On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 22:58:30 -0600, "del cecchi"
wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 06:25:56 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 05:07:09 GMT, "RichG"

wrote:


I'm not a troller, so my answer is without a lot of
knowledge...however, it
seems to me that many trollers put "trolling plates" on their
motors to SLOW
the boat down. The few times that I have trolled ( Alaska, etc.) we
were
running at 2 or 3 mph. Seems to me, that the drag created by ANY
tab system
would be beneficial?????


That's an interesting question.

If you are just trolling to scare up a fish, then yes. If you are
looking for a BIG fish, then you need to get close to structure and
here in New England, that means rocks - lots of rocks.

A trolling plate can cause you control problems - in particular in
strong currents or rips - oddly, that's where the big fish lurk.
All
my big stripers and bluefish have been caught within 50/60 feet of
shore in and around rocks and rips. I'd rather have the ability to
maneuver than have it restricted with a trolling plate.

It's one problem that I have with the Ranger - I can't slow it down
enough at slack tide for the really big stripers. Normally, I can
work with the tides and rips to keep the speed down, but at other
times, it's impossible.

And, I know it sounds stupid, but 1/1.5 mph can make a difference.

Electric Trolling Motor...

Have one - bow mounted 67# thrust 24 Vdc Great White.

It's worse than the regular motor for this type of work.

Have you tried the "drift socks" favored by the walleye fishermen in
fresh water? Basically a sea anchor. deploy from near the bow, let
back a short ways, not far enough to get to the motor.

For the kind of inshore thing I do, their not really appropriate.

Now out along a drift line, they are great and work ok.

At Westerly Reef, they suck. :)

Later,

Tom