mike64
Lieutenant Junior Grade
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2008
- Messages
- 1,042
Re: Is the 50lb transom mount trolling motor I bought useless on a 16' v-hull runabou
I just wanted to post an update here for anyone who finds this thread looking for trolling motor info. Now that I've had more time to get used to my trolling motor, (and sneaked out more times to go fishing
), it's indispensible.
I made this post right after trying my transom mounted trolling motor in windy, choppy conditions, far from the best conditions to test in. Now in the early mornings when I've been going out there's usually no wind, so I can control the boat going forward no problem. If there is wind, I just go backwards like summitlt suggested.
Before, I'd cruise around with the outboard looking for a good looking spot to fish, then haul out the anchor and throw it down, because I didn't want to drift into thick weeds or shallows. Then haul up the anchor and start up the outboard to try another spot, and do it all over again. Half my fishing time was spent looking for good spots and messing with the anchor. Now I hardly ever use the anchor--I either glide quietly along the shore, or turn off the troller and drift. If I drift where I don't want to, I just turn on the troller for a minute and move. With the outboard up, I can go in areas that are really shallow or have thick weeds, that I would never have attempted before. It's made fishing a lot more fun and enjoyable. Hasn't actually improved my luck yet though...
Anyway to summarize, (1) a 50lb. transom mount trolling motor is more than adequate on a 16' runabout, especially after a little practice. (2) if you're new to boating and/or fishing and wondering if a trolling motor will make all that much of a difference, heck yeah it will.
I just wanted to post an update here for anyone who finds this thread looking for trolling motor info. Now that I've had more time to get used to my trolling motor, (and sneaked out more times to go fishing
), it's indispensible. I made this post right after trying my transom mounted trolling motor in windy, choppy conditions, far from the best conditions to test in. Now in the early mornings when I've been going out there's usually no wind, so I can control the boat going forward no problem. If there is wind, I just go backwards like summitlt suggested.
Before, I'd cruise around with the outboard looking for a good looking spot to fish, then haul out the anchor and throw it down, because I didn't want to drift into thick weeds or shallows. Then haul up the anchor and start up the outboard to try another spot, and do it all over again. Half my fishing time was spent looking for good spots and messing with the anchor. Now I hardly ever use the anchor--I either glide quietly along the shore, or turn off the troller and drift. If I drift where I don't want to, I just turn on the troller for a minute and move. With the outboard up, I can go in areas that are really shallow or have thick weeds, that I would never have attempted before. It's made fishing a lot more fun and enjoyable. Hasn't actually improved my luck yet though...
Anyway to summarize, (1) a 50lb. transom mount trolling motor is more than adequate on a 16' runabout, especially after a little practice. (2) if you're new to boating and/or fishing and wondering if a trolling motor will make all that much of a difference, heck yeah it will.