for warm water trolling most days you can get away with 2 mph. but there are days when the fish want it at around 1.6 to 1.8. and your much better off most days trolling with the waves. its much harder to control the boat going into the waves. you really need to invest in trolling bags or a trolling plate. bags being my 1st choice. you want trolling bags that can be tied off at the back of the bag for better boat control. i tried drift bags and there just no good for trolling. trolling bags can be used for drifting. the whole idea is to catch fish. good luck out there and have fun and catch a bunch of fish.