Trolling

[Big Trouble]

I believe it is time to give this trolling thing a shot. My problem is that I am unable to get my speed below 3.5mph. After talking with other folks, I believe a prop change will be best for me. I have a Trophy 1952 with the four banger. I tryed the bags already and with the small amount of fishing room I do have...pain in the butt. I do not mind losing top end speed as it is definitely not a race boat. But the way it is set up now, it handles the lake very well for it's size. Any thoughts, suggestions...
Thanks

[BtweenShots]

At times I fish with a few others and 2 of them are using the Happy Troller plates on 25 and 26 ft. boats. One used bags until last year when he changed over to it after a couple of trips his bags ended up in a burn barrel .


Gene

[sherman51]

you can get the easy troller for about 105.00 plus shipping.
sherman

[Big Trouble]

Thank you gentlemen and Good Luck this year!

[gregnwtf]

Been using trolling bags for years. Tie them off correctly and it should get you down to 1.2 . They come in various sizes. Get two of the same with line on each end. Best bet without adding anything to the engine. I troll during the summer and drag two of these all day. Keeps a 30ft Sportcraft at 2.5 that runs about 4 or so otherwise. The other option is a 9.9 horse 4 cycle kicker beside your big engine for fuel saving.

[sherman51]

you can find the easy troller at boatersoutlet.com for 99.00 for just the trolling plate. if you want the one with the hydrofoils they cost alittle more. i use to use the happy troller but i forgot to raise the plate after trolling, and it bent the plate back so far it wouldnt slow us down. i got it bent back down by putting it under my old motorhome and setting a 10 ton bottle jack on it and jacking the motorhome up.

then i seen the easy troller. it has the bottom half hinged and spring loaded. so if you forget to raise it up it doesnt bend like the happy troller, it just flips up on the hinges then comes back down when you back off the gas. and i am getting on up there in years, so i am forgetful. and i forgot to raise the easy troller once. i think it might have bent the plate alittle but not enough that it didnt still work.

i tried the bags once and just didnt like the ones i had. they did slow me down but was a pain getting on the bow to put them out and bring them back in. i have a open bow boat now, and i found a nice set of bags this july, so i am going to give them one more try. but i think i may end up using my easy troller plate. the only reason i am even going to try the bags is alot of guys say you have better boat control with the bags. and im thinking with the open bow boat it wont be that big of a deal to put them out and bring them back in. and im hoping the bags will keep the boat from speeding up so much when trolling with the waves in rough water.

but if you go with the plate the easy troller is much better than the happy troller. the time i bent my happy troller it ended our fishing trip. when i took off with the easy troller still down we was able to keep trolling. just my opinion. let us know what you decide and how it works out for you.
sherman

[claudiacarbis]

Well this is really nice & great to know about Trolling

[THampton]

wanted to reply to the post about the trolling speed being to fast,I am on social security and money is tight for me,but i saved enough to buy the yamaha t 9.9 and use it as a kicker and if ever you do that you will not believe these engines and how economical they are,honestly without it i dont think i could aford to fish much.i can troll all day on 3 gallons,and i can run .8 to 6 so it pushes my 21ft any speed needed for any type of fish including musky,i know this motor will pay for itself in time ,and it allows me to fish alot more.now if i could learn how to catch those walleyes you guys keep saying you limit out on all the time,i am a diehard going out this week for two days -let the snow fly dont care ,just learning and watch this board allot.
thanks for all the info and keep posting ther are many fisherman getting started who need help.
Tom Hampton michigan

[Line Dancin]

Other thing bage will give you is a more stable ride in chop. and easier to steer as the bow stays in the water.

[Justawelder]

I went with a Minn kota engine mouned electric motor. It will get me down as slow as I want. The setup cost about a third of a kicker. Now my only problem is keeping my sail of a hardtop going strait..