Hooked 0403_Hooked 0403- - Hooked Magazine

“Sock-It” to
the Fish!
BY JUSTIN HOFFMAN
Weather conditions
are a fact of life
for those that
choose to wet a
line. From pounding
rain to saunalike
heat – and everything in
between – we stoically stare down
Mother Nature when there are fish
waiting to be caught. But give us wind
and we curse its existence—all while
blowing mercilessly amongst the waves
with each gust it rains down on us.
But there is hope. The light at the end
of the wind tunnel is an essential and
functional angling tool called the drift
sock—a wind and wave tamer that too
few anglers use, but a “day saver” item
that should be stock on each and every
boat that plies the water.
What To Buy?
When purchasing a drift sock, the rule of
thumb is to buy one to match the length
of boat you run. This will give you a ballpark
size to begin your search with,
which can then be fine-tuned to the perfect
fit dependent on what severity of
wind conditions you routinely face.
Many drifting applications call for the
use of two socks, so choose one sock
that matches your boat specifications
and another the next size up. This will
cover a variety of bases while allowing
you to experiment and see which methods
work best.
Tricks of the Trade
Drifting Flats—Working expansive flats
when the wind is howling can make for a
tough day of fishing, especially if pitching
jigs to walleye or tossing spoons to northern
pike. In order to slow down your
approach, while keeping a controlled drift,
you will want to utilize two drift socks on
the windward side of the boat. Attach a
larger sock to a cleat just below the bow
and a smaller sock at the rear on either
the port or starboard side—depending on
which direction the wind is blowing.
Deploying the drift socks in this configuration
will alleviate any issues with
TECHNOLOGY LOCATION TECHNIQUE SCIENCE
uneven boat drifting, and with the outboard
motor also creating drag, will allow
you to slowly pick apart a flat and fish it
effectively and thoroughly. Any minor
positioning changes can be achieved with
the bow mount motor, or with the transom
electric, kicker or big engine.
DRIFT SOCK CHART
Boat Length 14' 16'-18' 20'+
Wind Conditions
Light/Breezy 18" – 24" 25" – 30" 36" – 42"
Moderate 25" – 30" 36" – 42" 48" – 50"
Heavy/Strong 36" – 42" 48" – 50" 54" – 60"
Windblown Shorelines—Nothing rings
the dinner bell more loudly to a predatory
fish than a windblown shoreline does.
This is exceptionally true with walleye,
smallmouth bass, and muskie. Trying to
fan cast effectively, without being pushed
up on shore, can often be an exercise in
frustration – especially when the winds
are gusting strongly. To combat this problem,
a drift sock should be attached to
the rear corner of the windblown side.
With this configuration, your boat will
remain parallel to the shoreline, and the
bow mount trolling motor will be used to
inch your way along the drift and periodically
nose the bow out and away from
the shore.
Backtrolling Precision—Fishing breaklines
or working humps requires controlled
rigging. This is best achieved by
INSIDER TIPS
GEAR
backtrolling your offering directly and
slowly in front of the fish. When winds
are high and waves rough, however, the
ability to keep the bow from swinging
and overcompensating motor movements
is often a reality. To combat this
occurrence, tie a drift sock directly off
the bow of the boat and backtroll with
the wind. This will help you regain total
control of your spinner rig or crank –
and hopefully the walleye bite. If speed
becomes an issue, choose a larger drift
sock or shift your motor in and out of
neutral when needed.
Tying One On
An integral part of the drift sock system
is the tow rope and dump line. As the
name suggests, the tow rope is attached
to the main harness of the sock. Tying off
to a cleat on the boat is then done with
the loose end. By using a length of rope
(two to eight-feet) variances can be made
for certain applications, and the drift sock
itself can always be kept out and away
from the boat.
Pulling a drift sock back into the boat
when fully inflated and submerged can be
a tough deal—and an exercise in brute
strength. A dump line makes life easier.
Attached to the tail end of the sock (and
the boat cleat or tow rope), a tug on this
retrieval line will swing the smallest end
forward, collapsing the sock and allowing
it to be pulled easily and effortlessly on
board. A key rule to keep in mind is to
ensure that your dump line is longer than
the overall length of the tow rope and
drift sock. ■
Summer 2011 | HOOKED | 35