trolling question..

[ahasiec]

Allrighty this may be a dumb question...I am looking to slow down during trolling for walleye etc.,, I know that some boaters use this sort of shield over their props to slow down the speed, not sure what this is called :confused: , can someone out there help me out..Thanks again!

[Waterman]

I have a spring loaded trolling buddy. It really works wonders for me, I can now get to a speed of .9 miles per hour. I really believe in it. The only thing is I can't remember where I got it from. drilled two holes, put in stainless bolts, and lets go fishing!!

[Kevin]

I was with a walleye troller who used two large rubber-over-canvas bags tied alongside the boat.
Seems like a pretty cheap trick and it worked.

[ESOX]

Either method, trolling plates or dragging sea anchors (drift socks) will work for slowing down your troll. Sea anchors and trolling plates are both available from Cabellas and BPS. I would opt for the sea anchor before a trolling plate.

Then again, you could just forget about slowing down, and take up muskie fishing.;)

[kingfisher 11]

I went to Bass Pro shop this spring and bought two small drift socks for my 19 footer. I put one out each side about 2/3 the way to the front of the boat. Works great, slows the boat down and actually helps the boat ride in rougher seas. I bougth mine mainly for slower speeds on the Saginaw pulling meat.

I was told by a guy in Oscoda that is what they do in rougher water.

I got mine for walleye fishing and actually used them in Canada this year and they were great.

I tried the one big drift sock and the boat control was tough.

I have used the trolling plate on the motor before, I did not like it.

Bob

[SalmonBum]

I'm not sure if you have an I/O or a O/B. There are 3-4 out there in the $100 that do the job. BUT, if have an I/O and you want super-duper speen control, you need a Beaver Trol. The cheaper ones like to break and/or shear pins, and you only have 2 options: up or down. The Beaver Trol is a cast-aluminum unit that is hydralicly controlled. You set your boats rpm at one speed (more than ide to help keep oil pressure up) and use the plate to control your speed. I can adjust my speed to as low as .1mph and all the way up to what I want by .1mph incriments. If you want to be in total control of your speed, this is the way to go. It is not cheap though, about $1500 on avg. depending on what style I/O you have.

Another cheap option is to reprop you boat with a lower pitch prop. The probelm there is a lower pitch my let you over-rev the motor. The problem with bags are they are a pain to work with, and if your throttle doesn't take kindly to small rpm changes (like most out there) then it's still tough to get where you want.

[The Whale]

If you really want an inexpensive fix, use five gallon buckets. I've got a 115hp 'rude on a 17' Sportcraft that'll only get down to 3.0mph. For every bucket I drag out at the stern, I lose .5mph. Three buckets out and I'm between 1.3 - 1.7mph. (Trim up all the way while still sucking water helps a bit too.) Two off the port and one off the starboard, not in the way for landing fish, never have tangled, keep 'em close to the boat. No holes in 'em, just tie a rope around the wire handle and throw them in, works great, costs about $3.00 ! :D (the fish won't mind if your not "classy" looking !) :evil: :cool: