Using Sea Anchor or drift sock

[lorentec]

Just got a starcraft 19ft boat and thinking about using it to troll for trout and salmon. I think the slowest the motor(4.3L merc)will go is about 3 mph. Has anyone used any drift socks or sea anchors to slow thier trolloing down? How much slower could I expect .      .5-1.5 mph???  Thanks!!!!

[Barleydog]

Lorentec,  I use a collapesable drift sock that was designed by a boat top manufacturer in Oregon.  It's a unique design that can be copied by any boat upholstery shop around your area.  These socks work great and store even easier.  They will slow your rig down about a mph for each sock.  I usually use them for open ocean drifting for large bottom fish like halibut, but have used them on my buddy's boat trolling for lakers. 
Just curious, are you trolling with your main engine with such a large boat?  Do you have a kicker motor at your disposal? or a bracket for an additional motor?  19 ft. is a big enough rig to use an optional trolling/"kicker" motor on, if you have the $$$.

[eyedoktr]

If you plan to troll, I would strongly suggest buying a trolling bag vs. a drift sock(drift anchor). The trolling bags are made of a higher quality material and will better withstand the pull. While trolling there is a high stress on all seams and where the straps are sewn on to the bag. I have seen drift socks pull apart while being used for trolling.

You could always just pull a couple of 5 gallon pails alongside the boat. They actually work very well.

[slipbob]

You could always just pull a couple of 5 gallon pails alongside the boat. They actually work very well.

The 5 gallon pail boat drag method has produced many times and is pretty economical too.      When I was a kid we used them on Lake Ontario to slow down the boat while trolling lakers and they also doubled as an on boat pee bucket too. 

[Fisher50]

I troll with a drift sock, with pretty good results.  90 Horse Evinrude on a 17 1/2 ft Sylvan.  I hook the sock on the bow eye.  It deploys under the bow of the boat.  It stays out of the way up there.   Has little effect on boat handling.  Slows me down to a nice Walleye troll.  I often troll to a spot, then drift.  I never have to move the bag.  It's working on the drift, as soon as I cut the motor. 

[baginwal]

I troll with a drift sock, with pretty good results.  90 Horse Evinrude on a 17 1/2 ft Sylvan.  I hook the sock on the bow eye.  It deploys under the bow of the boat.  It stays out of the way up there.   Has little effect on boat handling.  Slows me down to a nice Walleye troll.  I often troll to a spot, then drift.  I never have to move the bag.  It's working on the drift, as soon as I cut the motor. 

Fisher50,
Great idea!  I am going to try this on my 18ft Center Console this year. 

[troutman]

Drift socks are ok, but you are going to need two of them, One on each side of boat. A kicker motor is better, or use an electric motor on the front of boat. The cheapest way to get down, use two 5-gallon pails, one on each side. Drill a small hole in the center of pail to control the water flow. The smaller the hole the slower you will go.

[Fisher50]

Troutman, try one bag, tied to the bow eye.  The same eye you hook the trailer winch strap to.  It works.  Bag will deploy under the bow of the boat.   Will have very little effect on steering.   If it's windy, it's best to go either into or with the wind.  Try it. 

[troutman]

I tried a wave tamer bag hooked to the bow eye. Had no luck with it. It slowed the boat down nicely; the boat would drift off to one side. I’m trolling with a kicker motor set up with the panther electro steer going with the wind 18’ Lund.

[Fisher50]

Ray, I'm wondering why you pulled to one side.  Were you in a current, a river perhaps?  I'm on a lake, with no current.  If the wind is blowing, it is harder to control direction.  Sounds like you have a great set-up.  I had a problem with spending the extra money for the kicker (wife).   

[troutman]

I’m fishing a lake. I love the panther set up. I also have the throttle control too. With the panther I’m not clued to the steering wheel. Panther comes with a remote I can steer the kicker any ware in the boat, for 3 hundred dollars you cant beat.

http://www.troll-masterpro.com/
http://www.iboats.com/products/16/38592_panther_model_100_electro_steer.html