Best prop for my needs?

[Guest]

I have an 87 24' Doral Tara with an OMC Cobra I/O the size of prop that came with it was a 15"X 15 pitch but I plan to go into Lakes Erie, Huron fishing for Walleye, Lake Trout, Salmon and what ever else I can find. I have NO idea as to the speeds I need to be at with my down riggers to fish for them.
So here is my main question "what pitches do I need for each spieces and also at what speeds do I need to fish for them"?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I do think that there are many specialty fishermen out there that do know a whole lot more about this then I do.


Note " f you stand there long enough looking at your project someone will come along and either do it foyou or show you how to do it"

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Best prop for my needs?

I don't know there are different props to use for a particular type of fish... you size the prop to run at/near max WOT RPM. If you are talking about adding several hundred pounds with the rigging, then you will want to pitch down to kick the rmp back up.

We will need more information before giving the information you need. What is your current rpm at WOT with normal weight on board? How much weight do you plan on adding while making these fishing runs? Put this amount of weight in your boat (at the approximate locations) and provide the new rpm at WOT.

Answer these and you'll get your best information

Good Luck!

 

[steelespike]

Re: Best prop for my needs?

We're not likely to be able to help select props for your purpose.
To even have a chance we would need to know what motor/hp. and your present trolling speed and rpm. I think the better choice is a trolling plate or a sock to control your speed.

 

[Guest]

Re: Best prop for my needs?

Thanks Robbabob & Steelespike I will give it a try as soon as I can get the boat in the water. But that may take a little while as there is still ice out there and its only 3c right now.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Best prop for my needs?

I'm pretty sure you will find you need the trolling plate or a sock.You may be able to make slight adjustments to your idle.let us know how you make out.

 

[Guest]

Re: Best prop for my needs?

I went my local dealer and they told me that a 4 blade 16p prop was going to the best for me as my boat has a 6 cy GM engine and I need the extra power that a 4 blade will give me to get a much better hole shot. Oh ya and also keep my rpm down to a sfe level.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Best prop for my needs?

Props don't give you extra power. The engine provides just so much power and the prop determines how that power is converted to boat propulsion. When it comes to trolling, you control speed with the "throttle". If idle speed is too fast you have a few options: 1) trolling plate 2) drag a drift sock 3) back trolling or 4) use a small kicker motor. If you are going on big water I hope you have a VHF radio on the boat.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Best prop for my needs?

You asked for props for trolling speeds and your dealer suggests a prop for hole shot.
I don't know what speeds you need to troll but the 16" 4 blade will likely troll faster than the 15.
I wouldn't make any prop changes without knowing your present max rpm and speed.What size/hp of the motor and your opinion of your hole shot.As Silvertip suggested the motor needs to operate within its rated rpm range.

 

[Guest]

Re: Best prop for my needs?

Silvertip I have new VHF on order right now. I might have worded the power thing wrong, I ment that it would give beter performance in getting up to speed from standing/idling speeds. As my dealer has handled my brand of boat for over 30 years I will asume he knows what he is talking about. I am also going to have a 17 pitch prop as a spaire as that was what came on the boat when new.