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I just got my boat repaired and took it out on the water twice. Never had a boat before so it's been an experience. First time, I didn't know they had to have a plug on the transom, I nearly sunk it. Then it was so full of water the truck got stuck pulling it out of the lake. Second time, (today) we tried the trolling motor out... Seemed to work fine, but killed my battery very quickly. Luckily, I saw the gear on top of the engine, tried pull starting it with my anchor rope and it fired up. Also, my brand new fish finder cuts out at times. It reads fine and then glitches saying the depth is a .8 ft. I'm not sure what the problem is. So basically what I want to ask is, why does my fish finder cut out? And if anyone can give me some trolling tips for trout I'd appreciate it.
I was at ninemile by the way. If anyone is interested go look at DWRs latest news and see that 9lb tiger that was just caught.
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Your finder may cut out because it comes out of the water when the boat shifts. I had that problem last year when i was by myself on one side of the boat it would lift the transducer out of the water. Sometimes when i would go faster the transducer was so close the the motor on that little boat that the bubbles from the prop would cause interference and cause my finder to do the same thing.
You'll want a good deep cycle battery and keep it fully charged those trolling motors really suck juice.
I've had really good success early before the water warms up fishing shallow with small pop gear and a rapalla. Flatfish have been my favorite though for slow trolling on trout, the action on those things drive trout mad in Idaho, but you have to keep it pretty slow in my experience. you can add an inline trolling weight to get it down a bit deeper. I've also run small pop gear with a nightcrawler for early trout. I'm not by any means a great trout trolling fisherman, but that's just a couple things i've learned.
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You are really going to burn up a battery charge if you are trying to troll for trout using the electric motor. They aren't really intended for that type use. Your electric troller should be used for keeping you in a position where you want to be casting to a particular spot like a hump or underwater point.
I think the suggestions already received concerning the depthfinder are on the money.
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I troll with my electric trolling motor all day all the time . Just make sure and give it a full charge before you go out the next time . Curt G.
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You may consider also checking the angle of your transducer. It should be level with how your boat sits in the water, not necessarily with the bottom of the boat. Also, the horizontal centerline of the bullet should be mounted slightly below the bottom of your boat to ensure the transom isn't blocking the front of the signal.
As for the trolling, differing speeds for different purposes obviously, but keep it on the slower side of things. Using a dodger or lake trolls (Pop Gear) are always pretty good for trout. Throw an 18" leader on the end of the dodger or pop gear and try wedding rings, crankbaits, swimbaits, or similar. Tipping them with a nightcrawler is usually always a fancy little nugget. Try to find underwater structure and maneuver your boat around it, humps, ridges, etc.
A good inexpensive start to get you to a depth easily is using lead core line. Then you can play with colors and depths long lining out there and be relatively consistent in the water column. Good luck, and don't worry it gets better!
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Be sure to follow the advice to get a separate deep cycle battery for your electric trolling motor. You will ruin your regular battery running it down regularly with your trolling motor and it is dangerous not having it available to start your outboard.
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I dont know your money sitiuation, But right know on KSl there are some really good buys on gas motors on there for a couple hundred bucks. And then you can use your electric motor as a back up. Take the time to make sure you have all the saftey gear you need, dont get in a big hurry take your time. I have almost made the news myself a few times. And good luck on the next outing.[  ]
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[quote cheesechucker]I dont know your money sitiuation, But right know on KSl there are some really good buys on gas motors on there for a couple hundred bucks. And then you can use your electric motor as a back up. Take the time to make sure you have all the saftey gear you need, dont get in a big hurry take your time. I have almost made the news myself a few times. And good luck on the next outing.[ ][/quote]
+1
that being said, what size boat do you have? or did i miss that?
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For trolling for trout/kokanee I would reccomend getting you some downnriggers, not as neccessary in the early/late season when water temps are cool, but better when the heat of the summer is on and the fish move down in the water column aways.
Downriggers are very effective for controlled depth fishing without using heavy lines rods and tackle to get to where the fish are, then you can enjoy the fight of the fish once one is hooked.
Using Downriggers are just like anything in fishing, some days you can't keep the fish off and other days they want it different. But personally they have increased my catch rate dramatically on almost any water any time of the year.
As for tackle,i have stuff that works well for me and the next guy does just as well on different stuff.
here are a few brands of downriggers all of them have manual or electic options i believe....
Scotty
Big john
Cannon
kody
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very good point but you could also try dipsy divers.... 15 bucks vs several hundred.
i want down riggers some day though
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Thanks for all the advice... I'll keep this thread saved for my next outing. My boat by the way is an open bow 16.5' starcraft tristar. I wanted just an aluminum boat for fishing, but the wife and kid wanted one that could pull them on a tube as well.
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its big enough, start looking for a little 3 horse kicker and that well be plenty for your boat
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Kent said it, but it's worth repeating. Get a second battery for the trolling motor. deep cycle batteries are desingned differently than starting batteries. Starting batteries are designed to put out a lot of amps for a short amount of time and trolling batteries are designed to put out a small amount of amperage over a long period of time. This is secondary to the safety issue, you absolutely do not want to constantly run the risk of being caught out in a storm with a dead battery. Your life isn't worth $60 at Wal Mart. I don't even run my fish finder and GPS off of my starting battery and I carry a set of jumper cables just in case.
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Good advice on the extra battery in a boat to run your equipment as well as having a pair of jumper cables. Years ago when the Great Salt Lake was up (87) and you could not drive around the back side of Willard Bay, my cousin had come down from Idaho with his boat to catch some eyes during the spawn. We ran to the far SW side just before dark. He and I each got in our float tubes and started working the dike for walleye, and his brother and son took off down the dike with the electric trolling motor. Shortly after dark we could hear them calling our names. One of them was walking up the dike looking for us. Only one battery and it was dead. The wind was from the North so they were able to beach the boat on the SW corner beach. I tell you what, it was one long walk from that SW corner to the North Marina with waders on. We got the truck up on the dike below the South Marina ( You can't make it up there now) and drove to the corner, had to take the battery out of the truck and use a pair of jumper cables to get the big motor started. This all took until 2 A.M. or so, sure ruined a good walleye trip as they were hitting well that night. I have three batteries in my boat and also carry a set of jumper cables.
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Yes, I'll get that 2nd battery for sure. One more question, does anyone know if there is a boat ramp at Electric Lake?
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I have had friends go and just found this "Electric Lake at the high elevation of 9,000 feet is popular for relaxed fishing of cutthroat trout. Tackle restrictions have been lifted at Electric Lake and baits are now permitted. However, be sure to check with the Utah Fish and Game for updated fishing rules and/or restrictions. There is some shoreline access but some walking is necessary. The lake features a boat ramp and there is a Forest Service campground in the area. Electric Lake, located at the top of Huntington Canyon, can be reached by driving the National Scenic Byway State Road 31 from either Fairview or Huntington."
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