Lowering prop pitch to lower trolling speed

[Teamprotz]

Can anyone tell me if dropping to a 17 pitch from a 21 will lower my idle trolling speed from about 2.2mph. Its a bit fast for downrigging. I was ok into the wind at 1.7-1.8mph. Would a 17 get me there ? Its a 17.5ft glass with a 150 merc.

[Chris K]

It's not going to do much at idle Jeff. A kicker will do everything you need it to do though! Or conversely, putting a driftsock to your bow, and having it dangle under your boat will slow you enough for your needs.


Chris K

[Teamprotz]

Just worried the sock will kill steering responce. I had enough problem with 3 kids , a less than helpful wife ( couldn't figure out what keep the boat straight meant ) and trying to set two riggers the first time ever. Got one snagged up , damaged the rod and lost the gear , then the power cable came apart on the rigger. Fished with one outfit into the wind and got 6 in fairly short order. Daughters each landed one about 12 lbs. Anyway , i thought about a 5 gallon pail for starters.

[harrydude]

get a Happy troller.........its a plat that will cut your troll in half...worke well for me

bass pro has them

[Ken07AOVette]

if you want the big trout you have to speed up anyway, we found that the big trout only bit when well over 2 mph

[Chris K]

Just a small one under the bow, about 24 inches tied off to the bow under the boat tied off at midship length will slow you nicely and won't compromise steering.

Chris k

[horsetrader]

Originally Posted by harrydude

get a Happy troller.........its a plat that will cut your troll in half...worke well for me

bass pro has them

x2 best way if you have to deal with other issues

[mooseknuckle]

At idle it won't make a difference if anything you will go faster with the 17

[Ken07AOVette]

If you want to go real slow troll in reverse. It works fine with down riggers.

[splake0]

I have an easy troll cost just over $200 for my Honda 90 Hp. Works great and is cheaper than a kicker.

A Happy Troller as mentioned above will also do. But I prefer the easy trol because of the hinged plate.

[Teamprotz]

Want to avoid bolting anything on the motor. Used a happy troller on a 100 we had and it was great , but moved it over to the promax 150 and wore out the slots.they don't like speed and vibration. If the big ones like speed , i'll need a protractor to figure actual set depth. I was guessing that 125ft of cable would put me just above 100ft gauging by the angle back. It was alot of fun , but realized that I never reeled in a fish , the 3 kids got them all. First trout for all but my 10 yr old daughter who got one through the ice.

[Ken07AOVette]

another thing that is key, when you mark fish what I do anyway, is to do a circle or 3 right over top of them, always to the side the downrigger is hanging, in my case to the left. That keeps the weight straight down, and pulls the hooks right through the center of the fish.