Trolling Speed

[KSanford33]

This might be a stupid question, but how do you figure out the speed at which you're trolling with a trolling motor? This is in a small Jon boat, so there isn't a speedometer.

[Scott F]

My GPS enabled depth finders show the speed on the display. If you have a smart phone, you can get apps that show speed.

[Dwight Hottle]

GPS speed is the answer. Most of the time you want to be going 1.8-2.2 mph  for bass & walleye during normal water temperature periods. Cold water necessitates slowing down. You can go twice as fast for musky. 

[Susky River Rat]

Yup a GPS is the only real answers to this. If you are going. To troll for any length of time I’d run the gas motor. I’ve only ever trolled for musky but have caught LMB at 4.8

[slonezp]

3 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

GPS speed is the answer. Most of the time you want to be going 1.8-2.2 mph  for bass & walleye during normal water temperature periods. Cold water necessitates slowing down. You can go twice as fast for musky. 

x2

[Deleted account]

Not a big issue where there is not much current, but GPS speed is over ground, not though the water, which is actually the important speed. In rivers or the ocean where you can have a 1-3 knot current, it can be make or break. When I am trolling, (with a few exceptions) it's slow and slower.