Kicker Motor vs Main Motor for Trolling

[bchaney]

Hey guys, I wanted to get some thoughts on this. I have been using my 08 Yamaha four stroke for trolling with downriggers for trout on the lake. I drag a 5 gallon bucket to get down to the speed I need. I know that this is not ideal but I am working with what I have. I am racking up the hours on the Yamaha so I am considering other options but I'm not sure of the best path forward. I am new to this style of fishing (and have just recently been getting back into fishing in general) and I have been enjoying it, but I don't know if it's worth spending a lot of money on yet. Which path would you take in this situation?

- Continue using main motor to troll. Adds hours to motor and decreases value but requires no additional investment. Motor had 53 hours when purchased with boat and trailer a year ago for $5600. Not sure how much value will be decreased by putting hours on it. Also may be bad for motor to idle it for many hours, though I do try to get it up to temp after trolling for a while.

- Add gas kicker motor. Probably the best option for the purpose but would cost about $750-1000 up front for a used motor and rigging, time to install, and time and money to maintain. Would be good to have a backup motor for safety and would be able to troll in bigger water (puget sound) if I ever wanted to put the boat in salt water.

- Add bow mounted electric trolling motor. Not sure of the cost of this, would need a remote control one as I have a closed bow. Not ideal for trolling but would also be nice to have for bass fishing on the lake.

 

[Sprig]

I’m an avid trout, Kokanee and salmon fisherman using downriggers for many years. I have an 18’ Alumaweld, 90hp main and a 6 hp kicker. I also have a bow mounted electric with autopilot. 100% of the time trolling lakes I use the electric. All of the guides here in California who fish lake trout, Kokes , salmon use the electric not gas. It’s very quiet , easy to use. If you get one with autopilot you just set the course or line you want and the motor automatically adjusts to keep you on course, and you concentrate on fishing. You can make manual adjustments of course and speed with a remote smaller than a garage door opener.
When I fish the delta which has strong currents, tidal currents and wind I may use my main motor or kicker for trolling for striped bass and king salmon.
A good electric with autopilot ain’t cheap but I think worth every penny.
What I like about having a kicker is if my main motor fails my kicker will get me home (and has). The electric may also but it will depend on conditions and battery charge.
I have 2 batteries but I can troll 5 plus hours from 2 to 4 mph on one battery.
For lake fishing I wouldn’t consider anything other than my electric.

 

[mr 88]

Do not think your going to find a decent 6-10 hp 4 stroke with controls for less than 12-1500. You need a 2 cylinder as well as the single thumpers are a little rough at trolling speed. You hardly have any hours on the motor and trolling isn't going to harm it. Probably take a long time to recoup money as far as gas consumption goes , [ but you did not ask that question. ] Electric isn't the answer for big water ,especially if it kicks up, and getting her back to port if the big motor fails. I would guess that for what you paid for a 72 that the newer motor was 80% of the cost. A few years down the road and that setup will still be worth 3-4000 unless you are putting 500 hours on the engine every year. How many hours are you putting on it trolling a year , do you enjoy the F 90 for trolling ? You can always go down in prop pitch to slow it down instead of using a bucket , just have to watch you redline when on plane. I personally wouldn't care about the hours ,just enjoy the boat. Kicker is nice for any emergency's. Both of my fishing boats are twin inboards with no kickers and I do not care about the hours I rack up , enjoy the hum of the 350's /454's but I do like the safety feature of twins. Your call on what makes you happier !