Drift Socks/Drift Speed

[StarBoard7]

Hello all,

Never have used drift socks before looking for some tips on doing so and Which brand makes the best ones for the money.

Mostly fish the western Basin of erie.

Do I need 1 or 2?

Also when drifting what is usually the desired speed?
Do I need to use my Gps to see my speed or is just a feel thing?

Thanks for any tips guys.

[djkimmel]

For speed, I always went by whether I was getting a lot of bites or not. Sometimes faster is better. I have a 21 foot Ranger Bass boat and usually needed 2. Probably could have used 3 sometimes.

I used to see some of the Erie specialists out there with 3. Gets fun when you hook a big smallie. I had one go through the sock one time. Good times! Unless you have a light 16 foot or smaller boat, I'd go with 2 fairly large socks.

More or less rope will also change your speed. Just tie a really good knot. I didn't one time during a BFL Super Tournament. Yellow sock last seen going down the shipping channel at a high rate of speed!

I found most of the socks worked well enough so I bought what was on sale or most reasonable. I sometimes had to get a better or longer rope. Softer rope was easier to pull in. Make sure you tie a knot to the bottom so it is easier to haul the sock in. Unless you like a really good workout.