Drift Control

[Mr Ranger]

I am picking up my Ranger 617 in a couple of weeks and will need a new wind sock. I am looking at the Drift Control brand and am wondering if I want the Tournement series or the standard cone shaped one. It appears the Tournement allows me to adjust the opening. Any thoughts from the pros!

Thanks

[Dutchman]

The object of adjusting the waterflow thru the bag is for precision adjustments in drift speed with varying winds. Lighter winds you can open it up, allowing more water to flow thru, allowing less drag. Strong winds close it up for maximum drag, or what ever in between. Saves on having to by 2 different sized bags for different conditions...


" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "

[mnjimcarp]

check out the wave tamer by the Tamer Group. this is an excellent product available at cabelas, thorne brothers, etc...

[Mr Ranger]

Thanks, I am traveling from Wausau tomorrow and will be at Cabelas in MN and will check it out.

Winter is greatly over rated! Bring on the thaw!

[Bart Rosen]

I would recommend that you get the standard series DC 50 Model. I run a Ranger 620 and have use the DC 60 and it works great for almost any drifting situation. The floats on the top help to open it up real fast and easy. They do not spin like some others on the market. They are really easy to bring in, make sure you attach a retrievals rope. You will be very happy with your purchase.

[The Drake]

I would go with the Drift Control, It is a great sock and will fit your needs, as well as give you the best control.

[Walleye boy]

Check out www.walleyeinc.com on line store they have the best prices on the Drift Control Wind Socks

[Floater]

I run a boat similar to the boat that Bart mentioned and I also run the DC 50 model and it works great. I am able to drift and troll Floaters and rigs just how I want to, sloooowwww! Give them a try.

Thanks, Matt

[REW]

On the subject of drift -
With your Ranger - it would seem that your boat really shouldn't drift too fast under the most of conditions.

I have found over the last few years that - with a glass boat - with relatively low freeboard - there is seldom the need for a drift sock.

Folks say that I fish too fast and drift faster than they do.
I smile as I continue to net more fish.

I think that often, too many fisher folks make a major mistake in fishing TOO SLOW!!!

I think that many - and in fact - most times - it is many times more productive to cover more water - with a faster drift, and get the active fish. Rather than almost freezing on a spot and attempting to strain even the inactive fish from a particular spot.

I can't count the times where faster boats have outfished slower boats drifting by 2 or 3-1. On many lakes it just seems that the faster moves simply trigger many more strikes.

Remember - walleyes, northerns, and other predators - didn't grow up to be big boys by being "SLOW". They got there by being the "fast" kid on the block - so to speak, and were able to move in and snatch the unsupsecting bait.

Have you ever watched a Walleye, or Northern move in for the kill - when they want to - and the speed, at which they can inhale the bait?

I think that in "most" instances - it makes more productive sense to capatilize on this "killer" instinct, rather than dangling a bait in front of an inactive fish - hoping against hope that he will decide to pry open his mouth and suck in the bait.

p.s.
The wave tamer as suggested by previous posts is an excellent drift sock, and you won't go wrong with its selection.

Take care
REW

[Ted Takasaki]

I would agree with REW on his opinion regarding speed that covering water quickly can often trigger reactive strikes and that looking for aggressive fish will put more fish in your boat.

On the other hand, there are many times(when the waves greater than 2 feet or wind greater than 20 mph) when controlling your drift or aiding in your boat control that a drift sock is absolutely critical. Staying on top of aggressive fish is important as well.

I have tried many of the drift socks that have been mentioned and I have to say that the Drift Control drift sock is the best out there. It deploys very quickly (I just throw it out and it open) and it stores so conveniently (dries out fast and wraps up small) that it does everything that I need it to do.

In closing, I wanted to mention that I am not paid a penny from Drift Control to say this. I actually "caught" a Drift Control sock while fishing a couple of years back and have been sold ever since.