Thread: Trolling question/second attempt

I like the drift sock option for to reasons... cost and time. Sounds like a lot of time would be consumed with the other options. Buy the drift sock(s) for your boat size, use it when running the big motor or when trolling with the wind (high winds). You'll have to decide which combination works for you. One drift sock latched to one side of the boat will drift you sideways. Two socks or a harness (purchased or homemade) will keep you straight. Also, if you don't have one already get a backup battery just for trolling... A CDC member and friend loaned me a sock one day on the water during high winds. It put us at the perfect speed and we started catching fish!! Thanks again Al!

I have a Minn Kota Power drive mounted on the front of my Alumacrft 165 competitor, simply aim the trolling motor straight ahead and bring the foot pedal back to me at the drivers seat. I set the foot pedal on the gunnel, flip the switch to constant on, and only adjust the sped control. Then with the engine off, I use the steering wheel to steer the outboard the boat where I want to go. You can troll like that a what ever speed you want to go.
No drift sock needed.

Originally Posted by Specklocker

I like the drift sock option for to reasons... cost and time. Sounds like a lot of time would be consumed with the other options. Buy the drift sock(s) for your boat size, use it when running the big motor or when trolling with the wind (high winds). You'll have to decide which combination works for you. One drift sock latched to one side of the boat will drift you sideways. Two socks or a harness (purchased or homemade) will keep you straight. Also, if you don't have one already get a backup battery just for trolling... A CDC member and friend loaned me a sock one day on the water during high winds. It put us at the perfect speed and we started catching fish!! Thanks again Al!

Can you explain the harness and battery back up ideas? I'm not sure I understand what you mean


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Try adjusting the idle screw on the motor. Often just a slight turn will drop the rpms at idle speed and slow the motor down a bit. I did that on a new Yamaha 25 hp last yr.

I would suggest a small 2h.p to 6 hp kicker outboard. or a happy troller.

I had the same problem as you Jman, only I have a 14.5' runabout with a VRO 70hp, and the same set up as Dave with the Minnkota, only my foot pedal set up is modified and in the dash
My problem was when I fished slower river water I couldn't get below 3 to 3.5 mph after leaning down the Idle circuit, and turning the Idle down, I have 4 different props for it, (13,15,19,and a 21)so I went to the 13" pitch it only came down to 2.8 mph...Being poor I took 2 - 5 gallon buckets and drilled 1" holes in them(Just on the bottom to start) with a hole saw they slowed it to .7 mph up stream so. I just kept adding holes to the sides till I got my .9 to1.4 mph...Bring your cordless drill its not as bad as it sounds
Just remember to pull them out of the water before you take off......something Else, you'll want good rope and clips and don't trust the bucket handles take the handles off and drill holes to mount 3 points

With the harness you can clip two ends to where the trailer straps hook to your boat and the remaining end clips to the sock. These harnesses are normally made for pulling tubes for recreation. I made my own by measuring enough rope to go around my motor and end to end of my boat, tied a knot with a clip in the middle and attached a clip to each end. $15 cost.
I do a lot of trolling and will usually drain a battery before the day is over so I have a back up battery just for trolling. It's usually the one I've had for a year and has started to get weak but will take a charge. I have a trolling motor that will get me to my desired speed so I never use the big motor for trolling. Windy days will burn thru a battery for sure. Most new boats come from the factory with 3 batteries installed. I hope this helps.

My old 2 stroke hated slow trolling. I switched to a 24v Terrova trolling motor and it trolled easily at 1.5 - 2.0. On my new boat I have an Ultrex and it does well like the Terrova. There are some pretty good deals out there on used Terrovas if you watch closely for a while.