Tide current drift control

When I was in Tomales recently, with the wind and current, we flew through the drift.  Yes, drift sock application would have helped because there was wind,but the wind was going the same direction as the current(tide), so no help at all, if I had one.  I was thinking about dragging a 2-3lb ball on paracord to slow the drift, in SF bay also, so I can work an area better. The drift can be so fast in the tide, no wind, that I have to reset so soon that I wear myself out getting back to original drift beginning.  Thoughts?

I wonder what would happen if it snagged on something. I get nervous when my downrigger drags bottom. If it was attached to the back at least you wouldn't turn sideways into the current. Use of a QRAS would help. Maybe a length of heavy chain instead of a ball would be less likely to snag.

I prefer the chain idea, thanks.   I could put a change out connection on the end of my anchor and switch from the anchor to the chain and keep my trolley system, thanks again

Lots of guys use those in rivers. Those guys also try to put the chain in bicycle tubing or other sort of shrink wrap to prevent it from snagging.  I know the bays are fairly snag free, but thats what I would be most concerned about.

These are what I use in rivers and creeks.
9 pound pyramid for greater holding and the slightly lighter chain for the drift.
I only anchor in rivers, so I won't speculate on open water use.

I just throw my plano bucket over board and drag it along. hahah. I does really help with the drift. It's a simple way if you don't want to get too fancy. 

I just throw my plano bucket over board and drag it along. hahah. I does really help with the drift. It's a simple way if you don't want to get too fancy. 

Plano bucket for wind drift or tidal current drift also?

I just throw my plano bucket over board and drag it along. hahah. I does really help with the drift. It's a simple way if you don't want to get too fancy. 

Plano bucket for wind drift or tidal current drift also?

Yup. There are days when the wind and drift get bad. Just throw over the plano bait bucket and it creates drag and slows down the drift. I have no idea how much helps but it does! I also use my Plano bucket to help straighten my bow when sturgeon fishing. hahah. Small tricks you learn over the years when it becomes necessary or you are a little tipsy from a few beers. 

I just throw my plano bucket over board and drag it along. hahah. I does really help with the drift. It's a simple way if you don't want to get too fancy. 

Plano bucket for wind drift or tidal current drift also?

Yup. There are days when the wind and drift get bad. Just throw over the plano bait bucket and it creates drag and slows down the drift. I have no idea how much helps but it does! I also use my Plano bucket to help straighten my bow when sturgeon fishing. hahah. Small tricks you learn over the years when it becomes necessary or you are a little tipsy from a few beers. 

Wind drift I understand. I wouldn't think a light bucket would slow down a tidal current drift.

I just throw my plano bucket over board and drag it along. hahah. I does really help with the drift. It's a simple way if you don't want to get too fancy. 

Plano bucket for wind drift or tidal current drift also?

Yup. There are days when the wind and drift get bad. Just throw over the plano bait bucket and it creates drag and slows down the drift. I have no idea how much helps but it does! I also use my Plano bucket to help straighten my bow when sturgeon fishing. hahah. Small tricks you learn over the years when it becomes necessary or you are a little tipsy from a few beers. 

Wind drift I understand. I wouldn't think a light bucket would slow down a tidal current drift.

Yes, I read it would help tow you down stream not slow down the drift...

I've been thinking about using a D-ring to secure some chain to my anchor but is there any reason why a heavier (5.5-7lb) anchor wouldn't work as wel?

I found 3 lbs if chain to give the speed I want in a certain tide but I've been mulling having attachable one lb sections in faster tides, the shape of an anchor does not seem drift shaped

Eddie, after following this thread, I'm thinking there is a way you might get good results with minimal effort/modifications to your existing setup and will give you more weight:

• Assumption:  You are rigged with a typical fold-up grapnel style anchor
• Leave the anchor attached to the rode chain (chain for anchor attachment)
• Use a suitable length of either mountain bike or dirt bike inner tube that will completely cover the FOLDED UP anchor and extend over the rode chain
• Zip-tie the inner tube in place, no need to close off the end that covers the anchor

As I think about it, if the anchor end of the inner tube is left open, it will allow rinsing and the water to drain out, there's no reason you couldn't just leave the inner tube in place and simply slide up the open end to free up the anchor if you want to use the deployed anchor.

NOTE:  For those looking to buy rode chain, be aware that not all galvanized chains are equivalent:  The galvanizing of standard HD chain is not particularly heavy duty and will quickly rust away in saltwater.  The best bet is to buy rode chain from a marine supply, like Svendson's in Alameda, or your local West Marine.

I can visualize what your saying.  I like it, but I sense that 8.5lbs of metal is too much weight to create any drift movement.  Inner tube is eventually going to decompose in the salt.  Thank you for the brainstorm.  If I'm seeing it wrong I want to know.  My chain is zip tied halfway up to the top of the anchor and the bottom half attaches to the bottom of the anchor in case the grapnel gets snagged.  The top half is tied to my diver reel.  I yank to break the zip tie and the anchor comes up backwards from the bottom releasing the snag.   I do not know if this has any relevance to the rubber cover but it may be a wider stretch at the bottom then I can imagine over the folded bottom with the chain involved in the width also.  Hmmmm

When I was in Tomales recently, with the wind and current, we flew through the drift.  Yes, drift sock application would have helped because there was wind,but the wind was going the same direction as the current(tide), so no help at all, if I had one.  I was thinking about dragging a 2-3lb ball on paracord to slow the drift, in SF bay also, so I can work an area better. The drift can be so fast in the tide, no wind, that I have to reset so soon that I wear myself out getting back to original drift beginning.  Thoughts?

I wonder what would happen if it snagged on something. I get nervous when my downrigger drags bottom. If it was attached to the back at least you wouldn't turn sideways into the current. Use of a QRAS would help. Maybe a length of heavy chain instead of a ball would be less likely to snag.

I prefer the chain idea, thanks.   I could put a change out connection on the end of my anchor and switch from the anchor to the chain and keep my trolley system, thanks again

Lots of guys use those in rivers. Those guys also try to put the chain in bicycle tubing or other sort of shrink wrap to prevent it from snagging.  I know the bays are fairly snag free, but thats what I would be most concerned about.

These are what I use in rivers and creeks.
9 pound pyramid for greater holding and the slightly lighter chain for the drift.
I only anchor in rivers, so I won't speculate on open water use.

Looks clean and solid, is that bike innertube?

Yes, right off of my Mt bike.   

• Zip-tie the inner tube in place, no need to close off the end that covers the anchor

As I think about it, if the anchor end of the inner tube is left open, it will allow rinsing and the water to drain out, there's no reason you couldn't just leave the inner tube in place and simply slide up the open end to free up the anchor if you want to use the deployed anchor.

I don't use a zip tie or anything else to keep the tube in place. Its not coming off unless I cut it off, and it was NOT easy to get it stretched over the chain. Once you do get it stretched on, you won't want to have to do it again or remove it for any reason.