How to slow my troll

[Fitz]

When pulling cranks, my 90hp sometimes goes too fast. Trolling motor will get to the perfect speed, but I cant imagine the batteries would last running on 8 or 9 for hours.

I've read about guys using a drift sock under the boat. I'd prefer not to install a trolling plate and a kicker is out of the question.

Do socks work? Anyone with experience? Am I better off upgrading the batteries and using the trolling motor?

 

[Walleyesmackdown]

Drift sock works great I run a 75 horse with 42 inch sock I get down to 1.3 mph

 

[Kentucky Windage]

A 5 gallon bucket is the cheapest way to slow you down.

 

[Captain Ahab]

You could always run your bow mount on a low setting pointed in reverse to slow the main motor.

 

[Fitz]

Drift sock works great I run a 75 horse with 42 inch sock I get down to 1.3 mph

Do you run it under, hooked to the bow? Off to a side?

 

[Rowdie]

Trade boat in, or sell. Get a boat witb a kicker, problem solved. Or downgrade to a smaller motor.

 

[Vollmer]

Why are you against the trolling plate, if I may ask?

 

[Fitz]

Why are you against the trolling plate, if I may ask?

I shouldn't say out of the question. I haven't seen a strong showing of consistent, positive reviews of them. If I knew someone who used one rather than a blind post on Cabelas or Bass Pro might change my mind.

 

[Walleyesmackdown]

I tie it off directly to the center of the bow

 

[Retired Educator]

Have a buddy who trolls forward with a 90 and ties a 5-gallon bucket to the back. Drills a couple holes in the bottom to help release water. Ties the rope from the bucket to one of the tie-downs on either stern side. Goes slow, cheap, and slows down to the speed he needs. Want to go slower, use 2 buckets.

 

[Vollmer]

I shouldn't say out of the question. I haven't seen a strong showing of consistent, positive reviews of them. If I knew someone who used one rather than a blind post on Cabelas or Bass Pro might change my mind.

I have never used one, I just assumed that is the route I would have gone, but that is without looking into it much.

 

[ranger150]

Why are you against the trolling plate, if I may ask?

You have NO boat control in wind. I would never recommend one.

 

[3tt3v]

You have NO boat control in wind. I would never recommend one.

Electric to steer with, main motor for forward momentum. Used a plate for years. Now I use a kicker, but there are days the kicker pushes and I steer with the electric.

 

[Walleyedevil]

Electric to steer with, main motor for forward momentum. Used a plate for years. Now I use a kicker, but there are days the kicker pushes and I steer with the electric.

Winner, winner!

 

[shorthairsrus]

Do what Ahab suggested --- its consistent dont have to worry about hooking your bag or bucket - nor do you have to drill your plate

 

[Allen]

Is backtrolling not on the table?

 

[Fitz]

Is backtrolling not on the table?

No, if it works, I'm not against it.

 

[Kickemup]

I trim my motor up if I only need to slow down .5mph or so otherwise I use a sock.

 

[ranger150]

Good idea. We had the trolling plate when I was a kid. No trolling motor.

 

[eyexer]

When pulling cranks you want to steer with the bow electric anyway. So as mentioned a trolling plate will work fine if you do that.