how to use a drift sock for trolling
What is a Drift Sock?Simply speaking, a drift sock is like a parachute, or a large funnel-like product but for the water.Reading: how to use a drift sock for trollingMore often than not a drift sock will be made up of a nylon cloth material, but the cheaper versions can be made of a cheap tarp-like material. It can also be easily folded up and stored when not in use.The better drift socks usually come in a kit. The kit usually comes with 1-2 marine-grade ropes, a buoy and the actual drift sock itself.What does a drift sock do?A drift sock can be used in a variety of ways.The most common way drift sock is used is to slow down a boat’s drift. A drift sock can be attached to either of the sides of the boat (port), the front of the boat (stern), or the rear of the boat (aft).In addition, the drift sock can also be used to hold the boat position when it is anchored.Who uses a drift sock?Fishermen are the most common people who use a drift sock. Anyone who fishes out of a boat, canoe, kayak, stand up paddle board, or any other type of floating vessel should have a drift sock ready to use.Other recreational boaters also like to have 1-2 drift socks handy, just in case their motor goes out on them the drift sock will help slow their drift. This could be instrumental to allow rescuers to find that boat quickly and easily.I’ve sat down with other owners of drift socks. They go on to say one of the drift socks best features is to slow their boat drift into a rocky shore just in case they can’t get their motor started.Drift Sock Anatomy 101 | What Makes A Good Drift Sock Kit?In order to use your drift sock system you should have these three important pieces:
The Harness LineThe harness line should be a long 100% UV resistant marine grade polypropylene rope. Marine grade cordage rope is known to resist drying out, fraying, and frankly it can last you nearly a lifetime.Harness lines should be at least an ½-inch thich and should range between 10- and 16-feet in length to give you optimal control.The premium harness lines come with stainless steel quick release clips on both ends. This will make it so much easier when you attach and remove both the harness from your boat.You will notice the better harness lines should have a highly visible buoy. The buoys will range in size from 4-8-inches in length.The harness line with buoy serves four functions: 
WARNING: Do NOT use an ordinary rope to attach your drift sock to your boat. You might be inclined to, but this could have terrible consequences.
The drift sock has several parts that give its unique characteristics.Let’s start from wide-end to the narrow-end:(1) The Harness Strap – These straps attach to the Bucket and to the harness line. The harness strap needs to be made of a durable nylon material strapping.(2) The Bucket – Is the opening where the water will get pushed to. Quality of the bucket material can vary. I recommend a drift sock that is made from heavy duty, construction grade rip-stop nylon material.(3)The Point – The narrow end of the drift sock.(4) The Collapsing Strap – This is strap where your collapsing cord will tie on to.(5) Collapsing Cord – Should be a 15- 20 foot Marine-Grade/ UV resistant 1/2-inch cord.The Collapsing CordThe collapsing cord is often overlooked as an integral piece to your drift sock kit.Like the harness line, the collapsing cord should also be made out of UV resistant marine grade polypropylene rope.The collapsing cord will save your back – literally!Read more: What Colors Make Magenta? What Two Colors Make MagentaWhen you are done using your drift sock, you do not pull in the harness line. If you do this you could injury your back since you are pulling against the water that has filled the drift sock.Pulling on the harness line could also place unneeded stress on the harness straps and could cause tearing over time.Before deploying your drift sock system simply tie one end of the collapsing strap to your boat and the other end to the drift sock collapsing strap.The best practice is to pull in your drift sock after use is pulling in the collapsing cord. The collapsing cord quickly and easily collapses the inflated drift sock.
Getting Started With Your Drift Sock…
Contents
Step 1) – Start by choosing a cleat with a hole big enough for the harness line to clip or tie down on to.It’s easier if you’re using a kayak with an anchor trolley you can rapidly adjust the location of the drift sock.The easiest and most common location to attach the drift sock harness is the aft of your boat.Later in this post I’ll go over additional locations where you can attach your drift sock.Step 2) – Clip the other end of the harness line to the drift sock harness straps.Step 3) – Tie off one end of the collapsing cord to your boat or the harness line carabiner clip.Step 4) – Then tie down the other end of the collapsing cord to the collapsing strap located on the narrow end of the drift sock.Step 5) – Place the sock in the water and allow it to expand slowly/open up and fill with water.Step 6) – You can let out as much or as little amount of the harness line that you want. Make sure the buoy is closer to the drift sock. Furthermore, I recommend positioning the sock out approximately 6-10 feet at first.Helpful Tip: If the weather is giving you choppy water conditions, try to let out as much rope as you can for better control.Allow your Drift Master Drift Sock to slowly drift or slow troll.When you’re ready to move spots, simply pull in the collapsing cord to “collapse and dump” the water out of the sock.
How do you use drift socks for trolling or drift fishing?
The preferred way to use your drift sock for trolling is to first find the fish or landmark on the map you want to target.Then continue past the spot heading into the wind.Drop all lures or bait into the water that you want to use.Deploy your drift sock and let it slow the boat down. This will allow for your lures to remain in the strike zone longer, giving your more opportunity to catch a fish.
How far out do you have to motor past before starting to drift over the target area?
It depends on a number of factors such as wind or current speed, the size of your boat, and what type of lure you are using.If the wind speed is really blowing, you want to position your boat farther back. It will take a least a minute or two to deploy the drift sock and for it to inflate and slow down the boat.In windy conditions, it can really push you over the target spot faster than you think. So you’ll have to time it through trial and error.Helpful Tip: Whatever distance you think you need to start your drift at, triple it.Larger vessels also can take longer to slow down. Many anglers like the option of using multiple drift socks to allow them the flexibility to drift at different speeds.Using different styles of lures also plays a factor of how far past your target you need to go before you start to drift back.For instance, if you are trolling jig heads with soft plastic grub trailers that lure sinks fast. You can easily drop the lure down to the desired depth, either using a line counter you just count the lure down in your head. Then start your drift over the target area.However, you need a different approach if you’re trolling crankbaits or jerkbaits. Hard plastic baits that have diving bills will often need extra distance to dive down to get to the desired diving depth.With this in mind it’s best to give yourself at least 3-times the normal distance.
How To Use A Drift Sock On A Boat Or Kayak
As I alluded to earlier there are multiple ways to use a drift sock. Here are some of the best ways to use a drift sock for your boat or kayak.Forward StrollOne of the easiest setups that we recommend to start is the slow troll (ie; Stroll). This will slow your boat down when moving forward. Remember, the wind has to be at your back.All you have to do is attach your drift sock system to the stern of your boat.If you have a trolling motor in the front you can steer the bow left or right.Sideways DriftStart by turning your boat perpendicular to the wind.Read more: How to use haven 3 in 1 ems body slimming machineUsing two drift socks is preferred. One will attach near the bow and the other at the stern.For bow use, the smaller 33-inch drift sock is recommended.Likewise, for the stern, you can either use a 30-inch drift sock (for a smaller boat) or a larger 50+ inch drift sock for larger/heavier boats.Helpful Tip: Use your trolling motor to adjust your position the sideways drifting too! It will aid you and push you forward or backward in any direction you need to be at.As a word of caution, it is not recommended to drift sideways in very windy or heavy choppy conditions. It could possibly rip the cleat off the boat or even capsize your boat!If you find yourself repositioning the cleats on your boat, the cleat should be located a few inches behind your trolling motor. That way it does not get in the way when you’re raising it or deploying the motor.The right cleat should be at the equidistance from the bow.Choppy Conditions = Long LineYour drift sock performs the best when the line is parallel to the water.When facing choppy conditions let out more line from your harness line. Your Drift Master Drift Sock should be approximately 10-20 feet from the boat in large chop conditions.
Wind Blown Banks
We all know that wind-blown banks can produce a TON of fish. However, fishing a windblown bank can be incredibly hard and possibly dangerous if you don’t have the right equipment.That’s why some anglers will put use a drift sock on one of the corners of the stern of the boat. If you notice that the wind is still too strong attach a second Drift Master Drift Sock.Depending on the wind, start with the 33-inch size, then if you notice the wind is still too strong, then use two drift socks.Keeping your drift sock located on the rear corner of the boat so it allows your electronics to perform optimally by staying out of the way!
Rivers & Current
Drift socks also work amazingly when fishing in a river or a current.In addition, there are a few ways to use a drift sock in a river or in a tidal current.You can “pin” your position. This involves anchoring upstream and using the drift sock to lock in your location.You can also use a drift sock to slow down your drift to fish a spot that you would normally cruise by.Want to be the best fisherman? I wrote an in-depth report that shows you a weird trick to use a drift sock in current… in less time than it would take to drink a cup of coffee.Read more: A shocking drift sock fishing trick has vloggers annoyed. Try this weird solution and catch more fish.
What Is The Best Drift Sock?
It’s a difficult question to answer because of the variables that need to be considered. The most important factors you must consider are: what type of vessel do you own? A boat, pontoon, kayak, or canoe? What length and size is the craft you’re fishing from?Unfortunately, I do not have enough room to discuss that in this post…But you’re in luck! I wrote two separate reports that cover that exact topic.If you fish from a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and want a drift sock, I wrote a complete report on all the best drift socks for these products.Read more: Best Drift Sock For Kayaks or Canoes (Our Top Picks)Likewise, if you fish from a boat, then you must read my detailed report of all the best drift sock for any size boat you own.Read more: Best Drift Sock For Any Size Boat (Our Top Picks)
Drift Sock Sizing
Drift Socks are available in a variety of sizes.When you’re faced with different options you need to know what size drift sock you need to deploy that is why we made this basic sizing chart: Boat SizeLight – Moderate Wind or CurrentStrong Wind or Current14 feet or less (small jon or v-hull boats, canoes, kayaks, SUP33-inch drift sock33-inch drift sock15 – 21 feet (standard fishing boat or small pontoon boats)33-inch drift sock50+ inch drift sock22+ feet (large fishing boats or pontoon boats)One 50+ inch sock, or two 33-inch drift socksTwo 50+ inch drift socksBut it doesn’t stop there…If you’re a boat owner and you want to be given the perfect size drift sock for your make and model boat, well you’re in luck. Click here, where you can find your boat and be given the perfect drift sock size recommendation.Read more: Drift Sock Size Chart For BoatsIf you already have a kayak and you want to find the exact drift sock size that best fits your kayak then you need to click here.Read more: Drift Sock Size Chart For KayaksRead more: How to center an anchor point in after effects
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