I need something CHEAP that tells me how fast I am going

[ngt]

Same as the topic...

trying to troll in the Napa river, buddy said 5 mph and just going as slow as possible with my Honda 7.5 would get me around 5 mph. I'd like to be able to tell how fast I am going so I can be sure. Not even 100% sure that's the right speed, but hey, I guess he should know since he goes trolling the river all of the time.

Anyways, what can I use? that's not really expensive.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: I need something CHEAP that tells me how fast I am going

http://www.cabelas.com/p-0012326014883a.shtml#customer-product-reviews

 

[basalt51]

Re: I need something CHEAP that tells me how fast I am going

Your cell phone if it is GPS capable. Though thats ground speed not water.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: I need something CHEAP that tells me how fast I am going

If you're talking about boating,there's nothing cheap.use a couple of five gallon buckets they will slow you down.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: I need something CHEAP that tells me how fast I am going

I assume you don't already have a GPS in your truck?
Cheapest other thing (thats halfway accurate) i can think of is get a used handheld GPS off Ebay -

 

[Bondo]

Re: I need something CHEAP that tells me how fast I am going

Ayuh,... That little Gem in the link posted by Pez Vela is what you want...
It'll show you your speed to the current you're running in,..
Which is what's Important to the lures you're draggin'....

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: I need something CHEAP that tells me how fast I am going

Good little gizmo !!!
The other option is to have my mother in law in the boat with you.......she always tells me I am going too fast !!!!

 

[Boatist]

Re: I need something CHEAP that tells me how fast I am going

Unless your boat is tiny your not going to do 5 miles per hour with a 7.5 HP motor at idel speed.
It would be more like 1/2 mile per hour.

What part of the Napa River? California?

If your any where near San Pablo Bay you can get a Tide Book for a $ 1 or Free.
The Tide book for the area will have Current Flow chart and tabels that will give your the current speed at diffenent parts of the tide.
Then all you need to do is go to that area area and troll up stream and adjust speed until you match the current flow and your speen over ground is 0 mph.
Look in the tide book and it will tell you your water speed.

What are you Trolling for Stripers, or Halibut?

When I troll that area I usually set MY Speed to the point that the Lure works the best.