I just received my dads old boat. Where talking an '67 hydroswift! I want to get a trolling motor for it and turn into a fishing boat. The only problem is that I don't know the first thing about trolling.. Well, I troll a bugger when I fly fish. Buts thats from my tube....
I need some help knowing what I need.. I want to go after macks and koks... and other species you can troll for.. like jordanelle and rockport..etc.
What am I looking at from a good trolling motor,, down-riggers to the lures? Thanks.
Tie'em N' Fly'em
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I'd recommend you buy and read Mark Romanack's Trolling Top to Bottom book. Or spend some time reading every post on trolling you can find on this board and others. Or get a friend who has experience trolling and hit the water.
There's a few trolling motors for sale in the "For Sale" forum on the Utah section of this site. You'll also want a fish finder so you know how deep the water is and how deep the fish are.
You can just hit the water and blindly troll, but if you want to put the odds in your favor than then best tool is knowledge.
Good luck.
A 1967 hydroswift, I got a 1969 hydroswift with a 115 hp merc and a 4 horse kicker, and the 2 of them are a great combo!!! I am with ya, I wish I knew more about trolling, but after spending a weekend experimenting, I have learned trolling is mainly trial and error and just that, experimenting!!! I also would offer to take someone out on the water for day for alittle bit of a trolling clinic!!!!
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Trolling is the best part of fishing! It sure beats sitting on a beach chair waiting for the fish to come to you. Trolling, you go to the fish, and you are right in their playground, trying to tantalizing and always tempting them to bite your lure. I sure hate sitting down on the land, the world looks too boring from one perspective, with trolling you are always gaining perspective whether it be above water and below water.
The art of trolling is the boat speed. Slower the better for walleyes anywhere from 0.6 to 1.7 mph... you can go 3-4 mph for wipers, and then speed varies from up to 2.0 to 4.5 for trout.
I would use Happy Trollers' trolling plates for slow slow trolling, and go in a S-pattern all over, the stop-n-go lurch on the turns will drive fish nuts.
Watch the sonar and its bottom, you will see the pattern of where and type of bottom when the fish is on.
If and when possible, shut off the motor and let the winds push you drift-trolling can be very effective. If you are near rocks, just leave the motor on but dis-engage the prop so you will be ready to fire out of the hole when needed.
Winds pushing very strong? Use the drift socks to slow your boat down so you get effectively slow speed for your presentation while drifting with the winds.
Those are the ways of effective trolling.
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I think one good place to find old trolling motors at a good price is a pawn shop. That's right, almost every pawn shop has one or more old motors for $100 and up. Never pay the sticker price at a pawn shop because they have a considerable mark up on everything.
Listen to the motors run - smell the gas tank/carb for older gas that might be turning to varish. Use your judgement and you should be able to find a good troller.
Another option is an electric transome mount trolling motor - most are under $300 but some for $150 are worth looking at. Sportsman's is a good choice for this option.
Just a side note: I have been using that term"Elkaholic" for about 15 years - it's great to see a hunter join this sport - it also has it's trophies....
Remember - the bigger the boat - the larger the hole you have to throw your money into.... Don't measure fishing sucess by the pound....
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Welcome to the board Elkaholic, you should be able to get a good answer for your questions here. I also troll with a 4hp kicker on a 16ft boat, I enjoy trolling better than any other fishing. WH2
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Hey elkaholic, Hi and welcome the BFT message boards. I hope you enjoy and use the good trolling advice that you will get from this board. I also troll from a tube.
Happy Fishing.
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Thanks for the help..That will help out alot on getting started.
It will take me a few months to get/find everything I need to get going.
But I'll let you know what the outcome is.
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HELLO WELCOME TO THE BEST FISHIN BOARD OUT THERE. I AM ALSO A ELK FREAK BOW HUNTING AHOLIC. NOTHING LIKE SCREAMING BULLS UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. PM ME AND ILL LET YOU IN ON SOME TROLING TIPS FOR WHAT EVER FISH YOU WANT TO TARGET. CROSSINEYE
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GEPaul> [size 1]Slower the better for walleyes anywhere from 0.6 to 1.7 mph.[/size]
Paul, walleyes slam cranks trolled at 3.0 to 3.5. Give it a try.