Can you troll with a 25 hp motor?
Lake Champlain United — Forums
Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Share info on fishing Champlain.
digitroll (ron) Posts: 3589 Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:58 pm
Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by digitroll (ron) » Wed Mar 01, 2017 4:04 am
One of my favorite topics! 10 seasons trolling with Troll Control with the main engine up on the dash changing rpm’s by plus or minus 10 rpm’s. Watch this! I am at 1,500 hours trolling with a main engine.
No Worries! I love this topic. People have been saying to me for years. I won’t go on the water with one engine / one battery. I say why not?
Reelax Site Admin Posts: 5516 Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 7:27 pm Species: Salmon, steelhead, brown trout Location: Fletcher, Vt
Re: Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by Reelax » Wed Mar 01, 2017 4:46 am
Approaching 500hrs of slow trolling in my 2015 90hp merc. Love the adjustability with troll control, and the gas burn is less than a gallon every 2.5 hrs. Auto pilot works well in wind with big prop, and the weight on the transom is held way down.
The big motor is also much more quiet than a kicker running high rpm. You can’t even hear the big motor running at 600rpms.. Much better for spring shallow fishing..
Matt B
pieman9155 Posts: 64 Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2016 8:14 am Species: trout
Re: Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by pieman9155 » Wed Mar 01, 2017 2:20 pm
love my troll control
fishingmachine Posts: 860 Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:48 pm Species: salmon,Lake trout Location: Rutland
Re: Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by fishingmachine » Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:50 pm
How a about a Merc 115 Optimax year 2013? I d like to get rid of the 9.9 4-stroke merc and use the big motor to troll for all the reasons you guys mentioned ,except I don’t have the speed control on the dash
digitroll (ron) Posts: 3589 Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:58 pm
Re: Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by digitroll (ron) » Wed Mar 01, 2017 4:37 pm
You can add a digital rpm gauge as part of a troll control kit Frank for your 115 Opti. It will work great. Just get some 18″ bags from Amish Outfitters if you want to get down to 1.5 to 2 mph if needed. I run one bag on mine most of the time which keeps me around 2.3 at 700 rpm with my 150 4 stroke. Different with a 115 as it may get down to 2.3 without a bag. My other boat would.
fishingmachine Posts: 860 Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:48 pm Species: salmon,Lake trout Location: Rutland
Re: Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by fishingmachine » Wed Mar 01, 2017 9:07 pm
thanks Ron,I will try the opti soon as I can,I have used it when the wind picks up and the little motor won’t handle it
Greenhorn Posts: 240 Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:15 pm Species: Anything with gills
Re: Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by Greenhorn » Wed Mar 01, 2017 9:19 pm
Are there different makes and models of troll controls? I have a Mercury 50 HP four stroke. What have you guys found to be a good troll control unit?
Gecha (Gerry) Posts: 4308 Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 12:26 pm Species: whatever crazy enough to bite
Re: Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by Gecha (Gerry) » Wed Mar 01, 2017 9:38 pm
I run a Merc 2005 Optimax 115hp with close to 1000 hours. I installed a troll control 4 years ago and love it. I get down to just over 2.0 mph without wind. I am seriously thinking or removing my 9.9 hp kicker as I seldom use it.
Gecha (Gerry North of the Border)
digitroll (ron) Posts: 3589 Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:58 pm
Re: Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by digitroll (ron) » Thu Mar 02, 2017 3:56 am
There are two models depending which you like. Reelax and others have the newer fully digital model. I have the older model that is digital and analog combined. The newer one looks really cool! They both do the same thing. Vermont Home and Marine can do the install in Williston. Some have done them themselves.
Running a lower pitch prop by 2 degrees will shave a couple tenths at idle. Also trimming your motor up a little bit when trolling will help slow it down a tiny bit as well. I like to keep my motor around 700 rpm’s usually with one bag and if I have to be up around 800-900 I will remove the bag. I will need two out with a big following sea. but that is rare.
Here is a video I made 4 years ago for the troll control with my then new 150 hp:
ThreeBuoys Posts: 383 Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2015 8:48 pm Species: Bass,Salmon,Trout
Re: Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by ThreeBuoys » Tue Mar 07, 2017 10:20 am
I have the Mercury Troll Control with my Mercury 150 and although I don’t have the hours that some of the other guys on here do (300 hours in 2 seasons) it is a great toll along with a Fish Hawk, AP, it is a huge difference in fishing success.
C-Hawk Posts: 1760 Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:41 am Species: salmon,lake trout
Re: Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by C-Hawk » Tue Mar 07, 2017 9:13 pm
Even with my worn 1987 Islander, I love my set up. Dumped the kicker and put on a new 2014 Merc 115 fourstroke and have fished for 650 hours in 3 seasons with the only glitch being my own fault. I let the bilge fill with water when the bow was lower than the drain on the boat lift and water seeped in the top of the tank or the fill pipe. With AP and Mercury troll control, I couldn’t be happier . I am conscidering throwing a 7.5 in the bow for emergency back up though.
BottomDollar Posts: 601 Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 9:09 pm Species: cold water Location: Burlington
Re: Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by BottomDollar » Wed Mar 08, 2017 9:55 am
C-Hawk wrote: I am conscidering throwing a 7.5 in the bow for emergency back up though.
