pitch advice

[Kevin Lind]

Hi I have a 14 foot lund ssv with a 2021 20hp Mercury motor and I troll too fast. I was told changing the prop could make the difference. What pitch prop would you recommend? I am looking to drop my slowest speed from 3mph down to 1 as it is mostly kokenee in my area.

[J Francho]

You could add a trolling plate instead.

 

https://www.ironwoodpacific.com/EasyTroller-Trolling-Plate

[Kevin Lind]

15 hours ago, J Francho said:

You could add a trolling plate instead.

 

https://www.ironwoodpacific.com/EasyTroller-Trolling-Plate

I looked into this and with the viedoes I saw you need to drill holes and I don't want top void my warranty. I also don't feel comfortable drilling holes in a motor.

[VolFan]

Maybe a drift sock or two first? I have a similar setup and if you under pitch your prop it’s going to really undermine what little speed you get

[cyclops2]

If the fish is too lazy to do 3 mph ?  He is not worth it.

[J Francho]

9 hours ago, Kevin Lind said:

I looked into this and with the viedoes I saw you need to drill holes and I don't want top void my warranty. I also don't feel comfortable drilling holes in a motor.

It won't void your warranty and you can have someone else install it.  It's pretty much the default solution for what you want to do here.  The only other thing would using drift socks, which will be a pain to deal with.  Changing the pitch to something lower than ideal can result in overrevving and also make it difficult to get on plane.  The only other option I see is to install a transom mounted electric trolling motor.

[cyclops2]

Excellent options Francho.

 

I would never troll at 1 to 3 mph.  Hungry fish ATTACK at any speed needed. Shore fishing makes no 1 mph retrieves.

Always troll with the current

Always make clockwise turns to return.

Speed up in all returns to keep lure at 1 mph.

Do not stop trolling to drink or eat. 

[Kevin Lind]

14 hours ago, cyclops2 said:

Excellent options Francho.

 

I would never troll at 1 to 3 mph.  Hungry fish ATTACK at any speed needed. Shore fishing makes no 1 mph retrieves.

Always troll with the current

Always make clockwise turns to return.

Speed up in all returns to keep lure at 1 mph.

Do not stop trolling to drink or eat. 

not Kokenee. They like slow in my experiance.

[cyclops2]

I thought that could be true. By the must have 1 mph  requirement.   Is the fish excellent food ? I could have a hard time emotionally doing 1 mph .

[Deephaven]

On 5/19/2022 at 5:37 AM, VolFan said:

Maybe a drift sock or two first? I have a similar setup and if you under pitch your prop it’s going to really undermine what little speed you get

Make sure it is a trolling bag and not a drift sock.  That or the trolling plate are by far the best options.  With a 20hp I wouldn't be propping down as it will screw up how the boat handles when not trolling.

[VolFan]

I give, what’s the difference in a trolling bag vs a drift sock?

[J Francho]

Marketing.

[Kevin Lind]

14 hours ago, Deephaven said:

Make sure it is a trolling bag and not a drift sock.  That or the trolling plate are by far the best options.  With a 20hp I wouldn't be propping down as it will screw up how the boat handles when not trolling.

All I really do is Troll though

[Deephaven]

9 hours ago, Kevin Lind said:

All I really do is Troll though

So you never get on plane to go to new spots?

 

For the slow trolling are you in reverse?  I back troll way more than front...but I only troll when on a walleye lake and I want something to eat.

[TnRiver46]

Go backwards or use trolling motor 

 

also I’ve trolled with the gas engine at minimum speed and the troller down in the water, that slows you down some