Trolling

[joesnuffy]

So now that I have a new (to me) boat, i've got a few more questions.

How fast should i be going when I'm trolling? with a 55hp outboard will i be going too fast? do i need a Troll plate?d o i need a kicker/trolling motor? I plan on getting a bow mount electric next summer so i can flyfish off the front.

I'll post a trolling gear tread in the trout section.

 

[SNDSLGR]

my 55 hp outboard goes too fast in idle for trolling. I have a 6hp and for trout on a lake I troll with it at its lowest speed.

 

[joesnuffy]

so your saying that when the lure skips across the surface behind the boat, that's a bad thing?

How about the trolling plate?

 

[SNDSLGR]

Never used a trolling plate. I see guys using them in the bay and I also see them dragging sea-socks along side the boats without a kicker. Never tried either.

For most trout you are looking for 1-2 mph... you will probly just have to see what YOUR boat does with YOUR motor since they are all so different.

I am guessing your motor is an older 2 stroke? If so keep in mind that it will likely not run very well at extended idle speeds. Plugs will be fouled etc...

 

[bd2cool]

I am using an Trol-A-Matic Trolling Plate that I got of E Bay for $45 new in the box.

"The new trolling plate works great!
Without the plate the slowest I could go was 2.5 mph.
With the plate I can bring the boat to a stand still.
With a little throttle I can easy hit .1 mph and hold it there.
It does not mess up my steering."

I am using an 60 hp Chrysler outboard.

 

[joesnuffy]

My friend has a Trol-A-Matic Trolling Plate on his boat that doesn't run. I might be able to buy it off him cheap

that would save me some cash! I"ll be able to get a couple ploe holders

 

[SNDSLGR]

I would NOT buy the Fish-on brand pole holders. I recently bought a boat and back in the day the Fish-on brand were the $hit so that is what I bought. Not anymore! They collapse when a fish strikes and make it a real pita to get your pole out. They are fine for trout but so far steelhead, coho, and chinook have folded mine on every strike.

OR

If you only plan on fishing trout I will make you a great deal on 4 of them!

 

[joesnuffy]

OR

If you only plan on fishing trout I will make you a great deal on 4 of them!

LOL, after that story how about a dollar each

I keep that in mind thank you!

 

[FishFinger]

I have a 85 hp w/ a trolling plate as well... just went too damn fast w/o it. I also have a 9.9 hp kicker, but with the trolling plate and sea anchors I haven't found the need to use it much.

I'd highly recommend looking into a kicker for those "just in case" situations.

Just in case you need to get back to shore and don't really want to use a oar.

 

[frodog]

Pole holder woes

Pole holder woes

I have also had my fish on pole holder collapse on the bite fish was still there and after it was released I took off the black cover and tightend up the nut inside this is what sets the tension when it is locked and unlocked before you give up on them check this adjustment out.

 

[SNDSLGR]

I did that, they were loose but that didn't stop the next fish from slamming it down again. I ended up putting a small screw through it to hold it in place. Works but now they are not adjustable unless I remove the screw. I will be buying Folbes this winter.

 

[Thuggin4Life]

I got some Scotty pole holders from Bi-Mart for $20 each and they look nice and are very sturdy.

 

[joesnuffy]

I bought 2 of the Scotty rod holders as well. They seem to be pretty sturdy.