Using a drift sock so slow down trolling speed???

[gspman]

I have a Crestliner Fishhawk 1750 with a Yamaha F115 hanging of the back of it. Currently I can troll down to about 2.8 mph on the gps. I'd like to be able to troll in the 1-2.5mph range as well. A T8 is currently not in the cards (maybe someday) so I'm exploring my options. The first and only real option that comes to mind is trying a drift sock to reduce my speed while trolling. There seems to be 2 techniques, one is to hang a sock off the bow eye, and the other is to hang 2 small socks off the tiedown eyes on the transom. Does anyone have direct experience doing either of these techniques. Which do you think is better and why? What size sock do you think will get me down to 1 mph? Also any brand recommendations? I guess another option might be to turn down the idle on my 115 but I don't think that'll get me to 1 mph. Thoughts? Thanks.

gspman

[CFRay]

gpsman, I have almost the same set up as you (Lund 17'w/115 Yamaha)and had the same problem. The 115 does not go slow enough much to my dismay. Last spring I got a chance to talk with John Candle of the PWT. He showed me a twin drift bag set up that hangs under the boat from the mid ship cleats. You can see pictures of this at Wave Tamer site and then look below Al's picture for Twin Trolling System.

I use two 30" bags. Works for me. Much less costly than a kicker. Slows me down to 1.0mph -1.5mph, I've not checked with a GPS, just my guess. I'm trolling forward and this set up limits the amount the wind can push me around also.

Good Luck!

[MLaker2]

I have a Lund 1800 Pro V w/ 150 Yam 4 stroke, have been using a single trolling sock centered under the boat using the front cleats. They are kind of picky about product endorsement here but have used Amish outfitters which are designed for trolling and are heavier than regular drift socks. If they edit out the manufacturer you can e-mail me at [email protected].

[rodbuilder]

pro-v tiller with a 60 hp on it.....i throw a sock out the front to slow down my back trolling....gotta use the 60 if the wind is blowing too hard for the electric...works very well and the sock also keeps the boat straight when the wind is blowing at ur side. best few $$$'s I ever spent!

[CAJ]

I use a 42 inch sock on my 17.5 Lund also. I have it ready all the time. I use it on the front most of the time. I like back trolling when it is windy. Some times I have to kick the idle speed up a little it you pinch the drawstring down to much. I put it off the side to do Lindys and drift. Wouldn't be without it, even if I have a trolling motor. If I have more than 2 people fishing, I backtroll. CAJ

[gspman]

Thanks gentlemen, this is exactly what I was looking for.

gspman