Trolling Plate, dolphin fins?

[Thunderfoot]

I have a 1974 19 Foot Fiberform with a 140 Merc Stern Drive in nearly new condition. My problems is right now it trolls to fast. Which trolling plate should I buy and is getting dolphin fins a good idea for geting up on plain faster? Also can you tell me how slow I should expect my RPMs to be at an idle? Everything on the boat works but the Tac and I'm working on geting a new one.

Thank You for your help....Thunderfoot

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trolling Plate, dolphin fins?

smart tabs above dolphin. troll backwards, in reverse.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Trolling Plate, dolphin fins?

Look at the ProTroller series in Smart Tabs.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling Plate, dolphin fins?

Doelphins do nothing to slow trolling speed. The cheapest method for slowing you down is a drift sock. Even cheaper but not nearly as pretty is dragging a five gallon bucket.

 

[Thunderfoot]

Re: Trolling Plate, dolphin fins?

In years past I used a bucket or two I haven't tried the drift sock. I'm concerned that buckets or drift socks will get caught up on the prop or tangle up my fishing lines. Thank you for our responces.....Thunderfoot

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Trolling Plate, dolphin fins?

If you use the proper bridle (like a water ski setup) the rope won't get tangled unless you are forgetful and back up frequently. But I can't imagine that being a problem since you are trolling forward. Drift socks also have a dump strap so the sock is folded to release the water when pulling it in.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Trolling Plate, dolphin fins?

back trolling with an I/O sport boat isn't any fun.

I use my sport boat for fishing (as long as I clean it up when I'm done!). My favorite method of fishing for ocean striped bass is to troll a tube-n-worm. For this type of trolling, one must troll under 2mph to have any chance at catching decent fish.

I have a Mercruiser 4.3LX with a 4 blade Solas prop. Without any restritction, the boat idles at roughly 3.5mph.

I tried using two 5 gallon buckets, but it didn't slow me down enough and they were a pain in the butt. A sock of the right size may work, but that too sounded like a pain in the butt.

Earlier this spring, I installed a trolling plate (flips down behind the prop). It worked very well slowing the boat down to about 1.2 mph. In fact, I had to throttle up a bit to get to my target of 1.5mph. This device worked well and we caught a lot of fish. The only problem I had was when some wingnut was trolling near us and decided to move to another spot. He pulled up his lines and started to push his throttle up. The big center console was riding just off plane with its bow high while the operator was talking to his buddy. In the meantime, his boat was heading right for mine. He didn't hear the horns and didn't see us waving. We had to move quickly. We did, but I had the trolling plate down and there was no time to disengage it. We did get out of the way, but because I throttle up a bit, the trolling plate bent. I have since straightened it out and it is fine, but I didn't like that helpless feeling when I needed to move quick.

I have since switched to a Minn Kota engine mount trolling motor. For the type of fishing I do, I LOVE IT. No screwing around with anything when I want to troll. I just turn it on and set the speed. The mounting was easy and there has been no negative performance impact in any way. Now I can troll all day at 1.5mph without the wear/tear of running the engine all of the time.

Just my $.02.....

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Trolling Plate, dolphin fins?

I was under the impression that trolling plates are not good for engine life. We used to run one on a 1986 90hp Johnson OB and ended up running a kicker 8hp rather than the trolling plate.

Do trolling plates cause any undesirable problems with motors?

Also ours had a quick release lever with a rope you could pull...as soon as the throttle was engaged the plate would flip up from the force of the water being pushed. That way you can take off quickly and not damage the plate.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Trolling Plate, dolphin fins?

No ill effects that I know of. The old 2-stroke engines could foul a plug if they idled too long, but I never experienced that. As long as the engine is in good working order, I don't think it is any issue.

My trolling plate does have the quick release. However, you do need time to get to the back and pull the cable before it can be pushed up. Some are spring mounted and will automatically push up without having to release it. I have never used that type, but I would bet that type would have some impact on performance.

 

[Thunderfoot]

Re: Trolling Plate, dolphin fins?

Thank you for your help I have enought info to make my decision. Trolling backwards? I did that for 20 years with my Mckenzie Drift Boat now it's time to go forwards...

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Trolling Plate, dolphin fins?

I guess you guys are not familiar with our Smart Tabs ProTroller series. They allow the trim tabs to be used as trim tabs with all of the benefits such as easier and quicker time to plane, and no porpoising. When you flip the level down the tabs extend to a vertical position and act like trolling brakes. The advantage here is that the boat tracks streight because the resistance is on both sides of the transom and there is nothing to drag which will get in the way of landing the fish. If you forget to retract the plates before you take off there is nothing to brake. Check this link and the prices here on iboats http://www.nauticusinc.com/nauticus_pro_troller.html

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Trolling Plate, dolphin fins?

I looked at the protroller series. For my application, the lever would be under a swim deck and I couldn't see how that would be practical for me.

Just curious though, how much do these slow a boat down? In my case, my goal was to drop a bit over 2mph. 2 five gallon buckets were not doing it.

Thanks

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Trolling Plate, dolphin fins?

You should get about a 35% reduction in speed, but this also depends on the idle RPMs.