What prop would be best for trolling?

[Buickmike]

Hi all...ok, i know theres lots of info on here about props...but my brain is about ready to explode..lol
I just can't wrap my head around all of the options. So, here goes...
I just purchased a 1996 Wellcraft eclipse 1950S bowrider. It has the 4.3 mercruiser in it with a 1.8 gear ratio in the out drive.
It came with a High Five prop- 13.25 X 21.
I have only had it out once so far and she goes good..lol
Factory specs say 4400-4800 wot.
2600lbs and i will probably run around 400-500lbs of humans, gear and fuel in it regularly.
Now, heres the hard part...i want to mainly fish(troll) in this boat and it idles way to fast right now with this set up...i don't know the exact speed yet, but i could tell based on rod bend that it was too fast. It idles down fine, around 750-800 rpm.
So, is there a prop that would bring my speed down a bit at idle?...i done mind losing some hole shot and top speed as this boat will only see that kind of use around %25 of the time.
Any info would be great...thanks.

Mike.

 

[ondarvr]

You can get a lower trolling speed with a different prop, this will make your hole shot better, but will limit your top speed and you'll need to watch so you don't over rev the motor.

​Most people don't go that route though, they mount a trolling plate, mount a small motor for trolling, or use drift socks. The only option I use is the small motor, it works out much better, I use an electric and/or a small gas motor depending exactly what I'm doing.

 

[David Young]

If I were in your position I would do what ondarvr said

 

[Rick Stephens]

In the end, you will want a trolling motor, just like ondarvr said.

I tried first an electric trolling motor, then picked up a 30 year old Honda 4 stroke. I love it. It just barely audible and can run at low RPMs all day. SInce it is 4 stroke I was able to plumb it into the main tank. Just put a quick disconnect on the transom to feed it.

Your size boat, usually get away with a 6 HP if a newer motor. I went with a 10HP Honda from the mid-80's. It is not as efficient as today's motors. At idle with a heavy prop - one made with low 7 inch pitch to push around heavy loads - my boat runs at about .7 to .8 MPH. That is sufficiently slow for the fishing I do. A newer 10HP would probably not be able to go that slow and I would be better off with a 6 or 8 HP motor.

Before purchasing the Honda I tried different stuff like drop down trolling plate or a drag sock to slow the boat under main power, and they all were PITA and costly to run that big motor just to go really slow.

One thing I can say is that a quality electric in the bow is easier to keep in the direction you want to go than a gas engine off center in the rear. A little wind makes the off center gas engine more work to maintain a course. The bow mounted electric drags the boat straighter under more challenging wind conditions.

All of it will work, but most of the trollers you see are running small gas engines. If you keep doing this type of fishing, you will too. Might as well skip all the half measures and jump to the end :^)

Enjoy! Nothing beats fishing for kokanee cept maybe eatin em.

 

[82rude]

See your on the west coast.Fishing for kings?Around here for kings and coho its 2.5 to 5 mph .Heck i fish for walleye at 1.8 and have no problems .A quick and dirty way to slow down is toss a 5 gallon bucket or 2 out the back.But for the long term id get a kicker as id never be caught dead out now without one for safety.

 

[Rick Stephens]

But for the long term id get a kicker as id never be caught dead out now without one for safety.

What he said.

 

[82rude]

Nice rig Rick.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Nice rig Rick.

Well thank you. Around here a true fishing boat would cost a lot more. So I modified an old ski boat. Biggest short coming is only room after the mods for the two of us when fishing. Used to be roomier till I added the reclining seats. Wife's bad back. Worth it to fish with her.

 

[Buickmike]

Thanks all!..I have a trolling plate left over from a 70 horse johnson i had before...i guess that would be the first thing to try. She is awful purty to be mounting plates to the swim grid tho....

 

[Buickmike]

No Title

Thanks all!..I have a trolling plate left over from a 70 horse johnson i had before...i guess that would be the first thing to try. She is awful purty to be mounting plates to the swim grid tho....

 

[Buickmike]

oops..sorry about the double post..damn computer was so slow i thought it froze up..lol

 

[Rick Stephens]

Probably the forum that is so slow...

If you stick a nice bow mounted electric trolling motor, it will fold over along the railing nicely. And NOTHING looks nicer than a FISH and Ski Boat. Gotta have goodies to properly fish, dontchaknow.