Should I buy one for my personal use on the club boat or can I make one (as someone suggested) out of a rope and a bucket with the bottom cut out.
Any other tips appreciated.
Dougster (still a newbie)
Buy a black and decker (or similar) garden tidy sheet from b+q, tie rope to the handles criss-cross, then your main rope from where they meet in the middle. Have used this for years with no problem. A bucket would be useless in wind I think. Rope should be plastic clothes line, dead cheap and strong. You don’t want to use string as it tangles like hell and will drive you mad. If that is not clear, I'll take a photo of mine and put it on if you like.
Fred,
I've spent ages sorting out tangles on the drogue. I can't believe I never thought of using plastic coated rope.
Just as well one of us has brains......
Alex, it does not even have to be plastic coated, the thicker, braided type stuff does not tangle easily either. As long as it's not too thin (and you keep Bandy Catcher away from it :lol: ) it's fine.
Hi
Off at a bit of a tangent. I found an article in FF & FT a couple of years ago from Ireland for a single person drogue. Idea being to setup a triangle of rope using the boat rings on the bow and stern, these have a continuous rope to a ring in the middle (outside of the boat). Here is where the drogue line is attached, forming a large triangle with the drogue sitting out of the back. By doing this the drogue position and more importantly the boat position can be altered, either by moving towards the bow or stern allowing the boat to move. This idea was suggested for use by single anglers in the boat, no need to use the oars and disturb the water.
I've still try this method, however I plan to once the water warms and the boat is of use. If you want to know more I will try and get the article copied or find the original reference.
Cheers,
Dibbler
PS Ebay sometimes has some decent offerings, I do like the idea of the garden sheeting though.
Dougster,
Photos of the "Black and Decker" drogue as promised
Pretty much self explanatory. It is very strong, will not rot or tear. I have been using that one for many years now. Maintenance free.
(http://wildfisher.co.uk/uploads/1-2006Apr031144080588.jpg)
(http://wildfisher.co.uk/uploads/2-2006Apr031144080605.jpg)
Fred.
Where the four cords meet the main line a big sea swivel stops the line twisting as the drogue spins in the water, it also helps to sink the drogue quicker. But "If it ain't broke don't fix it" :)
Sandy, it does twist a bit. That's why I use thicker rope, it's not such a problem. If the stuff was thin it would be a nightmare.
One useful modification might be to tie additional rope to one of the corners. Pulling that would collapse the drogue and make it easier to retrieve. Another rope to potentially tangle though.
I usually poke it down with an oar if it's windy, but that is a far better idea. What do you use? A couple of sea fishing leads?
Fred, that drogue design looks spot-on- for attaching an action man to it and throwing it out an upstairs windee.
Quote from: Pearly InvictaFred, that drogue design looks spot-on- for attaching an action man to it and throwing it out an upstairs windee.
I was gonna tie it to Bandy Catcher and try that with him, but what's the point in risking a perfectly good drogue? :)
Quote from: Bandy CatcherQuoteFred, that drogue design looks spot-on- for attaching an action man to it and throwing it out an upstairs windee.
QuoteI was gonna tie it to Bandy Catcher and try that with him, but what's the point in risking a perfectly good drogue?
By implication, I take it that means I'm an action man. :D
John
Tell you what then action man. Get yer arse doon tae Somers and buy me a couple 6 oz leads and I'll modify the drogue as suggested by Sandfly, seems like a good idea
Although I wonder if that's legal. You ken what he's like :lol:
Quote from: Bandy CatcherOh maybe you're busy designing an on line permit system.
You've sussed me
I'm printing the Ardhuncart permits right now.
Was there not some tip in a magazine a few years ago about using the chain aff a dogs lead to attach the drogue to the rope? That would take it down fine. Anyone tried that?
Quoteis it still legal to use lead weights ?.
Davy,
Leads are OK as long as they are over 1 oz.
Something occurs to me. When using a devon/mepps for salmon, I usually use some lead as an anti-kink device. What about the same thing for the drogue?
You could use a big split ring at the drogue end to attach the corner ropes to a big swivel as Sandy suggested. Stick another big split ring on the main rope-end of the swivel and hang one of Davy's 6oz leads from the split ring. The weight would force the swivel to work effectively (and also sink the drogue). Boab's yer uncle.
I haven't tried it yet, but will as soon as the effing weather improves enough to let me get out in a boat without losing the skin off my face.
p.s. I have edited this post from the original, as I had the lead on the wrong side of the swivel originally :oops: