whitbyboatguy Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 I need a trolling plate sometimes and I think there are times when I definitely do not want a trolling plate. So lets say that in the morning I want to troll but in the afternoons I want to switch it up and fish slop and weeds with frog. Wouldn't a trolling plate be a weed magnet? Is there one that comes off easily?
Roy Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 What type of motor do you have and what trolling speeds are you getting now? What speed are you looking for?
fishindevil Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 check out the happy troller plate,its what i have and it moves up and down,locking into place when not in use,never causes me an issue...it is spring conrolled....
mike rousseau Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 Drag a drift sock or bucket...
JTorra Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 I just installed these.... http://www.nauticusinc.com/nauticus_pro_troller.html I went from 2.5 mph to 1.7mph at idle. Also had some other benefits such as reduced porpoising and faster planing.
whitbyboatguy Posted September 13, 2011 Author Report Posted September 13, 2011 60HP and getting 3mph -i tried using my drift socks but it was a total pain and it felt like they would break any minute. -mounted trolling plates would be good but cost dollars. may as well bring extra batteries for the electric looking for 1.5mph and less
Roy Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 Personally, I don't like trolling plates. A lot of people DO like them but I don't. I don't like drilling holes in my motors. If most of your fishing time is spent trolling and you only need to slow down by 1 or 2 mph, consider changing props instead. For example if you can get down to 3mph on your 60hp with a 3 blade prop, a four blade will drop you to around 2.2 and a 5 blade down to 1.5. You'll improve your hole shot but sacrifice a mile or two per hour at top end. You'll also be getting a spare prop out of the deal. Just something to think about.
Billy Bob Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 Trolling plates are trouble....the one that lock down can cause problems if you forget to raise it....the spring loaded ones that raise by themselves while going fast are in the way while trying to use reverse... Muskie Mike had it right......a wind sock or 5 gallon bucket...if you use a bucket drill holes in the bucket and attach a rope as the handle will rip off....Wind sock is best IMHO.. Good Luck with your choice, Bob
BillM Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 (edited) Trolling plates are trouble....the one that lock down can cause problems if you forget to raise it....the spring loaded ones that raise by themselves while going fast are in the way while trying to use reverse... Muskie Mike had it right......a wind sock or 5 gallon bucket...if you use a bucket drill holes in the bucket and attach a rope as the handle will rip off....Wind sock is best IMHO.. Good Luck with your choice, Bob It doesn't get much simpler then this.. Never had an issue with it, boat trolls down to nothing when it's down. So much easier then using a bucket or drift sock. One pull of the cord while in reverse it's down, one pull of the cord while going forward and it locks in place out of the way. Edited September 13, 2011 by BillM
whitbyboatguy Posted September 13, 2011 Author Report Posted September 13, 2011 How about weeds on the trolling plate? Do they become a problem when it is up?
lew Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 My last boat had a 90 HP Merc and I used the same troll plate that Bill shows in his picture above. It worked great and never any worries or hassles of bucket or drift sock ropes getting tangled with fishing gear in the dark. Slowed my boat down to almost stopped.
Raf Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 just buy a yammy with the troll assist my 40 gets my 14.5 down to a C-R-A-W-L.
BillM Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 How about weeds on the trolling plate? Do they become a problem when it is up? Never had an issue with weeds.
whitbyboatguy Posted September 13, 2011 Author Report Posted September 13, 2011 (edited) OK. I am going to give one of those spring ones a shot but will put a string on it so I can manually keep it up for reverse (save the laughter : )). A happy troller would be nicer but I wont be able to get one locally quickly or cheaply. have access to $60 spring loaded one. Drilling 4 mounting holes in the motor and it will be over. Like tearing off a band-aid drilling the holes will hurt when I do it. I have to drill holes for a plate right? Edited September 13, 2011 by whitbyboatguy
BillM Posted September 13, 2011 Report Posted September 13, 2011 Yup, you gotta drill holes. It's really not a big deal
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