Does anyone used a drift sock to slow your drift while fishing? I have heard mixed reviews. It seems like it would be a pain in the ass but I'm curious to hear if anyone uses them.

I use them at home, but not in BW. That's just too much gear for my trips there IMO. Part of what I enjoy, is no depth finder, trolling motor, buoys, etc. It's fishing like I did when I was younger and most of this stuff didn't exist.

I tie a ropeto my collapsible bucket and it does double duty as a makeshift windsock

I just bought and tested a drift chute. After the trials, I decided to save the chute for "out of the car" use and not try to carry it around in the BW.

Good post sirbill! I carry a bucket like that and never thought to use it that way, I will in 25 days though!

I just weighed mine on a digital scale. It weighs 10 oz, and is approximately the size of a shoe. I've had it for a couple of years, and I won't go without it again.

They weigh next to nothing and can be quite handy if the wind is a blowing. Most sail makers use the left over scraps to make a variety of sizes and they can be bought quite cheap.

Just to state the obvious.... and to beat anyone else to it... My drift sock is "approximately the size of a shoe"... this is packed down for transport, not in use.

Fazzy, thanks for the post. Last year there were a couple of days where we could have used one. I believe we had a discussion about bringing one next year(this year), but had slipped my mind since then. I will add it to the list right now.

Have used one for years. Don't leave home without one.

I use a collapsible minnow catching net that I bought for under $15. It spans about 3 ft by 3 ft when opened and compacts tight when closed and rolled with its throw rope. I can catch my own live bait (if used in the right location), and it worked great for slowing down a drift.

I may go out and get one. What is the proper way to attached it to a canoe. I would hate to attach it to the thwart or seat and end up taking on water.

I just attach mine to the rear hand hold. Just make sure that there is not too much line out... just in case you get the big one on. I have never come close to taking on water; and I've use it in some gale-force winds with success. I found that it actually slows your drift more that a drift sock does...

brownbear:
Are you talking about a minnow trap like the one below ar an actual minnow net...

I'm not sure why, but I know it is now unlawful to use throw nets to harvest minnows
in Minnesota. I think it is new this year.