Trolling Question of the day...

brokemerc

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
233
This may seem like a stupid question but i'm getting conflicting information so I figured I'd post it to you guys. I have an 18 foot bayliner I/O and just installed a Motorguide trolling motor on the bow, it's 24 volt with 75lbs of thrust/remote controled. My question is this.. I see everyone leaving their engines/drives down when they troll,,, I understand this acts like a rear rudder when trolling but my thought is the extra drag it presents wouldn't make it worth it.. This is my first boat with a trolling motor.. Your opinions are appreciated.. Thanks.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Trolling Question of the day...

leaving it down adds control expecially on a windy day. tilt the drive up and you will notice the difference.
 

eburr

Cadet
Joined
Apr 13, 2008
Messages
25
Re: Trolling Question of the day...

When you say "remote controlled" I assume you are using a motorguide wireless 75? If so, I have owned that unit and it is sweet. Unfortunately, I sold it on my last boat. I am now using a Motorguide Great White 67 foot controlled, and it is probably the wrong unit for what I really want to use it for.

Regardless, and back to your question: If you are using your electric trolling motor to work down shorelines, powering on and off to position for bass, crappie and walleye, I would probably have your big motor tilted out of the water to reduce drag and power drain. If you are doing striaght line trolling for extended periods of time, many folks put their electric motor in a fixed (straight ahead) position off the bow or stern, and use their big motor for directional control. In order to do this, I personally need to use wedges to hold my foot pedal in a fixed position. Ugh. Not optimal, and I sure wish I still had that Motorguide Wireless now!

BTW: For straight line trolling, most people I have seen just use their big outboard with trolling plates, Smart Tab ProTrollers, buggy bags or other slowing devices, or even more commonly, just add a gas powered kicker. This will be the first year I try to use my bow mount electric for extended straight-line trolling for Walleye on Lake Erie. I also have Smart tab ProTrollers, so if the electric doesn't get it, I still have a workable, albiet less economical system.

Since your electric is remote controlled, you can easily make fine adjustments without ever leaving the helm, so you may actually be able to use the motor for real "trolling". Do you also have the wireless key fob? That is just too cool. :rolleyes:
 

eburr

Cadet
Joined
Apr 13, 2008
Messages
25
Re: Trolling Question of the day...

Re: the post by tashasdaddy: that also makes sense. I can see that having the big motor down on a windy day would probably help.
 

brokemerc

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
233
Re: Trolling Question of the day...

Hey,, thanks for all the info.. I had the great white initially and prior to installing it realized that from the front pedistal seat I couldn't even reach it to steer with my foot let alone control the speed.. This wireless motorguide seems like it will be the ticket,, it was suppose to come with the wireless foot control but for whatever reason they substituted the hand held wireless.. I'll tell you tomorrow after I put it in the water how I really feel about it,,, at least at 24 volts and 75 lbs it should push my boat around with no problem.. Thanks again..
 
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