Trolling Plate Question

[scaup]

I am looking at moving into a boat with a 150 and really want to avoid the 3-4k for a kicker if I can. Has anyone used trolling plaetes on their big motors? Looking for some feedback I pull a lot of cranks so if they don't work well I don't want to monkey around with them. Thanks for the help.

[Valv]

I had them on a couple of motors and was not impressed, I also broke the string to retrieve one (not the automatic version).

If you troll a lot I would suggest bite the bullet and buy a kicker, there was a Yamaha 8hp kicker on the For Sale section, new at a great price, here's link:

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=922277&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

I know the guy, he's a super honest person, that's a heck of a deal.

[VMS]

A trolling plate will work to some extent for trolling forward. If you decide to try and back troll, you will lose much of your ability to control the boat.

I would agree with Valv on this one... A good kicker will let you troll down much better than the big motor with ethe plate.

the other big reason to get a kicker is it will give you a different way off the lake if the big motor goes down.

Steve

[PerchJerker]

I've only been in one boat with a trolling plate, was not impressed. $3k should be highside for a kicker, under $2k if you can find a used one and new ones for $2-$2.5k if you look around long enough and hard enough.

I understand not wanting to spend the money on a kicker, but if you troll like I do your big motor will get used 5% of the time and your kicker the other 95%.

[bassNspear]

I have been in a boat with a troller plate. Did ok, but if i were you, i would spend the money for a kicker.

What kinda boat do you have?

[iffwalleyes]

Use a drift sock instead. Much more versital and you can move it around. I have never been impressed with them. Some of them the sping holes it down until you are on plan so you can't really back up and you loose hole shot with the drag of it. A drift sock once it is out of the water you are good to go.

[Rost]

My buddy used to have a trolling plate and I agree that it is probably not the best option for a few reasons...

1. A plate makes it very difficult to steer, especially trolling into a current.

2. You'll quickly realize that a person can burn $30 of gas up in a day of trolling with large motor. A kicker will burn a fraction of what a large motor will. My 8 hp kicker uses about 2.5 gallons on a solid day of trolling.

3. I also hate putting the wear and tear on my big motor. Why put countless hours on your $8K big motor when you could put them on a small engine that is designed specifically to take that abuse.

4. Finally, a kicker serves as a safety tool. It can get you back to shore in case you have problems with your 150.

I'd agree that $3000 is on the high end for a kicker. If you keep your eyes open, you can find newer used kicker for about $1500.

[scaup]

Thanks for the information. I really thought they looked a little to good to be true. Thanks again....