Chain draggers .......!

[pstone]

I have been dragging a chain for several years, and have NEVER even had it hung up, much less destroyed someones habitat. If a method of slowing a boat down is "wrong" just because a board member doesn't like it, I have a problem with that...

When you destroy fish habitat it is wrong. If you did not know that, then you are excused. Now that you know, then you should change your ways. Are we not all out there to injoy this great sport of Crappie fishing? Do what is right for the crappie so we all will have good fishing in the future. Some worry only about today, not tomorrow. Catch all you can today, don't worry about what happens to the fish tomorrow.

[Tree Top]

Why would you want to drag something along the bottom that is going to rip up the lake bed when you could use a sock?

[CrappieHound]

I used a chain for the first time yesterday while at the river and drug it through a stump field. The wind was blowing so badly that we had to throw the anchor out as well to get the boat to hold. We would move with the trolling motor about 5ft. and stop.

To answer your question a drift sock will slow the boat down but it will not stop it.

I have no idea what the enviornmental impact to the riverbed is due to dragging a chain and probably none of you do as well. May be a good thesis for a biology doctorate.

There are probably some instances when a chain is okay. What Tom is referring to, I believe, is knuckleheads that know there is a pile there and then they get on the upwind side of it and roll right through dragging a chain. If you know the pile is there then the smart thing would be to fish it from the down wind side. Pull up to it catch a fish and drift off. Pull back up and catch a fish so on and so on.

Some people don't care, some people don't know any better.

The Hound

[whackmaster]

I don't think I have ever seen anyone use chain and very few socks either, I think the chains may play heck with a pile or stake bed. Around here, our lakes are smaller and we just tuck in behind a hill in a cove. wouldn't a chain be messy in the boat?

Crappie10,
You'd be surprised how many folks do it !!! Done alot on reelfoot for sure....not something that you'd notice if you weren't looking for it.....

[Countryboy N.C.]

I have been dragging a chain for several years, and have NEVER even had it hung up, much less destroyed someones habitat. If a method of slowing a boat down is "wrong" just because a board member doesn't like it, I have a problem with that...

It is wrong if it destroys habitat,Nothing to do with a board member. Like I said some will not like what they find out.
I can not belive that some poeple think that the chain is not hurting anything.

[Bream Reaper]

I think it is ridiculous to be upset at someone for pulling a chain through the mud or an occasional brush pile. If you are so conscientous of the environment then make sure you pull your boat to the lake with you bicycle and make sure to take that nice motor to the metal recycler and paddle around the lake.

[mduncan62]

There could be a chain dragger website where they are complaining about the guys putting out brush.

Why not just mention it to the DNR or whomever manages the lake(s) you are talking about. They should all have a biologist and he could tell you what the effects are if any. If was a problem, you'd think they'd ban it.

They've certainly outlawed other things that are detrimental to the lakes and rivers. Dynamite, Shocking the fish, etc.

[CrappieLuck]

I've thought about using chains but never have. You make a very good point about the habitat. But i do know when trolling with the winds, like i did today in 15 mph winds, if you turn your trolling motor all the way around toward the boat, you can play with your speed control and steering and it works just like a brake. I trolled for 1/2 mile today at .7 mph straight as an arrow with a 15 mph tail wind. Takes a little practice but it works.

Hey Look Ma, No Chains, Buckets Or Drift Socks!

[pstone]

First I'd like to say none of this is personal to any one member (CP), some people do stuff different. I understand the gripe, and might feel the same if I were in the other spot, but what those people did, and what I do are 2 totally different things IMO...

Luckily for me, I don't guess it is wrong for me to drag chains since I have never messed up anyones brush pile, or crappie habitat.... It doesn't bother the fish either, cause I have made circles on one spot all day and caught fish each pass. If someone can prove to me it is detrimental to the fish, I'll be glad to stop using one, but untill then, for trolling stumps with a 15 MPH wind, that rope out the back will have a chain on it. Almost impossible to do so with a sock, fishing by yourself....

I do have one question though, if someone turned a stakebed over, or if someone got a sock hung on a brushpile, would they be wrong, or is that just an accident?

It is wrong if it destroys habitat,Nothing to do with a board member. Like I said some will not like what they find out.
I can not belive that some poeple think that the chain is not hurting anything.

[Minnerman]

Why would you want to drag something along the bottom that is going to rip up the lake bed when you could use a sock?

Why would I want to use something that dont do what I want it to do. I mite consider the bucket..............with bout 30lbs of concrete in it. That might stop a boat in these winds we've been having this spring. (Ya'll ought to be happy I aint dragging my pair of 20lb anchors around. Imagine what I could move or drag up with them puppies) Plus if ya'll wanna talk about messing the habitat up....... The fish are on the bank now down here. Why erode and muddy up their spawning grounds by running your big motor wide open and causing a wake? There are several ways we ALL could help out. :D

Oh yea Cane Pole, I resent the statement that "Chain Draggers******".