Trolling Plates

[brownbagger247]

I have a plate on a 25 hp mercury.. it’s a 2 stroke so the plate helps cuz she dont like to go slow, it’ll get me to 1mph for trolling live baits but I barely use it because.. I Fish FAST!  You can never fish too fast for a salmon and some of my biggest fish I’ve enticed going over 3 on a turn or bumping it.

[gamefisher]

I have a plate on a 25 hp mercury.. it’s a 2 stroke so the plate helps cuz she dont like to go slow, it’ll get me to 1mph for trolling live baits but I barely use it because.. I Fish FAST!  You can never fish too fast for a salmon and some of my biggest fish I’ve enticed going over 3 on a turn or bumping it.

Do you sew your bait differently to troll effectiat 3.0 compared to how you sew it at 1.0?  I've heard of a couple guys over the year's that could do it but I would think it would just spin instead of roll??? 

[Seahunt]

Do you sew your bait differently to troll effectiat 3.0 compared to how you sew it at 1.0?  I've heard of a couple guys over the year's that could do it but I would think it would just spin instead of roll???

You can't make live bait look natural at 3.0 SOG, IMO.
The water's cold right now. Live bait is naturally slow in cold fresh water.
In the spring/cold water, slow down your presentation. "Match the hatch."

[Roccus]

You can't make live bait look natural at 3.0 SOG, IMO.
The water's cold right now. Live bait is naturally slow in cold fresh water.
In the spring/cold water, slow down your presentation. "Match the hatch."

that's why I love my electric trolling motor..

[Seahunt]

that's why I love my electric trolling motor..

Like I always say Joe, chance favors the prepared and there's no substitute for experience.   

[Mac Attack]

You can't make live bait look natural at 3.0 SOG, IMO.
The water's cold right now. Live bait is naturally slow in cold fresh water.
In the spring/cold water, slow down your presentation. "Match the hatch."

Agreed!

Speed it up in late July and August.

[Seahunt]

Good to see ya back on here, Mac.
Have you started trolling yet, on your big lake?

[Mac Attack]

Good to see ya back on here, Mac.
Have you started trolling yet, on your big lake?

The boat’s been home for 4 weeks
Have not gone out yet.
And they have been killing the browns in Lake O for a long time!!!!
Ran into problems with my place on Erie.
3 weeks ago it fell off the pilings.
I have a mess!!!!!
But Jeff and I are going out Sunday.
d**n the torpedos.
😎

[Seahunt]

The boat’s been home for 4 weeks
Have not gone out yet.
And they have been killing the browns in Lake O for a long time!!!!
Ran into problems with my place on Erie.
3 weeks ago it fell off the pilings.
I have a mess!!!!!
But Jeff and I are going out Sunday.
d**n the torpedos.
😎

Heard about the O browns. Have a couple friends that just got back from there.
Sorry to hear about your camp. Sounds like you need some screw jacks and cribbing?

[Mac Attack]

Heard about the O browns. Have a couple friends that just got back from there.
Sorry to hear about your camp. Sounds like you need some screw jacks and cribbing?

Yea, Ontario is on fire right now.

Go over to the Camping thread and there's photos of things.
I'll get it back in shape.
But we leave for Florida in less than 2 weeks, so there will be work left for when I get home for sure.

[Seahunt]

Yea, Ontario is on fire right now.

Go over to the Camping thread and there's photos of things.
I'll get it back in shape.
But we leave for Florida in less than 2 weeks, so there will be work left for when I get home for sure.

Saw your pics, Mac.
Hope Donna didn't find too much broken glass?
That stone and stone dust should do a good job tightening things up.
Good luck getting it back in it's berth and your trip south.

[james1981]

  If you upgrade to a bigger battery bank and use I pilot link, you could essential troll hands free following the GPS, Or just upgrade your battery bank for trolling motor to get down sub 1.6mph.  A cheaper option is just to use your trolling motor all together. instead of main engine. It kinda makes more sense in that you are putting hours on a $1500 motor vs a $12000 motor. 

  Two twelve volt batteries in series = 24v or two in parallel 12v and 180 amp hours. or more.. Longer and bigger battery bank is the more trolling hours.  or simply a switch in the bank to go from one to the other... 

 They say 24v systems are way more efficient .

[Mac Attack]

I have 4 batteries on my boat wired in series/parallel for 24VDC and double the Ah.
I run it in conjunction with my Honda 8hp 4-stroke kicker to troll Lake Erie and Ontario.
The kicker does 2/3 the work.
The electric handles 1/3 and the steering.
Ipilot is great.

[Keith Walters]

If you have a bow mount electric, try putting it in the water, leave it turned off, and turn it crosswise to the direction of travel. It might get you just a little more drag and slow you down a bit.  No drilling. no cost.  By the way, I hate trolling plates too.
Good fishing,
Keith

[gotagetm]

i have that easy troll spring loaded plate on a 90 hp 2 stroke merc i can get down under 1.6 easily ive gone as slow as .9 but i have no need for any slower and have run all day at 1.2-1.5 with no problems