What Thrust Size Trolling Motor?

[cyclops222]

Easily

 

[Berdink]

Actually, I set the gas motor at the speed I want then use just enough electric power to steer. I guess it really won't make much difference unless
your in current, wind, or other situation that needs more power. Just remember, at 12v you are using much more battery power than a 24v would use, so you will need a really big battery to last all day. I moved up to a Lipo battery to get the extra power I needed and can run for over 20 hours on one charge.

What if my 9.9 has an alternator for charging?
I have quite a bit of #2 Copper wire that I could run from my rear battery to my battery in front for the trolling motor to keep it charged up.

 

[redneck joe]

Well i guess I'm glad I live around small lakes, not Great Ones....

 

[airshot]

Alternators for deep cycle batteries are not recomended....not saying they don't work, they can shorten the batteries life and are a big no for Lipo type batteries. Charging at the same time as your electric motor is running is not recomended either.. Charging currents produce higher voltage than the battery itself so your trolling motor can be damaged from to many volts if you charge while operating, in fact it can void your warranty. For what you want to do, get a 140ah LifePo4 battery and you will get a battery that can last all day, or you will need multiple LA type batteries

 

[Berdink]

TROLLING IN 4WD vs 2WD - George Krumm

The use of electric, bow-mounted trolling motors with wireless controls and autopilot in conjunction with a gas kicker motor is truly a game changer for west coast fishing applications. Jeff Schwartz with a nice hatchery Chinook at Buoy 10. Directional control when trolling or backtrolling in...

salmontroutsteelheader.com

 

[BWR1953]

TROLLING IN 4WD vs 2WD - George Krumm

The use of electric, bow-mounted trolling motors with wireless controls and autopilot in conjunction with a gas kicker motor is truly a game changer for west coast fishing applications. Jeff Schwartz with a nice hatchery Chinook at Buoy 10. Directional control when trolling or backtrolling in...

salmontroutsteelheader.com

Interesting, but sounds very, very expensive!
As an old bass fisherman, I just use my bow mounted trolling motor.

 

[Jeff J]

I can see the reasons behind such a setup for trolling, even on smaller lakes. I haven’t trolled for fish much. Occasionally on a “no wake” lake while crossing using the big motor is about all I have ever done. The biggest walleye I ever caught was caught that way.

It would not take near as much trolling motor to steer as it does to move the way bass fishing requires. I think a person could get away with a front mounted rudder and save the trolling motor and battery money for gas and lures/bait.

 

[Berdink]

Interesting, but sounds very, very expensive!
As an old bass fisherman, I just use my bow mounted trolling motor.

Yeah, and for me, fishing faster current rivers for Salmon, using the 9.9 I already own, actually allows me to buy a bow mount trolling motor with less needed thrust. Allowing me to stick with 12 volt.

 

[Berdink]

Yep....the gas motor on the transom gives you forward thrust, then the bow mount just steers. Uses less battery than than using the electric only. Better if fighting wind or current. There are times when I need more trolling speed than just the electric can give, so adding the little kicker works great ! I can push numerous lines in waves with others on board at 5 mph if needed. The electric only won't get that fast, especially fighting wind or current.

Have you used spotlock (anchor mode)?
I'm thinking it would work the same.
The kicker keeps the forward thrust for the river current, and the bow trolling motor would make up the difference to keep you in place.
I've done it manually with just the kicker motor. Where I just maintain my location manually by adjusting my speed and direction. But I'm thinking I could actually do spotlock even in a 3-5 mph current by just having the kicker provide the majority of the forward thrust.

 

[airshot]

Have you used spotlock (anchor mode)?
I'm thinking it would work the same.
The kicker keeps the forward thrust for the river current, and the bow trolling motor would make up the difference to keep you in place.

For spot lock, no kicker needed. Spot lock relies on wind or breeze and keeps boat headed into it while it uses the GPS to hold position. Depending on how breezy or how much current, it will self adjust the speed to hold position. I use spot lock the most, haven't used an anchor in years. I have saw the speed up to 8 plus ( 1-10) on very windy days, sometimes enough chop to pop the prop out of the water ! Time to call it a day when that happens....

 

[Berdink]

Fantastic! Now I know what I want for our 35th wedding anniversary.

 

[airshot]

I can see the reasons behind such a setup for trolling, even on smaller lakes. I haven’t trolled for fish much. Occasionally on a “no wake” lake while crossing using the big motor is about all I have ever done. The biggest walleye I ever caught was caught that way.

It would not take near as much trolling motor to steer as it does to move the way bass fishing requires. I think a person could get away with a front mounted rudder and save the trolling motor and battery money for gas and lures/bait.

Wind won't allow a front rudder to work, you need the pull from the trolling motor....been there, done that....

 

[airshot]

Interesting, but sounds very, very expensive!
As an old bass fisherman, I just use my bow mounted trolling motor.

If you can get enough speed from just the bow mount electric then you are good. Here on the big lake, there is often enough wind that the electric can't give enough to reach the required trolling speed. I use my electric only as much as I can, but when the going gets tough, the little kicker comes out. It can run for many hours on a gallon of gas.

 

[Berdink]

For the rivers I fish, you have to have a big main motor to get you to the fishing spot. Then you need something for trolling. The big motor can't get you slow enough to troll, and would burn way too much gas anyway.
So most all NWest Salmon Fisherman have a main and a kicker. Just for safety even - you need a backup motor if one dies and the river is pushing you downstream. (I have a Suzuki 75hp and a Yamaha T9.9)
That brings us to a trolling motor. The kicker is what many use, but it takes constant attention. So more and more over here are adding the gps features of the newer trolling motors. It has been a huge advantage. It's also a lot more relaxing. Typically the Captain has no opportunity to relax unless you can trade off with someone. And it can be stressful when you get a fish on and there's just two of us trying to drive, and fight the fish, and net it.

 

[airshot]

For the rivers I fish, you have to have a big main motor to get you to the fishing spot. Then you need something for trolling. The big motor can't get you slow enough to troll, and would burn way too much gas anyway.
So most all NWest Salmon Fisherman have a main and a kicker. Just for safety even - you need a backup motor if one dies and the river is pushing you downstream. (I have a Suzuki 75hp and a Yamaha T9.9)
That brings us to a trolling motor. The kicker is what many use, but it takes constant attention. So more and more over here are adding the gps features of the newer trolling motors. It has been a huge advantage. It's also a lot more relaxing. Typically the Captain has no opportunity to relax unless you can trade off with someone. And it can be stressful when you get a fish on and there's just two of us trying to drive, and fight the fish, and net it.

Interesting, never had the opportunity to fish or control a boat in a current that strong. Looks to be a lot of work and skill needed to make it work.

 

[Berdink]

Yep, and when the current is too fast to troll forward, we back troll.

 

[redneck joe]

I've seen that on TV. Dayum