Trolling Plate

[Kevin53]

Greetings to all:<br /><br />My 60hp doesn't let me back troll as slow as I like to. I've been looking at buying one of those flip-down trolling plates. Does anyone have any experience with them? Maybe they wont work for back trolling just going forward?<br /><br />Thanks... Kevin53

 

[KaGee]

Re: Trolling Plate

Skip the plate. A couple of sea anchors, one off of each side might slow ya down where ya want to be. Other than that, kicker motor time.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Trolling Plate

ditto Kagee's sea anchor(s) or kicker.<br /><br />as he said nix the plate idea.. I wouldn't bother even tryin'.<br /><br />If you're in a pinch you can toss out a bucket .. <br /><br />3gal for 1.0 mph... 5gal. for .85 mph <br /><br />Seriously .. buckets will work too in a pinch .. size and such of either bucket(s) or sea anchor will vary.. buckets are trial and error.. sea anchors have a little more 'method to the madness'.<br /><br />

 

[Kevin53]

Re: Trolling Plate

Thanks guys for the response. I have been using a drift sock and it works OK but is kind of a hassle. Was wondering if the Happy Troller type plates were a better option. Sounds like its not a popular alternative. <br /><br />Thanks again.....Kevin53

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: Trolling Plate

I have a Happy Troller on a 85 HP Johnson and 17 ft trihull with the plate up at 700rpm the slowest is 2.5 mph with the plate down at 700 rpm my gps on my Lowerance X-15 the slowest speed it will diaplay is 1.2 mph I have seen at 0.0 many times. They are a little pricey but they also act as a stabilizer on plane too....I love mine If you are a serious troller buy it you wont be sorry. I do nothing but troll for trout til July and then for stripers and bluefish the rest of the year

 

[kopy kat]

Re: Trolling Plate

Kevin53--I have a Happy Troller plate on my '99 21 ft SeaRay-350EFI--it works great! Added benefit is getting on plane faster (if you remember to latch it back up before hitting the throttle).

 

[imported_JD__]

Re: Trolling Plate

Check this one out.<br /> http://www.louvatroll.com/index.html

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trolling Plate

I have been using a drift sock and it works OK but is kind of a hassle.

Just HOW are you rigging them ???

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trolling Plate

I have found the sock will work well in open water with no underwater obstructions. But can be a hassle if you are in shallow bays or want to change location often.<br /><br />Never had a plate on my boat, but believe it may have an advantage in the above situations.