Terrova or Kicker for trolling

[CaptainMusky]

I can't see how they WOULDN'T be in the way when you're fighting a fish, tied to the front cleat, 3 foot of rope, three foot of bag, more rope for the release line, it would be right beside the center of the boat.

If you have a 12' boat maybe. I think it would only be somewhat in the way if someone sat in the front of the boat at the time.

When I am fighting fish trolling they are netted near the back of the boat with the boat usually still moving. I wouldn't hesitate to use these if I had a need. They wouldn't be in the way at all.

[delcecchi]

The bag is only like a foot and a half in diameter, and off the bow. Your rod and net are several feet longer. Netting over the top of the sock should be no problemo.

[jjz]

I have trolled North Long plenty. Most of the best spots a console boat will just plain suck. Either in the weeds or too deep. Electric might work but lacks the thrust of wot a tiller or maybe kicker can provide to correct to the irregular weedlines. If I lived on the lake and liked pulling plugs I would have a 16 foot boat with a tiller 50 to 60 horse. I got a 18 footer with a 90 tiller and find it less nimble than I would like but it beats the hell out of any console boat when pulling cranks on the weedlines. Unless you pull plugs on the shallow flats which can be good, a smaller tiller boat would lead to far better catching than what you got or are thinking.

Good Luck

[fish_hunt_guy]

Hey guys not to totally hijack this thread but I have a 1993 17.5' alumacraft phantom (it rides pretty low to the water alumacrafts attempt at a bass boat). Anyways Ive decided I want to put a 24v 80# trolling motor on it with Ipilot. I found one cheap $700 my only question is it has a 45" shaft. Is that long enough. I see most have about a 60" shaft. I fish mostly Mille Lacs. Thanks for any help!

[delmuts]

" I found one cheap $700 my only question is it has a 45" shaft. Is that long enough. I see most have about a 60" shaft. I fish mostly"

If you can take a tape measure and check the boat to see if the shorter shaft will be long enough. You will want a little extra in shaft length to compensate for waves. If it is a bass boat style; it maybe fine, but check it out.

[Kyhl]

On my 18' boat, the front cleats are only a couple feet in front of the console so the bags ride next to the driver with the tail rope going to the back cleat for quick access to remove.

As pointed out, they only sit a foot or so out from the side of the boat at the mid point. You will want two or you will go in circles.

I might be temped to sell my set.

I do have a gap that I can't fish without the bags. In my case, 2mph is really pushing the trolling motor for any length of time. The 70PD2 tops out about 2.3 at WOT on my rig. The main motor trolls down to about 2.7, maybe 2.6. The reality is that I pull lures at 2.9+ so I could probably live without the bags.

[aanderud]

I can't see how they WOULDN'T be in the way when you're fighting a fish, tied to the front cleat, 3 foot of rope, three foot of bag, more rope for the release line, it would be right beside the center of the boat.

CaptainMusky is right on. The only way they'd be in the way is if there is somebody sitting in the front, which isn't very likely in a crankbait trolling situation.

Remember, we're not talking about using them drifting sideways as a wind sock while lindy rigging.... The original question was talking about trolling 2 to 3 mph. In my experience, reeling in a fish while trolling from the drivers console puts the walleye and the net man toward the back of the boat, well behind the bag. The trolling bag should not be in the way even if it's right next to the driver seat.

[fisher972002]

I have a similar problem as you, boat on lift all summer. I park the boat at the marina overnight and plug in every few weeks during the summer and give them $5 ever time I charge up...

For that boat, why not hunt up an older Minn Kota Maxxum.. Find a 24 Volt 74lb or even a older 65 LB Thrust with a 60" or 54" shaft might be ok... If you search Craigs list long enough, they pop up, find one in really good condition that's not all faded and bent.. 36V is too much battery for your boat..

We have 3 boats, 1 2002 Alumacraft Trophy 175 65 lb MAXXUM, 1 2003 Alumacraft Trophy 175 74 lb MAXXUM, then the trolling superstar my bro's boat 1984 16" Lund Mr Pike with a 80 lb thrust MAXXUM PRO ... Both trophy's will troll all day and to go 1.8 mph you have the digital maximizer speed dial on 1.5 or 15/100. Sometimes with the wind we can't get it slow enough, down under 10. On Windier days, bucking the wind I will raise speed to 40/100. Those TM's have plenty of torque and perfect for speeds between 1 mph to 3 mph. Will start to slow down a little at the end of the day, but trolls 7 / 8 hours strong...

Last year, me in my 2003 Alumacraft Trophy w/ gear 4 people against my bro's 84 Mr Pike w/ 80 lb thrust Mr Pike, had a 'Trolling motor Race." We got side by side, put them on 100.. Our GPS said 3.2 MPH max and we went about the same speed...

But his trolls for a longer period of time, smaller boat, no windshield as he has the speed so slow to move the magical 1.8 mph for crank baits, like under the 10/100 on the speed dial. TM's are so torque, they are barely spinning to move the boat... Sounds like what you want..

Remember cable steer TM's batteries last longer, no battery used for moving the head.. We fish Rainy Lake with lots of rocks...so Cable steer is a must, I keep my vision looking at the shore and the position of my heel/toe I surmise the turning direction, rather than constantly looking at the stupid head direction. You can pick up a good condition 70's or so lb thrust Maxxum in perfect condition for $300 if you look enough..

The 2 24 volt batteries will stow in that boat.. Yeah, between the plug and breaker and batteries you would have what $750 or so including on-board charger at the most in a great trolling rig...

my 2 cents...

[gunner55]

There's a place in Mankato that sells rebuilt MK TM's.We've had a couple with no issues,it's called The Bobber Shop.