the bucket for retrieval. Thank you all for the input….One of those methods will work, I’ll just try ’em both and see what I like best. Either way I’ll get back after I try.

I absolutely hated drift socks when I had my crestliner. I had horrible control over the boat. It felt like the bow was drifting all over the place and turns were slow and just sucked.

I used my trolling motor to slow down my main motor and it worked great.

At 2.5 you might be able simply drop the trolling motor and turn it sideways. If that’s not enough you can turn it backwards and turn it on. You can’t easily hold +- 0.1 mph that way.

Try it before buying anything.

I have a 17.5 Alumacraft Trophy with a 115 hp, I run 2.5mph at idle and added a cabelas med bag off the starboard front cleat and get down to 1.5mph and my boat does not pull. I troll all day long with no problems. 2 bags just makes me think to much work, in and out.

I don’t mean to hijack your post, but does anyone have any experience running two bags under the boat on a tri-hull? It’s 18′ with a 115 outboard.
I tried a bucket behind the boat on a ski bridle, it got me down from about 2.9 mph to 1.9. Pretty good but I’d like to up the rpms a little to prevent fouling (this is an old 2 stroke). Maybe I’ll try a second bucket, running the line through the hole in the forward bucket.

Thanks,

TC

Sounds like a perfect hull to run 2 socks off the bow right down each channel. If your boat is older and scuffed up you could probably try the buckets down each channel. Think you’ll just have to try like I’m going to…..

shefland wrote:

just use 2 3 1/2 gallon buckets, remove handles, make your rope connection, tie of on a cleat they work great, cheap, serve double purpose as a pee bucket or storage when not used, just remember to bring in before you take off. If you want pictures let me know, I’ll post tomorrow.

Can you please post a picture of the rope connection?

just wanted to report back after trying (2) 30″ Lindy drift socks tied off my front bow cleats. They opened fine. I didn’t add any rope, just put metal connectors on the ends of the strapping and dropped them in. They appeared to hold up just fine. Fished with them for 3 good days. They worked perfectly….Slowed my speed down to the 1-1.5 mph range. I didn’t feel steering was impacted at all. Thanks for the advice folks…..