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KarlBAndersen1
distinguished member(1324)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/24/2020 06:45AM  
If you do not have a drift sock - get one. It really is almost like throwing out an anchor.

Drift sock
 
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saltdog
distinguished member (191)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/24/2020 08:00AM  
We used ours earlier this month fishing for walleyes on Crooked Lake. It helped us stay on top of fish longer. We never leave home without it.
 
OMGitsKa
distinguished member (374)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/24/2020 09:10AM  
Yeah I need to get one. I used an anchor with my solo canoe and about tipped over when I had to get it up out of the muck!
 
zski
distinguished member (331)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/24/2020 01:57PM  
Agree. You can find lightweight packable drift socks for canoe.
 
Oldtown13
distinguished member (153)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/24/2020 05:09PM  
KarlBAndersen1: "If you do not have a drift sock - get one. It really is almost like throwing out an anchor.

Drift sock "

What size would you recommend for a canoe?
 
KarlBAndersen1
distinguished member(1324)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/24/2020 06:05PM  
We were using a 30". It worked so well I'm getting one for myself. Bass Pro.
 
H2OFanatic
member (20)member
  
06/27/2020 01:41AM  
One thing to remember, especially for new drift sockers is NEVER forget to attach a "trip line" to the narrow end of the sock. You do not want to ever try to retrieve the sock by pulling it in the same way it is deployed. Just as dangerous, if not more dangerous than trying to retrieve a stuck anchor in your canoe.
 
lundojam
distinguished member(2726)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/27/2020 07:08AM  
agree 100%. get one.
 
coloradomike
member (26)member
  
06/28/2020 10:22AM  
I have one made by Lindy, but it is a bit bulky and heavy. I am considering making one from an old tent. Has anyone ever seen pa pattern for sewing one?
 
mgraber
distinguished member(1486)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/28/2020 11:41AM  
Take a look at the MinnKota MKA-26. It is perfect for canoes. It is light (Mine is 9 oz) as it does not have the weights and floats of other models which are completely unnecessary with drift socks this size (22"), and is light weight material but built well. It packs the size of a Nalgene bottle and works great. It really slows you down to a crawl. Just be sure to fasten it to the end of the canoe, not in the middle. If you are casting along a bank, moving forward is best, so tie it on back. If vertical jigging, I find it best to move backwards, so tie it to the front. Sideways works great for larger boats and socks but really isn't the safest or most effective in a canoe imho. You WILL catch more fish, especially walleye.
 
GoWhenYouCan
member (27)member
  
07/03/2020 07:45AM  
We bring one on every trip. Was very helpful this year with all the wind we had.
 
CRL
senior member (85)senior membersenior member
  
07/03/2020 10:44AM  
How long is the line you typically use when deploying your drift sock?
 
GoWhenYouCan
member (27)member
  
07/03/2020 11:14AM  
We have it on a 10' rope but only put it out enough for it to fully deploy.
This saves on tangles in fishing lines and makes it easier and quicker to pull in.
 
07/06/2020 10:38AM  
Now I feel stupid, I’ve always retrieved the drift sock with the same rope I put it out. It makes total sense to retrieve it with a rope on the narrow end. Wow, a revelation. Thanks for that. That being said, our rule is never go canoe fishing without a driftsock.
 
07/06/2020 10:38AM  
Now I feel stupid, I’ve always retrieved the drift sock with the same rope I put it out. It makes total sense to retrieve it with a rope on the narrow end. Wow, a revelation. Thanks for that. That being said, our rule is never go canoe fishing without a driftsock.
 
07/06/2020 10:50AM  
Oh, and if you hook a drift sock on Ester Lake it was one of mine. Make sure it’s attached to the canoe when you hoist it overboard
 
GoWhenYouCan
member (27)member
  
07/06/2020 11:18AM  
As H2O mentioned earlier. It's much safer in a canoe to grab the "dump line" as opposed to pulling in the weight of the filled sock. A short line also makes this easier.
 
Bobaaa
member (40)member
  
07/08/2020 09:42AM  
coloradomike: "I have one made by Lindy, but it is a bit bulky and heavy. I am considering making one from an old tent. Has anyone ever seen pa pattern for sewing one?"


I don't have a pattern but can attest that a homemade drift sock can be lightweight, packs easy, and works very well. I sewed it out of an old rainfly and some plastic from an old piece of landscape edging to form the opening. It doesn't always get used but it always comes along on trips.
 
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