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The past few years I have been thinking about buying a drift bag to help stabilize the boat in a chop. Have a 21 ft. Trophy WA. We run a Merc. 9.9 Bigfoot 4stroke. I seem to think it will hope the handling in rougher waters. My dad doesn't seem to think so. Any suggestions or tips? Thanks a lot in advance. Been a constant visitor to the site. Just decided to start posting to get advice from fellow fisherman and also share advice.
Eyebanger22 I dont believe one bag will help you handle any rougher water when trolling. Possibly a bag out each side but I dont believe it will be enough to justify it. I say this only because with you running a 9.9 kicker you would prolly want to stick with 30" bags max for trolling or your not going to get the speed you need out of that kicker. Again that's if your running two. I dont see one bag doing much for you, but if you decide to get some stop in the shop ill be happy to fix you up with Amish bags great price great quality.
I think he's talking about stabilization Dave. Two small bags will help out with downhill surge and make the boat more sluggish so heavier seas don't have as much effect at trolling speed. But, like Dave said, you'll need two bags and rig them from the midship cleat on each side.
Greg
Thanks guys. What I was thinking was running a bag off each side from the bow. Not just one bag. What size would you recommend if I'm running 2 bags?
If you are using bags for trolling you must have one on each side otherwise steering is tough.
One bag will pull hard to one side.
Stop and see Dave at Dreamcatcher Bait, he will fix you up with a great
quality Amish bags. I have purchased various bags and you get what
you pay for.
Enjoy,
Thanks. So what size bags should do the trick? They say a 36 inch bag for our size boat. But I think 2 36 inch bags would be too much.
Most of the stores will let you exchange them if they aren't the right size, as long as you just go out and try out the bags and don't beat them up.
Scroll down after clicking this link...there is a picture there of how some of the pros rig their two bags. It's pretty slick.
http://www.lindyfishingtackle.com/fi...e/putasockinit
Going to depend on the lake conditions you fish in, you are much better to go with a larger bag, than to wish you would have went bigger. Some days I don't need a bag, some days I have to put out a third one in the back to control. Next bags I get will be at least the next size bigger. Dave will be able to help you at Dreamcatcher Bait, he has different sizes. The Amish bags are more square and longer than funnel shaped bags. Best to see first hand if you can. I have purchased from Cabela's and a 36" bag is different than what the 36" Amish bag is. Hope this helps.
Thanks guys for all your help. I'm going to give them a try this spring. Hope to see you guys out there.
http://amishoutfitters.com/
Frank is a top notch guy . Call him and he will get you set up with your needs with no problem . Many Many Captains use lots of his items so that should speak for it self. Best bags out there hands down .
Dale
Call dream catcher he sells the bags that I use that are made by a Amish guy we know. I have 7 seasons on the bags that I have and they are still doing great.
Quote:
Originally Posted by skipper9
Skipper-
I need to get a new set of bags. What size are you running? The ones I am currently running will only get my Baha 278 down to about 1.8 MPH and I'm not sure what size they are. I would like to have a size before I call David at Dreamcatcher.
Bag will work . Just make sure you get true Trolling Bags and not Drift Socks. Two different socks for sure .Quailty Trolling Bags will last forever .
Dale
Hey fellas there are several variables that go into bag selectionsuch as boat size, engine hp, and time of year you do most of your trolling. For me I run 54" bags in the early spring to early summer, mid to late summer I can run 36" bags. Rule of thumb its easier to speed up than to slow down. Yes you will burn a bit more fuel, but you keep more control too.
Rough sizing
18-23 foot boats can usually get away with 30-36" bags
24-26 36"-48"
27-30 48"-54"
These are just rough numbers put ya close like I said depends on hp and speeds your looking for. We usually sell the bags and if your need to adjust size up or down bring it back pay the difference or well give you the difference back as long as they aren't damaged your good to go. These bags are tough never had any issues with them being swapped out like skipper 9 said 7 yrs no joke. Feel free to call stop in or pm me.
I run a 150 yamaha on my 20 ft. boat. I use a trolling plate with much success. I can get down to .5 mph.
I use a 48 off one side and a 54 off the other... it seems to stay on course better that way..
I use 2 60" bags, one per side when its rough and run both engines. Calmer days when less propwash over the rudders are needed to control my heading, I use 1 60" bag and run the bag on the same side as the engine I have running. Both ways work equally well for me.
We run 2 48" most of the time. We might add another one out the back if we need to slow down even more in early spring. The ones from Dreamcatchers are the ones we run too, they are heavy and strong. They are also way cheaper than the ones from Amish Outfitters in price not quality.
I use two 36" bags on a 18' boat and it allows me to get down to as slow as I want to go. The biggest problem that I have is that the steering gets real sloppy if you are not constantly on top of it. I cleat them off up front with both bags an equal distance back, which is about 5' up from the stern of the boat. Will going to smaller bags help to make it easier to steer? Need to come up with some solution.
Or is part of the problem the fact that they are cleated off 3' from the bow?
I have a 16' boat and run 30" bags, what i have done to help with the steering is tie bags in front of boat and also tie off the back of the bags about half way back on boat to keep them from swinging. that has really helped me with my steering. otherwise the bags stay in one place in the water and the boat will swing over the bags.
I only use them to slow my drift speed. I have a 15 HP mercury to control speed. Upwind, Downwind,!Crosswind. Drifting???? HUGE VALUE