Largest Outboard for Trolling?

[Flyhole]

Just wondering what the general opinion is of using larger say 60hp and up outboards to troll with? There are a lot of mixed opinions on it around here, a lot of guys would NEVER troll with their large motor and always use a kicker, while others happily troll away in a smoky haze of 200hp Merc 2 stroke smoke. As a new boater would like more info on this topic please, including any dangers associated with using the large outboard to troll, even if only occasionally.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

Like any day at a drag race........... "run what you brung!!" I prefer to troll with a smaller outboard myself and not load up the bigger motor with residue

Welcome to iboats!!

I moved the post

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

To be honest, I've never understood the whole concept of a kicker for trolling except to keep hours off your main power and possibly to save some fuel. IMO, there is no max HP for trolling. A fishing buddy of mine has a 35' CC with twin 250 verados. It trolls just fine. Actually, with the autopilot it trolls better than fine! I think a lot of it depends on your boat and where you fish.

 

[Reel Kahuna]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

I trolled exclusively for Stripers with a 150hp Yamaha 2 stroke without any problems other than the smoke. I recently re-powered to a 150 Yamaha 4 stroke and wow, it's the only way to go.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

200HP Evinrude 2 stroke. Trolls all day, no problem. Synthetic oil keeps smoke and buildup to a minimum

 

[1fishbone]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

I like to use a kicker motor.
BUT, it depends on what species you're trolling for!
Salt water strippers, I troll -5 mph with the kicker, tuna, barracuda and other 'high speed' fish want a faster bait, 8-10mph, I'll have my 6hp kicker at 1/4 to 1/2 throttle and alternate between the main and kicker.
For reds, spots, I never use a trolling motor, just drift.

For fresh water trolling, I use electric trolling motor.

The 35cc with twin 250's is probably trolling at higher speeds, 10+

The only issue, the larger motor uses more gas/smoke and has a chance to 'load up'.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

The 35cc with twin 250's is probably trolling at higher speeds, 10+

No problem trolling at 2.0 - 3.0 kts. with that setup. Run one motor, alternate between the two thruout the day.

I have not trolled for strippers in quite sometime. When trolling stripers I like to troll 1.8-3.0 knots

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

agreed; trolling motors and kickers are not neccessary, but are merely an option--how much money do you have laying around and how often would you use it?
you can also slow down a big motor with a drift sock; some people use trolling plates, too. Depends on how much wind and current is affecting your drift.
But most people recommend taking a break from trolling periodically and running the carbon out. It's a good excuse to cool off!

 

[JimS123]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

I troll at 1.9-2.2 mph. My 9.9 kicker has a low pitch prop so she turns a fair rpm. I can run for 6 hours continually with no issues at all. At the end of the day I boost her up to wot for a minute or so and she hardly smokes at all.

My current 3.0 mercruiser main engine will not run slow enough and even at dead idle its not smooth enough for me. My previous boat had a 75HP OB 2-stroke and she would troll OK, but the plugs fouled if I tried to do it for 6 hours.

My mercruiser suffered 2 warranty related failures the first year when it was new and the kicker got me home both times without a hassle. For that reason alone I'll keep a kicker even if someday I stop fishing.

 

[SNye45]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

I have not done that much trolling, with my setup but what I have found so far is that when going less than 5 mph my Suzuki 115 4 stroke doesn't like it. It would shut down due to overheating (to protect itself). It would startup again with no problem, but would shut down again after approx 5 mins. For that reason and to prevent any further damage, whenever going slowly I switch to my 9.9 kicker,which runs great at the slower speed. Great for no wake zones.
Just a thought !!

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

No problem trolling at 2.0 - 3.0 kts. with that setup. Run one motor, alternate between the two thruout the day.

I have not trolled for strippers in quite sometime. When trolling stripers I like to troll 1.8-3.0 knots

We actually ran both motors at about 3 knots all day in the bay. The new DTS is awesome, btw! Wish I had it on my boat.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

I have not done that much trolling, with my setup but what I have found so far is that when going less than 5 mph my Suzuki 115 4 stroke doesn't like it. It would shut down due to overheating (to protect itself). It would startup again with no problem, but would shut down again after approx 5 mins. For that reason and to prevent any further damage, whenever going slowly I switch to my 9.9 kicker,which runs great at the slower speed. Great for no wake zones.
Just a thought !!

Um, that sounds like a problem to me. I would think you should be able to idle for more than 5 minutes without overheating. There are some creeks and coves in our area where you need to run no wake for 20 minutes plus before you get to open water. Have you had that issue checked out?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

We actually ran both motors at about 3 knots all day in the bay. The new DTS is awesome, btw! Wish I had it on my boat.

Why both? A waste of hours and fuel

 

[RRitt]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

i think any size four stroke is a better than any size two stroke. A too stroke has a specific rpm where it has a clean, full burn. If you get off that rpm then the exhaust and intakes gasses start to overlap. Four stroke gets a full burn at any rpm.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

Why both? A waste of hours and fuel

Not my boat. Just along for the ride. I'm not sure about his boat, but the steering on mine is a PITA with one shut down. Tends to wander.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

My 90 Evinrude on an 18 ft. Aluminum trolls happily at 2.3 mph on gps all day long. Damned finicky walleye usually have me doing a lot of backtrolling because I can get down to 1.6. I've considered trolling tabs because I'm better set up to keep the rods in back of the boat. Moral of the story, depends on what you're chasing. I've heard dragging 5 gallon buckets works well to slow down if needed.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Largest Outboard for Trolling?

i think any size four stroke is a better than any size two stroke. A too stroke has a specific rpm where it has a clean, full burn. If you get off that rpm then the exhaust and intakes gasses start to overlap. Four stroke gets a full burn at any rpm.

34 ft Twin Vee twin 250 E-tecs- troll all day -never shut them off- cannot even hear them running.