When pulling crank baits do you use the T.M. or the gas engine?
Thanks
Harold
Printable View
When pulling crank baits do you use the T.M. or the gas engine?
Thanks
Harold
I use an electric, I have a transom mount TM. The front one works for trolling also, but it seems to drain the battery faster. I have seperate batteries for each TM.
I use the gas engine (40hp 4-stroke) and it works real well just idling along.
How about some more information, like what baits and what depth you're trolling?
Rigs, etc... :D
Fishtaco,
I didn't have any one lake in mine. I'll will be using Bandits. I will either be using a toon with a 48HP engine (no trolling motor) or bass boal with a
60 HP engine , it has a TM.
Harold
We use trolling motor and use the small crank baits, but I don't think we have crappie as big here as what you guys are used to catching!:)
Trolling motor. Bit of advice, trolling cranks at 1.7 to 2.2 will drain batteries pretty heavy. However, if you hook up 3 to 4 in line, you should have no problem running all day. I looked in to 12v, 24v and have come to the conclusion that more batteries was the answer rather than a kicker motor. Much cheaper and since I have a 90hp 2 stroke, I don't like running at idle and can't seem to get slower than 3.5 anyway. Just my thoughts.
I believe with most outboards you will going over 2.0 mph. unless you have a happy troller on it. If you plan on trolling crankbaits alot buy a happy troller.
Happy troller is a new one on me, what is it and where can you get one?
My big motor pushes me between 2-2 1/2 mph depending on wind , waves, ect.
Happy Troller is a trolling plate. You attach it to the big motor and it allows you to slow the boat down while running at idle speed with the main engine. The plate drops down in front of the prop.
Ringo
I use a 43 Lb thrust Tm on the front and pull 4 poles with crankbaits and raise the motor. Don't know how fast Im going put usually in 4 speed out of a 5 speeds. With a good new battery I could troll all morning long, carried a extra battery put mostly didn't need it. Cheaper than using gas and less wear and tear on the motor.
Creekslick splane how you do the bucket bit please.
Harold
Harold, here's how I do it.
I have a 21' pontoon boat with a 90 Yamaha 4-stroke and a 101 Minkota 36v trolling motor on the front.
I can troll (literally) all day and into the evening on that tm. I really can, with no problem. When using the tm I like to troll between .8 and 1.5.
I can engage the Yamaha and the motor will allow me to go about 2.5 and that's okay in familiar water. Yesterday I made the mistake of using the big motor in new water. Before I knew it, two bandits were caught on a submerged tree and spooled the two rods, breaking the line before I could get the boat stopped or the bails up.
Earlier that day my fine new Lowrance 520c went belly up on me (see the electronics forum for my rant) so I couldn't see the tree. I wasl in 40 fow and figured I was in the channel. Now so, evidently.
Needless to say I got a case of the red azz real quick. BTW, I did circle back and recover ONE of my Bandits. The other one is history.
So, there you have it. I wish you the best on your trolling. One thing's for sure, you will really get to know your water if you troll the same areas.
aj
I troll off a 20' pontoon so I tie a 3' to 4' piece of rope to the handle of the bucket and the other end to the center eye on the front of my toon. That slows me down to between 1.8 and 2.1 depending on the wind. Some people drill hole in the bucket but I don't. If 1 bucket does not slow you down enough you can put one on each side of the boat. Last year I had to do that to slow down enough. Hope this helps.
some real good ideas....thanks guys