I recently picked up a boat & I need some suggestions. It's an older 21' Champion bass/ski boat. I have an electric on the front with foot control, but no gas troller on the back. The back of the boat is angled on both sides so there really isn't a good way to mount a gas motor. My question is; how can I slow the boat down enough to troll with? With the main motor I can troll for wipers, but it's too fast for trout (3mph at idle). I know, it's a bass boat and not meant for trout, but that's how the wife and kids prefer to fish.
Would it be better to go with a troll plate of a drift sock?
Travis.
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Either would probably slow you down enough to troll for trout. Another option might be to put a kicker mounting bracket on the back then slap a kicker on it. I've also seen people use a 5 gallon bucket with a rope on it.
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Use the electric to troll with.
It should get you up to 2 mph with ease.
You can have a mount made for a rear trolling motor.
Then you could use a gas kicker on the back.
You can buy a trolling plate that attaches to the main motor. It swings down to cover the prop when you are trolling. Lift it back up when you want full speed.
The bucket or trolling sock will also help to slow you down, when trolling with the main.
Lost of options.
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The trolling plate work greats on my bayliner. The only problem I've ever had with the plate is forgeting to flip it up when I'm ready to leave and bending it. But I' ve been able to troll down to .8 mph.
I've got a spring-loaded trolling plate if you are interested in buying one for $20. If you're up my way, you're welcome to stop by my house and check if it fits. I could easily get it down to Cache Valley too if you want to see it.
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Scott, my main motor is a Merc 200 Horse (1990 I believe). Do you think that would fit? I have no idea what size I need.
I will be in Logan Saturday afternoon for some baseball games. Probably from 1:00- 5:00.
Would you be able to meet me over there? I wouldn't mind checking it out.
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Try putting your electric down and turn it sideways. This helps my 115 merc get down to 1.9 mph or so. Also troll into the wind with the gas motor, then drift and use your electric motor going with the wind.
i haven't had to drag a bucket, but have seen it work for others.
humpy
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I went through the same thing a year ago. Started by dragging a bucket it was a real pain and didn't work very well. Got a trolling plate and it worked fine but the 115 hp Merc sucked a ton of fuel. My electric wasn't big enough to troll over 1 mph so I got a 4 stroke Yamaha 9.9 hp it works great and runs a long time on 3 gallons of fuel. I did put the troll plate on the troll motor so I can troll from .4 mph up now. I'd recommend a good gas trolling motor and save the headaches in between. Later J
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I've got a Viper Coral fish n' ski with a 200 hp. The trolling motor on the front works great for trolling but it can be a pain when a fish is on and others have lines out and you have to keep the direction going straight to keep the other lines straight or switch "operators". Not a big deal but I'm done doing that.
Trolling plate on my 200 I just can't justify the hours and loud put put put, she'd rather go fast lol.
Like mentioned, find a trolling motor bracket and get a kicker motor. I've been going through the same situation and after a a couple years of looking into it, I believe it's the best way to go. Plus, you can get an "arm" to connect to the main motor to the kicker so you can use the steering wheel to steer the kicker...how can you go wrong with that? All it takes is cash...[:/]
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Hey Trav,
I know how to slow down your boat to trout and Walleye speeds.... Take Avery and I fishing with you everyime you and Wyatt go and the extra weight we add should do the trick [
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JK
Forrest
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Have you ever seen these
[url "http://www.thetrollingmotordepot.com/product/EM28068"]http://www.thetrollingmotordepot.com/product/EM28068[/url]
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Now that is a pretty cool idea. Have you ever used one of those, or seen one in action?
Sounds like a good idea though.
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This is just my 1 cent worth. Ideal is 4 stroke trolling motor, remote control. I do not have because I am a cheap guy. Least very least favorite is bucket, then drift sock, or anything else that hangs in the water. I have an aversion to trolling motors because they can be a nuisance, because I have never had a nice one, too cheap. Hard to start, smelly, and often quit for no apparent reason. Gave my last one away. Love the electric trolling motor that sits above the cavatation plate, if your money tree puts out an additional $600 let me know. So the compromise that I have is a happy troller tolling plate, bought used, works well, trolls down to 1/2 mph on and 85 hp.
The question I have, if I wasn't cheap, and not likely to change anytime soon, would a nice 4 stroke trolling motor and remote, be better than electric on cavatation plate?
1 cents, more fishin less talkin
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