Yeah, stuff happens even with new engines, and with no tow service on the broad lake it could be the difference between getting home or getting blown onto rocks. I run a dinosaur 2 stroke main but I’d still have a kicker stowed on board if I repower.
digitroll (ron) Posts: 3589 Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:58 pm
Re: Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by digitroll (ron) » Thu Mar 09, 2017 1:11 pm
I have been fortunate. 1,500 hours on two engines 115 hp Mercury 4 stroke (still going with Fly Guy) and my 150 hp Mercury 4 stroke on my Starcraft 196 beginning my 5th season. Never stranded in 10 years that require a tow. There are events we can’t control like water in fuel / broken shift or throttle cables / bad water pump / hitting something / dead battery / steering failure. Some of these issues thru preventative maintenance can help the odds. I have no electric motor or spare motor on board and only have 1 starting battery. I do keep a jump pack (never had to use).
Predator hunter Posts: 8 Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2017 10:42 pm Species: Lake trout Location: Lachute QC
Re: Is slow trolling with a main engine detrimental?
Post by Predator hunter » Sun Mar 12, 2017 10:36 pm
Can you troll with a 25 hp motor?
Catch the big fish
Every angler is familiar with trolling motors: tiny electric motors used for slow, stealthy fishing and boat positioning. But did you know that you could have an outboard that is almost as quiet as a trolling motor and just as unlikely to disturb fish? Anglers all over the world are switching to electric drives such as the Travel or the Cruise not only because they’re ultra-quiet: they’re also easy-to-use, low maintenance and lightweight.
Some anglers are switching to reduce their carbon footprint by eliminating the use of fossil fuels or to maintain their access to the best fishing spots. Electric propulsion is mandated in many pristine lakes that serve as drinking water reservoirs, and due to population growth and climate change, regulations are expected to become even more stringent in the coming years.
Electric outboard motors are ideal for anglers fishing nearshore waters or freshwater lakes & rivers with small to medium-sized boats including skiffs, aluminium boats or «bass» boats.
The Travel is the perfect choice for fishing nearshore or freshwater lakes & rivers.
Ultralight watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, and inflatables are very compatible with electric outboards. They have a long range without running out of power — ideal for a day of fishing on the water.
Silence is the key to success
Quietly approaching a fishing spot is one of the first tactics you learn as an angler. Gingerly lowering anchors, soundproofing the boat, fishing barefoot, idling through bay waters, and speaking in whispers are tactics used to prevent spooking fish.
Catch the big fish. credit Carp Brothers
Sound penetrates skinny waters more thoroughly than deeper waters. Therefore, the slightest vibration or sudden change in that environment sends game fish scurrying to seek refuge. Pike and trout, for example, are very cautious in shallow waters. Fortunately, an electric outboard motor is whisper-quiet — unlike noisy internal combustion engines.
Speed, weight and power
When looking for an electric outboard, one of the first questions an angler asks is how fast and how long it will go. As more consumers have first-hand experience with electric cars, they naturally look to draw parallels between the marine and automotive industries.
But boats are met with exceptionally high water resistance and going fast takes far more energy from the battery reserve than moving a car through air. While 100% electric propulsion is still complicated for large or very fast offshore fishing vessels, there are easy-to-use and affordable solutions available today for fishing boats up to twelve tons.
Cruise motors are the most popular option as the drives are easy to install, lightweight and run on 24- to 48-volts. Smaller fishing boats up to 1.5 tons powered by a Travel motor can reach a respectable top speed of up to 6 MPH, giving the angler enough acceleration to reach the next fishing spot quickly.
Another parallel between an electric car and an electric fishing boat is reduced maintenance: they do not require oil changes, fuel system maintenance or winterization. Less maintenance means fewer costs in the long term, and since lithium-ion batteries last 8-15 years, you will not have to worry about volatile fossil fuel prices impacting your hobby.
Fast and dependable.
Maximise your range
While managing your speed is the most important variable in maximising range and runtime, the weight of the vessel and how much tide or wind you must overcome are also critical factors. Some factors can change quickly over a day on the water.
That is why all Torqeedo products provide users with a highly accurate, GPS-calculated range display that shows your speed over ground and your remaining range in hours, miles, kilometers or nautical miles. And, of course, it shows your current watt draw and battery charge percentage down to 1% accuracy.
Specific details on range and runtime for Ultralight, Travel and Cruise can be found on the respective product pages. All Torqeedo electric motors offer a GPS-calculated range indicator that informs the user of the energy consumption and remaining range, the remaining battery percentage and the energy used to reach this speed.
Clean, quiet fishing
There will be no stubborn smells or stains on your hands, clothes, deck, or vehicle as you handle and store an electric outboard. Electric drives don’t need fuel or oil that could contaminate your baits or leak into the water and harm marine life. And, of course, they eliminate exhaust fumes. When you fish electric you enjoy clean air and a peaceful environment, enhancing the fishing experience and connecting you with nature.
When you choose an electric motor, you’re not only helping yourself catch more fish, but you’re also helping to preserve the marine ecosystem. Preserving the water quality of lakes and rivers is essential for fish to thrive, so that future generations can enjoy the sport.
Torqeedo is the market leader for electric mobility on the water. Talk to a Torqeedo dealer today to learn about alternative propulsion solutions that suit your fishing needs, or conveniently buy directly online here.
More information:
Find high-resolution pictures at the: › Torqeedo Dropbox
Find the main catalogue 2022 here: › Main Catalogue 2022
Related Torqeedo Product
