MyFishFinder Forum

MyFishFinder Tips and Techniques => Trolling => Topic started by: Bridog on May 06, 2008, 10:48 AM

Title: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Bridog on May 06, 2008, 10:48 AM
I have a 14-foot aluminum boat with a 25-hp outboard that can troll as slow as 2.0 mph according to my GPS. 

Anyone have a guess about my slowest trolling speed when I drag a couple 5-gallon buckets behind it?  I am hoping for 1mph (toque trolling).....but I think that is probably wishful thinking.

Let me know what your guess is...

I will post the answer after my next day on the water.
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Jim P on May 06, 2008, 11:03 AM
I have a 16 1/2 foot aluminum with a 75 Yamaha 4 stroke. I go 2.3 MPH on the GPS when I just drop it in gear. With 2 buckets out I drop to 1.4 - 1.6. With 4 buckets I drop to .7 - .9.

Remember to drill some 1" holes in the buckets, it actually slows you down more than no holes as the water goes through the buckets vice around them.

Hope this helps.

Tight lines.
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Bridog on May 07, 2008, 07:07 AM
Thanks for the info. 
I will let you know how it turns out.

Bridoy
Gray, Maine
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: thompson on May 07, 2008, 04:08 PM
will a bucket work for a drift sock?
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Skipper on May 07, 2008, 07:23 PM
A drift sock will work for a bucket. :laugh:
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: eyedoktr on May 07, 2008, 08:29 PM
You do not want to use a drift sock for trolling. They are not made to handle the pressure. Use a trolling bag. They are made from heavier material.
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Bridog on May 20, 2008, 11:05 AM
Two Buckets only got my speed down to 1.5 mph.  Will have to try more buckets or use my electric trolling motor for Lake Trout.

Thanks to all.

Bridog
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: gamefisher on May 20, 2008, 11:11 AM
Two Buckets only got my speed down to 1.5 mph.  Will have to try more buckets or use my electric trolling motor for Lake Trout.

Thanks to all.

Bridog

Add two more buckets and you'll be down to where you want to be.
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Jim P on May 20, 2008, 11:12 AM
Sounds like you are heading in the right direction. That's about what I got with 2. Try 4 and don't forget the holes...  ;D
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Bridog on May 20, 2008, 11:29 AM
I am running the buckets with about 2-feet of cable in back of the boat.   Is that far enough or should I extend to 4 feet?  I am a bit concerned about getting the cables caught in the propeller if I drop them back to 4-feet.

Bridog
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Jim P on May 20, 2008, 12:35 PM
I run mine pretty close. I think about 2' of rope. Any farther and you risk getting caught up in your lines, rigger balls, etc...

I think you will be all set with a couple more.

Good luck
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: walleygod on Jun 21, 2008, 12:56 PM
I run mine pretty close. I think about 2' of rope. Any farther and you risk getting caught up in your lines, rigger balls, etc...

I think you will be all set with a couple more.

Good luck
how do you rig up the buckets so they stay horizontal
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Lake Raker on Jun 26, 2008, 01:53 PM
We have used socks for years on a 19' I/O and only wore out one pair. The sun got them first. They are a lot easier to troll with than buckets, because if you tie one off from the front to each side with a 3-4' rope to the rear side cleat they stay right under the side of the boat and don't get in the way. Works good for us. Good luck.
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: bugman1964 on Jun 26, 2008, 02:30 PM
I use drift sock for trolling but instead of hanging them off of the back I attach them to the cleat on the front of the boat, one on each side. It does make it a little harder to steer the boat when the wind comes up but I never have a problem with the socks getting caught in the prop of interfer with boating a fish.
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: bugman1964 on Jun 26, 2008, 02:34 PM
I don't know how slow I get it to go but I can slow roll troll smelts and can go so slow that lures will not have any action at my slowest speed.
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Scott Wright on Apr 19, 2009, 07:09 PM
I'm gonna try it. I just bought a drill bit, some rope, clamps and swivels at the hardware store. We'll see how it goes.
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Rebelfisher on Apr 20, 2009, 06:20 PM
I have an 18' smokercraft (aluminum) deep V w/ 115hp...when I troll w/o buckets i can idle down to 3.4mph (GPS...SOG) with the buckets I can get down to 2.6mph   I have 2 5 gallon buckets w/ 1.5" holes drilled thru middle
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Grumpyoldman on Jul 31, 2009, 04:18 PM
Where do you get, or how do you make a drift sock? 
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Skipper on Aug 01, 2009, 07:53 PM
http://www.fishusa.com/BoatEquipment-DriftSocksDriftAnchors_c.html (http://www.fishusa.com/BoatEquipment-DriftSocksDriftAnchors_c.html)
Title: Re: Trolling Buckets
Post by: Grumpyoldman on Aug 01, 2009, 10:30 PM
Thanks Skipper.