Thread: chains

I've done it, didn't care for the result but it works. Two 5' lengths of 3/8" chain on 50' rope will work.

I agree with Feelay. And keep in mind, the more rope you pay out the more effective they are. If the chain is just 10 feet behind the boat you won't get much effect...as it moves further behind you it gets more effective at slowing you. I have a light boat and I was shocked at how good a pair of chains were at slowing me down on windy days.

I use one I found on the side of the road probably 15 feet or so heavy chain on 40 feet of rope. Works great. Adjust the length of chain dragging to allow movement speed. Can make it almost impossible to move with all the chain out.

I wouldn't think of them as an "instead of" solution but more of an addition to your arsenal. Socks have their place and chains have their place. Socks are terrible in stumps and stick ups and chains are worthless on smooth, hard (rock) bottoms and/or extremely deep water unless you have a whole lot of rope and strong arms.

I agree with yikessl There is a lot of adjusting that goes on with chains unless you have a big enough trolling motor and make it pull them. Many days a drift sock is ideal to obtain the speed you are trying to maintain. Just be sure to get one that is big enough for your boat. I have used both at the same time but those were days I really should have gone in.

Stan (Yikes) nailed it. End of story.

Think a lot of it depends on the water you are fishing or should I say the lake. On Grenada I use chains pretty much all the time, its a shallower lake than say Enid or Sardis, use 25 foot of rope on 2 chains, one for each side. on a bigger boat 3/8s it a good size and I Have a couple of 5 foot section of 1/4 that I add to them when its real bad. 17 foot glass rigs and down 5/16 is plenty with the extra 1/4s to add when needed.
I like the chains better that the socks, to each their own, store em in an old Dewalt drill box so they store away good.

Prolly why you can't catch any fish. Get drift socks and learn to use them.